Cookeville City Council approved a resolution conveying a portion of land off of Tennessee Avenue to the Industrial Development Board Thursday night. The same parcel of land received a rezoning approval earlier in the meeting to heavy manufacturing. A concrete company is interested in building in the park. Cookeville Economic Development Coordinator Melinda Keifer said the IDB would facilitate the ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council approved the final draft of its ten-year Leisure Services Master Plan Thursday evening. Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said the plan will help in efforts to get parks and recreation grants for Cookeville. “And this is a requirement for eligibility for grants, including the LPRF grant administered by TDEC,” Woods said. “I’m very pleased with the outcome ... Read More »

Baxter celebrated the opening of its newest business at a ribbon-cutting Thursday afternoon. The Thread and Bristle Boutique Co-Owner Jason Jenkins said that he wants the store to be a place for the people of Baxter to find good quality items that you can’t find anywhere else. “I think this gives a place that you don’t have to go all ... Read More »

The Jackson County Soil Conservation District is looking for a new employee to fill its Conservation Technician position. Office Manager Pamela Flatt said that they are looking for a cheerful, hardworking employee with ideally an agricultural background. “Familiar with agriculture, farming, especially someone with an agricultural degree would be really helpful,” Flatt said. “Someone who is mechanically inclined and can ... Read More »

Byrdstown will host another outdoor movie night this weekend with the film “War With Grandpa” at the Byrdstown Pavilion Friday night. Events Committee Member Stephanie Coutta said that in addition to this weekend’s feature film attendees can expect a plethora of other activities. “We’re going to have giant outdoor games.” Coutta said. “Like giant Jenga, giant checkers, Connect4, things like ... Read More »

Cookeville’s Electric, Gas and Water Quality Control Departments are set to purchase 10 new vehicles to replace old ones in their fleet. Water and Sewer Department Director Ronnie Kelly said they try to cycle through their vehicles to ensure maximum use. “We’ve done some analysis on warranties, how long the vehicles last before they have major problems,” Kelly said. “You ... Read More »

Dekalb County Animal Shelter will go before the county commission to ask for more assistance next week. Assistant Director Emmaly Bennett said that they are still providing services to all of Dekalb County, but that the city of Smithville covers the cost of employees and building upkeep. “We’re still in the process of trying to get support from the county,” ... Read More »

Putnam County Courts are facing a large backlog in cases following their closure last year. Circuit Court Clerk Jennifer Wilkerson said the judges, district attorneys and attorneys are working to get through their caseload. “So you have the volume of cases but then you also have cases who have really been sitting on dockets for a long period of time,” ... Read More »

The City of Cookeville will explore the possibility of grant funding to provide a collaborative response from emergency personnel to crisis situations. Police Chief Randy Evans explained in a city council work session Monday night that they want to address issues of mental illness and homelessness in the city. “We are attempting to train our officers as part of CIT ... Read More »

The Putnam County Budget Committee recommended a 10-cent property tax increase for the coming year during its Monday meeting. Five cents would go to the county general fund, and five cents go to the schools. Budget Chair Ben Rodgers said the increase is based on the new tax rate after reassessment. “The rate is lower than it was, it was ... Read More »