Cookeville Utility Departments will now be able to spend up to $25,000 with a vendor without putting the item out for competitive bid. City Manager James Mills said the state recently allowed governing bodies to increase their thresholds as a result of inflation and rising costs. “It can actually speed the process up for getting things done,” Mills said. “If ... Read More »

On Thanksgiving, a traditional meal will have turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce. But how has the traditional meal changed over time? Tennessee Tech History Instructor Laura Smith said that the main difference comes from the creation of convenience foods. She said canning companies began to print recipes on their products as a marketing strategy. “These companies really ... Read More »

Cookeville Fire Department hoping to get folks in the holiday spirit this season with some festive fire truck visits. Chief Benton Young said the plan is to decorate one of the department’s reserve fire trucks with Christmas lights and drive around to neighborhoods, senior homes, and the hospital. “It’s a great opportunity for us as first responders to connect with ... Read More »

Local educators seeing an increase in students having issues with regulating their emotions. Sheila Barker is the Putnam County School System Social Wellness Coordinator. She said an increase in anxiety and inability to figure out how to cope has had many students, particularly kindergarteners, struggling. “Knowing where they are and what they’re doing and being able to handle the changes ... Read More »

Jackson County School Board approved a $1.7 million bid for roof upgrades at Dodson Branch and Gainesboro Elementary Schools. Director of Schools Kristy Brown said they’ve worked diligently to find cost savings. After exploring saving avenues, she said they saved about $16,000 of work at Dodson Branch. However, she said they found an additional $165,000 of work at Gainesboro Elementary. ... Read More »

Fentress County looking to bring back Emergency Medical Responder courses. Fire Chief Larry Cooper said the course helps to prepare those in the community to aid in emergency medical situations until EMS professionals can arrive. “We’ve got several areas in the county that if EMS gets a call they could be 25-plus minutes from that area,” Cooper said. “And if ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional Medical Center will suspend services at the CRMC endocrinology office and Diabetes Center. COO Buffy Key said the hospital has struggled to recruit endocrinologists. She said the hospital lost its long-time provider some time ago and has been operating with a locum practitioner and nurse practitioner. “We’ve been very blessed here at Cookeville Regional to recruit the physicians ... Read More »

Putnam County School System awarded a $4,000 grant to honor Board Member Dawn Fry’s service on the Utrust Board of Trustees. The Utrust Trustee Choice grant provides for Fry to choose up to $4,000 in projects that she wishes to fund. Fry chose to give the funds to the Upperman High School JROTC program in honor of 15-year-old Olivia Taylor, ... Read More »

Fentress County Commission approved a $1.1 million bid to replace a bridge on Jonesville Road over Bridge Creek. Highway Superintendent Ryan Reed said the project would be 100 percent covered by T-DOT. He said the project is on T-DOT’s priority wish list. “In six months it’ll be completely done,” Reed said. “So with the five-ton bridge limit that’s on there ... Read More »

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released new crime data detailing domestic violence trends across the state for 2021. According to the report, women accounted for 71 percent of domestic-related incidents. ‘Boyfriend/Girlfriend’ was the most frequently reported relationship type for domestic-related offenses. Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center Director Amy Stockwell said it intrigued her that from 2020 to 2021, homicide numbers ... Read More »