State Representative John Mark Windle said reforms to Tennessee’s unemployment system will be a top priority heading into the next legislative session. Windle said there is room to improve both compensation and long-term unemployment in the state. Windle said he believes a public service program could be implemented for Tennesseans that cannot find employment. “Show up at a grade school ... Read More »

Algood has officially added a Parks and Recreation Director position to its list of department heads. The position was approved by the city council after public comment and second reading of the ordinance. City Administrator Keith Morrison said that Algood has two ways it goes about filling these positions. “It depends on what the council really wants,” Morrison said. “If ... Read More »

Baxter has applied for $3 million through USDA Rural Development to upgrade the city’s sewer plant. Mayor John Martin said Baxter could get up to 75 percent of that money through a grant and low-interest rate loan. Martin said that regardless of the application being accepted, this is a project Baxter has to complete. “Our sewer plant is 31 years ... Read More »

Fentress County has taken extra precautions to ensure there is enough fuel for emergency services. Highway Superintendent Joey Reagan said he and EMA director James Bilbrey collaborated with TEMA out of concern there would be a shortage related to the Colonial Pipeline Shortage. “Since we’ve got a fuel reserve and got their pumps,” Reagan said. “We just wanted to make ... Read More »

Overton County will use money left over from the new county building for new highway department equipment. County Executive Ben Danner said that roughly $300,000 will be used to purchase new vehicles and mini-excavators. Danner said this is focused on the ice storm cleanup, with the county taking a different approach than it did in 2015. “We borrowed $1.3 million ... Read More »

Early voting began today in Clay County for the office of Celina Mayor and City Aldermen before the June 1 election day. Election Administrator Monica Davis said early voting is open at 145 Cordell Hull Drive until May 27. “We will check them in when they come in, it’s pretty simple,” Davis said. “We’ll just give them a piece of ... Read More »

Dirt will not start moving on the Jefferson Avenue widening project until 2022. T-DOT spokesperson Jennifer Flynn said the department is still in the property acquisition phase and bids are expected to open in late-summer or fall. Flynn said that once a contract is awarded, utilities must be relocated. That could take six months. “It just depends on how many ... Read More »

Algood City Council denied the rezoning request for 299 East Main Street to allow a new phase of apartments. The topic had been tabled previously and even discussed at length during special called work sessions. Vice Mayor Bill Bilbrey said 90 percent of the citizens he spoke with said Algood had enough apartments. Tuesday marked the first reading of the ... Read More »

Algood will conduct town hall meetings so residents can discuss their concerns about traffic in the city. The original plan of appointing a committee during Tuesday night’s meeting was tabled. Councilman Luke Hill said this topic is better suited for an open discussion with the people most affected by traffic. “We just all sit down, invite our community in here,” ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System has joined the TMSAA for all of its middle school sports. Algood Middle School Athletic Director Ben Herron said there was a big push from coaches to join so that schools can play in state tournaments. Herron said there will be changes to schedules, practices and paperwork, but the biggest change will be for 5th ... Read More »