DeKalb County High School could double its home side capacity with the plans for stadium upgrades. The school board recently approved to bid out for new bleachers, lights, and concrete work. Principal and Athletic Director Bruce Curtis said the project could cost anywhere between $800,000 to $1 million. “It’s time and we also want to make our games a better ... Read More »

Putnam County’s broadband expansion plan brings a huge opportunity for Monterey students. Monterey High School Assistant Principal Ben Novak said with such a reliance on the internet, it is a necessity to make sure students have a good connection. When the pandemic first began, Novak said many students had to use hot spots and even the Monterey Public Library’s wi-fi ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional doing everything in its power to continue its operations and deliver the best care possible in the face of rising healthcare costs. That according to CEO Paul Korth. Korth said rising costs are affecting hospitals nationwide. “We’ll be holding on some of our capital purchases that we were planning on doing,” Korth said. “Just to make sure that ... Read More »

David Clouse has been named Cookeville Community Development Department’s first Chief Building Officer. The recently-created department combined the Department of Planning and Codes with Economic Development. Clouse has been with the city since 2006, starting as a maintenance worker and most recently serving as a Plans Examiner. Clouse takes on the role immediately. Read More »

Citing concerns about the hospital’s current budget issues, the Cookeville Regional Financial Committee tabled a $300,000 expenditure Tuesday night for employee software. The software would allow department heads access to employee profiles and organizational charts. At the same time, leadership can share and request feedback, and work on individual goal management. Committee Chair Danny Rader said this is something the ... Read More »

For only the second time ever, County Executive Jimmy Johnson voted to break a tie vote at the county commission meeting. Johnson said that was required after a 5-5 vote for chair Pro-Temps. He said the two nominees were commissioners Benny Hughes and Larry Cooper. “It says that there’s a lot of confidence in your leadership and you’re going to ... Read More »

Pickett County approved a resolution for a two percent hotel occupancy tax at its commission meeting Monday night. The tax funding comes from lodging and rentals in the area, or what some called “heads in beds.” County Executive Stephen Bilbrey said establishing such a tax has been some 20 years in the making. He said the tax would allow the ... Read More »

Applications due soon for local governments to submit for Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation American Rescue Plan funding. The state is providing funding for local governments to do needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, but requires a grading process to prioritize projects. Part of that process requires entities to fill out a scorecard, a list of things utility departments ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland poultry farmers being warned to take precautions when it comes to the highly transmissible avian influenza. A backyard flock owner in Obion County notified the State Veterinarian’s office after a sudden unexplained increase in deaths of chickens, geese, ducks, and turkeys. Overton County Ag Extension Agent Jason Garrett: “That disease could run rapid and really run some farmers ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech waiving admission application fees for the month of September. Interim Director of Admissions Frank Tittle said this comes as part of an ongoing effort to remove barriers for prospective students. “We have high school counselors that call all the time that ask if we have a program that lets students apply for free,” Tittle said. “So we do ... Read More »