This week in the Upper Cumberland the Cookeville Planning Commission will consider action to add campgrounds within local commercial districts. The item was tabled for further study last month. If approved, developments such as RV parks would be allowed. The commission will also decide to further study the preliminary plat for the Putnam County Bus Garage and Road Maintenance Department. ... Read More »

Van Buren County Commissioners will hold a special called meeting January 31st to discuss using the state insurance plan. The county has the opportunity by March to move its employees to one of four state plans. Van Buren County Mayor David Sullivan said these are the plans only county teachers previously had access to, but the state has expanded to ... Read More »

The General Assembly will consider passing a Private Act that would add Putnam County adoptions to the General Sessions Court jurisdiction. Currently, adoptions are filed in the Circuit and Chancellor Court. County Attorney Jeff Jones said the goal is to alleviate the work load on those courts while also providing more options. “Our circuit judges and our chancellor hold court ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland’s fairest of the fair winners competed for the state crown in Murfreesboro Friday evening. Overton County Fairest of the Fair Alexis Phipps said she is excited to show others what the county has to offer. “It’s an awesome feeling,” Phipps said. “Overton County is such a special place to me, and the fact I get to be ... Read More »

What would it take to get a second substation in Sparta? That is what Mayor Jerry Lowery asked TVA in a meeting last week. Lowery said the city needs to explore a long term plan to create a second power source. “I asked TVA and said what do we have to do,” Lowery said. “They said it is a long, ... Read More »

Portobello America aiming for an opening date this summer as the company progresses on its Baxter manufacturing facility. Senior Human Resource Manager Alicia Banner said the company has faced some delays due to equipment deliveries. “We are almost 100 percent closed in on the construction on the actual manufacturing facility, and we’re looking to hopefully in the next month or ... Read More »

Putnam County seeking community input that could be used to alleviate heavy traffic. The survey is a part of a TDOT grant studying Pippin and County Farm Roads from West Jackson over to Gainesboro Grade. Mayor Randy Porter said the end result will give options for future renovations or alternate routes. Porter-3                 (:16)  ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Tourism Association creating a new challenge to encourage people to visit local coffee shops across the Upper Cumberland. Executive Director Patti Purdy along with Travel Influencer Kristi Parsons have tried more than 12 shops over the past three days. Purdy said the end product will be a coffee trail card so you can track your own progress. ... Read More »

Sparta has a new city administrator. “I really do appreciate it,” City Administrator Tonya Tindle said. “I’ll do everything I can to do the best job possible for the city.” The Board of Aldermen unanimously approved City Recorder and Certified Municipal Finance Officer Tonya Tindle to fill the position Thursday. Tindle served as interim since October after City Administrator Brad ... Read More »

The growing cost to provide medical care for Putnam County inmates causing budget concerns for Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris. Farris updated the county commission on the current finances. Farris said last year, the department sent 44 inmates to the hospital. This year, 42 inmates have already received medical care with five months left in the budget. “We are not ... Read More »