Putnam County’s new “Hope Park” has been chosen by Lowe’s as one of its “100 impact projects” getting funding. Lowe’s is providing funding to build a pavilion and bathrooms on the park site, located in the 2020 tornado zone. Mayor Randy Porter said the funds allow the park to be even better than it was first planned. The park is ... Read More »

The Warren County School System is launching a dedicated school for personalized learning called Warren Connect. Students in grades 3-12 are eligible. Director of Schools Grant Swallows said interested students would be zoned exclusively to Warren Connect. Swallows said that dedicated virtual learning was a necessity last school year, this year it’s about looking towards the future. “Some students learn ... Read More »

The need for substitute teachers has stabilized in Putnam County after shortages during last school year. Putnam County Schools HR Director Angie Knight said the substitute teacher pool currently sits at roughly 270. Knight said there will still be challenges keeping the pool at the ideal number with expected drop outs. “We sent them a notice at the end of ... Read More »

Mother To Mother is coming to Sparta for the first time on Thursday. Community Partner Liaison Rachel Brown said the group loads up its bus, giving away vital items for infants and children for free. Brown said often first-time mothers in need are left feeling alone, but Mother to Mother is there for them. “We even have some moms who ... Read More »

An equipment replacement project will close Dale Hollow Dam Road in Celina. Power Plant Superintendent Stanley Carter said the closure is expected to last roughly one month. Carter said the head gate equipment where water enters the turbine will be upgraded. “The existing equipment was installed when the damn itself was built some 75 plus years ago,” Carter said. “It ... Read More »

The Jackson County Clerk turned in a clean annual report to the county commission Monday Night. County Mayor Randy Heady said this was a first for the county. Heady said in just under a year in office, Brandon Stafford’s term as clerk has been a relief to county government and county residents. “That’s really important because we want to make ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport’s new fuel truck will be on site in the next few days, just in time to combat a fuel driver shortage. Airport Manager Dean Selby said there is currently a shortage of freight truck drivers who bring fuel to the airport. Selby said the new truck’s 3,000 gallon capacity will make more fuel available during ... Read More »

News that future improvements to Putnam County railways are possible, could revitalize train tourism. TDOT agreed on Friday to pay off an $8.5 million dollar loan taken out on the railroad. Friends of The Baxter Depot’s Jeanie Lee said funding being available to increase speeds and safety could be huge to future tourism. “It was such a good thing when ... Read More »

McMinnville’s Blue Building has been declared surplus, opening the door to a potential sale. City Administrator Nolan Ming said the city will only accept an offer that makes sense financially. Ming said the 2008 appraisal of $1.35 million still stands but the value will come down to who the buyer is. “Determine what’s there, is it safe, those kinds of ... Read More »

It has been a polar opposite summer compared to last year for Clay County Director of Schools Matt Eldridge. Eldridge said that while it has been a busy summer, it is much better than the unknowns of 2020. However, Eldridge said it is still a summer unlike any before as an administrator. “All through most director of school’s careers you ... Read More »