Tennessee Tech Electrical and Computer Science Professor Mohamed Mahmoud won the 2023 Caplenor Award for his research involving cybersecurity. Mahmoud’s research focuses on devising protocols and schemes to protect the security of emerging wireless networks and preserve citizens’ privacy. Mahmoud also won the nationally-competitive Fulbright United States Scholar Award. Mahmoud originally joined Tennessee Tech in 2013 for its cybersecurity program. Read More »

Missing Clay County 24-year-old Tikela Nicole Pickering has been in contact with her mother. Clay County Sheriff Brandon Boone said Pickering was first reported missing last week. She went missing from her home off of Tompkinsville Highway. It was suspected she left with an individual she met online and had recently gone to see in person. “She’s nearby but wouldn’t ... Read More »

The Monterey Finance Committee wants to add a new police officer in the new fiscal year budget. The committee voted to recommend the new officer at its meeting Monday. The position would be salaried at $44,200 per year. Committee Chair Bill Wiggins said there is no job description at this time but the officer would fill many needed services. “Bear ... Read More »

Clay County jail project currently projected to cost some $10.3 million, about $2.7 million over its original USDA loan. Architect Cayce Petko presented an updated project plan to commissioners at a Monday night work session. She said they are still working with USDA and crunching numbers to get that number down. “That’s my concern is activating a competitive bid market, ... Read More »

For the first time, Governor Bill Lee’s budget has included funding to help offset costs for uncompensated care in hospitals across the state. Representative Ryan Williams said this will be a big win for Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He said $110 million will help hospitals apply for reimbursements and to bring more services into medical facilities. “Our hospitals, nursing homes, ... Read More »

Community group Friends of the Tennessee Central Rail Trail has been reactivated after going inactive several years ago. Member Charles Womack said about 30 people from across the county attended an interest meeting to help start the process. He said they elected officers, and are now taking the next steps to help get funding for rail trail needs. “Say it’s ... Read More »

South Fentress Elementary School won first place in a national reading competition out of more than 200 schools. Reading Ambassador Belinda Payne said in the month of March alone, students in grades K through 5 read more than 3,000 hours. She said this was made possible through an online library called myON. “It’s done something with the kids that they ... Read More »

Dale Hollow Lake’s two eaglets currently struggling being wrapped in a fishing wire. Eagle Cam Administrator Darlene Neeley said eagle River had brought a fish up to the nest, including the line, hook, and bait. She said this happened a few years ago, and River was able to untangle the line and the eaglets were fine. “But now we’ve got ... Read More »

Pickett County Chamber of Commerce about halfway completed with the restoration of the oldest log cabin in the county. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Billy Robbins said the county has wanted to turn the 1830s cabin into an attraction for some time. He said it was a $25,000 ThreeStar grant and additional help from the Ammonett family that made it ... Read More »

Jackson County’s biggest concern heading into the next fiscal year is how to account for inflation. Mayor Randy Heady said many of their largest capital projects are already in place budget-wise, such as the new county services building and fairground project. He said they have also allocated funds for some other minor capital projects. “Most of all, the biggest one ... Read More »