President Donald Trump has approved a disaster declaration for Tennessee. Trump on Thursday ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in Davidson, Putnam, and Wilson Counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of ... Read More »

The U.S. Postal Service has placed a hold on mail going to residents and businesses affected by Tuesday’s tornado. Cookeville Post Master J.C. Byrd said the destruction has disrupted two delivery routes serving about 700 people. He said residents and business owners can pick up their mail at the South Willow Avenue post office. Byrd said carriers will resume regular ... Read More »

The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed that an F-4 tornado struck northwest Putnam County Tuesday morning. Meteorologist said wind speeds reached at least 175 miles per hour as the twister carved a path of destruction along a stretch of Highway 70 between the city limits of Baxter and Cookeville. Officials on Wednesday identified 18 people who died during the ... Read More »

Officials have identified all but one of the 18 people who died when tornadoes struck part of Putnam County Tuesday morning. County Mayor Randy Porter said the dead included five children under 13-years-old and 13 adults. He described the unidentified person as a 30 to 35-year-old female with dark curly hair. Officials believe she may have lived in the area ... Read More »

The number of deaths from Tuesday morning tornadoes in Putnam County has increased to at least sixteen. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter reports that at least 65 people have received treatment at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. “That number could change,” Porter said. “We’re still doing search and rescue when it comes to all the damaged homes.” The twisters touched down ... Read More »

At least eight people have died after multiple tornadoes touched down in Putnam County early Tuesday morning. EMA Director Tyler Smith said crews are continuing to conduct rescue operations in the western portion of the county. “We are asking the public to stay away from the area,” Smith said. “There are utility crews out trying to get power restored to ... Read More »

Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter has declared a state of emergency after multiple tornadoes struck Putnam County Tuesday morning. Porter said at least three people died after the twisters touched down near Highway 70 between the city limits of Baxter and Cookeville. “When we have something large like this, that’s what we do inside of government,” Porter said. “It (state ... Read More »

At least three people have died after a tornado touched down in Putnam County early Tuesday morning. Sheriff Eddie Farris said the tornado struck between the city limits of Cookeville and Baxter. He confirmed at least three fatalities but said there could be more. The hardest hit areas appear to be Charleton Square, Plunk Whitson, Echo Valley, Prosperity Point, N. ... Read More »

Monterey Aldermen have approved an ordinance preventing residents from keeping dogs chained up outside for more than 12 hours. After voting against the measure last month, Alderman JJ Reels reversed course on Monday and voted to approve the ordinance. Reels said he changed his mind because the ordinance wasn’t previously presented as an amendment. “We can’t just do an ordinance with ... Read More »

Putnam County experienced a slowdown with the number of building permits issued last month. The county issued 12 permits with 10 of those being for new single-family residential homes. County Mayor Randy Porter said February tends to be one of the worst months of the year for permits. “So 10 new homes is pretty good,” Porter said. “February of 2018, ... Read More »