The Jackson County Penny Rate is up for the 8th straight year. Mayor Randy Heady reported to the Jackson County Commission Monday night that the current Penny Rate is $17,351. He said it is something the county has worked really hard to improve. “We’re very proud of that,” Heady said. “I think I mentioned at the County Commission meeting that ... Read More »

Jackson County will receive an insurance payment to cover money stolen inside the County Clerk’s office. Mayor Randy Heady said he has been working with the insurance company to come up with an accurate amount for compensation. “We have an amount we believe is good,” Heady said. “The Clerk’s office ended up a little more than $50,000 in the hole ... Read More »

The Fentress County Commission appointed the widow of the late Wade Matthews to fill the next three months of his term. Julie Matthews will hold the District 5 Commission Seat until the November election. County Executive Jimmy Johnson said she is eligible to run for the remaining 2-years of the seats term in that election. “It passed unanimously that she ... Read More »

The Pickett County Board of Commissioners voted to lower the county’s tax rate 5-cents, setting it at $2.41. Pickett County Executive Carey Garner said the county had extra funds on the heels of last year’s 74-cent property tax increase. He said if revenues continue to be strong, the county may have the chance to lower the rate more in the ... Read More »

The Fentress County Commission approved $25,000 in funds to proceed with a partnership with the UT Medical Center for a stand-alone emergency room. County Executive Jimmy Johnson said the funds will help both partners complete the administrative tasks to get the project underway. “We’re going to go into a 12-month (partnership) with them to get some hurdles covered, uncovered, or ... Read More »

A spokesperson for NHC Healthcare said that extra precautions are being taken to prevent the continued spread of COVID-19 in the Cookeville facility. In a statement, NHC said that company was notified of asymptomatic COVID positive staff and patients during the weekly testing process. NHC Cookeville reported 11 positive cases Sunday. Currently there are 3 patient cases under investigation. The ... Read More »

The City of Cookeville will begin requiring face coverings in all city buildings beginning Tuesday. City Manager James Mills said he hopes the requirement is temporary. “We consider this a temporary measure,” Mills said. “Hopefully the numbers will trend back down and we can go back to close to normal.” Mills said he does not believe the city will have ... Read More »

Fentress County is considering a partnership with the University of Tennessee Medical Center to bring emergency services back to the county. County Executive Jimmy Johnson said the partnership will be a difference maker to the community. “It would be a tremendous help to Fentress County and our surrounding rural areas,” Johnson said. “If we could just have something here in ... Read More »

As temperatures rise in the heart of summer, the struggle to keep grass green becomes real. Putnam County UT Extension Agent Wayne Key said the key to a healthy yard is protecting your grass’ root system by watering regularly. “It would be great to apply about a half to 1-inch of water within a 10 to 14-day period,” Key said. ... Read More »

The City of Jamestown is close to bidding out the construction of its anticipated splash pad. Mayor Lyndon Baines said the final few obstacles were recently cleared and the city should be receiving the contract to begin work soon. “We’ve just been waiting on the state and some other things to get finalized finally,” Baines said. “All we have to ... Read More »