The city of Cookeville has received a clean audit report. Council members heard from Rich Lockwood of Blankenship CPA Group at a Monday afternoon work session. City Manager James Mills said that a clean audit is indicative of a good team. “A lot of that has to do with having good employees, people who know what they’re doing,” Mills said. ... Read More »

Jackson County Chamber of Commerce is trying to create a beautification committee. Chamber Director Hope Vargas said that they want to have a group to help enrich downtown Gainesboro. “As we move forward our efforts need a home, just like anything does,” Vargas said. “And as well as a group of people who are passionate about this type of project. ... Read More »

A group at Tennessee Tech was awarded $500,000 to help in their endeavors to train nurses to provide comprehensive care to survivors of sexual assault. Dr. Ann Hellman said that the goal is to get more certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) into the greater Upper Cumberland area. “Our role as a SANE nurse is to collective objectively the very ... Read More »

Cookeville’s Ronnie Kelly is retiring from his position as the director of the Water Quality Control Department. Kelly has served the city for some 42 years, starting as an engineer in 1979 and becoming the director in 1989. He has chosen June 24th, 2022 as his official retirement date. Environmental Engineer Barry Turner will serve as the next director and ... Read More »

The City of Baxter plans on updating its board of alderman meeting procedures. Mayor John Martin said that the city will now require agenda requests and public comment requests a week in advance. “This will give everyone an opportunity to come in, if they have questions, concerns about water or anything and voice those,” Martin said. “It’s just better for ... Read More »

New Clay County Director of Schools Diana Monroe said that her first few weeks have been “eye-opening.” Monroe said that she’s spent her time trying to understand the needs and wants of those in the system. “I have worked extremely hard and I’ve been trying to meet and greet and investigate, talk to all the administrators, the teachers the students,” ... Read More »

Van Buren’s Spencer Convenience Center will have new hours starting Monday, February 14th. Van Buren County Mayor Greg Wilson said that they’ve now added Thursday hours, and have extended the daily hours to 5 p.m. He said that after a hauler for the site retired, there was a need to provide more time for drop-offs. “Teh reason for the 5:00, ... Read More »

Council member Mark Miller said he’s running for re-election because he wants to help continue the city’s trajectory of growth. Miller said that something he hopes to continue working on is the city’s infrastructure, particularly the city’s sewer system. “We’ve got in engineering and design right now getting the sewer system out to Tennessee Avenue,” Miller said, “Getting that sewer ... Read More »

Overton Schools’ REACH Academy has a new coordinator. Tammy Mansell said that she’s been with the school system for 15 years. She said that REACH was her first introduction to the school system. “And I just loved it,” Mansell said. “I loved everything that it’s about. And actually, since I’ve been in the school system I’ve always said that I ... Read More »

Applications are available for Overton County’s Junior Fair Board. Junior Fair Board Director Sonia McCowan said that kids from 7th grade through 12th grade to apply. She said that the experience has many benefits for Overton County kids. “It’s just a  fun way to give back to your community, it’s a good way to get volunteer hours that you need ... Read More »