The most memorable quotes in the Times Free Press for March 17-22.

"This number of murders can be linked directly to inadequate and forewarned shakedowns of Hays State Prison. Laws were and are being broken by telling inmates to hide their weapons so the tactical squads can't find them. Enough is enough."

- A 30-year officer at Hays State Prison, on allegations by guards that higher-ups ordered them on several occasions to warn prisoners of upcoming shakedowns at the maximum-security Georgia penitentiary

"Every Tennessean, regardless of political affiliation, should be appalled by the idea of allowing the red Chinese to destroy the very mountains crossed by Daniel Boone."

- Lloyd Daugherty, chairman of the Tennessee Conservative Union, criticizing mountaintop mining and reports that a China-based company may be seeking to acquire Triple H Coal Co. in Jacksboro, Tenn.

"It's just the same old soup reheated."

- Isaac Grimes, 79, a Highland Park resident, on Mayor-elect Andy Berke and his public forum on crime

"This is not kid stuff. These are young people making life-and-death decisions. They are kids with guns in their hands."

- Boyd Patterson, head of the Chattanooga Gang Task Force, on the violence in Chattanooga in recent weeks