Cookeville Gas customers receiving bill stuffers this month explaining the reason behind the city’s 13-year high in natural gas rates. Director Amber Greenwood said the insert breaks down the rates based on fixed and purchasing costs. “We recognize that the rates are going up,” Greenwood said. “They are higher than last year. About 30 percent more than last winter and ... Read More »

The Putnam County Commission will hold a special called meeting sometime in December to consider funding the 5-8th grade wing of the new Park View School. During a Fiscal Review Committee meeting Monday night, Director of Schools Corby King presented a quote that would require an additional $16.5 million. Commission Chair Ben Rodgers said the county’s budget committee will have ... Read More »

The Warren County Utility District Board does not want to pursue a management contract with the Spencer water system. Spencer city officials shared a letter of request last month for the utility district to operate the water system while the city maintained ownership. Chair Glenn Mitchell said the board would be interested in purchasing the city’s water system. “We think ... Read More »

Van Buren County Schools closed Tuesday due to rising absenteeism. The district is set to reopen Monday November 28th following an extended Thanksgiving break. The system is closed on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for the holiday. According to the school system, after-school care or basketball games scheduled Monday and Tuesday are cancelled, as well.   Read More »

Livingston residents and business owners looking forward to the $1.5 million street improvement project coming to Church Street. That is according to Downtown Revitalization Committee Chair Gene Gantt. Gantt said some 25 people attended an informational session over the project last week where the city encouraged feedback. “We wanted to make everybody’s aware of what the plans were, because of ... Read More »

Two additional miles of trail completed at Meadow Creek Park as part of Monterey’s efforts to fulfill its master plan. Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said a total of five miles created out of the 13 planned in the first phase of development. “That’s a pretty big chunk of the overall goal to get that loop that would wrap around the ... Read More »

It is National Diabetes Month, a time set aside to bring attention to the disease and its impact on millions of Americans. Kimberly Mayberry is Cookeville Regional Medical Center’s Diabetes Education Center Director. Mayberry said about nine to 14 percent of the Upper Cumberland region has been diagnosed. “It’s a major issue,” Mayberry said. “It’s a major contributor of complications ... Read More »

About one out of five Van Buren County students are homeless or have substandard housing, and the school district needs your help to serve these families. Homeless System Navigator Jill Bouldin said the school system has seen an increase in the number of homeless students this year. “It is our vision to put together a place off campus for our ... Read More »

A $1 million dollar sidewalk project in Sparta officially moving forward. Mayor Jerry Lowery said new sidewalks will be installed on the westside of Spring Street from Bockman Way to Turntable Road. Lowery said the contract for work has been issued for the state grant project. Alderman Jim Floyd said the city has until 2025 to complete the work. Sparta ... Read More »

This week in the Upper Cumberland the Putnam County Commission will consider a grant application to help fund the construction of the new fairgrounds Monday. Up to $1 million available for the event center on Tennessee Avenue through the Appalachian Regional Commission. A land sale at the Highlands business park also recommended to the commission. Two lots will be considered ... Read More »