The State Department of Human Services (TDHS) announced new investments for early childhood education this week. The so-called Wage$ Program will provide an annual salary supplement to educators at TDHS licensed child care agencies. Danielle Barnes is the TDHS Commissioner. “The Wage$ Program not only serves as an encouragement for people to pursue a career in child care development, but ... Read More »

The Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested a Monterey woman following a Wednesday afternoon crash on Interstate 40. Charges against 34-year-old Miranda Watkins include DUI, implied consent, exercise of due care, and financial responsibility. A crash report said Watkins was driving West at the 295 mile marker when she lost control of her Ford Taurus. The vehicle traveled to the left side ... Read More »

Clay County will begin accepting applications for its home improvement grant program next year. Mayor Dale Reagan said residents received more information about the program during an information meeting earlier this week. “We had probably 40 folks that came out and got the information that they needed,” Reagan said. “We’re going to start the application process in January for people ... Read More »

The Putnam County Sports Complex expansion project can finally move forward. County Mayor Randy Porter said the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has signed off on environmental studies and other documents related to the project. “We got notification that the contract with the state is being issued and sent to my office. As soon as that happens, then ... Read More »

Clay County has secured a $7.5 million USDA loan for constructing a new jail. Mayor Dale Reagan said the next step involves the approval of an AIA contract with Knoxville-based Cope and Associates. “Once we do sign off of this original AIA contract, they’ve (cope) already got the plans to start working on,” Reagan said. “That process will probably take ... Read More »

A Putnam County judge sentenced a New Mexico man to prison Monday for charges stemming from a 2017 crash that killed a 5-year-old boy. 22-year-old Richard Collins will spend seven years behind bars for his vehicular homicide by recklessness conviction. Collins pleaded guilty to the charge earlier this year. The crash happened on Interstate 40 when Collins crashed into the ... Read More »

A single-vehicle crash injured two elderly residents in Cumberland County Tuesday afternoon. A medical helicopter airlifted 73-year-old Patricia Guthrie to U.T. Medical Center for treatment. The crash happened at 1:42 p.m. on Highway 127 South near Vandever Road. A Tennessee Highway Patrol crash report said Guthrie suffered a medical issue, causing her Buick Enclave to travel off the roadway and ... Read More »

Celina’s Cumberland River Hospital will resume operations when a new clinic opens next month. Hospital Administrator Don Downey said residents can expect emergency room services to begin next year. “November the 15, we will open our hospital clinic. We will ramp up and let the physicians and community bond towards the end of November and December,” Downey said. “So everything ... Read More »

Residents living along two streets in Spencer will soon see some improvements to their homes. Mayor Mickey Robinson said the state has funded $525,0000 to repair certain homes on Billingsley Street and Taft Drive. “There’s quit a few homes in that area that maybe need a new roof, windows, or heat and air units,” Robinson said. “Really, it’s just a ... Read More »