Don’t be surprised to see more bluebirds around Cookeville next spring. The Cookeville Bluebird Club is making an impact on the bird’s population in just one year of existence. Co-Founder Lynne Maddux said manmade nesting boxes have gone up at Dogwood and Cane Creek Parks, The Golden Eagle Golf Course and Averitt Express. Maddux said a project that started with ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System is taking another step towards an expansion at White Plains Academy. Deputy Director Tim Martin said a land survey has been contracted. Martin said the purpose is finding the best location on the campus for the VITAL Center and Student Services. “They’ll have to go out there and determine if there’s any water lines, electric ... Read More »

This week in the Upper Cumberland the Overton County Commission will elect its new leaders of the board. The meeting comes Monday at 5:00 PM to vote on its Chairman and Chairman Pro-tem positions. The Commission will also consider adding another Ag Extension Office position and applying for grants for the county archives. The Livingston Board of Aldermen will meet ... Read More »

White County is continuing improvements to its public basketball courts after a fallen tree caused damage. County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said the courts have been resurfaced but replacing the basketball goals are still ahead. Robinson said the courts just south of the high school will likely close at the end of this week. “We want to make sure everything ... Read More »

The Clay County Board of Education’s search for a new director of schools will start immediately. Director of Schools Matt Eldridge announced his retirement Thursday night, effectively leaving December 31, 2021. Board Chariman Benji Bailey said the board has options for how they want to pursue a new director. “That’s up to the board how we want to proceed with ... Read More »

The Clay County Board of Education voted to keep the board’s chairman and vice-chairman in place. School Board Chairman Benji Bailey and Vice-Chairman Vonda Weir will serve those roles for the 2021-2022 school year. They were the only board members nominated for the roles and were unanimously approved. Bailey said he was honored to have board’s trust this school year. ... Read More »

After seven years in the Clay County School System, Director of Schools Matt Eldridge has announced his retirement. Eldridge made his decision public during Thursday night’s board of education meeting. Eldridge said he will officially step down on December 31, 2021. “My wife’s retired from teaching and we’re going to try to slow down and visit our children a little ... Read More »

State House Representative John Mark Windle said political power in Tennessee is shifting to the large metro areas. The House Redistricting Committee held its first meeting Wednesday. As a member Windle said census data shows a clear separation of power between rural areas and suburbs. “We’ve not seen that in Tennessee ever, not in the history of the state,” Windle ... Read More »

Putnam County has opened bids for repaving at four solid waste convenience centers. Solid Waste Director Doug Ashburn said prices came in where he expected, with a $155,000 price tag. Ashburn said the West Jackson Street Convenience Center will get all new paving first. “We are shooting to pave those on the days off, which is Thursdays,” Ashburn said. “If ... Read More »

Residents might see or smell smoke this afternoon at Cane Creek Park due to a controlled burn Thursday. Cookeville Leisure Services will be burning some fields beginning at 3:00 PM, lasting for a few hours. Leisure Services has said the burn should not stop anyone from doing outdoor activities and the burn will not have a lasting effect on air ... Read More »