The town of Monterey will start the process of exploring the creation of an occupancy tax. The tax funding comes from lodging and rentals in the area, or what some called “heads in beds.” Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said the money generated from the tax has to go directly toward economic and community development. “With us trying to relaunch our ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland Regional Airport Board will explore revisions of its bylaws to potentially change the board makeup if needed. This after Cookeville Mayor Laurin Wheaton expressed concern about overcommitting herself. Airport Manager Dean Selby said it’s important to have representatives from all four governmental entities on the board. “The mayors were appointed as a permanent seat so it would foster ... Read More »

City of Cookeville soliciting requests for qualifications (RFQ) from professionals to move forward on the Lemon Farris industrial site. The site is located off Highway 111 near the I-40 interchange. Community Development Director Jon Ward said due diligence tests include geotechnical work and wetland determination. He said having due diligence services completed will be instrumental in attracting potential developers to ... Read More »

The second Monday of October marks the federal holiday Columbus Day, which arose from the desire to honor the explorer attributed with discovering the Americas in 1492. However, in recent years there has been more discourse about whether a person who committed atrocities like Columbus is worth celebrating. Tennessee Tech Adjunct History Professor Troy Smith said he uses the day ... Read More »

A Putnam County Sheriff’s Detective has graduated from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation State Academy. Detective Sergeant Brian Hayworth participated in the four-week program designed specifically for law enforcement investigators to improve their skills. Sheriff Eddie Farris said that he is proud of Hayworth and his dedication to protecting the citizens of Putnam County Read More »

Tuesday is the last day to register to vote in the November election. Jackson County Administrator of Elections Drew McMillan said you can come register either in person or online at GoVoteTN.gov. “You technically don’t have to have anything (to register),” McMillan said. “We do like you to see an I.D. but we verify that at the polling place on ... Read More »

Cumberland County Sheriff’s Correctional Officer Corban Goad died in an off-duty accident Saturday evening. Chief Jerry Jackson said he’s known the 21-year-old since Jackson taught him in Sunday school when Goad was young. He said Goad has not been with the department that long but had always worked with professionalism, integrity, and respect. “You know we’ve got over 120 employees, ... Read More »

Just three months into the school year and the Putnam County School System has spent half of its $1.2 million maintenance budget. Deputy Director Tim Martin said this is not due to major unforeseen expenses like a chiller or a boiler failure. He said the budget is simply feeling the pinch of the economy. “The fact is, every time we ... Read More »

A Pikeville woman was killed in a single vehicle accident Saturday evening. 24-year-old Katlyn Cagle was driving a Toyota FJ Cruiser on Vandever Road in Cumberland County when her vehicle left the roadway to the right, over corrected, re-entered the roadway and ran off the left side of the road. Cagle’s vehicle traveled across the yard at the address of ... Read More »

Local governments have begun the process to apply for federal American Rescue Plan funding by submitting spending plans. Clay County Mayor Dale Reagan said that one of the main thing auditors wanted was for the county to direct which way they plan to go with spending its $3.1 million. He said the preliminary spending plan recently approved plan by the ... Read More »