With the increased use of virtual platforms for work and school, can an overuse of earbuds and headphones be damaging to your ears? Audiology Doctor Anne-Marie Calkins said hearing loss is possible but mostly unlikely. She said children are more susceptible to hearing loss than adults. “You can damage the innermost part of the ear and maybe not see the ... Read More »

White County’s emergency services is in charge of assigning public roads and lanes, but how does the process work. White County E-911 Director Suzy Haston said a lane is named when there are two or more structures on a driveway, or is 1,750 feet long. The rest are considered public roads. “Public roads are marked with a green sign that ... Read More »

Autumn is here and with the falling temperatures comes falling leaves. For some homeowners this means leaf raking season, but what should be done about the raked pile? Dekalb Ag Extension Agent Johnny Barnes said a great option is for composting. “It’s a natural product of trees going through photosynthesis, and all the nutrients from the tree actually come through ... Read More »

Cookeville’s Stevens Street Baptist Church project is over half-way done with only minor delays. Pastor Scott Parkinson said since breaking ground in January, the only issue construction crews have faced is bad weather in the spring. “The building is a tool of ministry,” Parkinson said. “Its not so much the brick and the mortar and the space that we’re excited ... Read More »

A study to review White County’s need for a countywide fire department should begin as soon as next month. Commissioner Stanley Neal and a Steering Committee are putting together a sub-committee to conduct a community impact study. He said a countywide fire department could help a growing community. “We have more growth, more homes,” Neal said. “It’s become harder and ... Read More »

A free music festival is coming to Cookeville’s West Side Saturday. The organization is called Music Enrichment for Community Centered Advancement. MECCA Founder Jill Stalnaker said musicians, a food vendor, and a costume contest are scheduled. “You know, how important it is to have a downtown west side culture that’s really rich in art and music,” Stalnaker said. “It gives ... Read More »

The White County Sheriff’s Office will have a new way to fight drug transportation thanks to a drug interdiction vehicle. County Commissioners voted Monday to amend the Drug Control Fund to purchase the undercover drug car. Sheriff Steve Page said this will be the county’s first. “It’ll be a car that’ll be used for specific reasons,” Page said. “That’s just ... Read More »

Church attendance across the Upper Cumberland has either returned close to normal or declined since reopening in May. The Crossville First United Methodist Church returned to in-person worship in July. Pastor Steven Lee said attendance fell from over 400 before COVID-19 to nearly 100. The biggest challenge he says is encouraging members to not fear the church’s future. “Even though ... Read More »

The Algood Police Department is hosting a Drug Take Back Initiative Saturday, no questions asked. Officer Elena Neff said people will most commonly flush away their unused prescription drugs or just leave them at home. “At that point these drugs find their way into the wrong hands, so whether by misuse, abuse, or theft,” Neff said. “If they flush them ... Read More »

Clay County residents seeking a job can attend a drive-thru job fair Monday in Celina. Chamber of Commerce Director Doug Young said this is a great opportunity for the community. “You might come out of this with a really good situation,” Young said. “It’s important to take advantage of this situation. We don’t have these things often, and certainly not ... Read More »