A Putnam County Sheriffs Deputy has lost his job after being arrested for DUI and possession of a handgun while under the influence. Chad Martin was involved in a single-vehicle collision along 10th Street and Fisk Road early Sunday morning. He was arrested by Cookeville Police. Martin had been with the sheriffs department since 2014. His bond was set a ... Read More »

The death toll increased to two at NHC of McMinnville where a cluster outbreak of COVID-19 has been affecting the facility for over a week. The long-term care facility reports 37 total positive cases among patients and staff. 22 patients tested positive for COVID and are being treated at the facility. 13 employees have tested positive. An additional three team ... Read More »

Algood City Council voted against a one-time bonus for 46 front-line city workers Tuesday night. Three council members including Mayor Lisa Chapman-Fowler abstained. Council members Bill Bilbrey and Ruby Hawkins both have family members who work for the city. The resolution failed with just two yes votes. Council Member Luke Hill proposed a resolution for a $500 one-time bonus. Council ... Read More »

The number of positive COVID-19 cases at Cookeville Regional Medical Center increased to 24 Tuesday. A seventh COVID death reported as well. The elderly patient had underlying health conditions. Seven patients currently in ICU according to CRMC Public Relations Director Melahn Finley. All seven are stable. Meantime, State Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey said hospitals statewide are beginning to feel ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools will reopen August 3 with in-classroom learning, a remote learning option, and strong protocols in place to protect students. Director Of Schools Corby King said the system’s leadership team believes it can keep students safe while getting students back to the best place for learning to take place. “The American Academy of Pediatrics came out and said ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional’s number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital increased to 21 patients Monday. That sets a new high for hospitalizations at CRMC. Six of those patients are in intensive care, according to Director Of Public Relations Melahn Finley. The Tennessee Department of Health reported 33 new COVID-19 cases in Putnam County Monday with a total of 323 active cases. ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional’s Infectious Disease Specialist said the community has let its guard down concerning COVID-19. Dr. Mark Pierce said the surge does not surprise him following the state’s reopening. But Pierce said he worries it could continue to worsen. “We’ve seen clearly a increase in Putnam County as well as in other places,” Pierce said. “Part of that, I think, ... Read More »

One person has died amidst the COVID cluster outbreak at NHC of McMinnville with another patient transferred to the hospital. The McMinnville long-term facility reports 18 patients have tested positive. 16 are currently being treated at the facility. Nine employees have tested positive, according to data released by NHC. This weekend’s death the first COVID death at the facility. The ... Read More »

A Baxter woman died in a house fire along Buffalo Valley Road Sunday morning. The woman’s name has not been released. Both the Baxter Fire Department and Putnam County Fire Departments responded to the fire at 528 Buffalo Valley Road around 3:00am. They found smoke coming from the home. Firefighters began fighting the fire and trying to rescue a female ... Read More »

The US Department of Commerce’ Economic Development Administration awarded a $300,000 CARES Act grant to Tennessee Tech to assist in regional economic development. “We are pleased to make this investment in Tennessee Technological University’s Tennessee Center for Rural Innovation to respond to coronavirus in the rural Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee,” Commerce Representative Dana Gartzke said. The money will be ... Read More »