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A free chance to get your child safety seat checked in Warren County Saturday. The McMinnville-Warren County Child Passenger Safety Coalition will be checking seats from Noon until 2pm at McMinnville’s Milner Recreation Center. Local police and other agencies will be on hand to check the security and installation. The Tennessee Highway Safety Office estimates 58 percent of rear-facing car ... Read More »

Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said South Church Street is expected to remain closed for “awhile” as the city works to clear debris from the crumbling Old Sparta Hardware Store. Brick from the back corner of the building tumbled onto the street Monday night. As of Thursday, the street remained covered in rubble. Lowery said demolition of the rest of the ... Read More »

Baxter Aldermen voted Thursday night to one-way Broad Street in an effort to continue the revitalization of the downtown. Mayor John Martin said he had talked to a lot of the business owners who saw the increased parking as a benefit. Martin said the plan would also include clear markings and signage to move people eastbound. “I think it’d be ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools will collect lists for kindergarten lotteries at all but two schools as the early enrollment period approaches. School Board Thursday night approved the student registration plan. The lottery could occur everywhere but Jere Whitson and Prescott. Enrollment Supervisor Chris Pierce said it will all depend on how projected kindergarten enrollment shakes out beginning April 2. “Our new ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council approved an amendment to an indemnity agreement Thursday night to allow for dirt to be moved in the Highlands Business Park. Council approved the agreement with the Hollingsworth Group last fall to transport dirt from the Ficosa site to the lot owned by Hollingsworth. Community Development Director Jon Ward said the desire was to keep heavy trucks ... Read More »

Sparta Aldermen voted Thursday night to implement a four percent hotel/motel tax to generate revenue for tourism development. Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said while the city does not have a hotel, the city will be paid a fee when visitors rent Airbnbs and other local rental properties. He said Sparta and White County are behind on this revenue source, as ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech faculty salaries are five percent below the market median, while staff salaries are 16 percent below the market median. That according to the results of a new salary study shared with the Board of Trustees Thursday. Trustees voted to use some $1.76 million in money held back in this year’s budget to bring all permanent university employees to ... Read More »

Monterey High School working to facilitate continued growth in dual enrollment and other post-secondary opportunities. Principal Bree Wheeler said the school now has an advisement period every Friday with fewer students per teacher, allowing teachers to help students understand what dual enrollment programs might be best for them individually. “Those teachers can really push those opportunities and I think that’s ... Read More »

The case of two Dodson Branch Elementary School staffers accused in an October paddling incident is set for trial in November. 15th District Attorney General Jason Lawson said the defendants, Assistant Principal Tena Lynn and Teacher Jackson Patterson appeared at their first court date earlier this week. Lawson said the defendants entered a plea of “Not Guilty.” “The Grandy Jury, ... Read More »

Friday is the final day to sign up for a World War I-centered genealogy event at Sgt Alvin C. York State Historic Park. Park Administrative Assistant Alec Parsons said staff hopes to help people understand their lineage and the connection they might have to World War I. He said those who supply the park with the name of a soldier ... Read More »