Avery Trace Middle School will get new murals to brighten up the school. The Putnam County School Board recently approved the application of murals to be applied at outside structures using PTO funds. Principal Alma Anderson said designs include the Avery Trace “A,” Raiders icons, and themes of the school’s white and blue colors. “And students love it, and the ... Read More »

The Tennessee State Department of Education set to highlight the Putnam County Schools System all week as a “Best For All” District. Federal Programs Supervisor Bridgett Carwile said a school earns that distinction by designing significant amounts of COVID relief funding directly into student achievement. “We invested at least 50 percent of ESSER funding into research-based strategies to raise academic ... Read More »

A wet summer is predicted to give way to a beautiful spread of fall foliage. Cookeville Urban Forester Jaime Nunan said the tree’s transition to fall colors typically follows the pattern of the weather. She said when the nights start to get cooler, that’s when the trees go dormant and start losing their chlorophyll. “The leaves are actually that color ... Read More »

Cookeville-Putnam County’s NAACP will be knocking on doors in the West End neighborhood Saturday to help people get registered to vote. Branch President Tom Savage said it should be easy to vote and to register to vote in America, particularly for African Americans and other people of color. He said because it’s only been about 60 years since African Americans ... Read More »

Jackson County Mayor Randy Heady was announced as one of the Appalachian Leadership Institute’s 2022-2023 class of Fellows. Heady is one of three representatives from the state of Tennessee to participate. He said the 10-month program will allow leaders from all across the Appalachian region to connect on ideas, strategies, and solutions. “I’m really excited because you get this collaboration ... Read More »

The City of Baxter will explore possible funding avenues to create sidewalks near the Upperman campuses. Parent Kim Phann brought the issue to the attention of the Board of Aldermen Thursday night. She said she’s concerned about the safety of students who walk to school. “Every morning I see kids walking down Highway 70 and through the Crossroads and through ... Read More »

Secretary of State Tre Hargett paid a visit to the Millard Oakley Library in Livingston Thursday to present a technology grant. The $7,100 grant went towards solar-powered benches, hotspots, and computer classes. “Now people can come here and be able to charge their devices and be able to connect to the wifi inside,” Hargett said. “People would be surprised if ... Read More »

Baxter Board of Aldermen approved the annexation of two properties Thursday along Dale Myers Lane and Gainesboro Highway, with future development planned for Coon Hunt Road. The 50 to 60 acres had been rezoned to super high-density residential by the planning commission earlier Thursday evening. Building and Codes Inspector Bob Lane said the same developer is working to buildout both ... Read More »

Cookeville Police Department taking part in the National Faith and Blue Day this Saturday. Public Information Officer Lieutenant Anthony Leonard said the program came about in 2020 as a way to facilitate safer communities with the help of large community organizations like churches. He said this year, the Cookeville Police Department will offer free car seat installations and hands-free device ... Read More »

The Brown Bag Lunch Concert series returns to Cookeville’s Depot Museum Friday afternoon, featuring country pop artist Ainsley Costello. Cultural Arts Superintendent Chad McDonald said the series started some 20 years ago as a way to attract more people to the downtown area during the lunch hour. “It’s been a very popular series because people like to come over when ... Read More »