Crews began an expected long cleanup process in Overton County Wednesday. Overton County EMA Director Chris Masiongale said work was focused on the Hanging Limb area today. A larger,widespread effort is taking place Thursday. “We’ve had about 300 requests so far for debris removal, and we will prioritize those for people who have trees on their house, something wrong with ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Department shared its annual report of 2020 with the Planning Commission. Director Jon Ward said the yearly review includes the department’s work activities while also programming new projects for the future. “We’re just looking at what we anticipate our major works projects will be,” Ward said. “We also ask the Planning Commission to bring anything they would ... Read More »

Two Overton Co. bridges are temporarily closing after a bi-yearly T-DOT inspection. Shiloh Bridge between Dry Hollow Road and Highway 84 and Windle Bridge just west of West McCormick Road are currently closed. Overton County Highway Supervisor James Norrod said each structure needs diaphragms installed, which go between the girders and support the bridge deck. “One thing they requested in ... Read More »

UCHRA wants changes made to Governor Bill Lee’s Judicial Task Force Reform package. The agency’s Policy Council on Wednesday approved a resolution asking to rewrite portions of the legislation. Executive Director Mark Farley said if the package is passed as is, the agency’s Community Corrections Program would be dissolved. “We’re very concerned about that,” Farley said. “Obviously, we hate to ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Area Agency on Aging and Disability is working to create more COVID vaccination sites to improve access for aging populations. Director Holly Williams said senior centers and affordable housing complexes are candidates for these, “Strike sites.” “At this point, we have two senior centers in the Upper Cumberland that feel like that can get at least 50 ... Read More »

Shoreline facility fee raises that would affect Center Hill Lake in Smithville are being postponed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Every five years the Nashville district increase fees for utilities and marine railways. Real Estate Management and Disposal Chief Myles Barton said that is being delayed for at least six months due to COVID. “The cost of these ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency prepares to meet Wednesday, but answering low attendance numbers has been difficult. In a December state audit on UCHRA, excessive absentees were noted among the Policy Council and Executive Committee members. While the Comptroller’s Office suggested an attendance policy, Executive Director Mark Farley said that is hard for the agency to do. “Keep in ... Read More »

Home owners do not let your guard down. The aftermath of a storm is when scammers come looking for victims. Three different scams have been reported by the Better Business Bureau: impostor scams, storm chaser scammers and false charities. Middle Tennessee President Robyn Householder said the best way to avoid getting tricked is to do your homework. “The biggest thing ... Read More »

A vacant seat remains in the White County Commission. County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said while he was preparing an outline of the steps, he found that a seven day public notice is required before taking candidates. That did not happen in time for February’s commission meeting. “Which is different than a normal meeting notice that we have to put ... Read More »

Four White County residents spoke against a previously passed resolution by the County Commission during Monday’s meeting. The resolution of discussion creates a new White County Health and Safety Board and the appointment of a Codes Enforcement Officer. The purpose to regulate county property conditions such as garbage and overgrown vegetation. Tanya Rust of Sparta was one of those against ... Read More »