By Margaret Hobbs & lisa Hobbs Eight women were honored recently at a Celebration of Life event. All of the ladies have experienced different levels of cancer, treatment and recovery ‘ making them examples of strength. They do not necessarily see themselves as strong, just accepting and tackling the battles life has layed upon them.…

After a much-protested journey, the Olympic torch reached this southern Chinese seaside resort Saturday night, beginning what organizers and Chinese citizens promised would be a trouble-free national tour. The protests and last-minute route changes that haunted the torch along its international relay route were expected to be over. Instead, locals talked excitedly about welcoming the…

Cristian Guzman tied a career high with six RBIs, including a tiebreaking three-run double in the sixth inning, and the Washington Nationals held off the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-8 on Saturday. Guzman went 4-for-5 and scored two runs for the Nationals, who have won five of six. He also had six RBIs on June 24, 2001,…

MEXICO CITY (AP) ‘ Julio Franco finally called it quits. The 49-year-old announced his retirement from baseball after a 23-year career in the major leagues and stints in his native Dominican Republic, South Korea, Japan and Mexico. In 2007, he became the oldest player to hit a home run in the majors. ‘It was the…

ST. LOUIS (AP) ‘ Ted Lilly worked seven solid innings, recorded his 1,000th strikeout and added his second career extra-base hit, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 9-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. Mike Fontenot hit a three-run homer and had a career-best four RBIs for Chicago, which finished with 12 hits…

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) ‘ Big Brown backed up his trainer’s boasts with an explosive finishing kick and won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday ‘ a day marred by the fatal breakdown of the filly Eight Belles. The cheers for the winner’s decisive victory were cut short when Eight Belles, the runner-up, was euthanized on the…

WCHS head basketball coach Ryan Smith, who is helping a short-handed football coaching staff during spring practice, oversees blocking drills during the Pioneers’ session Monday. Spring practice continues this week at WCHS, and will wrap up with a scrimmage against Cleveland High School. The scrimmage will be held Friday at 6 p.m. at Nunley Stadium.

IRVING, Texas (AP) ‘ Emmitt Smith has some advice for suspended cornerback Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones: Stay out of trouble. ‘As long as you’re not killing anybody, getting anybody shot at and going to jail, then I don’t have any issues,’ said Smith, NFL career rushing leader. The former star running back for Dallas was visiting…

Relay for Life golf scramble Homeland Community Bank will be sponsoring a golf tournament to help benefit the local American Cancer Society Relay for Life program on May 17 at the Collins River golf course. The tournament will be a four-man scramble, with first, second and third flights being awarded. Entry fee is $75 per…

Monday, May 5 Girls 7&8 LOCAL TYBA Coach Pitch softball (Pete Holt Field) McMinn. Alum. & Vinyl Supplies @ Sanders Construction 5:15 p.m. Aycock Fencing @ Outdoor Shop 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 Boys 7&8 yr old LOCAL TYBA Coach Pitch baseball (Jim Mansfield Field) Barr’s @ Pioneer Pediatrics 5:30 p.m. Pioneer Building Supply @…