Putnam County is facing staffing shortages now and will also have to address increased staffing needs with the current expansion. Sheriff Eddie Farris said original CTAS estimates for the expanded facility called for a staff of about 75. Farris said now it appears that number is closer to about 100. “They’re taking into consideration not only the addition to the ... Read More »
Author Archives: Betsy Scarisbrick
Crossville’s Memorial Park To Feature Vietnam War Veteran Memorial Monument
Crossville will soon be the home of a new Vietnam Veterans Memorial thanks to the Cumberland County Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America. Chapter President Tom Oberts said the idea came about when he had seen other monuments in the bi-monthly Vietnam War magazine and realized Crossville did not have one itself. He said Cumberland County has the largest population ... Read More »
Jackson Co. Mayor’s Office Gets Clean Audit
Jackson County Mayor’s Office receives a clean audit for the first time in almost 20 years. Mayor Randy Heady said the office managed to clear up its two findings from last year that stemmed from purchasing and payroll procedures. “Getting a clean audit is really hard, especially a general law office in county mayor which is what I am, it’s ... Read More »
January Marks The 13th Annual National Stalking Awareness Month
January is National Stalking Awareness Month and one local expert says it happens more often than you think. Genesis House Victim Advocate Jenna Matthews said while there are many interpretations, stalking is constituted as two or more unwanted acts by another individual that would cause any reasonable individual to feel any type of fear. She said the biggest concern when ... Read More »
Cookeville PD Encouraging People To Use Parking Lot To Buy And Sell
Cookeville Police Department is encouraging individuals who are conducting sales in-person from online connections to use the department’s parking lot. PIO Lieutenant Anthony Leonard said the trend of buying and selling goods online is increasing in popularity. He said to help those complete transactions safely, the department wanted to offer a spot that is constantly under surveillance. “Anytime that you ... Read More »
WCTE Screening Film To Open Up Conversations About Opioid Epidemic
WCTE will host a film screening Tuesday that draws attention to the overdose crisis that challenges deeply entrenched beliefs about addiction and people who use drugs. Education and Engagement Coordinator Sarah Savage said the screening of “Love in the Time of Fentanyl” is part of the ongoing Indie Lens series. She said in selecting the films, the hope is to ... Read More »
Six Occupants Safely Escape Monday Morning Fire
Six individuals safely escaped a fire at a single-family residence on Denton Avenue in Cookeville Monday morning. Captain Daniel Snyder said firefighters were on the scene around 5 a.m. for over two hours. He said the fire did result in structural damage to the home. “So there was major damage to the rear of the structure, there was smoke and ... Read More »
Cumberland Sheriff Issuing BOLO For Missing Juvenile
Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to be on the lookout for a missing juvenile. 14-year-old Jason Michael Vonhagle left from the Wynbridge subdivision Saturday and has not been seen or heard from since. Vonhagle is 5’5″ with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing LSW white sweatpants, a gray hoodie, and red sneakers. If ... Read More »
UC Education Leaders Will Keep Close Eye On Third Grade Retention Bill Discussions
Upper Cumberland educators playing close attention to discussions on a third-grade retention bill as business gets underway in the state’s general assembly. The legislation focuses on proficient reading levels in state testing and gives districts the opportunity to hold back students that do not meet the standards. White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said they understand the motives behind ... Read More »
Fentress County Fire Department Finishes Fire Truck Replacements
Fentress County Fire Department has completed the process to replace of all four fire trucks in its fleet. Chief Larry Cooper said the final replacement was purchased for some $60,000 and picked up just last week. “The fleet we’ve got is really old and it’s really expensive to replace these trucks and we were in much need of some smaller ... Read More »