Cookeville property tax notices are out and residents have plenty of options to pay before next year. City Clerk Darian Coons said payment by mail, drop box, in office and online are all accepted. Coons said the time is now to get in touch if a new property owner did not receive a notice. “We always encourage folks if you ... Read More »

Overton County has updated its process for closing county roads. The county was notified by CTAS that their procedure of only going through the road committee needed to change since the county has a planning commission. Highway Superintendent James Norrod said the new process will be simple and legal. “What we’ll be doing is going to the regional planning commission, ... Read More »

DeKalb County 4-H has placed third in Tennessee for the state grilling competition. UT-Extension County Director Johnny Barnes said the level of competition certainly went to another level after their win in regionals. Barnes said the best way to look at the result, is they fielded a team of 4-H Freshmen and have plenty of time to go after the ... Read More »

The Clay County School System expects to have its behavioral health liaison in place by November 10. Supervisor of Instruction Misty Strong said the full-time position is being provided by the state. Strong said behavioral health liason will help train staff to reach the districts identified goal of becoming a trauma-informed school. “Just those childhood experiences that impact their stress ... Read More »

Fentress County residents still have time to enter into the Chamber of Commerce’s first chili cook-off on Saturday. Tourism and Membership Director Seth Vaughn said the event will happen alongside the county’s Hope Foundation Trick or Treat on the Jamestown Square. Vaughn said all you have to do is bring your already made chili and enter. “You can drop your ... Read More »

American Legion National Commander Paul Dillard was in the Upper Cumberland Monday, ending his trip with a meet and greet dinner in Livingston. Dillard said when he comes into an American Legion Post, seeing the tradition still going on, it inspires him to do more and make the American Legion better. Dillard said his theme while on tour is “no ... Read More »

The Gilley Pool at McMinnville’s Milner Recreation Center was drained for deep cleaning for the first time in at least eight years. Assistant Director Justin Scott said until the pool was drained, it is hard to imagine just how much surface area needed work. Scott said the nearly 800,000 gallon pool will have a fresh look after patching, caulking and ... Read More »

Putnam County EMS is projecting a seven percent usage increase since the start of the fiscal year. Director Tommy Copeland said the increased usage is continuing to wear down his existing staff, more so than vehicles and equipment. Copeland said that asking for higher worker pay is already on his radar for the next budget season. Copeland said higher pay ... Read More »

The auditorium at Cookeville High School is getting a new look and new sound this school year. Deputy Schools Director Tim Martin said the time had come to replace the aging light and sound control system. Martin said that so much great work gets done at that stage and students deserve a venue to be proud of. “It is kind ... Read More »

Jackson County Director of Schools Kristy Brown has been selected for one of the subcommittees reviewing school funding. Brown said she plans to go into the review well prepared to represent Jackson County. “We’re going to meet a couple of times a month,” Brown said. “Maybe some online, they’ve asked for a commitment of about five hours or so a ... Read More »