The person or party behind a controversial sign regarding drugs in Celina remains unknown. The sign that has since been removed read “To drug dealers and dope heads, this is not Amsterdam, this is Celina Tennessee. We will put you in jail.” It was located on a Highlands Residential Services property without permission. Alderman Winton Dillon said he does not ... Read More »

About 130 people participated in the first-ever Upper Cumberland Economic Summit. Wednesday concluded the two-day event held at Tennessee Tech. Putnam County Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Amy New said planning has already begun for the next conference. “We would like to start doing this at a minimum once a year,” New said. “President Oldham was so impressed this ... Read More »

Smithville facing some flash flooding issues as heavy rain passed through the city Wednesday afternoon. DeKalb County EMA Director Charlie Parker said the Highway 56 and Highway 70 intersection, Bright Hill Road and Golf Club Drive were impassable at one point. Parker said the water levels have since dropped to passable levels. Parker said he did not receive any reports ... Read More »

The Celina board of Aldermen approved its $65,000 match for a sewer line project Tuesday night. A $500,000 grant will fund the work along with local funding from the city, county and Industrial Development Board. During discussion over the project, Alderman Winton Dillon expressed his concerns to UCDD which is facilitating the project. “I don’t mean any disrespect for what ... Read More »

An expected 20 percent increase in Tennessee Tech’s freshmen enrollment has caused the university to place some students in non-traditional housing. Chief Communication Officer Karen Lykins said the university has partnered with five hotels to house about 135 students once the fall semester begins. “That meant we had more of a demand for housing this year,” Lykins said. “I do ... Read More »

Sparta Mayor Jeff Young will end his 12 year administration on September 1st. Jerry Lowery will be sworn in as the new mayor on that day after receiving 59.3 percent of the vote in last week’s election. Young said he was surprised by the results, but it is time to start a new journey. “It’s been very enjoyable,” Young said. ... Read More »

A liquor by the drink referendum is on pace to be on the November ballot for Byrdstown. The Board of Alderman voted unanimously to approve the item Monday night. Mayor Sam Gibson said the main goal is to give voters the opportunity to vote how they want and feel. “Since we are elected by the people that we ought to ... Read More »

Building the fifth-eighth grade wing of the new Park View School would require county commissioners to pass a tax increase. The Putnam County School Board and County Commission discussed funding options for over an hour in a joint work session Monday night. The price tag for the middle school section of the school stands currently at some $20 million. As ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System did not see the enrollment spike it expected to start the new school year. Director of Schools Corby King reported initial numbers during a joint board of education and commission work session Monday night. He said the district has seen a one to two percent increase. “This year thankfully, we did not grow as much ... Read More »

The first Upper Cumberland Economic Summit will take place at Tennessee Tech Tuesday. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Director Michael Aikins said the two-day seminar will convene developers, political and community leaders to talk economic issues. “A lot of times we go to conferences, and we’ll just be on our phones or emails the whole time,” Aikens said. “This is not that ... Read More »