White County wants to enter into a consulting contract to create a 5-10 year parks and recreation master plan. County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said the parks and rec committee has recommended moving forward with Nashville firm Ragan Smith Associates. “There going to do a survey of what we have to offer and what we possibly have to offer,” Robinson ... Read More »

A Tennessee Tech adjunct professor has spent the last week in Humphreys County assisting with flood efforts. Don Sowers coordinated at the Volunteer Reception Center on the grounds and cleaned debris left from the August 21st flood. Sowers said the experience gave him mixed emotions. “At first it is so devastating to see the amount of destruction, and of course, ... Read More »

The State Department of Education has declined Overton County Schools’ request for seven days of remote learning. Director of Schools Donnie Holman said according to Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn, the district did not have enough sick students. “The rationale behind it was she (Schwinn) was still very concerned by the large percent of students that are still here,” Holman said. ... Read More »

The cutting of some 340 acres in White County’s Bridgestone Wilderness Area is aimed at saving the declining quail species. TWRA plans to begin cutting at Bridgestone-Firestone Centennial Wilderness this fall. Region Three Wildlife Management Area Coordinator Aubrey Deck said the project will also help strengthen turkey and deer numbers. “Doing projects like this should increase the amount of forage ... Read More »

One Putnam County 7th grader is encouraging his community to honor 9/11 victims through acts of kindness. Jacob Cookson attends Prescott South Middle School and learned about the, “Pay it Forward 9/11,” campaign. Cookson said the movement calls others to collect good deeds in remembrance of 9/11, and he wants help fulfilling 500 actions by September 11th. “It doesn’t have ... Read More »

Sparta wants to start doing sewer line inspections in-house as the city prepares to purchase a new camera. City Administrator Brad Hennessee said bid specs are currently being created for the $75,000 allocated for the expenditure. “We think it is cost effective for the city of Sparta to own their own camera,” Hennessee said. “It opens up several options for ... Read More »

White County preparing to put its disc golf course project out for bid. County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said the commission has approved to move forward. Robinson said the course specifics are currently being created with the goal to put the project out for bid in the coming weeks. “It’s not like building a building or something where you have ... Read More »

Kids are being challenged to take large amounts of Benadryl for a Tik Tok challenge. DeKalb County Prevention Coalition Director Jennifer Matthews said the trend has young people recording the before and after effects of consuming. “Viewers of Tik Tok are encouraged to take a large dose of Benadryl to induce hallucination,” Matthews said. “With Benadryl especially our youth, they ... Read More »

A considered expansion of the Putnam Schools Student Service Building has some wondering what happens at the facility. Student Service Supervisor Trey Upchurch said the program has seven personnel that focus on student health, family resources and providing necessities. “We offer a mental health liaison,” Upchurch said. “That is for students and faculty. Our nursing coordinator is housed out of ... Read More »

Jackson County Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday due to the system’s rising COVID numbers. According to the district, 453 absences were reported Friday with some missed days not related to COVID. That is an increase from Wednesday, which saw 325 absences. The future of COVID protocols for the school system are being reviewed over the closure. Changes will ... Read More »