The ice storm two weeks ago has led to more residents looking at home generators. Cove Generators President Dave Boender said they received 170 consultation calls in the week following the ice storm. Boender said generators are more affordable than people think, depending on what you’re backing up. “If you have a gas hot water heater it doesn’t take anything ... Read More »

A contractor has been indicted by a Putnam County Grand Jury for allegedly committing fraud in the aftermath of the March tornado. The contractor is Jonathan Rathunde, he faces felony home contractor fraud charges. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said as complaints of contractor fraud come in, more indictments could occur. “There are other situations that we’re looking at that ... Read More »

Cookeville has retained the services of a Knoxville attorney for its investigation of CRMC’s hiring of Mayor Ricky Shelton. That attorney is William J. Carver from the firm Kramer Rayson LLP. City Manager James Mills said Carver met the qualifications he was looking for. That includes extensive experience in local government and having no ties to Cookeville. “I’m hopeful that ... Read More »

Hundreds of Tennessee Tech students signed up for volunteer efforts over the Spring semester and Spring break as part of the campus remembrance of the 2020 tornado. Tennessee Tech President Dr. Phil Oldham said Tech is blessed to be a part of a community with a strong, healthy spirit. “Words cannot express our gratitude to all the first responders and ... Read More »

Cookeville is asking residents to take a survey about what they want to see for a 10-year recreation master plan. Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said the community is the best source for what the city is missing and can improve on. Woods said planning without reaching out is not the way to use city resources. “It doesn’t do us ... Read More »

Cookeville hopes to move forward with sidewalks on East Spring Street this Spring. The question is, how much sidewalk can they buy six years after getting the grant? City Manager James Mills said the estimated project cost has doubled since applying. “A new estimate we’ve got Greg is substantially more than what we originally budgeted for this,” Mills said. “What ... Read More »

Improvements at the Bee Rock Overlook are moving forward even with issues caused by rain. Monterey Mayor JJ Reels said that the structure for the composting restroom is going up, despite issues getting trucks in. However, Reels said problems caused by trucks have to be addressed. “We’re doing some grading work, putting some gravel down so we can have a ... Read More »

LED street signs will be coming to Livingston after approval by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday night. The LED street markers will be placed around the courthouse square downtown, replacing the standard green signage. Livingston Downtown Revitalization Chairman Ray Evans said these would be the first signs indicating the four courthouse square streets. “I would consider it a ... Read More »

Monterey Alderman Starlett Wessels resigned from the board Monday night, before she missed a third meeting. Mayor JJ Reels read a statement from Wessels saying she could no longer attend. The aldermen debated whether Alderman Charles Looper, who is from the same ward, could nominate someone for the position. Looper said he wanted to nominate someone for the Ward 4 ... Read More »

As the one year anniversary of the March tornado approaches, local lawyers stand ready to help residents who were taken advantage of. Marla Williams is the Managing Attorney for the Cookeville’s Legal Aid Society office. Williams said they have attorneys to help with civil cases against scammers. “Some of that work would certainly be coming to light and promises to ... Read More »