Dale Hollow and Center Hill Lake water levels are not an issue after the weekend rainfall. That is according to Corp of Engineers Nashville District Water Management Chief Anthony Rodino. Rodino said each reservoir has enough space to handle at least five more inches of run off water. “Dale Hollow has used approximately 33 percent of its flood storage capacity,” ... Read More »

An Upper Cumberland mental health expert is calling the state’s additional funding for school-aged mental health services exciting. Governor Bill Lee re-introduced the Mental Health Trust Fund to assist K-12 families. Anne Stamps is the Executive Director for Plateau Mental Health Center in Cookeville. She said the $250 million backing is needed as students navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is ... Read More »

Monterey town employees could receive a three percent raise under the proposed 21-22 budget. Beyond that, the town finance committee said it wants to begin a more in depth study of the town’s pay scale. Chairman Nathan Walker said the committee would like to complete the new rates by the July Board of Aldermen meeting. “Right now the system tops ... Read More »

Directors of summer camps across the region have a positive outlook when it comes to attendance for the upcoming season. Cedar Lake Camp Executive Director Ryan Higgins said his spring camp had a record turnout, so he anticipates the trend to continue. “We had a significant sized camp last year and was very healthy,” Higgins said. “We had zero cases ... Read More »

Registration is open for Tai Chi classes at the Cane Creek Park Recreation Center. Instructor Nikki Desch said the martial art coordinates physical movements with breathing to achieve inner calm and peace. “Tai Chi is a very low impact exercise mainly from China,” Desch said. “All of our movements are very slow, and it helps with your balance, coordination, overall ... Read More »

UCHRA’s Early Head Start Program will not be expanding this year after the organization did not get needed grant funding. The agency applied for about $7 million of federal money to extend services to Morrison, Spencer and Sparta. Executive Director Mark Farley said UCHRA’s request was too large compared to the total available funding. “What we will probably do is ... Read More »

Putnam County road crews are out Monday repairing road damages from this weekend’s flash flooding. Road Supervisor Randy Jones said the western portion of the county was the hardest hit. Northern areas towards Gainesboro were also affected but to a lesser extent. “Cumby Road, the water went over the bridge there and messed the asphalt up,” Jones said. “I am ... Read More »

The Cookeville Art Studio and Gallery is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The art organization originally known as the Cumberland Arts Society was formed by Reba Bacon in 1961. Board Secretary Terri Ritter said artists from all across the region have been a part of the society’s history. “The Upper Cumberland is such a wonderful art scene,” Ritter said. ... Read More »

Baxter will begin work for a sewer extension project on Ward Mill Road this April. Mayor John Martin said the quarter mile of sewer line will connect to Anatolia Granite & Marble’s new facility. “We’re going to self perform a lot of it as far as just laying the line,” Martin said. “We got our trenchers. We can do that ... Read More »

About 22 miles of state routes along the Putnam and White County line will be resurfaced this summer. T-DOT Community Relations Officer Jennifer Flynn said the first contract focuses on Highway 111. “It is a slightly over two mile section of State Route 111 that will be resurfaced from the White County line to north of State Route 136,” Flynn ... Read More »