The Celina-Clay County Chamber of Commerce has rebuilt its websites to better advertise the community to tourists. Executive Director Doug Young said it includes new tabs for water recreation, nature opportunities and what local businesses have to offer. “That gave us a lot of really up-to-date photography to go on both websites,” Young said. “It allows people to get a ... Read More »

Highlands Residential Services has closed applications for all of its housing developments due to long waiting lists. Director of Operations Chris Cassetty said a combination of low apartment turnover and available inventory has caused the issue. “One waiting list might only have 40 or 50 people on it, but if you are only turning over 10 to 15 units a ... Read More »

The Biz Foundry accepting applications for its second Pitch It event for entrepreneurs in recovery. It is collaborative program with the non-profit and UCDD’s Recovery2Work. Vice President Tiffany Anton said the goal is to provide recovering addicts funding to make their business ideas into reality. The application deadline is January 27th. Anton said applicants will be required to submit an ... Read More »

Structural updates made at the old Cumberland County Courthouse allowing the county to move forward with the next engineering inspection. Mayor Allen Foster said the engineering group should start the inspection next week. He said metal beams were installed on the second and third floor to support the building. “The next engineering group is going to come in and do ... Read More »

Putnam County received one finding in its 2021-2022 audit by the State Comptroller’s Office. Mayor Randy Porter said the minor finding was under the road department. A double entry error that lead to revenue not matching the general ledger. “We do really well to be a county our size and all the departments and officials we have to not have ... Read More »

The Van Buren County Commission voted Tuesday night to transfer its $2.5 million in COVID utility funds to the town of Spencer and Bledsoe County. The state asked the county to make the transfer as a way to eliminate duplicate applications to the state. Engineer Consultant Zeda Hillis said the commission’s decision will eliminate the county’s role with this money. ... Read More »

The Putnam County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to accept a land option that would allow the county to purchase some 92 acres from Cookeville. The tract could be used for a potential school in that area of Cookeville. It is a part of the 109 acres the city purchased along Highway 111 at Old Sparta Road last year. The city ... Read More »

The Sparta Electric Department has restored power following a utility pole fire causing a large outage. Utility Manager Belva Bess said an electric pole along Highway 111 caught fire early this morning around 3:00 a.m. It has since been replaced. Bess said two outages occurred due to the fire leaving about two thirds of customers without electricity. The initial morning ... Read More »

The Point in Time Homeless Count begins next Tuesday night (Jan 24th) accounting for homeless populations across 18 counties. The federally-designated day takes place across the US including here in the Upper Cumberland. Homeless Advocacy of Rural TN Advocate Vivian Walker said the organization partners with local volunteers and community partners to count the population. “COVID and the lack of ... Read More »

The city of Spencer will report to the state Comptroller’s Office Water and Wastewater Financing Board next month on ongoing water efforts. Communications Director John Dunn said the state board has asked for an update on water loss and future plan to serve customers. “We’ve had really good conversations with the new administration there in Spencer,” Dunn said. “Ultimately, it ... Read More »