Livingston businesses can reopen Monday according to Mayor Curtis Hayes. “Restaurants can reopen,” Hayes said, “Retail stores, hair salons, and barber shops can all reopen in Livingston.” Hayes said businesses should continue to maintain CDC guidelines for hygiene and social distancing. “Wash your hands with 70 percent alcohol for at least twenty seconds with hot water,” Hayes said. “Wear your ... Read More »

The Cumberland County Board of Education decided Thursday night to begin the interview process to select a new Director of Schools. Board Member Jim Inman said despite concerns over a change of leadership during the COVID-19 crisis, now is the time to make a decision. “I believe we have good candidates to choose from,” Inman said. “I believe we need ... Read More »

Even if tight limitations remain in place, local restaurant owners said they need to reopen dining rooms to customers. Governor Bill Lee announced Thursday that restaurants can reopen beginning Monday if they meet requirements and stay under 50 percent capacity. Drew Blalock is the owner of Crawdaddy’s West Side Grill in Cookeville. “We have $34,800 dollars in bills every month ... Read More »

As COVID-19 stimulus checks arrive in local accounts, confusion surrounding the payment’s affect on taxes continues. Certified Public Accountant Jennifer Phipps said, despite rumors to the contrary, the stimulus money is not directly connected to your tax returns. “The reason why I think people are thinking it is something related to your future income taxes is because this is actually ... Read More »

Governor Bill Lee said Wednesday he remains concerned about growing numbers of unreported child abuse cases across the state because of COVID-19. Dawn Raines, Executive Director of the Stephens Center in Livingston, said the added stress from the pandemic can lead to increased abuse. “There’s so many additional stressors right now,” Raines said. “For one, you have children that are ... Read More »

The Fentress County Sheriff’s Department will soon have a new firing range and training center. Fentress County Sheriff Michael Reagon said locating the new range in Grimsley is the best option. “We have to have somewhere to qualify every year,” Reagon said. “That’s mandatory by the state. I believe this will be the best place for us. The new firing ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland needs more judges. That’s according to a state comptroller’s report showing a growing deficit in the 13th Judicial District. The report showed the 13th district has a deficit of 1.3 full-time equivalent judges based on 2019 statistics. Chancellor Ronald Thurman serves the district as presiding judge. “Our numbers keep gradually going up, and, of course, the population ... Read More »

The search for a location for the Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery has resumed after a land deal in fell apart. Paul Overholser is the Strategic Development Director for the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. The department had originally selected 93-acres adjacent to I-40 in Cumberland County for the cemetery. “We had an initial verbal agreement with the property owner,” ... Read More »

The Overton County Election Commission will take the Town of Livingston’s vote to hold June municipal elections under consideration at its next meeting. Election Administrator Craig Story said the commission will have input from a number of sources to help make a decision. “I think what will happen is the Election Commission, in light of the governor lifting the stay-at-home ... Read More »

Putnam County District Four Commissioner Theresa Tayes said she believes more discussion is needed before the county moves forward on expanding its jail. Tayes was the lone no vote on the commission’s decision to approve a jail location at Monday’s meeting. She said she was worried about the county’s fiscal health in the face of March’s tornado followed by the ... Read More »