CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) ‘ He’s been praised by the biggest names in the sport, described as fearless, exceptionally talented and NASCAR’s next big star. It’s both flattering and humbling, and maybe even a little surreal considering where Kyle Busch was this time last year. But his newfound acceptance isn’t what Busch is after. He just…

NASHVILLE (AP) ‘ The NFL Players Association elected Tennessee center Kevin Mawae as the union’s new president Wednesday on the final day of a four-day meeting in Hawaii. Mawae, a 14-year veteran who had been on the union’s executive committee for the past six years. He replaces Troy Vincent, whose term recently ended and who…

By Dale Stubblefield After Tuesday’s round in the Gold and Silver bowling league, Jones Twins Beauty Salon has a hold on first place with 69.5 points. Security Federal is in second with 63.5. Dr Pepper and First National Bank have 61.5 points each. Beacon Federal has 59.5, Cumberland Lumber 57, Holder Realty 53.5, Foster &…

By Art Larson Sr. With the spring Bristol Sprint Cup race in the books, the preseason is complete. I call the first five races of the season the preseason because of the top 35 rule. For the first five races of the season, the owners’ points determine who is in the top 35. After the…

By Rob Nunley Justin Bouldin takes a cut at an Austin Hurt offering during Tuesday’s game. The Pioneers managed just six hits through the entire two-game series. Their opening foray into District 7-AAA competition left a lot to be desired for the Pioneer baseball team. Struggling at the plate in both contests against the Riverdale…

TO THE EDITOR:I wanted to comment about the proposed calendar. I agree that it is better for all of the school to be on the same calendar. I remember last year the first day of school was Aug. 13, 2007. The teachers were told not to take their students outside the first two weeks of…

By JAMES CLARK There has been outcry ‘ and yes the term outcry does apply ‘ at the city’s proposal to widen North Chancery Street and have property owners on that street pay two-thirds of the bill. But if you dig beneath the initial layer of disbelief, this idea has its merits. And if all…

By William Rusher Modern political history offers no more astonishing story than the account of how the American conservative movement emerged, seemingly out of nowhere, in the early 1950s, trounced the regnant liberals, and established itself as the dominant political force in the United States. In recent years the bookshelves have begun filling with accounts…

By Cokie & Steve Roberts Barack Obama’s speech about race in America reflects a new stage of the political campaign. Call it hyper-scrutiny. This stage usually begins when the field is reduced to the two contenders (this year, three) who have a realistic chance of becoming president. From now on, every word they utter, every…

McMinnville Police Depart-ment wants to keep the roads safe over the Easter holiday weekend and has announced saturated patrols and roadblocks to take place beginning today. The police department is committed to reducing the number of injuries and deaths in the city of McMinnville and the state due to impaired drivers. The roadblocks and saturated…