The Cookeville City Council approved an agreement Thursday to bury power lines adjacent to Stephens Street Baptist Church. The church will pay the city $16,000 and deed land to the city for future road improvements. City Manager James Mills said the agreement makes sense because improvements to the Stevens Street/Willow Avenue intersection have been a long-time priority for the city. ... Read More »

A 1,000-square foot addition to the Cookeville-Putnam County Animal Shelter received approval from the Cookeville City Council Thursday night. The educational space addition will be built with $100,000 in funds from the Ayers Estate. Cookeville City Manager James Mills said the Animal Control Board and the Shelter’s Friends group indicated a need for the space. The meeting space had been ... Read More »

The Sparta City Council will reopen parks and green spaces Friday. “We still want to maintain social distancing, we want to have signage and make sure our city staff are telling folks that,” Mayor Jeff Young said. “People have been shut in for a long time.” The council agreed to the reopening Thursday night, but did not formally vote. Young ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland representative Cameron Sexton will serve as part of the Stimulus Financial Accountability Group created Thursday. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said the group will ensure the proper use of some $2.3 billion in CARES ACT stimulus funds. The first meeting will be held April 22. “We must ensure that these funds are spent wisely and effectively, and I’m grateful ... Read More »

Putnam County reported its first two COVID-19 deaths Thursday. The Tennessee Department of Health data does not mean the two people died in the last 24 hours. More than a week passed between the announcement of cases at Algood’s Signature Health Care and the numbers showing up in Putnam County’s data. A Smith County resident’s passing in Thursday’s report along ... Read More »

Putnam County high school seniors and their families will receive a survey Thursday to consider options for graduation and celebrations. Director Of Schools Corby King said the replies will help the system plan these important events. King said no activities have been cancelled and he earlier set May 1 as the deadline for decisions on proms and graduations. “This is ... Read More »

The drive-thru COVID-19 testing set for Spencer Saturday will be done from 1-4pm. State officials provided the incorrect time Wednesday. The testing will take place at the College Building, 445 College Street. Testing will take place Sunday in Byrdstown. These drive-thru test sites are an expansion of statewide testing announced by the Governor Wednesday. Read More »

A total of 4,052 new unemployment claims were filed by Upper Cumberland residents last week. That brings the COVID-19 region total to more than 13,116 claims across the region. That’s just over 8.5 percent unemployment for the region. The state total decreased last week from the 116,000 high during the week of April 4. A total of 74,772 claims were ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools will continue online instruction and packet distribution until May 15. “We know education is important in Putnam County, we know it’s valued in our community,” Director Of Schools Corby King said. “We’re going to continue to provide an education and educational services.” On Wednesday, Governor Bill Lee urged all schools to keep their buildings closed for the ... Read More »

Tornado victims who need help with applying for the Cookeville-Putnam County Tornado Relief Fund can get in-person assistance this week. Volunteers will be available at the Cookeville Community Center beginning Friday to assist those who may not have computer access or who many need help. Assistance will be offered Friday and Saturday from 10am-4pm, Sunday and Monday 1pm-4pm; and Tuesday ... Read More »