Van Buren Schools have increased funding for online career and technical learning. The Board of Education approved a budget amendment adding about $6,500 to purchase a new online curriculum. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said the school system was not prepared for classes to move virtual, and lacked online programs. “We found this program,” Cole said. “It is called iCEV. ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech’s Greek Life will look different this year with events moving to virtual. The Welcome Back Cookout and the first night of sorority recruitment are the first two changing formats. Dean of Students Katherine Williams said there are likely more to follow in the future. “Safety is our number one priority,” Williams said. “Obviously, we want to give our ... Read More »

The government likely made a mistake with the additional $600 unemployment supplements. That’s according to Tennessee Representative John Rose, speaking to local small business owners during a Tuesday roundtable discussion. “Anything that the federal government, state government, local government does to try and ameliorate the impacts of a forced economic shut down are going to be uneven at best,” Rose ... Read More »

T-DOT Engineers are examining lanes of Interstate 40 after multiple hydroplaning incidents in a 3-mile area last week. Survey crews are using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to create 3-D models to analysis the geometry of the road. Communication Officer Jennifer Flynn said things such as the road’s slope and lane widths will be examined. “We take these things very ... Read More »

The family of a missing Putnam County man remains hopeful and asks for your help to locate him. Tabitha Garza, the niece of Arnold “Chigger” Vaughn, said the family has not seen or heard from him since July 31st. Garza said Vaughn was known to be away for days at a time, but always returned home to care for his ... Read More »

It will be a typical sized freshman class entering Tennessee Tech next week. The university will see over 1,700 freshman join the student body this fall. Enrollment Management Vice President Brandon Johnson said the incoming class is bigger by about 40 students compared to last year. “We had a great recruitment year,” Johnson said. “Even through COVID-19 and the uncertainty ... Read More »

A state investigation led to a Jackson County resident pleading guilty to a felony count of theft Monday. Twenty-six year old Johnny Stafford under reported the price of three vehicles and one boat at the county clerk’s office. Stafford was sentenced to one-year of supervised probation and was ordered to compensate $2,329. The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department ... Read More »

The White County Criminal Court will arraign a former White County Corrections officer on Wednesday. The White County Grand Jury charged Jacob Young on Monday with two counts of Aggravated Perjury and one count of Aggravated Assault. District Attorney General Bryant Dunnaway said the charges came after jail video footage revealed Young lied under oath and assaulted an inmate. “Once ... Read More »

The Fentress County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help to locate a runaway Juvenile. Fourteen-Year-Old Brianna Kemp was last seen at her residence in Grimsley early Monday morning. Detective Sargent Jason Duncan said the department suspects Kemp is in route to the London, Kentucky area or McMinnville. “The first 48 hours are crucial,” Duncan said. “That is when we ... Read More »

The Clay County E-911 Board will expand the usage of analog radio for emergency personnel. A 30-40 foot radio tower will be installed at the Mount Vernon Fire Department. Board President Jamey Allen said the added analog repeater would cover the western quarter of the county. “Where the analog repeater is now, it does not clear a hill ridge up ... Read More »