City of Cookeville examining an agreement with Cookeville Regional Medical Center that allows city employees to have a discount for certain services at the hospital’s health clinic on 4th Street. City Manager James Mills said the agreement had been in place since 2010. He said now that the city is in the process of adjusting its health insurance, they have ... Read More »

Empower Upper Cumberland working to improve on slow registration after recently opening the program. UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said there are some counties that have seen good turnout, but others that they would like to see more from. He said the goal is to increase coverage for all counties in the Upper Cumberland. “We always struggle with getting the ... Read More »

The State Legislature has its new fiscal year budget….a 56.2 billion plan passed by lawmakers including Representative Ryan Williams. Among the benefits to the Upper Cumberland, increased money for road improvements. “Set aside for our region $750 million for new road projects out of the $3 billion total,” Williams said. “And Putnam County’s state street aid fund will receive an ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools to make improvements to the gym floors at Algood Middle School and Cornerstone Elementary. Deputy Director Tim Martin said the work is to help with general wear and tear on the floors. He said every year they try to budget funds to help the two schools that need upkeep the most. “Paint new lines on it, we ... Read More »

The Crossville Squadron 120 will host the Tennessee Wing’s search and rescue and disaster relief training this weekend. Lieutenant Colonel Craig Christen said squadrons train to help in the face of natural disasters, search for downed aircraft, and things of that nature. He said this weekend will have squadrons and crews working together during scenarios as if they are actually ... Read More »

Jackson County Prevention Partnership one of multiple drug coalitions across the region hosting a drug takeback this Saturday. Project Director Nora Anderson said the DEA started drug takeback days in 2010 in an attempt to fight the drug overdose epidemic. She said the day serves as a reminder to the public to get rid of old medications to help prevent ... Read More »

A residence, a camper, and other vehicles deemed a total loss after a fire on Water Plant Road in the Baxter area Thursday. Putnam County Fire Chief Tom Brown said when crews arrived on the scene around 1:30 the residence was well-involved. He said neighbors had reported hearing explosions to the fire department, but the cause of the fire is ... Read More »

Algood City Council members are committed to giving city employees raises in the new fiscal year, but now they need to run the numbers. That was the result of a special called work session Thursday night. City Administrator Keith Morrison said they will look at the comparisons between an across-the-board raise and a staggered pay scale, as proposed by Council ... Read More »

Just one week left in the Tennessee Highway Safety Office’s safety campaign to Slow Down Tennessee. PIO Arriale Tabson said agencies across the state are working to increase awareness and enforcement to reduce speeding-related incidents She said from 2020 to 2022, there were over 28,000 traffic crashes in Tennessee related to speeding, racing, and reckless driving. “Tennesseans are genuinely concerned,” ... Read More »

City of Sparta gathering building materials to make repairs to the city’s railroad bridge located off of South Carter Street. Public Works Director Dillard Quick said the city is going to take to replace the walking boards and hands rails that are currently on the bridge. He said they have replaced various boards over the years, but it is time ... Read More »