Byrdstown Mayor Sam Gibson said he expects to break ground on a new concrete settling basin for the water treatment plant within the next month or two. The new basin will replace setting ponds used by the city to allow silt, dirt and trash to settle at the bottom of the pond before it is treated. The pond utilizes a ... Read More »

God’s Jail Ministry, a faith-based initiative for Putnam County Jail inmates, will be holding classes for new volunteers Saturday. God’s Jail Ministry Treasurer Annis Talley has been with the organization for over 20 years. She said members have to take a four-hour class to be allowed to interact with inmates. “Each year it’s state requirement,” Talley said. “We have to ... Read More »

White County Schools Nutrition Director Tonya Savage said the system prevented food loss during the extended school closure by watching the weather. Most students returned to school Thursday after missing more than a week due to snow and cold. Savage said when the system saw the weather coming, they canceled their orders. “We do like most everybody else,” Savage said. ... Read More »

The Fentress County Ambulance Service raising its rates to match the charges allowed by Medicare. Ambulance Service Director Tony Maxfield said there were several rates they needed to increase in order to maximize what they get paid through Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance. Maxfield said he consulted with the county’s billing company who suggested the rate change. “The goal is ... Read More »

Nine HVAC units at Livingston Academy set to be replaced within the next few weeks. Overton County Schools Maintenance Supervisor Steve Mosley said the units were over 20 years old. He said they were at the point where they were under constant repair. “Long story short, we were putting more money in those units than what we needed to,” Mosley ... Read More »

The Bon De Croft Volunteer Fire Department collecting blankets throughout the winter months. Fire Chief Shannon Smith said the blankets will be distributed to the elderly and homeless who are in need throughout the Bon De Croft community. He said the department decided to take on this cause after responding to an emergency call. “We went on this medical call ... Read More »

The Cookeville-Putnam NAACP Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will now be held on February 10. The luncheon will feature several speakers discussing the strives forward King help make in Civil Rights. The event will also see discussions on what work still needs to be done to achieve equality. Secretary Geeta McMillan said the event moved because of the weather ... Read More »

The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Crossville Housing Authority need Upper Cumberland citizens to help count the homeless population. The Point in Time Homeless Count started Tuesday night and runs until Friday. Homeless Service Case Manager Cindy Turner said citizens across the Upper Cumberland have already began to step up and help with the count. Turner said ... Read More »

Local farmers can learn more about agriculture transpiration safety during a Thursday class. The class is part of Overton County Ag Extension Agent Jason Garrett’s Master Beef Producer Class. Garrett said the seminars cover a broad range of agricultural topics. He said the Ag transportation safety class has never been taught in the county before. “Me and some more Ag ... Read More »

Cumberland County’s CF Storehouse saw a slight increase last week in the number of residents seeking shelter from the cold and snow. The CF Storehouse provides meals, clothing, food and assistance for the homeless and others in need in the Upper Cumberland. Community Outreach Director Tommy Ritter said the Storehouse is normally only open during the day. Last week, they ... Read More »