Fentress County is looking to use a CDBG grant to add 2 four-wheel drive ambulances in 2021. This was requested by the community at a public hearing in November. Director of Ambulance Services Micah Dunford said without a hospital in Fentress County, medical emergencies cannot wait on roads to be cleared to get to hospitals in surrounding counties. “If the ... Read More »

White County’s Oak Flatt Road has reopened, but it remain a gravel road until the weather warms up. The road collapsed in a landslide this spring and county commissioners approved emergency repairs. White County Highway Department Foreman Charles Hutson said work started in October and was completed by about November 18. “The road was completely gone, of course we got ... Read More »

A substitute teacher shortage has forced Dekalb County High School to stop in-person learning through December 11. Dekalb County School Director Patrick Cripps said he’s dealing with 1/4 to 1/3 of his staff being out, with quarantine numbers in the double digits at just one school. Cripps said this was his fear going into Thanksgiving break. “Starting Friday, actually Thursday ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech is evaluating designers to develop its five story, $29.5 million dollar Innovation Residence Hall. Vice President for Facilities Chuck Roberts said the hall would have up to 400 beds in the 120,000 square foot building. Roberts said the vision is to make the Innovation Residence Hall unlike anything else on campus. “That’s the vision going forward is to ... Read More »

Christmas tree growers can get you the perfect tree this holiday season, but what happens when it leaves the hands of an expert? Rocky Point Tree Farm Owner Richard Savage said a tree staying fresh after being cut can depend on what type of tree you buy. However, he said the most important thing someone can do is get it ... Read More »

The Overton-Livingston Chamber of Commerce is making a push to promote safety for shoppers and tourists this holiday season. Executive Director Shannon Cantrell said the chamber has been distributing face masks with their “Shop, Eat, and Play Safe in Livingston-Overton County” branding. Cantrell said that through a $25,000 grant from the Tennessee Tourism Department there will be COVID infrastructure set ... Read More »

Van Buren County is looking to bring trash collection to every household throughout the county. Mayor Greg Wilson said the bid winner for solid waste collection would handle all solid waste and convenience centers would close. Wilson said the county has considered this move for quite sometime but will not accept a bid that does not benefit residents. “We’ve been ... Read More »

The BlueCross Bowl still needs volunteers as crowds descend on Cookeville this weekend. Cookeville-Putnam County Visitor’s Bureau Executive Director Molly Brown said the need is bigger than ever, with over 700 shifts of volunteers working. Brown said they’re looking for groups inside the same household to help with social distancing during all the different jobs. “It could be anything from ... Read More »

Crossville is streamlining its codes, permits and inspection process by making the move online. Starting Tuesday all new projects will be applied for and paid for through a program called My Government Online after creating an account. Crossville Building Inspector Carl Kerley said the biggest change will be for people who do not use computers, but they still have an ... Read More »

A Tennessee Higher Education Commission survey of its employees found most would like to continue working from home after the pandemic ends. State Senator Paul Bailey said more discussion will be needed before making such long-term decisions. “I’m assuming that we’ll go through each and every department, especially even THEC and look at those state employees that can still be ... Read More »