(AP) ‘ They came off the lake and out of the night. Swarms of flying critters descended with a fury on the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees like a day of reckoning. The midges ‘ or Chironomus plumosus (Linnaeus) for those keeping score at home ‘ all but exterminated the Yankees’ hopes of reaching…

BY DUANE SHERRILL In less than three months we will be treated to the Super Bowl of professional wrestling, that being Wrestlemania, which is annually the biggest show in WWE. I say the biggest show in WWE because I felt this year that TNA’s Super Bowl of wrestling, that being Bound for Glory, outdid WM…

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) ‘ In the defining moments that put the electrifying Vince Young in the playoffs for the first time, he wasn’t zigzagging through a helpless defense ‘ he was on the sideline wearing a baseball cap. The Tennessee Titans’ quarterback was injured in the third quarter of Sunday night’s must-win game against the Indianapolis…

VILLAVICENCIO, Colombia (AP) ‘ With its fearsome record of kidnapping and violence, Colombia’s largest guerrilla army might seem a nightmare group to encounter. But not to Oliver Stone. The American filmmaker is jumping at a chance to meet with a group the U.S. classifies as a terrorist organization. Leaving the glamor of Hollywood far behind,…

Sarah Bell Bratcher, 87, of McMinnville (Bethany community) died Wednesday, Dec. 26 at NHC Health Care. Born on March 3, 1920 in DeKalb County, she was a homemaker and member of North Hills Drive Church of God of Prophecy. Mrs. Bratcher was preceded in death by her parents, Sam Neal and Eliza Bell Scott; husband,…

Lawrence Lane, 70 of McMinnville passed from this life Sunday, Dec. 30 at NHC Healthcare of McMinnville after an extended illness. He was a carpenter and chair maker and a member of Bybee Branch Church of Christ. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Minnie Lane. Survivors include his wife Betty J.…

L.B. Williamson, 80, of McMinnville (Bethany community) died Friday, Dec. 28 at River Park Hospital. Born on Dec. 13, 1927 in Warren County, he was a former warehouse manager with Caney Fork Electric Co-op for 41 years. Mr. Williamson was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Thomas and Minnie Lee Clark Williamson, sisters Mae…

NEENAH, Wis. (AP) ‘ A life-sized cardboard cutout of a policeman being used to deter speeders in Smyrna, Tenn., has inspired a duplicate. In Neenah, a fake officer Stuart Zuehls stands outside his squad car pointing a radar gun at oncoming traffic. The display will be stationed in high-traffic areas of the city as part…

NASHVILLE (AP) ‘ Rob Forsyth has watched more alcohol age behind his bar, more drinks go unmixed and more plates stay clean since Tennessee’s statewide smoking ban started. He’s watched his wallet get thinner, too. Forsyth, the day bartender at Sportsman’s Grille in Nashville’s trendy Hillsboro Village, said his income has been cut in half…

‘Regions Bank, parking is a problem now.’ ‘ ”’ ‘This sounds like a good idea to me in order to save the Blue Building. I would love to donate a few hours of my time to help get the Blue Building back in shape. I think all these empty buildings in McMinnville should be used…