State legislators will step back to consider how to move forward with potential firearm legislation and public safety. Governor Bill Lee announced two weeks ago that the General Assembly would meet in a special session to discuss those topics. He said there is broad agreement that dangerous, unstable individuals who intend to harm themselves or others should not have access ... Read More »

The CRMC Medical Team spent time with Cookeville City Council Monday, something Mayor Laurin Wheaton said she wants to continue. Wheaton said communication is an integral part of the relationship between the council and the medical facility. She said while it is a city-owned hospital, the council does not actually control the day-t0-day. “But we also know that when there ... Read More »

Tennessee Correction Institute’s Deputy Director says Putnam County Commissioners need to think more carefully about staffing at the new justice center. Bob Bass said if the jail is understaffed, it runs the risk of damages. “Protect your investment, it’s very important to protect your investment,” Bass said. “Inmates won’t manage themselves. I wish they would, but they won’t. So you ... Read More »

Livingston Utility customers will start seeing new utility bills in their mail. Mayor Curtis Hayes said the new bills will be mailed to customers as the new system goes online. Utilities Manager Sheree Jolley: “Our new bills in there, they look so much better than the postcards we have,” Jolley said. “They’re more updated.” Hayes said customers might receive one ... Read More »

A new Veterans Clinic slated for Cookeville set to bring a larger facility and expanded services for veterans in the region. Mike Renfrow is the Deputy Executive Director for VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare. He said through the federal government’s PACT act, which aims to expand veterans’ healthcare access, the system was able to get funding for three facilities. “We are ... Read More »

Pickett County High School students will benefit through a new a live cow and calf simulator. CTE Instructor Tracy Smith said students often encounter a lot of birthing difficulties with cows, which is a prominent cause for livestock loss. She said the newly-developed simulator gives students hands-on learning on how to help heffers deliver calves. “I love this because I ... Read More »

City of Crossville’s budget projected to have a general fund budget of about $25 million for the coming fiscal year. City Manager Greg Wood said a large portion of the budget will be put towards large capital projects, such as the proposed rec facility. He said there are also concerns surrounding the inflation, which the council will discuss at its ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional Medical Center’s new fiscal year budget placing emphasis on the facility’s people, with an increase of some $11.8 million for market adjustments. CFO Tommye Rena Wells said a projected $132 million will be budgeted for employee salaries and wages. Approximately $5.3 million will be deducted due to decreasing contract labor full-time equivalents. “As we’ve talked about, we are ... Read More »

Five Upper Cumberland State Parks achieve platinum status in the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Go Green With Us Program. Those parks include Burgess Falls, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park, Standing Stone State Park, Rock Island State Park and Sgt. Alvin C. York State Park. The evaluation process reviews parks’ efforts in sustainability categories including energy efficiency, maintenance and ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland’s Terra Davis among those named by the state Department of Agriculture to lead the state’s FFA program, Davis is a regional coordinator for Middle Tennessee FFA. She previously served as FFA Advisor at Cumberland County High School for nine years. Prior to that, she served as the 4-H UT Extension Agent in Warren County. Read More »