By DUANE SHERRILL A thief who tried to flee Wal-Mart with over $1,000 in stolen merchandise will not only serve 200 days behind bars but will also be required to perform 300 hours public service work to amend for her crimes. The defendant, Jamie M. Dukes, was ordered Wednesday by Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley…

By Lisa Hobbs The state Department of Economic and Community Development has announced it is increasing the Tennessee Main Street Innovation Grant from $10,000 to $23,000 to support innovative programs and activities around the state’s 21 Main Street Program communities. ‘Main Street McMinnville plans to apply for this grant,’ said Main Street McMinnville director Chris…

By DUANE SHERRILL With the departure of former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson from the Republican presidential primary, some local early voters who cast their ballots for the favorite son are dismayed their votes were wasted. Thompson cited poor showings in early primaries, plus a distant third-place finish in South Carolina where he had high hopes,…

District Attorney Lisa Zavogiannis, center, and local realtor Jana Wilson were among the estimated 2,000 in attendance Monday night to hear former President Bill Clinton talk at Fisk University in Nashville. Clinton was stumping for his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, who is engaged in a heated presidential battle in the Democratic primary.

(AP) ‘ Sen. Bob Corker is skeptical whether a bipartisan plan to boost the economy by offering tax rebates is the best way to fix the U.S. economy. The Tennessee Republican said Thursday that the stimulus package would give the economy a temporary boost, but it wouldn’t fix fundamental problems like Americans’ low savings rate.…

PAULSON WASHINGTON (AP) ‘ Congressional leaders announced a deal with the White House yesterday on an economic stimulus package that would give most tax filers refunds of $600 to $1,200, and more if they have children. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress would act on the agreement ‘ hammered out in a week of intense…

By Lisa Hobbs KILLEBREW What’s in store for the Blue Building once city government moves? City officials voted Tuesday night to allow Middle Tennessee State University to conduct a study on the Blue Building. The vote allows the city to join with Heritage Alliance, the Citizens Who Care Committee, and Main Street McMinnville in sending…

By Lisa Hobbs SEWELL A strict policy is in place for the use of X26 Tasers by McMinnville Police Department. The department currently has four Tasers and officers will begin carrying them after training. McMinnville Police Chief Charlie Sewell generated the policy with the help of MTAS, the Municipal Technical Advisory Service. Not only do…

By James Clark JONES What would you do with an extra $600 in your pocket? Most Warren County taxpayers will find out in the coming months. Congressional leaders announced a deal with the White House yesterday on an economic stimulus package that would give most tax filers refunds of $600 to $1,200, and more if…

BY Gene Lyons Some time back, this column opined that many Democrats feared that nominating Sen. Hillary Clinton for the presidency risked setting off a national psychodrama that could cost their party the election. Both as a woman and a Clinton, Hillary’s hated on the right with near-psychotic intensity. That said, it’s clear the 2008…