Gainesboro has partnered with UCDD to conduct a community transportation feasibility study of the downtown area. Mayor Lloyd Williams said over 100 residents indicated through a preliminary survey that parking and connectivity are the highest wants. “It is the first step in maybe getting some more grants on making our sidewalks more ADA accessible,” Williams said. “More parking, getting some ... Read More »

The McMinnville VFW Auxiliary could cease to exist due to low numbers and participation. Members will gather Thursday to vote on the future of the veteran services at a special called meeting. President Sarah Connor said the group does not have a facility or younger members to take over, leaving no choice but to consider closing. “Our post home did ... Read More »

The Celina Board of Aldermen approved the first reading of the city’s new fiscal year budget Tuesday. Mayor Tonya Spears said the $2.7 million spending plan has no tax or utility raises. “We had to cut back in all areas, because not knowing what all of our numbers were going to be,” Spears said. “Of course with the pandemic and ... Read More »

The Fairfield Glade Lions Club will host the 4th annual Strides Walk for Diabetes Awareness Saturday. Chairman Steve McLelland said the event begins at 9:00 a.m. at Crossville’s Centennial Park. “It is an easy 1.1 mile walk,” McLelland said. “And we raise funds to try to send as many children from the ages nine to 15 with type one diabetes ... Read More »

The Clay County School Board explored options for a possible expansion of the district’s high school. Board members heard from two Cookeville construction firms during a Tuesday planning session. School Board Chair Benji Bailey said the presentations were the first step to see if an expansion would be financially feasible. “We’ve got the baseline now,” Bailey said. “I guess it ... Read More »

Fire Departments across the Upper Cumberland honed their skills through the 88th Annual Firemen’s Association Conference in Cookeville. Clay County’s East 52 Volunteer Fire Department participated. Fire Chief James King said members refreshed skills on rural water operations. “In a lot of rural communities, there is not a lot fire hydrants in the area and trying to get water to ... Read More »

Monterey will re-advertise its vacant codes position after the Board of Aldermen voted to not hire the one candidate that applied. The motion failed 6-2 Monday with Aldermen Alex Garcia and Amy Martin in favor of the hire. Mayor JJ Reels said the decision was a disappointment. “We’re having to send people that need building inspection or building permits to Cookeville ... Read More »

UCHRA’s Steering Committee A approved downsizing the agency’s governing board and councils in response to state legislation answering participation issues. Committee members voted 4-3 in favor to reduce the agency’s governing board to 17 members, state officials not included. Executive Director Mark Farley said that number will be made of all 14 Upper Cumberland Mayors and three city mayors. “What ... Read More »

Clay County Commissioners got their first look of the county’s new fiscal year budget Monday. During the budget meeting, Finance Clerk Donna Hamilton reviewed the numbers of the general fund as well as the solid waste department and jail maintenance. Hamilton said most budgets stayed the same with regular increases. “We got through the majority of our budgets,” Hamilton said. ... Read More »

Several Jackson County residents participated in the start of week-long Board of Equalization meetings Monday. The five-member board hear pleas of property owners that feel their property value was unfairly adjusted. Mayor Randy Heady said it is a reappraisal year for the county and property values have rose. “In some cases, they went up 70 percent or more, but county ... Read More »