Two patients of Algood’s Signature Health Care Center have recovered from COVID-19. CEO Lee Rooney said one patient went home with family Friday. The second returned to the regular room. Eight additional patients have recovered but are awaiting negative tests. Rooney said patients must show no symptoms for seven days before a follow-up test will be conducted. Four staffers remain ... Read More »

The Putnam County Health Department will offer Sunday testing this weekend. Testing will be available Sunday from 1-4pm at the heatlh department, just off Willow Avenue. The state will also begin a targetted testing plan this weekend. Testing is available Saturday 1-4pm in Spencer and Sunday in Byrdstown. Read More »

The number of COVID-19 cases across the Upper Cumberland reached 243 according to the Tennessee Department Of Health’s Friday report. Putnam County reported an increase of one case to 94 Friday with two confirmed deaths. Cumberland County reports 56 positive cases with Macon County at 31. Dekalb County reports ten cases with Cannon at nine, and Overton County at seven. ... Read More »

One of the two groups interested in building a downtown Cookeville Hotel wants to move forward with a project on the old Wilson Building property. In a statement released Friday morning, the Auxin-Wilson Project said it must first untangle a failed partnership with DW Interests. “Auxin-Wilson Project, LLC continues to be interested in the combined properties being developed for a ... Read More »

A Crossville man charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor after police found a runaway juvenile at his apartment. 18-year-old Brian Dewayne Clark found with the minor Thursday afternoon. Union County Police reported the runaway could be in Crossville after examining Snap Chat conversations between the two. The Union County investigator also pinged the girl’s phone and found ... Read More »

The State Court of Appeals dismissed three drug charges against a man found guilty by a Putnam County criminal court jury. Nicholas Ryan Flood argued that the car he was driving during a 2017 traffic stop along I-40 was searched illegally. The court agreed finding the officer had extended a typical traffic stop into a drug investigation. “It is clear ... Read More »

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 »