Some $6,000 worth of fireworks were stolen from the Dodson Branch Fire Department this month. Chief Keith Bean said the department discovered perpetrators broke into the fire hall on Zion Road when they went to price the merchandise. Bean said this is usually the largest fundraiser of the year for the department. “It was, of course, it won’t be this ... Read More »

Gainesboro officials awaiting T-DOT approval for proposed changes to traffic flow at the square downtown. Alderwoman Nancy Pruett said with all the growth in Gainesboro, the town has seen an influx of downtown traffic especially on the weekends. She said they decided that it might facilitate traffic and parking to have the square use a one-way traffic flow. “We discussed ... Read More »

Senator Marsha Blackburn says Fentress County’s new standalone ER facility came as part of her rural healthcare initiative. Blackburn said it deals with staffing, reimbursement rates, and facilities as they pertain to rural communities. She said this facility in particular was the result of direct conversations with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “Explaining the need, laying out the ... Read More »

Putnam County Solid Waste Department will open bids Thursday for contracts to transport and dispose of Class I solid waste. Director Doug Ashburn said Class I solid waste is your typical household garbage.  Ashburn said they have a Class III landfill at Cookeville Boat Dock for construction materials disposals, but work with Class I waste in another way. “Class I ... Read More »

Wildfires in Canada once again impacting Upper Cumberland weather, with a hazy sky and the smell of smoke. National Weather Service Meteorologist Krissy Hurley said seeing the haze so far from its source is the result of stagnant weather and wind currents carrying the smoke. “Think of this pattern, while it may be summer, think of it as when we ... Read More »

The Boil Water Advisory in Livingston has been lifted as of noon Wednesday. Mayor Curtis Hayes said the water plant is back in operation at its full capacity. He said all tests have indicated they are operating under state and federal guidelines for safe water drinking Hayes said citizens will no longer have to boil water for human consumption if they ... Read More »

Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson honored with a proclamation by the state for his efforts in making the ER a reality. Representative Ed Butler read the proclamation at the facility’s ribbon-cutting Thursday. He said they wanted to recognize Johnson’s dedication as a public servant toward improving the quality of life for citizens in the community. As in the proclamation, Butler ... Read More »

Putnam County EMS write-offs were the lowest in eight years, sitting at some $647,438. EMS Director Tommy Copeland said it is a pretty big number, but is typically pretty consistent. He said they typically give the same amount of money they have to write off annually. “It’s more or less we’re providing a service and hoping somebody pays us afterward ... Read More »

Clay County EMS seeking to hire additional licensed personnel as it transitions to a county department. EMS Director Andy Hall said the service continues to struggle with understaffing and hopes to hire six more medics. He said many of the crew members are working major overtime and up to 120 hours a week. “Overtime’s really killing right now, two-thirds of ... Read More »

Overton’s Treasured Souls Animal Rescue not expecting additional funding help at the county level. Overton County residents say Treasured Souls Animal Rescue is in need of more resources to provide food, housing, and healthcare for the animals. Owner Maureen Schaffer said she had been working with city and county officials to hopefully find additional aid. “With the county, you know ... Read More »