Cookeville City Council will consider surplusing the 1,000-foot slide used for the SlideCKVL event. Council discussed the decision at a work session Tuesday night. Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said that there are some sections in good condition and some that are not. “But we don’t know,” Woods said. “And part of the problem is you have to advertise the ... Read More »

A busy week, but working through the issues. That’s the word from Clay County after roughly a week with the county in control of the ambulance service, Director Andy Hall said just an hour after the county took over, they had to fly out a patient after crews responded to the emergency. He said he and his team are especially ... Read More »

Putnam County’s Martin Creek Water Project bids came in right at budget at some $1.87 million. Mayor Randy Porter said with all of the inflation and rising costs, they were surprised and pleased with the results of the bid. He said it looks like they will be able to do the entire Martin Creek area and replace lines off of ... Read More »

Sparta officials working through hiccups with the city’s new siren-activated traffic lights. Programmer Tommy Johnson said the system will hold the emergency vehicle’s lane to green, so drivers have time and room to yield. Johnson said at the same time, opposing lanes will lock to a red light. However, there have been some issues with the timing when there are ... Read More »

Council Member Eric Walker said he remains concerned about Better Cookeville receiving city funding for the 2024 July 4th fireworks. Walker said the non-profit has a healthy fund balance and does not need city funding right now. Further, he said he believes it is wrong that one week the organization’s Facebook page will promote the show one week and two ... Read More »

Putnam County School System has named Bree Wheeler the new principal at Monterey High School. Wheeler is replacing Sonja Farley, who is transferring to the work-based learning coordinator position at Monterey High School. Wheeler has some 27 years of experience in the Putnam County School System. She was a special education teacher and a media specialist at Prescott Middle School ... Read More »

Several Upper Cumberland leaders are back from Gatlinburg with more knowledge on the state’s new Highway Department funding plan. Jackson County Mayor Randy Heady said this year’s Tennessee County Services Association conference highlighted how to apply the money to local projects. He said Jackson County is set to receive some $2 million in state aid to put towards state aid ... Read More »

T-DOT replacing a box culvert on Dodson Branch Highway due to concerns with safety. Region 3 Community Relations Officer Rae-Anne Bradley said the culvert sits just south of Kinniard Road in Cookeville city limits. “So the existing structure is very narrow and in need of being replaced,” Bradley said. “This project will require a temporary closure of State Route 135 ... Read More »

Starting pay for Warren County teachers projected to increase by some $7,000 in the new fiscal year budget. Director Grant Swallows said employee compensation was one of the main focuses during budget discussions. He said in addition to the base increase, the school board is also working to clean up the salary schedule. “Our salary schedules now had a step ... Read More »

City of Cookeville received two bids for sewer rehab work on South Jefferson Avenue from the Putnam County Courthouse to the interstate. Water Quality Control Director Barry Turner said the low bid came in at some $1.9 million. He said they were pleased that number was right at what the department had budgeted for the project. “Quite a bit of ... Read More »