City of Cookeville having to make decisions on projects that utilize State Transportation Block Grant funds in the face of rising costs. City Manager James Mills said those projects include sidewalks on Interstate Drive, turning lanes on South Willow Avenue and Jackson Street, and a Buffalo Valley area bridge replacement. He said when the city first received funding for the ... Read More »

A Putnam County Sheriff’s Department traffic stop led to an arrest and five charges. Marcus Montrell Hughes was driving a white Chevy Tahoe along Highway 62 when he was stopped by a Putnam County Sheriff’s Sergeant. The sergeant searched the vehicle and discovered more than six ounces of Methamphetamine, five ounces of Cocaine, 12 grams of Marijuana, various Schedule II ... Read More »

Pickett County next up on UCHRA’s commodities distribution event schedule, set to start at 9 a.m. on Thursday. Commodities Manager Adam Knepp said the event serves to help those in need feed their families. Knepp said the distributions have been widely popular across the region. “The commodities program is for low-income families to help them to get food to help ... Read More »

Changes coming to Putnam County election precincts after the Election Commission voted to consolidate four precincts. The commission voted to combine and move precincts in four districts: District 12, District 8. District 5 and District 10. The affected precincts include Algood In and Out, Boma, Dry Valley, and Sycamore. Chair Phil Adams said this comes as a result of a ... Read More »

Putnam County School System renewed an athletic training agreement with Cookeville Regional Medical Center after seeing success in its first year. PCSS Deputy Director Tim Martin said the medical center provides athletic trainers to all of the high schools who watch after as many sports teams as possible. He said CRMC bid to provide the services at just $1 per ... Read More »

Overton County Schools planning to have a new visitor management safety system in place at all schools by the start of the year. Technology Supervisor Brent Thrasher said the schools already have all of the equipment in place and I.T. has been busy setting it up. He said school administration and other faculty members have been busy receiving training on ... Read More »

White County School Board’s Jayson McDonald is seeking the Tennessee School Board Association’s Vice Presidency in the upcoming election. McDonald previously served as the Upper Cumberland District Director and currently serves as the Treasurer. He said to him, the job is about being a servant. “And being a servant to the students of this state, not only in White County ... Read More »

To keep from getting lost in the woods, preparation is always the first step. That’s according to Burgess Falls State Park Ranger Blaine Crabtree. He said hikers should research destinations before going on a trip, and have contacts set up for potential trouble. “Kind of when you’re going to be there, when you’re expected to get out within an hour ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council will consider moving forward with the approval for a new water and wastewater rate study. Water Quality Control Director Barry Turner presented the need for a study to city council members at a work session Monday night. He said the study will indicate whether the city needs to increase rates for residents and wholesale districts, which he ... Read More »

Cookeville Public Works saw a successful final walk-through for Phase I of Spring Street’s sidewalk project with the state. Public Works Director Blake Mayo said that this process occurs with every similar project. He said the department, T-DOT, and the project’s construction inspector walk the length of the job to make sure the work is completed to standard. “The main ... Read More »