A jog around the racetrack was all trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. needed to see before declaring Big Brown back ‘ and maybe better than before. ‘He looks like an absolute picture,’ a delighted Dutrow said Tuesday morning after his Triple Crown hopeful resumed training while continuing to heal from a slight crack on the inside…

Editor’s note: Butler Smith died in December after being struck by a vehicle while in his wheelchair. This article was written by Lisa Smartt about his military service in connection with Veteran’s Day, but it applies to military service in general. William Butler Smith was going to war. It wasn’t by choice. But it wasn’t…

By Lisa Hobbs City elected officials received their first look at the proposed 2008/2009 budget. The budget is considered to have ‘no frills’ and is without a tax increase and no donations to non-profit organizations. The future could hold some lean times for city government and city employees. According to the proposed budget, on June…

By DUANE SHERRILL A nursery office manager will spend 10 years on probation and she must pay back nearly a quarter-million dollars she stole from her employer over a five-year span. The defendant, Angela Ann Beaty, was ordered to spend 10 years on probation on multiple counts of theft over $10,000 and to perform 200…

Center Hill: Fishing is good. The water temperature is 70 degrees; lake is stable. Several good bass are being caught on Carolina rigs, while fishing points in 5-to-15 feet of water. Bluegill fishing is good on gravel banks on nightcrawlers and crickets in 5-to-10 feet of water. A few walleye are being caught on crankbaits…

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) ‘ The Indianapolis 500 is new again. Danica Patrick is a proven winner with a legitimate shot at taking the checkered flag, all the top teams and drivers are back for the 92nd running of the Indy 500 and optimism is high for what should, for the first time in 13 years, truly…

DENVER (AP) ‘ Even with his team on a five-game losing streak, Mets manager Willie Randolph was able to joke about his job status. General manager Omar Minaya made the holiday weekend trip to Colorado, leading to speculation that Randolph is under evaluation and his job could be in jeopardy. ‘I thought I saw him…

Sports Camp Covenant Academy will hold a sports camp on June 2 and June 3 from 8:30 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. June 2 will be basketball instructions, while the 3rd will have emphasis on softball and baseball. Cost is $25 for both days, which includes lunch for both days and a T-shirt. Instructors include, Brent…

The 11-and-under Pioneer baseball team recently won the BPA Spring Championship tournament in Cookeville and are now undefeated on the season. Members of the team are, front row, from left, Wesley Parkhurst, Nate Grandey, Dylan Tubb, Christian Wilkinson and Dusty Ledbetter. Back row, Brock Majors, Chayse Frye, Collin Smedley and Merek McColloch.

Tuesday, May 27 Babe Ruth baseball (Edley Newman Field) Rotary Club vs. Cherokee Mfg. 5:30 p.m. Sundrop vs. First National 7:30 p.m. Boys’ 7&8 coach-pitch (Jim Mansfield Field) NHC @ ABC ICE 5:30 p.m. Brewer Amusement @ A&K Termite 6:45 p.m. Pioneer Pediatrics @ Gary Steele Karate 8 p.m. Boys 9-10 Jr. League (Hoover Milraney…