The Upper Cumberland Veteran’s Cemetery has found its home in Sparta after the state finalized a deal for land along Country Club Road. The search for an Upper Cumberland location has been an ongoing process for several years. Veteran’s Services Deputy Commissioner Tilman Goins said the 127 acres finally complete the department’s goals of having state wide cemetery coverage. “Veterans ... Read More »

White and Green Ash Trees across the Highland Rim are struggling to survive due to the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. The Asian wood boring beetle lays its eggs under the tree’s bark. When the eggs hatches, the larvae feed on the transportation tissues of the tree disrupting the movement of nutrients and water. Virgin Falls State Park Manager Stuart Carroll ... Read More »

The TSSAA will limit crowds at the state high school football championship games to 5,500 attendees per game. The games are set to kickoff December 3rd at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville. TSSAA Assistant Director Matthew Gillespie said the same COVID guidelines from this season will carry over for all nine games. “It is going to be the same as what schools ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Development District has created a new COVID Response Coordinator position to facilitate recovery efforts for local municipalities and businesses. Kim England will serve as coordinator and give COVID updates, Executive Order updates and any new information useful to city and county mayors. England said with protocols often changing, Upper Cumberland leaders need a resource for reliable information ... Read More »

The Putnam County Library System has a new children’s librarian ready to help the youth of the community. Shannon Chaney started her career with the system in 2018 as a library clerk. She said she is prepared to undertake the role and encourage more families to participate in the library system. “Introducing children to libraries and to books and literacy ... Read More »

Cookeville High School is resurfacing its track and adding a new pole vault pit over fall break. Athletic Director Steven Robbins said the track was last upgraded about 10 years ago. “It was time. The track was starting to wear and show its age,” Robbins said. “I have been here. This is my fourth year at Cookeville High School, and ... Read More »

Local Realtor and Putnam County Commissioner Kathy Dunn said she thinks it is the right time to start preparing to sale the old fairgrounds next spring. Dunn said she expects the land to bring in a fair price and developments to come easily based on its location and the current market. “I think the land will sale well,” Dunn said. ... Read More »

The Putnam County Fiscal Review Committee will once again discuss the purchase of jail property at its Monday meeting. County Commissioners approved the purchase of four parcels of land during September’s Commissioner meeting. The county still lacks the land needed to expand the jail and provide parking. Commissioners will also consider the approval for the Parks and Recreation Department to ... Read More »

Overton County students will not return to school until Oct. 26th with classes being held virtually the week after fall break. Director of Schools Mark Winningham said the goal is to bring back the majority of students healthy, especially with COVID numbers on the rise. “We have several schools who have seen an increase in numbers,” Winningham said. “And so ... Read More »

Employees of the Putnam County Clerk’s Office have all tested negative for COVID-19 Friday, according to County Clerk Wayne Nabors. That after an employee received a positive COVID test Thursday. The Putnam County Maintenance Department Friday sanitized the building. Nabors said with the Friday results, the offices will open for regular hours starting Monday. Read More »