The Overton County Budget Committee approved bids for two ambulances and the construction of the Monroe Community Center at its Tuesday meeting. Overton County Executive Steven Barlow said this meeting was designed to open bids for expensive projects to see if those projects are feasible before department heads present proposed budgets for the new fiscal year. He said the two ... Read More »

Cummins Falls State Park has officially opened its new 3,600 square-foot wheelchair-accessible overlook. Park Manager Ray Cutcher said this is a major change from the small outcropping that only one of people could get to at a time. He said rugged terrain with roots and loose rocks that led to the overlook made it nearly impossible for someone with mobility ... Read More »

The Fentress County Chamber of Commerce is launching a tourism rebrand with a new seal designed to update the visual appeal of the county’s marketing materials. Chamber Executive Director Jacob Rosenbaum said the county initiated the effort two years ago with the Tennessee Tech Center for Rural Innovation and the Tennessee Department of Tourism. He said the new seal includes ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools set to add new fencing on five campuses across the district. Deputy Schools Director Tim Martin said the hardware will add security to corners of campuses that typically do not have many eyes on them. The project will also add escape hardware for gates. Martin said the State Fire Marshall’s Office requires escape hardware that allows people ... Read More »

100-mile-per-hour winds blew through Smithville Monday evening as an EF-1 tornado left trees down and a handful of homes damaged. National Weather Service Lead Forecaster Sam Shamburger said tornadoes this size are fairly common in the Upper Cumberland. He said this one did not move very fast, traveling 3.3 miles in some 10 minutes. He said the storm pulsed, gaining ... Read More »

Monterey Aldermen gave four Tennessee Tech students the green light to turn their Proposed Educational Energy Park school project into reality Monday night. The proposed Whitaker Park renovation would add dozens of features that produce renewable energy. Student Michael Miner said the project would likely take years to complete, but would not cost the town a cent. Miner said items ... Read More »

At least a dozen homes damaged significantly, downed trees prominent after a tornado touched down in Dekalb County Monday afternoon. Dekalb County EMA Director Charlie Parker said the one injury occurred when a tree fell just a few feet in front of a driver. He said the woman sustained a minor injury after crashing into it. Parker said the houses ... Read More »

A pair of cyclists rode from Lake Park, Florida to Crossville to collect donations for Jonah’s Joy, a nonprofit designed to help sexually exploited adolescent girls. Executive Director Denise Weaver said Board Member Jim Higgins had the idea to visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Florida, and collect donations on the ride back. She said in ... Read More »

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce is taking proposals for a Tourism Asset Assessment as well as a three-year strategic plan for the county. Chamber Executive Director Doug Young said he wants to rebrand Celina as a River Town. He said the aquatic activities at Dale Hollow Lake and Cordell Hull Lake have been underutilized. He said according to data ... Read More »

Students hoping to receive financial aid for college must complete their FAFSA paperwork by May 15. Livingston Academy College and Career Coordinator Teresa Johnson said the FAFSA is easier than ever this year. She said the form asks fewer questions and can be completed far more quickly by parents and students. Johnson said families who get stuck or have questions ... Read More »