High school students from across the Upper Cumberland will be busy at Edgar Evins State Park this weekend, removing exotic invasive species and reclaim the old homestead site. Tennessee State Parks will host work events to help Tennessee Promise Scholars fulfill their community service hours. Park Ranger Justin Vaughn said the event will consist of removing foreign invasive species from ... Read More »

The heart of pollen season may be past us but Upper Cumberland gardeners have not forgotten about the role pollinators play. Master Gardener Lisa Luck said it is crucial to protect pollinators during this, National Pollinators Week. “So the thing that we can do to help our pollinators thrive in our community is to plant more flowers,” Luck said. “The ... Read More »

Sparta will apply for a $100,000 Broadband-Ready grant, designed to improve on technology infrastructure across the community. Aldermen approved the application Thursday night. Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said the grant could provide computers at the Senior Center and upgrade technology at several city facilities. “If we don’t apply for this we’re leaving right at $100,000 on the table,” Lowery said. ... Read More »

A Cookeville woman and her daughter are partnering with Tennessee’s First Lady to collect food this week. Five-year-old Madelyn Whittemore heard about the Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge. The purpose of the challenge is to instill in kids a heart for service and use a small portion of their summer break to serve others. Madelyn’s mom Amber Whittemore. “We just wanted ... Read More »

The growth in Baxter took center stage Thursday as five new businesses celebrated their ribbon cuttings Thursday. Freedom House Coffee Shop, Veterans Barber Shop, Baxter Coin Laundry, Ascend Pediatrics, and Tee Up Golf are recognized by city officials. Freedom House Co-Owner Tamar Doughty said they chose Baxter because it was thriving. “When we first came out here we thought Cookeville ... Read More »

June is National Dairy Month and the Jackson County Agriculture Extension Office is promoting dairy in the community. Ava Stafford serving as the Dairy Month Chair. Stafford said her role as dairy chair consists of promoting dairy and documenting the experiences. “Go out into the community,” Stafford said. “So that would be like promoting to young kids and adults alike. ... Read More »

Clay County wants to add an assistant to the EMA Director to help with emergency needs in the community. EMA Director Kyle Haney serves in the National Guard. Clay County Commissioner Bryan Coons said Haney could use help beyond that important role. “Sometimes when Kyle is here he needs some help at the other end of the county,” Coons said. ... Read More »

Van Buren County’s property tax rate will not change, despite rumors of it increasing. Commissioners voted Tuesday night to keep the rate at 2.40 percent. The property tax rate has not changed since 2020. Van Buren County Commissioner Cale Crain said the commissioners are fully aware of the financial state of Van Buren County citizens. “We know that this is ... Read More »

Putnam County Democratic Party, Cookeville-Putnam NAACP, and Helping Hands of Putnam County have teamed up for a Juneteenth food drive this week. Helping Hands will be taking donations of canned food goods through Friday. Helping Hands of Putnam County Director Becca Duncan said the food drive will help them donate more to families in need. “It just makes it where ... Read More »

Clay County Sheriff Brandon Boone asked County Commissioners Monday for additional funding to deal with a lack of staff. The proposal is a five percent increase for the sheriff’s office, dispatchers, and guards. Boone said he is having trouble obtaining correctional officers, and staffing has reached a crossroads for the department. “There’s no way I can guarantee that,” Boone said. ... Read More »