State fire officials are in McMinnville today to investigate whether the Saturday morning blaze that consumed two downtown buildings was arson. The arson investigators have the services of a dog trained to detect accelerants. Rumors have been circulating that the fire may have been intentionally set, but there has yet to be evidence to validate…

A team of state arson investigators concentrated on the back of the two Main Street buildings that burned Saturday morning. An arson dog entered the back of the building and didn’t hit on any accelerants during her first attempt. The state arson investigators will be in town until Tuesday. For a complete report, see Wednesday’s…

By Dale Stubblefield Thursday afternoon at Sparta the WCHS tennis teams picked up a sweep in District 7-AAA action over White County. The Pioneers defeated the Warriors 8-1, while the Lady Pioneers shut out the Lady Warriors 7-0. The boys team improved to 3-1 in district play, while the girls are now 2-4. Playing in…

By Dale Stubblefield After collecting 11 hits against White County on Monday, the bats went cold for the Lady Pioneers Thursday night against Siegel. Warren County managed just three hits against Lady Star pitcher Kristen Parker as Siegel rolled past Warren County 9-0 at the WCHS softball field in District 7-AAA action. Siegel improved to…

By Rob Nunley Pioneer senior Travis Young heads back toward the DeKalb County end of the pitch during Friday’s matchup at the WCHS soccer field. The Pioneers shut out the Tigers, 4-0. While Mother Nature rained on their field, the Pioneer soccer team poured on the offense Friday night, scoring their first victory of the…

Southern Standard readers are invited to extend happy birthday and anniversary best wishes to friends and loved ones through this weekly column. Please submit your messages by our noon deadline each Thursday. No more than three wishes to any individual, please. Happy Birthday Wishes: Pat Parker, happy belated birthday, sorry got busy, but we still…

Diana Irene Wooten of Clarksville, and Zachary John Pelham were married in a nuptial ceremony November 10 at 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Sevierville. The bridegroom is the son of John and Rhonda Pelham. The service was officiated by Pastor Bro. Darryl Cantrell. The bride is the granddaughter of the late Tracy…

By Duane Sherrill A 54-person docket was heard Thursday by Judge Larry Ross in General Sessions Traffic Court. Included in traffic court action: ‘ Luis Cordova was ordered to serve 45 days of an 11-29 sentence, pay $50 plus costs and lose his license for two years for second-offense driving on a revoked license. ‘…

TODAY, MARCH 30 Josh Garner, formerly of the Florida Boys, will be in concert at 7 p.m. at Peeled Chestnut United Methodist Church in Sparta. Friends and Family Day will be held at Keltonburg Church of Christ with Bible Study at 10 a.m. and morning worship at 11 a.m. followed by evening worship at 7:30…

By JAMES CLARK