Cookeville City Council will look into a potential charter change to allow Cookeville property owners who live outside the city limits to vote in city elections. Mayor Ricky Shelton said it was an idea that had been discussed before, but no follow-through had occurred. Business Owner Amber Flynn-Jared said that she brought the idea back before the council because property ... Read More »

Clay County Commissioners elected Angie Eads as the county’s new Assessor of Property Monday night. In the special-called meeting, Eads was the only one of three candidates nominated for voting. Commissioners elected Eads unanimously and she was sworn in. Eads will serve out the remainder of former Property Assessor Billy Smith’s term this year. Smith passed away in early January. Read More »

A Sunday fire that totaled a Bloomington Springs home serves as a reminder that alternative heating sources are never a good solution to heat your home. Putnam Fire Chief Tom Brown said he’s seen people heat their homes using stoves, ovens with the door open, and even grills indoors as other heating methods. “You know turning the stove on or ... Read More »

McMinnville’s Safety Committee wants to explore a centralized police headquarters as part of its new safety plan for 2022. Safety Committee Chair Zach Sutton said that this year’s strategy also includes implementing a plan for updating policies, a plan for acquisitions, and a plan for budgets. “Our police department is located there in city hall, yet the officers have their ... Read More »

Identity theft has become more common in Tennessee. Criminal Defense Attorney Gordon Byars said that it can come in all forms, from scam calls to physically getting your cards stolen. He said that the best way to prevent identity theft is to be vigilant. “Be careful with your information,” Byars said.”We get really fast and loose these days with providing ... Read More »

Art education can play a key role in high academic achievement. That’s according to Dr. Dianna Wood, the PreK through 4th Grade Instructional Supervisor for Putnam County Schools. She said that studies show that early arts education help students develop in a variety of ways. “There are lots of benefits to art education,” Wood said. “It engages the child’s senses ... Read More »

Fentress County hoping to resume work on its kayak park project this spring. County Executive Jimmy Johnson said that they had to put the project on pause after bids came back way over budget. “Last year everything got so expensive due to your building materials and such that it actually came in a lot over how much the grant was ... Read More »

The state comptroller’s office found two findings in the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office involving the proper administration of funds. The state found three other findings, two within the County Mayor’s office and one in the Court Clerk’s Office. County Mayor Randy Heady: “These audits are important, findings are important,” Heady said. “Audits are all about helping you to improve to be ... Read More »

Cordell Hull State Park was awarded just under $2 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Park Ranger Ashley Webster said that the money will be used to improve the restroom at the Defeated Creek Recreation area, update the electrical line at the Salt Lick Campsite, and modernize the Power Plant. “A majority of them have been worked on, ... Read More »

Cookeville is slowly working its way through the city’s 20-year bicycle and pedestrian plan. Planning Director Jon Ward said that the plan serves as a guide on how to develop infrastructure and prioritize projects as they occur in the city. He said that in their active pursuit of funding for projects in the plan, so far they’ve been awarded three ... Read More »