A Dekalb County man escaped today after being arrested in Dekalb’s general sessions court for violating probation. James Ricky Ashford was being escorted across the street from the Dekalb Courthouse to the sheriff’s department when he fled on foot. Ashford entered an early 2000’s blue Chevrolet pickup truck and left the scene. Ashford was last seen this morning on north ... Read More »

This week Livingston became the latest Main Street community in Tennessee. Meantime, Main Street McMinnville celebrated 20 years since becoming a member of the Main Street program. The Main Street Program provides communities resources to revitalize and manage their downtown areas. Main Street McMinnville Executive Director Teresa Prober said gaining that accreditation is invaluable. “The resources that Main Street provides ... Read More »

The Overton County Ambulance Service’s revenue increased some $250,000 for the 2019 fiscal year. Director Jim Morgan said the increase is mainly due to switching to a new in house billing software. The billing software is used to file claims with insurance companies. “We used to use a third party biller who did the billing for us,” Morgan said. “We ... Read More »

Putnam County Manager of Accounts and Budgets Debby Francis has put here final budget in the books. Putnam County Commissioners approved the new fiscal year budget Monday night. Francis said since the budget was status-quo because of COVID-19 with no big adjustments, she did not play a big part as years in the past. “I really enjoyed working with the ... Read More »

Fairfield Glade Police Department will increase roadway enforcement and safety education thanks to a federal grant. The $20,000 grant will be used for new radar equipment and educational services for senior drivers. Lieutenant Katelyn Self said federal funding like this is crucial to creating safe roadways. “We are technically not a government entity, which does not provide us with grant ... Read More »

Social distancing and contact is impacting cheerleading teams across the Upper Cumberland too. Cookeville High School Cheer Coach Vicki Russel said stunt practicing has yet to begin, but non contact conditioning began last week. “The challenge is not knowing the answers,” Russel said. “My girls come to my everyday and have questions asking if this is true. I just try ... Read More »

The Jackson County School System will take a new approach to teaching English and language arts. The new curriculum will focus on a sound first approach to reading. Director of Schools Kristy Brown said the investment in the new material is the largest in the school system’s history. “We have spent over $400,000 in the initial adoption,” Brown said. “I ... Read More »

The Dekalb County Planning Commission is looking for public comment on its updated subdivision regulations. The updates include a set minimum of residential lots requiring a fire hydrant and increasing the distances between them. Dekalb County Community Planner Tommy Lee said the updates will make developing properties easier. “We found we needed to update to align with the current development ... Read More »

Cumberland County Playhouse has suspended all performances after an employee became ill. CEO Bryce McDonald said the suspension was mainly due to an abundance of caution for staff and patrons. “It is just in this day and age, it is too scary to take any sort of risk,” McDonald said. “The minute we thought someone was not feeling well, it ... Read More »

The first harvest of Pickett County High School’s student garden is now ready. Pickett County High School Teacher Tracy Smith said her students have worked hard to create a successful garden with a self watering system. “Student worked on the design of the raised bed gardens,” Smith said. “They looked at the designs and differently things they wanted to grow. ... Read More »