The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office found two minor issues in its latest audit of the Overton County Health and Rehab Center. The state found the center failed to properly refund credit balances for 59 former residents. Almost 27 thousand dollars in refunds were due, with the money due back to Medicaid in all but six cases. The center’s management said a ... Read More »

A Jamestown man died in a one-vehicle crash along Smith County’s Interstate 40 overnight. 47-year old Charles Case died when he lost control of his vehicle and slid off the left shoulder striking a guard rail. The vehicle then rolled across the two westbound lanes colliding with the guard rail on the right shoulder. Case was wearing a seatbelt according ... Read More »

The Putnam County Board of Health encouraged residents to be vigilant as the COVID-19 outbreak continues. “I am so proud of the way this community responded to the victims of the major disaster that just occurred,” Board Chair Clarence Smith said. “I know we will respond to this pandemic in the same way.” Smith said only a total community response ... Read More »

The City Of McMinnville adopted a new COVID-19 action plan at its Wednesday meeting. Beginning Thursday, all public walk-in services and lobbies are closed. This includes access to City Hall, the McMinnville Police and Fire Departments, and all parks and recreation facilities. “These short- term measures will build upon our resiliency and strength,” City Administrator Nolan Ming said. “We have ... Read More »

Renters across Putnam County who suffered damage in the March 3 tornado can apply for federal disaster assistance through FEMA. Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing. In addition, FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance Program can provide help in replacing personal property, job-related equipment or personal vehicles. Renters who need more information can visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or ... Read More »

The Putnam County Tornado Survivors’ Distribution Center will open in a new location Friday. The center will move to 620 South Jefferson Avenue, in the shopping center adjacent to Electronic Express. The center will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1pm to 6pm. Saturday hours will be from 9am to Noon. Supplies are available only to tornado victims. The ... Read More »

State Senator Paul Bailey said the legislature wants to make sure it puts safeguards in place for longer term impacts from the coronavirus. State department heads have made more than 400 million dollars in cuts to the state budget first proposed by Governor Bill Lee earlier this year. “Tennessee derives most of its revenue from sales tax and obviously, when ... Read More »

The coronavirus fight will delay interviews with candidates for the Putnam County Director of Schools. Putnam County School Board Chair Dr. Dawn Fry said the plan is to still have a new director named by the end of the school year. “The remainder of the board is hopeful that we can still have our person named to that position at ... Read More »

Volunteers will be needed the next three weekends to help transition the Highway 70 cleanup. “We’re leaving the cleanup phase and entering the recovery phase,” Putnam County EMA Director of Volunteers Kevin Tucker said. FEMA trucks have been working over the last several days staging large pieces of debris. That debris will continue to be moved to the landfill. As ... Read More »

Seniors in need of non-perishable food items can receive free deliveries beginning Monday. Life Church will deliver food baskets from 1-3pm each day. Deliveries will be dropped at the front door. “We know there are many seniors afraid to go and shop for needed food items,” Life Church said in a statement. To request a food delivery, call 526-6900. Read More »