Keith Street will be retiring as Solid Waste Director this month, after 23 years of work in Putnam County. Street said the county’s population growth has been the biggest change since he started, with the amount of trash and recycling nearly doubling over two decades. Street said it will be sad to leave his team, but said it will not ... Read More »

It’s American Education Week and it has been a year turned on its head, when it comes to teaching kids. Prescott South Elementary Kindergarten Teacher Natalie Beach said she feels parents have a better idea on getting kids to behave and getting work done. However, she said understanding how to tailor the learning experience for kids can still be a ... Read More »

Tennessee is making a push to get more people across the state vaccinated for the flu this season. That push brings the 3rd annual Fight Flu TN event to the Putnam County Fairgrounds on Thursday for free, drive-thru flu vaccines. Putnam County Health Department Director Lisa Bumbalough said it is even more important this year to be protected from the ... Read More »

33 acres of land and up to $500,000 have been packaged together to show Fentress County’s commitment to bringing in a permanent Roane State campus. This package was approved Monday night by the Fentress County Commission and will head to the Tennessee Board of Regents for consideration. Fentress County Mayor Jimmy Johnson said showing interest in the permanent campus puts ... Read More »

Fentress County Commissioners voted Monday night to purchase 15 acres of land along South York Highway for a future Fentress County Agriculture Pavilion. The 8-1 vote allows the county to go forward with the $15,000 per acre purchase. Commissioners turned down this same land at its October meeting, fearing the price was too high. But Fentress County Mayor Jimmy Johnson ... Read More »

As overnight temperatures continue to drop, Seeds of Hope of Tennessee is preparing its Coldest Nights Shelter in White County. Seeds of Hope Executive Director Tina Lomax said the shelter will be open to people with nowhere to go on nights the temperature drops below 40 degrees. Lomax said Seeds of Hope still needs donations and volunteers to help cook ... Read More »

Six Upper Cumberland testing sites will extend COVID testing hours leading into and out of the Thanksgiving holiday. On Monday, November 23 and November 30 operating hours will be extended from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM in Putnam County, Cumberland, Dekalb, Macon, Overton and Warren Counties. Putnam County and Macon County will hold its extended hours at each county’s fairgrounds. ... Read More »

Tuesday will be the only day for parents to sign their child up for the Clay County Mitten Tree this Christmas. Due to COVID the signup location for families in need has been moved to the Helping Hands building on Clay County Highway from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Mitten Tree volunteer Donna Haynes said people can give back to ... Read More »

Pickett County Schools will pause its LEAPS Program until November 30 after two instructors were placed in quarantine. Over 50 students use this program designed to help kids who are falling behind in school and have problems connecting with other students. Tennessee Opportunity Programs Executive Director Leecia Walker said she worked with Pickett County on this decision to stop the ... Read More »

Cumberland County Master Gardener Fred Mullen said avoid the wives tales and misconceptions when saving seeds for next season. Mullen said understanding genetics is the key to getting the produce or flower you want. He said saving heirloom seeds and avoiding hybrids is the route to getting the desired garden. “It’s like a red headed child, just because one person ... Read More »