Upper Cumberland Regional Airport named the 2022 Airport of the Year by T-DOT Aeronautics. Airport Manager Dean Selby said it is nice to have recognition for the airport’s efforts. He said he believes the recognition comes as a result of the airport’s commitment to bring in private partners for revenue and funding at the airport. “The less you’re asking for ... Read More »

Two Putnam County Middle Schools have received grants to expand CTE and career exploration opportunities. Interim CTE Supervisor Jackie Vester said Algood Middle School received some $4,500 to expand the STEM program to add an agriculture component. She said Avery Trace Middle School will use the funds to create a computer science program. “When our students move from middle school ... Read More »

Putnam County will move forward with a state project to create a roundabout at Hilham Road and Fisk Road intersection. County Mayor Randy Porter said the intersection near the Putnam County Sports Complex has been dangerous for a long time and the site of many wrecks. He said they have been working for many years to get the state to ... Read More »

Putnam County Commission approved the sale of just over 12 acres in the Highlands Business Park for what the county is calling the Ponderosa Project. County Mayor Randy Porter said an existing company is looking to expand locally using two tracts at the business park. He said it will bring some 40 jobs with a starting salary of around $54,000. ... Read More »

The Van Buren County Director of Schools told County Commissioners Tuesday night they will need to increase school spending by some $450,000 to meet new state education guidelines. Cheryl Cope presented budget projections based on the new Tennessee education formula. Cope said the maintenance of effort number represents the local investment in education. “Projected maintenance of effort is over one ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional’s new emergency room procedures have produced shorter wait times along with some new complaints as the facility works to smooth out the new processes. Interim Chief Nursing Officer Chevelle Johnson said the hospital had implemented new patient flow procedures earlier this year in hopes of speeding up and improving emergency patient care. While it has been mostly successful, ... Read More »

Avery Trace Middle School will go through the process to replace seven doors in the older part of the school building. Putnam Schools Deputy Director Tim Martin said this comes as the result of a recent executive order by the governor. The order is being enforced by the state fire marshal’s office. He said the order dictates that all interior ... Read More »

Tennessee-based rock band The New Pacific paying homage to Cookeville in their new song “COMING HOME.” Band member Alec Strickland said several of the members come from Cookeville. He said after the band has spent eight years together in Los Angeles, they were inspired to write about the nostalgia and the happiness you get returning to a familiar place. “There’s ... Read More »

Warren County Commission exploring options to put in a new 25,000-square-foot Health Department facility. County Executive Terry Bell said this would more than double the size of its current facility. To achieve this, he said the commission is looking at buying the Three Star Mall that has been left vacant for three years. “We’re just out of space,” Bell said. ... Read More »

Overton County’s Courthouse Project moving forward after its design and engineering phase has been completed. Mayor Curtis Hayes said work will be done on the grounds of the courthouse to upgrade and beautify the area. “We are going to hopefully be in construction within the next couple of months and that’s what we’re calling the TAP grant,” Hayes said. Hayes ... Read More »