Clay County Schools hired four new teachers for the upcoming school year. The teachers will fill positions at Hermitage Springs School and Celina K-8 School. Clay County Director of Schools Matt Eldridge said recruiting to a rural area remains a tough challenge. “Unless you are fortunate to get sometime hometown people that want to return or live near by,” Eldridge ... Read More »

No Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree means a drop in tourism and sales tax for Dekalb County. Smithville Dekalb County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Suzanne Williams said not having the festival will negatively impact Dekalb County’s yearly average of $50 million from tourists. “It has just been an extraordinary economic benefit to Dekalb County and our neighboring counties,” Williams said. “Our ... Read More »

Ficosa has returned to full operations. But faces a new problem; workers not returning after being furloughed. Human Relations Manager Alicia Banner said the plant now faces a lack of employees. “We had to furlough almost all of our hourly population. A few were working for critical operations,” Banner said. “We had to furlough about 60 percent of our indirect ... Read More »

The Putnam County Landfill must open a new cell due to the amount of debris from the March tornado. Solid Waste Director Keith Street said before the tornado, the current cell had enough room for two years of trash. In just a few months, over 20,000 tons of tornado debris filled the remainder of the landfill. “We went from 80 ... Read More »

The state awarded a $500,000 grant Thursday for the Clarkrange Regional Business Park. The grant will be used to grade around 140 acres of cleared land. Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson said making the land attractive for building is key to recruiting businesses and creating new jobs. “It is really nice right now. It is all sowed down,” Johnson said. ... Read More »

The City of Sparta wants to use the Tourism Enhancement Grant on North Carter Street Park. North Carter renovations would mirror the South Carter Street Park and receive a new pavilion, walking trial and decorative lighting. City Administrator Brad Hennessee said completing the north side would complete the tourism project for the street. “We are hoping that we can show ... Read More »

Livingston Regional Hospital is now conducting same-day Covid testing. For now, the testing is reserved for emergency patients and surgeries. Director of Physician Relations David Cox said if supplies increase, same-day testing could be available for the entire community. “I certainly hope the community will be able to have this available to them,” Cox said. “Right now, we are encouraging ... Read More »

The Tech Board Of Trustees voted Tuesday to name the Student Rec Center the Marc L. Burnett Student Recreation and Fitness Center. Burnett worked with student government to fund fees for the center. He retired from Tech in 2019 as Vice President of Student Affairs after a 36-year career. “I often refer to him as the heart and soul of ... Read More »

Byrdstown wants to reduce the speed limit for the portion of Highway 111 running through the town. Mayor Sam Gibson said T-DOT originally denied the town’s request to change the speed limit citing a lack of data. Now, the town will conduct a corridor study on the state route for T-DOT to review. “The town of Byrdstown is really concerned ... Read More »

For the second time, Power of Putnam has received a five-year Drug-Free Communities Support Grant. Coalition Director Bill Gibson said the $125,000 grant helps the organization fight youth substance abuse. “This Drug Free Communities Grant is the backbone,” Gibson said. “We have other funding streams, but this is the main one that fuels our prevention work here in Putnam County.” ... Read More »