The UCDD Micro-Loan program has doubled it’s original pool of money to roughly $500,000 since starting. During 2021, the program has even found a partner outside the region to offer more options to small business startups. UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said loans up to $50,000 are now available. “We are marketing their loan programs as well, it might be ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System is looking for a School Age Care program site director at Algood Elementary School. School Age Care Program Coordinator Krista Hamilton said the site director is responsible for the before and after school program. Hamilton said kids do activities, get help with homework and spend extra time with their friends. “School Age Care is a ... Read More »

Live In Livingston is back Saturday with blues guitarist Stacy Mitchhart. The show starts at 5:30 in Livingston’s Central Park. Mayor Curtis Hayes said the invite is open to blues fans around the region because this is a show they will not want to miss. “What entertainment he can bring and will bring,” Hayes said. “He will be performing with ... Read More »

A consortium of ten Middle Tennessee hospitals joined together Friday to ask local residents to get vaccinated against COVID. The consortium includes Cookeville Regional, Ascension St Thomas in both White and Dekalb Counties. The open letter, quote begs Middle Tennessee residents to get COVID vaccines. Hospitalizations in Middle Tennessee are escalating at a rate that threatens to overwhelm the healthcare ... Read More »

The Jackson County School Board considered whether a mask mandate might help keep the school system open during its Thursday night meeting. Parents on both sides of the topic gave their opinion, as the system is in its second week with 31 positive COVID cases. A mandate was not on the agenda and no vote was taken on the subject. ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech will have $12 million in federal funding available to eligible students, but they must confirm enrollment. Enrollment Management and Career Placement Vice President Brandon Johnson said where the funding goes is based on the university census. However, he said September 2 is when that data will start being analyzed. “If you’ve not confirmed fall enrollment, do so and ... Read More »

Vol State’s Cookeville and Livingston Campuses are seeing enrollment numbers similar to 2020 pandemic numbers. Classes are set to begin on Monday, registration is still open. The fall 2020 headcount across all campuses reached 8,832. Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator Eric Melcher said the college is trying to get enrollment to pre-COVID levels. “We have had a few on ground ... Read More »

The Van Buren County Fair will open the gates on Saturday with country nights and carnival lights. Fair President Lesa Bouldin said the fair stuck with fan favorites this year like beauty pageants, the chainsaw challenge and greased pig competition. “We stuck with the ones that we knew worked, that people would come out and see,” Bouldin said. “The carnival, ... Read More »

Livingston approved the only bid received for its raw water intake system improvements on Wednesday night. This consists of a new pump and valve installation for roughly $451,000. Engineer Greg Davenport said he had to make multiple calls to secure a bidder. “I would have loved to have gotten more bidders but it’s just the way it happened this time,” ... Read More »

Washington Avenue Baptist Church in Cookeville is hosting the two-day Mom Talk Conference. The conference is on Friday and Saturday. Chairperson Hannah Davis said Mom Talk is geared towards moms of all ages, no matter their motherhood journey. Davis said she hopes mom’s leave hopeful about their future. “I just hope that moms take a second to stop and refresh ... Read More »