Representative John Mark Windle has officially retired from the Tennessee Army National Guard. Windle said that after 27 years in service, he wishes the best to all of the young members of the Army who are still in service. He said the biggest lesson he’s learned is that despite differences, America is strong. “Not just because of the military, but ... Read More »

Van Buren County approved its finalized budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year Tuesday night. County Mayor Greg Wilson said the budget features several capital projects and purchases funded by American Rescue Plan money, including a new ambulance for $260,000. “There’s the landfill, construction on getting it fixed,” Wilson said. “It’s a monitored project for 30 years. We had a leak ... Read More »

Upperman High School starting the school year at 107.3 percent capacity, but that doesn’t mean the school is bursting at the seams. Putnam Schools Attendance Supervisor Chris Pierce said that number has to do with a capacity rating set when the building was built. He said high school capacity ratings at high schools differ from other levels. “That high school, ... Read More »

Jackson County will finally be able to take steps on its long-awaited fairgrounds project. Mayor Randy Heady said this project is officially in the new fiscal year budget, which received unanimous approval from the county commission. “It’s been going on quite honestly for I feel like forever but it’s only been two years, and we haven’t done anything,” Heady said. ... Read More »

A new private hangar under construction at the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport could help free up more hangar space. Airport Manager Dean Selby said the Averitt/JetRight hangar will serve as the middle ground between its Nashville and Knoxville locations. “They actually have an aircraft based here now, and they’re just going to be able to move it into their private ... Read More »

A Jackson County woman reported missing on Sunday has been located. Overton County Sheriff John Garrett said a Jackson County man reported that he and the woman were walking down Roaring River after parking near the Hardy-Reagan Bridge. “At some point, it started to get dark, they became separated and that was on Saturday so Sunday morning we get this ... Read More »

Overton County election commission set to certify election results by this Friday. Election Administrator Craig Story said the commission met Tuesday to go through provisional ballots. He said once they do that and get final numbers, they prepare for certification. “We just double check and triple check and then check again on all of our numbers and make sure everything ... Read More »

Van Buren County Mayor Greg Wilson reflected on his eight-year tenure at his final full commission meeting in the role. Wilson said the county had overcome many hardships during that time, including losing the old admin building to a 2015 fire and the pandemic. He said the county was able to get through it by working together. “I want to ... Read More »

The process to build a Speedway on Cookeville’s Jefferson Avenue set to continue. Cookeville’s Board of Zoning Appeals will consider a variance request at its Thursday night meeting that will allow developers to continue work. Planning Director Jon Ward: “A variance request has a 12-month period, you either have to obtain your building permit to move forward with construction or ... Read More »

Overton County Commission honored long-time county commission Billie Phipps for his service to the county Monday night. Phipps was first elected in 1980, and has served a total of 26 years. County Executive Ben Danner read the proclamation before the commission at its meeting Monday night. Phipps lost his seat in the 4th District to Patrick McCurdy by 17 votes ... Read More »