Cookeville will host the 2021 U.S. Kayak Open and the 2022 FIPSed Kayak Fishing World Championships. Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors’ Bureau Executive Director Molly Brown said landing national and international fishing events is a huge win. Brown said hosting international events are exactly what communities are looking for when it comes to tourism. “We’re just excited, especially during a time when ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools and WCTE Ready to Learn Project Manager Cindy Putman has been awarded for her work intertwining PBS content and local education. Putman received the 2021 Bobbi English Champion for Children Award from PBS, Sesame Workshop and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Putman said she’s spent six years using public broadcasting to get kids ready for school. “Taking ... Read More »

Clay County will enter the next phase of its jail project after presenting schematic designs to the county planning commission. Mayor Dale Reagan said they have entered the design development phase and will get project documents ready to be sent for state approval. Reagan said if the state approves the plan, the county can prepare for construction and get ready ... Read More »

Cookeville’s West End Park will be getting multiple upgrades after neighborhood residents let the city know what they want to see improved. Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said they addressed safety concerns at the multi-purpose field by cleaning up brush and trees surrounding the area. Woods said the city will re-purpose the volleyball court with new swings, playground equipment and ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech is being considered by TSSAA as an alternate venue site for this year’s state basketball tournaments. Athletic Director Mark Wilson said conversations between Tech and TSSAA have been ongoing since the fall. Wilson said that nothing has been finalized yet, but said TSSAA is looking to have venues on standby because no one can predict where will be ... Read More »

White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson is asking for anyone 75 years or older to please contact the White County Health Department if they want the COVID vaccine. Robinson has the same message for anyone in group 1a1, 1a2 and 1b to please reach out to the health department because White County does not want to miss anyone in the ... Read More »

Tax Preparation Returns to the Putnam County Library this year after taking a year off due to the pandemic. Library Director Phil Schaller said they’ve partnered with AARP and believes this years set up will have proper COVID protocols. Schaller said the biggest change is that tax prep will be by appointment only on Wednesday and Thursday. “Generally, you can ... Read More »

Kids at Hermitage Springs School are taking the time to make quilts for local Clay County seniors. Response to Intervention Teacher Makayla Emmert said when kids found out they would be making gifts for seniors they knew, the kids got on board. Emmert said with kids and family members in senior centers unable to see each other, this project kept ... Read More »

Algood will open bids for its sidewalk repair and concrete work next week with plans to target areas in the city’s master plan. City Administrator Keith Morrison said he takes these pre-bids annually to have someone on tap when sidewalk projects pop up. “As I find areas that need repair or if there’s smaller chunks or things that we come ... Read More »

Former Fentress County Clerk Kellye Crabtree has until March 29 to reach a plea deal or go to trial. Crabtree faces four charges, stemming from accusations of misappropriating more than $239,000. Some Fentress County residents have raised concerns about delays in the case. “The COVID pandemic, the Supreme Court has just recently extended the suspension of jury trials through March,” ... Read More »