FEMA’s total distribution to Putnam County residents affected by the March 3 tornado will total nearly $740,000. Monday marked the deadline for individuals to apply for FEMA relief. Public Affairs Specialist Cheria Brown said some 112 individuals have applied and been approved for FEMA assistance in Putnam County. More than $493,000 in individual and household assistance has already been approved. ... Read More »

A new Cookeville Gabe’s location will open June 6. The brand-name apparel and housewares store will open in the old Hobby Lobby location on South Jefferson Avenue. Senior Vice President of Marketing Leigh Guldig said the store will offer an expanded inventory, especially in the housewares area. “(Our) expanded home department including rugs, decor, accents,” Guldig said. “We have also ... Read More »

The Cumberland County Health Department will add expanded testing hours Thursday. Thursday, testing will be held from 1pm to 6pm at the Health Department located at 1503 South Main Street. Testing takes place every weekday. Tests are free. State health officials are encourage anyone with questions about their status to be tested for COVID-19. Read More »

The Putnam County Regional Planning Commission approved plans for phase one of the Autumn Woods Subdivision Tuesday night. The first phase will include 15 lots along Cumby Road. The lots range from 0.50 acres to 0.83 acres all fronting on Cumby Road. The approval is subject to the installation of fire hydrants along Cumby Road. Engineering has already begun on ... Read More »

Crossville City Council members will look at a graduated one-time bonus for city employees when they begin considering the city’s budget. The city has suspended its pay improvement plan temporarily because of COVID-19. City Manager Greg Wood said lower-paid employees would receive a 1.5 percent bonus, with mid-range employees at one percent, and higher-end employees at 0.5 percent. Wood sent ... Read More »

Cookeville City Manager James Mills gave council members a second option Tuesday to include pay raises in the new fiscal year budget. During a second day of budget work sessions, Mills detailed a plan for city employees that would include possible two percent merit raises and a $100 longevity increase per year. Mills said the merit raise insures those employed ... Read More »

No new COVID-19 patient cases at Algood’s Signature Health Care in 27 days. No new employee cases in 30 days. That’s according to Signature Putnam County CEO Lee Rooney. He said eight patients who originally tested positive during the March 30 outbreak continue to test positive. Seven of those eight are showing no symptoms. A total of 37 residents and ... Read More »

Clay County Commissioners unanimously approved a new two-year contract with the city of Celina to provide emergency ambulance service to county residents. The new agreement includes a $30,000 annual increase. “I think we’ve got our backs against the wall right now,” Commissioner Bryan Coons said. “If we don’t pass this tonight, we’re going to be without ambulance service.” Several commissioners ... Read More »

Cookeville Police are investigating the theft of a fully-labeled T-DOT truck. The keys had been left inside at the TDOT office on Ferrell Drive. Cookeville Police report the 2000 white Ford truck was last seen April 27. The truck features a T-DOT logo on both the drivers and passengers side with reflective chevrons on the tailgate and a full light ... Read More »

Putnam County issued a record number of building permits in April. 40 permits issued stands as the most since January, 2015. 21 of the 40 permits were for new single family construction – a total of just under $5 million. County Mayor Randy Porter said six of the permits were for construction in the highway 70 corridor. Since July of ... Read More »