The Van Buren County Commission will consider infrastructure improvements through COVID funding on Tuesday. Mayor Greg Wilson said storm water and HVAC upgrades have been discussed. Wilson said the county wants to mitigate storm water at the old county landfill. Also looking at drainage at other sites. “The Fair Association Building, our Agricultural Education Center, it’s a new building and ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland Health Officials are recommending neutralizing monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID. Upper Cumberland Regional Medical Director Dr. Don Grisham said Cookeville Regional Medical Center is leading the way in Tennessee with this treatment. Grisham said it is an infusion that typically only takes two hours. “These drugs rapidly decrease the number of COVID viral particles in a person,” Grisham ... Read More »

The ‘Devious Licks’ trend on the social media platform TikTok is a reason for concern in the Putnam County School System. The viral prank encourages students to steal and destroy school property and post a video of it online. Communications Supervisor Hannah Davis said it has popped up in the system recently at Cookeville High School. “They will face disciplinary ... Read More »

September is National Preparedness Month, a time for families and individuals to get ready whenever disaster strikes. Putnam County EMA Director Tyler Smith said whether it is from severe weather or prolonged power outages, you never know how long problems could last. Smith said communication devices, food and water, ways to stay warm should all be in place before a ... Read More »

Celina K-8 is no longer a target school because of its success in math during the last testing cycle. Tennessee targets schools for improvement when there is poor performance in a subject. Principal David Maxfield said the school took its math score from a one to a three. “That was huge, that was a huge celebration here,” Maxfield said. “Then ... Read More »

The Putnam County Library Friends are hosting a free online talk with Kentucky Poet-Laureate Crystal Wilkinson. Vice President Rachel Steidl said on Friday, anyone has a chance to participate at 6:00 PM. Steidl said that Wilkinson offers timely stories, sometimes focusing on women of color and their experience in the south. “She will start by talking about her book Birds of ... Read More »

Jackson County High School will offer Advanced Placement classes for the first time ever next semester. Principal Jason Hardy said this became a reality thanks to the state recognizing this rural district with limited resources, does deserve access. Hardy said he is excited to give students a chance to push themselves and experience a college level course, for free. “We ... Read More »

The Fentress County Chamber of Commerce’s new Tourism and Membership Director Seth Vaughn has big goals for the county. Vaughn said that his focus is growing business development in areas like Clarkrange with restaurant and entertainment options. Vaughn said he and chamber leadership want to create opportunities to leave a lasting impression on visitors. “One thing that I would like ... Read More »

The Baxter Primary School car pick-up line is set for paving in two to three weeks. Deputy Schools Director Tim Martin said Elmore Town Road loop as well as the connector drive running between the new park and softball field, will be paved. Martin said the project disrupting student pick up is yet to be determined. “I don’t have that ... Read More »

Crossville will sell property purchased for a fire station that the city no longer feels can serve that purpose. The property is 1140 Sparta Highway, containing over 12 acres. The city will auction the property for $30,000 an acre as a reserve price. City Manager Greg Wood said the property was purchased years ago, before the city grew in other ... Read More »