A some $530,000 pipeline bursting and manhole project moving forward in Sparta. City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the project is a continuation of the city’s long-term paving plan. Hennessee said aging infrastructure under roads will be replaced in time to repave roads. ‘We’re thinking phase one paving will be in a couple of weeks,” Hennessee said. “The streets that are ... Read More »

Pickett County Director of Schools Diane Elder said school administrators will be meeting with parents over the next few weeks to discuss the implications of a new state law. A 3rd-grade retention law in effect this year that potentially holds back third graders that are not proficient in the English Language Arts section of state testing. Elder said many parents ... Read More »

A Cookeville High School student is creating a petition asking for more bike trails and sidewalks in Cookeville. Senior Mac Mackie said as a biking hobbyist, he has found limited paved options to ride. “I’ve always loved riding bikes on vacation with my family, but we’ve never had too much of a chance in Cookeville because we really only have ... Read More »

The Highlands Economic Partnership gathering local opinions from industries and local officials to form a legislative agenda. CEO and President Amy New said the goal is to present the information to local legislators in December before the General Assembly gathers. “I realized how often the Highlands would not be included in any grant funding or had barriers to be able ... Read More »

Bids are in for a a new TDOT maintenance building in Jackson County. Community Relations Officer Rae-Anne Bradley said the building will include office and garage space for TDOT’s Jackson county maintenance crew. Bradley said the existing structure has reached the use of its life and needs to be replaced. It will also be used for daily planning meetings, minor ... Read More »

The Gainesboro Board of Aldermen decided that Halloween will be observed on Saturday the 29th instead of the 31st. Mayor Lloyd Williams said the city can better manage festivities and families have more fun by having the holiday on the weekend. “I’ve got young kids and it is just easier when you have another day to rest,” Williams said. “One ... Read More »

This week in the Upper Cumberland the Byrdstown Board of Aldermen meets on Monday. The board will hear a report from its engineer on ongoing projects. One of those being a settling basin replacement at the sewer plant. Business starts at 5:00 p.m. The Algood City Council will workshop an ordinance Monday night setting new rates for sewer taps. The ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech has reached a new high in research funding for the 2022 fiscal year. President Phil Oldham gave a report of the growth to the university’s Academic and Student Affairs Committee Thursday. Oldham said the university had over $23 million of sponsored research. “The trend over the last 10 years, our funded research continues to grow substantially,” Oldham said. ... Read More »

Gainesboro has been awarded a federal grant to answer flooding issues downtown. Mayor Lloyd Williams said the $500,000 grant will be used for planning and improving storm water mitigation. “Our local library will flood. Our local Save-A-Lot one of our only two stores in Gainesboro will flood along with some other businesses,” Williams said. “It does get in people’s yards ... Read More »

Sparta accepting bids to smoke test its sewer lines looking for locations where ground water enters the system. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the leaks are a main reason why the city is currently under a sewer moratorium. “They’re going to blow smoke in the pipes, and it is going to come out somewhere,” Lowery said. “We’re going to visibly see ... Read More »