Clay County EMS hopes May 12 can serve as “Jimmy Philpott Day” every year, honoring the department’s late director who started things some 50 years ago. Clay County EMS Director Andy Hall said Philpott was a Clay County native who worked as an EMT in the county before it even had an EMS department. He said Philpott was a mentor ... Read More »

State Route 141 in DeKalb and Smith Counties will be closed for an extended period after heavy rains last week caused a road slide. T-DOT Community Relations Officer Rae Anne Bradley said some 100 feet of road was damaged last Thursday and the road was completely closed on Friday. She said an inner retaining wall will have to be constructed ... Read More »

Overton County Commissioners voted Monday night to construct a new health department complex on a 12-acre plot, off Highway 111. County Executive Steven Barlow said the county will pay some $432,000 for its match of a state grant. He said the grant will cover some $7 million. Barlow said the land behind Tractor Supply provides the county space to grow. ... Read More »

After deciding to move forward with advanced metering infrastructure for the Cookeville Energy Department, the city will implement the new automated meters for the Water Department as well. Cookeville Water and Sewer Quality Control Director Barry Turner said 40 meters have been installed to test the system and it is going well. Cookeville City Council will vote Thursday on an ... Read More »

Van Buren County bidding out several projects involved in a new Piney Solid Waste Convenience Center, to better accommodate residents and prepare the area for future growth. Van Buren County Mayor David Sullivan said the county has bid out construction of three structures including a large pole barn, a 12-by-12 building, and a concrete pad. He said the site will ... Read More »

The Fentress County School System has launched a new mobile app to keep students and their parents updated. Instructional Technology Specialist Rhonda Roysden said the app will provide information about upcoming events, news, and each school’s dining schedule. She said the app is a one-stop shop that sends posts to Facebook, Twitter, and the school’s website when something is added. ... Read More »

Putnam County School Board Chair Kim Cravens said she believes the school board and county commissioners are on the same page about upcoming educational needs in the county. The two bodies discussed both the upcoming fiscal year budget during a meeting last week and more long-term issues. Cravens said the meeting helped create a mutual understanding of what the school ... Read More »

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce hopes to double its 50 volunteers signed up to help build the new Hermitage Springs playground. Clay County Tourism Director Beverly Murphy said the playground, designed by Hermitage Springs Elementary School Students, is coming to life as part of First Lady Maria Lee’s Tennessee Serves initiative. She said volunteers are needed Saturday to haul ... Read More »

These final weeks of school are a balancing act, making the most of valuable instruction time, fun activities and planning for next year. White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said school does not end, it just shifts, even after the last day. He said teachers are focused on hitting standards for next year and providing activities that allow students ... Read More »

Monterey Alderman Bill Wiggins believes a three-cent property tax increase provides department heads with needed resources without imposing a dramatic impact on residents. Wiggins said Monterey’s property tax has been $1.36 for as long as he can remember. He believes three cents is a modest increase, especially compared to earlier versions of the budget that the board considered. “Oh my ... Read More »