The first few days of warm weather have the potential to start some pre-spring blooming. Putnam County UT Extension Agent Wayne Key said that buds will start to swell as the weather begins to warm, typically around the first week of March. However, the warm days but frosty nights can pose a problem to crops like fruit trees. “They’ll begin ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council will consider a new cyber security insurance policy. Chief Technology Officer Steve Corder said that their usual contractor is trying to move out of serving municipalities, and would be tripling the city’s price. He said that the new policy would cover costs up to $1 million, and would have a premium of just under $39,000. “Hopefully we ... Read More »

Cookeville is taking steps to work on expanding the Rail Trail from the Cookeville Depot to Cane Creek. Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said that they hope to address potential challenges to expansion through an agreement with a strategic planning group. “How do we make a trail that connects with our depot trial head and goes westward towards West End ... Read More »

Clay County High School said that the success of the class of 2021’s ACT scores is a result of its hardworking students. Principal Teia Arms said that the class was number one in the state for ACT testing improvements. She said that 48 percent of the class achieved the benchmark score of 21 or higher. “As much as we would ... Read More »

Mount Gilead Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a Taco Night fundraiser on Saturday, February 19th. Chief Thomas Steele said that the department is providing an all-you-can-eat taco bar for those attending. “Tacos are fun,” Steele said. “Our families are in support of doing the taco bar and they’re the ones that are really going to be doing the work behind ... Read More »

White County Parks and Recreation Committee held its first public meeting to start the process of creating a system-wide master plan. Chair Jayson McDonald said that the county noticed a need to create a five-year plan that would improve and enhance the activities it has to offer. “Disc golf, or whether it be walking trails, or greenways, or boat launch ... Read More »

Multiple Cookeville department heads announcing retirement at the same time brings a time of great change to the city. That’s according to City Manager James Mills. He said that this was one of his biggest concerns when he first took his position. “I always called it a ‘great tsunami,'” Mills said. “I knew there were several people that started all ... Read More »

The Cookeville Bluebird Club is looking for volunteers to help out with the upcoming bluebird nesting season. Co-Coordinator Lynne Maddux said that nesting boxes are currently being built in eight parks in Cookeville, Monterey, and Baxter. She said that monitors will use a couple of days a week to check on nests for eggs, and the safety of the birds. ... Read More »

Christmas spending in Putnam County increased by nearly seven percent according to sales tax numbers released Tuesday. Mayor Randy Porter said that this sales tax collection has hit a record high coming in at some $5,378,092. He said that eight months into the fiscal year, countywide collections are up about 11.5 percent. Read More »

Overton County has acknowledged the debt obligation for the purchase of ambulances using funding from the USDA. County Executive Ben Danner said that the grant loan is $200,000, with fifty percent of that grant money. He said that the commission acknowledging this grant loan allows the county to purchase a new ambulance, which is a huge need. “We’ve added two ... Read More »