Smithville is looking to improve pedestrian walkways for two Highway 70 intersections within the city. Center Hill RPO Coordinator Virginia Alexander said the city is making sure its budget is flexible before applying for a T-DOT grant to fund most of the project. “It is going to be the hardest part just because construction costs vary so much,” Alexander said. ... Read More »

The Highlands Residential Services is concluding the $675,000 purchase of about 14 acres of Cookeville’s Eagle’s Landing property. The land will be used to provide road access to the Hickory Valley Housing project on Buffalo Valley Road. Executive Director Dow Harris said the purchase will save the residential services time and money. “We are not going to have to build ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport wants to add more tee hangars to its facility to accommodate the volume of pilots coming to the area. Tee hangars are T shaped storage units placed in rows meant for individual aircraft. Manager Dean Selby said the current lack of storage is forcing the airport to turn away business. “Right now, I got about ... Read More »

Five Upper Cumberland counties will receive a new opportunity to fill teaching positions. Tennessee Tech University received a state grant for the Grow Your Own program. College of Education Associate Dean Julie Baker said the grants pay for a candidate’s education leading to a teacher’s license. “We are so excited,” Baker said. “We have been looking at opportunities like this ... Read More »

Those who serve local veterans are excited that the region will soon have a state cemetery to honor fallen solders. . The land purchased for the cemetery is located near Sparta’s Old Country Club Road. White County Veterans Service Officer Matt Elmore said having the burial ground just five minutes from the Veteran Services office makes it even better. “I ... Read More »

The Monterey Planning Commission has three new members after Mayor JJ Reels decided to replace two of them with the other resigning. Jeff Hicks resigned for personal reasons and will be replaced by local business owner John Phillips. Shannon McGee and Jim Wolfgram will replace Morris Stamps and Charles “Pokey” Looper. Reels said he wanted different members that brought new ... Read More »

Byrdstown’s Eagle Cove and Star Point water line project is expected to begin in the coming weeks after shipping delays set back progress. Mayor Sam Gibson said the piping for the project finally arrived to city hall, but the contractor is still missing some supplies. “Supplies are just not getting here as quickly as they liked to have,” Gibson said. ... Read More »

The Overton County Budget Committee voted against the proposed $8.9 million Livingston Academy sports facility. Overton County Schools Building Committee Chairman Mike Hayes presented the 12-year bond payment option to the budget committee Tuesday. Chairman Darwin Clark said the plans are just too expensive when the school system has other needs. “We have not done a lot of improvements for ... Read More »

Volunteer Energy Cooperative and Byrdstown are partnering to install new LED lights to decrease overall electric costs. Mayor Sam Gibson said he reached out t0 the company expressing interest in making the switch last month. So far, the lights around the courthouse have already been replaced. “We should get more efficient lighting and and better lights, more lights out in ... Read More »

Gainesboro Bicentennial Park new playground and pavilion should be publicly available by December. Chamber of Commerce President Jordan Hunter said concrete pouring for the about 600 square foot pavilion begins next week with landscaping for the playground following shortly after. “He will be coming the 19th of this month, so next Monday, to start the concrete,” Hunter said. “Once he ... Read More »