The White County School System has about 500 students quarantined, one seventh of the total student population. During Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, Health Services Director Marcie Kinnard presented a representation of how quickly in school exposures can spread over a two week period. “I went through and assigned a letter to every kid,” Kinnard said. “Then I sat down ... Read More »

Pickett County Commissioners will meet Monday at 6:00 p.m. via teleconference to request a meat processing class for its Tennessee College of Applied Technology. The county will also consider renaming Bond Road to Smith Lane. The meeting will end with a COVID update for residents. Cumberland County Commission Monday will consider a budget amendment to move funds to purchase a ... Read More »

Cookeville City Planner Jon Ward said the 2030 land use plan is almost ready to be reviewed by the city’s planning commission. “We have had to update a lot of additional data,” Ward said. “The NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) guys they actually changed soil classifications, so we could not just reuse the old soil analyst for the plan. So, ... Read More »

Overton County Health and Rehab has returned to taking new resident admissions. Before entering, new residents must pass a COVID test. Public Relations Director Scott Stevens said testing will then continue every 48 hours for 14 days before entering common areas. “They will be in an isolation area of our facility, so they are not out with everybody else,” Stevens ... Read More »

All but one Dekalb County School will return to in-person instruction Monday, according to central office. According to school officials, Smithville Elementary students will work virtually for at least one week due to a high number of faculty in quarantine. Read More »

Overton County officials have cancelled the Christmas Parade and Christmas in the Country. County Executive Danner said hosting a parade would attract too many people from outside the county since most neighboring parades have already been cancelled. “If we have a parade here, everybody from every county around is going to pile in here,” Danner said. “Like when Allardt had ... Read More »

White County School students will work virtually Monday and Tuesday, November 23rd and 24th. That extends the break from in school learning to nine days around Thanksgiving. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the school system’s increase in COVID exposures was the reason. “We have seen a spike across the nation, and we have certainly seen it here in White ... Read More »

Thursday marks two weeks until Thanksgiving. Cookeville Regional Medical Center Infection Prevention Manager Stephanie Etter said families need to plan their approach to the holidays in a COVID world. “I think keeping your group smaller. Maybe limit your gathering to immediate family rather then extended family,” Etter said. “Consider having your Thanksgiving in a larger location. Maybe a bigger home ... Read More »

Byrdstown city employees are installing new playground and exercise equipment at Pickett County’s little league ball field. Byrdstown Mayor Sam Gibson said a new seesaw, elliptical machine and water fountain will be ready for use this December. “It is an updated drinker. It has one that’s made that if people have their pets with them, and they are out there ... Read More »

Thirteenth District Chancellor Ronald Thurman has issued an order limiting some Putnam County Court operations until November 30th. The request was sent down Wednesday and filed Thursday. District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said only in-person proceedings protecting constitutional rights can be conducted. “Chancellor Thurman’s order does list that there are several exceptions to the prohibition of in-person proceedings,” Dunaway said. “Most ... Read More »