Hermitage Springs School will now have an official Parent-Teacher Organization. Clay County School Board Chair Benji Bailey said there had been a nonprofit that helped support student and school functions over the last few years. He said with recent state laws enacted over the last few years, it was determined that it would be a better fit to have an ... Read More »

A Putnam County man arrested in Knox County, charged in the rape of a child under 13. James Coley is also charged with one count of aggravated sexual battery and one count of solicitation of a minor. Coley was arrested Thursday as the result of a several-month-long investigation. Coley has a bond of $1.5 million. Read More »

Repurposing White County’s Central View School will not be part of the proposal for the system’s Innovative School Model Grant. The grant is aimed at building readiness and preparing students for success after high school, more students will have opportunities to participate in innovative local programs that boost CTE programs. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said one preliminary idea had ... Read More »

Algood Public Works Director Victor Jones charged with aggravated sexual battery against a victim less than 13-years-old Thursday. According to investigators with the Cookeville Police Department began looking into allegations of sexual misconduct in September 2022. As the investigation progressed, investigators found sufficient information to charge 61-year-old Jones. Jones was arrested and booked into the Putnam County Jail.  The investigation ... Read More »

Development in Putnam County showing signs of slowing down slightly after its recent boom. Planning Director Kevin Rush said that doesn’t mean it shows signs of stopping. “There’s always a lag between development and when the market is hot,” Rush said. “When the market is hot you see people start looking at developing property, but that takes a while to ... Read More »

White County School Board approved an interim district strategic plan at its Thursday night meeting. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said a strategic plan is now a major component when applying for grant monies, particularly at the federal level. He said in order to keep that funding flowing, he formed a committee and solicited input from faculty, staff, and community ... Read More »

Cookeville’s First Baptist Church and Stevens Street Baptist Church to come together for joint worship services this weekend. First Baptist Music Pastor Greg Huff said the idea came about as a way to celebrate Stevens Street Baptist Church’s 75th year. He said because First Baptist is Stevens Street Baptist’s parent church, a joint worship service just makes sense. “We’re going ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland Habitat ReStore had a busy and successful opening day at its new location on Jefferson Avenue by Big R Farm and Home. Habitat’s Jennifer Olsen said the day started with a line out the door before they even opened. She said it is exciting to be able to offer a new and improved place to shop and donate ... Read More »

Algood Police Department beginning to implement its new e-citation program. Chief Dale Armour said the program will allow officers to scan and print citations from their vehicles. He said so far, it has helped officers cut their traffic stop time in half. Armour said the e-citation program will also be beneficial to the city itself. “So by the time you ... Read More »

Vol State Cookeville set to hold a safety training for front desk personnel on Wednesday, December 14th and Thursday, December 15th. Vol State Assistant Police Chief Tim Anschuetz said the training is not necessarily geared toward active shooter emergencies, but de-escalation. “It allows our front desk personnel to recognize aggressive behavior, possibly before it starts to recognize anxiety in someone,” ... Read More »