Putnam County Commissioners will vote next week on a $98 million bond referendum. The bond will include $44.7 million for the new K-8 school, located off Lee Seminary Road, and $52.7 million for the jail expansion. Putnam Schools Director Corby King said the upcoming projects present an exciting time for the county. “As Commissioner Atwood said this truly is an ... Read More »

The move to commercial space travel has been in the works some time, according to a Tennessee Tech professor. Several billionaires have joined a new generation of the space race, the next being former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ flight on Tuesday. Dean of the College of Engineering Dr. Joseph Slater said he thinks there has been a push for space ... Read More »

More demand for natural gas in a growing community led the Cookeville Gas Department explore additional gas transportation capacity. Director Jeff Mills said additional transportation capacity is not purchasing more gas or expanding pipelines, but allowing the city to access more of the pipeline itself. “That’s our greatest concern,” Mills said. “And has been for years is to just get ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation is changing lives using donations of gently-used medical equipment. “Project Procure” is a program that collects things like wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical equipment. Executive Director John Bell said they then give them to patients who might not be able to afford them otherwise. “The impact this has is amazing, particularly on things like wheelchairs,” Bell ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland continues to see climbing numbers of drug overdoses, according to experts. Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist Colby Lane said that fentanyl is the driving force behind most of the overdoses. Lane said that law enforcement sees traces of the drug in almost everything. “Drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine,” Lane said. “They said they’re saying that 60 to 70 ... Read More »

Increasing temperatures lead to a want for more air conditioning, but what effect does this have on your energy bill? Karen Brown with Cookeville Energy Services said the best way to keep your power bill down is to keep your thermostat between 75 and 78 degrees during the day. “Also use ceilings fans to keep your air moving in your ... Read More »

A candlelight vigil will be held on Saturday evening in honor of Representative John Lewis on the first anniversary of his passing. Supporter Anne Austin said the event is put on not by a specific organization, but a coalition of people wanting to come together to celebrate Lewis’ life and legacy. “John Lewis marched for voting rights over and over ... Read More »

The Tennessee Highway Patrol received a ballistic vest as a donation for their K-9 Officer Draco. K-9 Training Director Devery Moses said that the donation could help the community understand how seriously they handle their K-9 Officers’ safety. “They do go home with the handlers and become sort of a family pet once they go home,” Moses said. “But Trooper ... Read More »

The Sparta Green Market is expecting lots of veggies and local produce to sell this Friday evening. Manager Amanda Dunsmore said that among the crop available for customers, blueberries are the biggest hit. “The crop is looking awesome especially for berries,” Dunsmore said. “So we have a farm especially bringing blueberries this year and they are huge. They’ve got a ... Read More »

Crossville’s Hilltoppers Incorporated is hosting a job fair Saturday at its newly-opened facility. Hilltoppers is non-profit organization that provides services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Executive Director Jeanene Houston said she believes the organization has made a difference in the community. “We’ve taken people from very tough, sad situations,” Houston said. “Not only with their family, but non-family ... Read More »