T-DOT included a $193 million project to build an Interstate 40 truck climbing lane between Cookeville and Monterey in its new ten-year plan, announced Monday morning. Work on the project would begin in 2029. T-DOT chose the project to “add capacity, address safety concerns, and serve freight movement to a section of rural interstate that can be difficult for trucks ... Read More »

Fentress County Commissioners will hold a work session on pay within the Sheriffs Department after a department official told the board Monday night it was operating on a skeleton crew. The Sheriffs Department currently operating some eight deputies short of a full roster. Officer Rockford Garrett said three officers are leaving in the next few weeks, recruited by higher pay ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council accepted a request Thursday night to postpone an appeals hearing on additional signage for the Old Kentucky Road shopping development. Developer Wayne Cravens had asked for the hearing after the Planning Commission denied an additional free standing pole sign for a proposed Wendy’s fast food location. “He is evaluating moving an approved monument sign for this development ... Read More »

Ben Herron will take over as interim principal at Putnam County’s White Plains Academy, as current principal Joe Joe Matheney takes a medical leave of absence. Herron will finish out this school year, according to Director Of Schools Corby King. Herron currently serves as assistant principal and athletics director at Algood Middle School. He has served in that role for ... Read More »

Putnam County Sheriffs Department apprehended a North Carolina man Wednesday wanted for questioning in the armed robbery of a Cookeville Dollar General. Brent Anthony Holland arrested in connection with the Tuesday robbery of the East Spring Street location, as well as a bank robbery in Jackson County. Sheriffs Deputies responded to a Baxter home on Jack Lewis Road where Holland ... Read More »

The State Court Of Appeals denied a Putnam County man’s request to overturn his conviction on four counts of aggravated sexual battery and five counts of rape of a child. The trial court sentenced Stephen Demps to 25 years in prison. Demps claimed law enforcement altered evidence and that he received ineffective assistance from his attorney. Demps also asked the ... Read More »

The Livingston/Overton County Veterans Day Ceremony has been moved Friday to the Joe L. Evins Community Center. The decision made because of the possibility of inclement weather. The event begins Friday morning at 10am. The event had been scheduled for the Courthouse Square, however forecasters say showers are possible during the setup time for the event. The Community Center is ... Read More »

A Dodson Branch Elementary Assistant Principal and a Teacher face assault charges following a paddling incident. A male student was paddled twice at the school by his teacher, Jackson Patterson, while the assistant principal, Tena Lynn, was present. The paddling took place in early October. The student complained of pain in his buttocks and was taken to a medical facility ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council approved the construction bid Thursday night to widen 10th Street from Wilson Avenue to Fisk Road. The second phase of the five-lane widening project will begin around March 1. It includes sidewalks on both sides of the street as well as curb and guttering. Public Works Director Blake Mayo said the city received two bids and accepted ... Read More »

New building permits increased some 70 percent in Putnam County during October compared with the same month a year ago. Some $9.4 million in permits were issued in the county last month, excluding the four municipalities. 25 of the 47 permits were new single-family residential housing. County Mayor Randy Porter said the county still has a chance to beat the ... Read More »