Starting on Monday next week, the first department in McMinville’s new City Hall will be open. Pending an elevator inspection, McMinnville Mayor Ben Newman said permits will be available at the Community Development Department. Multiple departments will be consolidated into the downtown McMinville old Regions Bank building. Newman said the Police Department will be moved in within the next two ... Read More »

The Smith County School System has agreed to a permanent injunction Monday that will ban imposing religion on students. A federal district court issued the injunction following a lawsuit brought on by two families. Now, Smith County Schools may not incorporate official prayer into school events, pray with students or encourage or promote student prayer. The court also ruled promoting ... Read More »

The design of Sparta’s new Findlay Elementary School is being submitted for a Tennessee School Board Association award. White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said it might be styled as learning factory with its saw tooth roof and cinder block walls, since it is near Sparta’s industrial park. However, the inside feels like a modern school. “There’s lots of ... Read More »

The City of Cookeville is looking for citizen feedback on how to use different areas of West End Park. Cookeville City Manager James Mills said the volleyball court and playground are atop the list. There are just under four acres at West End Park the city is looking to re-purpose and enhance. A splash pad is being considered, but Mills ... Read More »

September is National Hunger Awareness Month, and Food to the Rescue is asking for help spreading the love, with a jar of peanut butter. Food to the Rescue’s Family Outreach Coordinator Robin Twitty said the tornadoes and pandemic have brought food insecurity to the forefront for Putnam County. Twitty said during September, 16 ounce jars of peanut butter are being ... Read More »

The second annual Made Here Market has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19. Biz Foundry’s Director of Engagement and Outreach Tiffany Anton said they postponed from Spring until September 19th but decided that date was not going to work. However, plans are in the works to find a way to give exposure to makers in the Upper Cumberland before ... Read More »

Students in Putnam County are getting hands on training, but many courses are going virtual. Similar to the way you might pick up a new recipe or fix a car from a video online. Career and Technical Education Coordinator Jeff Slagle said both ways to learn are available, as they adapt during the pandemic. “We’re actually doing some video work ... Read More »

Bed and Breakfast owners said when the pandemic hit it was devastating for their business. But now, things seem to be back and better than ever once people started to get out and look for safe places to visit. Co-Owner of The Garden Inn, Mike Kopec said he saw the change this Summer. “Absolutely phenomenal, people are wanting to travel ... Read More »

There’s one week left for Putnam Parents to decide how their kids complete the 2020-2021 school year. Putnam County School Director Corby King said the system needs a clear direction for how each student plans to learn, whether it be in-person or remote. King said the uncertainty of how students will attend is affecting the learning environment. “If there are ... Read More »

It’s been 40 years since the founding of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. MADD Tennessee State Board Member Norris Skelley has been a member for more than half of the group’s existence. During Skelley’s 27 years in MADD, the alcohol fatality rate has dropped by 200 deaths in Tennessee. However, Skelley said there is more impaired driving today than when his ... Read More »