Local shops are preparing for one of the busiest weekends of the summer. The sales tax holiday for the return of school starts Friday. Ready Set Grow Children’s Boutique Owner Susan Chaffin said she is anticipating a big retail weekend. “We have customers that wait for this holiday for weeks on end,” Chaffin said. “They come in and kind of ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System reporting steady enrollment after its first day of the school year Thursday. Students from across the county visited their school for an abbreviated day. The school system has projected an increase in enrollment ranging from one to five percent, but the full scope of growth will not be available for several more days. Director of ... Read More »

The Putnam County School Board voted 5-1 Wednesday night to accept a bid to construct Park View School without the 5-8 wing. The cut was made in order to fit within the $44.6 million bond funding the project. School Board Chair Lynn McHenry said the K-4 school will cost $45.5 million. “It is still something that can be done,” McHenry ... Read More »

The Van Buren County Commission will consider a budget that does not include employee raises. The county’s Committee A which serves as the budget committee approved the spending plan. Mayor Greg Wilson proposed an eight percent raise, but it did not pass. “It was the reoccurring costs, but you also have to figure in the inflation costs,” Wilson said. “If ... Read More »

Sparta wants to target waterline replacements though its state American Rescue Plan money. The city has been allocated about $1 million for water and sewer improvements. City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the city is currently creating the scorecard required to utilize the funds. “We’ve identified enough streets that need water line replacement,” Hennessee said. “We know about what it should ... Read More »

The Crossville Outlet Mall is set to get a new name and website: Landers Crossroads. Chris Landers who owns Landers Trade in Monterey now owns the facility. He said it’s been in the works for several months, but he officially took ownership last month. “The destination of Buc-ee’s being in place is a big deal for Crossville and the Upper ... Read More »

Putnam County will conduct a comprehensive wage study this fiscal year after a last minute amendment to its budget made Monday night. A one-time up to $50,000 allotment was approved by the county commission. Commissioner Jonathan Williams proposed the amendment saying the county needs to stay ahead. “I think it would be wise for this body to spend the money ... Read More »

The State Building Commission has approved a design firm to lead Tennessee Tech’s Tucker Stadium project. Athletic Director Mark Wilson said it is the same designer of the Marc L. Burnett Student Recreation Center. “The next step is that we need to formally get into a contract with Wold|HFR, and then once a contract is fully executed, then they will ... Read More »

The rising number of COVID cases across the Upper Cumberland is a reason for some to bring back personal precautions. Dr. Brent Staton is the Upper Cumberland Medical Society President. He said for the last six weeks, the region has seen very few cases. Staton said a spike has recently occurred. “The significance of this spike from a medical standpoint ... Read More »

A Hilham man has pled guilty to six counts of child rape and one count of continuous sexual abuse. 34-year-old Adam Jereco Haney appeared in the Putnam County Criminal Court Monday. Haney was arrested in 2019 after allegedly raping three of his stepchildren. Haney was sentenced for 30 years that will be 100 percent served, according to a release from ... Read More »