By CHARLES W. JOHNSON As I have pointed out on numerous occasions, I love it when readers give me a call or e-mail me with suggestions for What’s the Word. This weeks’ column has what wound up being a doozy from reader Bruce Wise. (Don’t worry, I’m going to address the origin of the slang…

By Jim Mullen ‘Do you have any idea what this $10 bill is worth’? ‘I have no idea. We never had it appraised. My dad gave it to me, like, a year ago. But it says 1973 on it, so it must be worth something. That’s why we brought it to ‘Antiques Sideshow.’ ‘Well, I…

CORRENS, France (AP) ‘ The Brangelina clan began settling into their new home in the south of France as a report that Angelina Jolie’s twins had been born was denied by Brad Pitt’s manager. “Entertainment Tonight” first reported on its Web site Friday that the actress had given birth in France. The TV show stood…

DIX HILLS, N.Y. (AP) ‘ A multimillion-dollar home at the center of a bitter dispute between 50 Cent and the mother of his son was destroyed by a suspicious fire early Friday. Six people, including 50’s ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins and their 10-year-old son, Marquise, were taken to a hospital after suffering smoke inhalation and later…

By DUANE SHERRILL A Good Samaritan whose car was stolen while she was delivering fruit baskets to shut-ins last Christmas got a surprise this week when her car was found in Murfreesboro, most of her possessions, including the rotted remains of one of the fruit baskets, still inside. ‘The fruit basket still in there tells…

By DUANE SHERRILL Sheriff’s Capt. Tommy Myers surveys the wreckage of the motorcycle ridden by Charles Seals Jr. of Sparta which crashed into a tree on Hennessee Bridge Road Friday morning. Seals, who was thrown several yards from the wreckage, was airlifted to Erlanger from the scene. He told lawmen a vehicle rounded the curve…

By Lisa Hobbs While several city departments came away from Tuesday’s committee meetings with nothing removed from their ‘no frills’ budgets, city residents may have something added to their family budget beginning July 1. Fee increases were recommended and accepted by each committee. Increases include garbage pick-up, building permits, yard sale permits and water rates.…

By DUANE SHERRILL Updated: Saturday, May 31, 2008 10:07 pm A man who robbed one bank and botched a second heist will serve a year in prison. The bank robber, Carl Anthony Brakeall Jr., 35, entered guilty pleas to charges of aggravated robbery and attempted aggravated robbery and was ordered to serve one year of…

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: May 28 ‘ Camerie Martin, happy birthday ‘Cam.’ We all love…

By Lisa Hobbs There was no discussion by city officials when annexation along Nashville Highway and Smithville Highway came before them Tuesday night – one passed the first reading and one did not. Alderman Billy Wood was left with no second to his motion to move forward with the ordinance that would annex in the…