Claudia Zavala has been named Cookeville High School’s Dean of Students. Zavala has served 19 years at the school, in the role of Spanish teacher, Vital Lab Facilitator and Assistant Principal. She takes over for Karen Trentham who is serving as Cookeville High School Interim Principal. “I am most excited about working with students, faculty, families, and the community to ... Read More »

The Putnam County Sheriffs Department and Cookeville Police are asking for your help in finding a man for questioning. 33-year-old Luther Glass stands 6-0, weighing 130. He is a black man last seen wearing a grey shirt and carrying a red backpack. Glass was last seen leaving the Cookeville square, walking south on North Washington Avenue. If you have any ... Read More »

City of Sparta officials launching the process to replace the City Hall roof and HVAC system. The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Thursday night to accept bids for the two projects. Mayor Jerry Lowery said he received pictures earlier this week during a heavy rain event, showing it raining harder insider the building than outside. Lowery said because the HVAC ... Read More »

The biggest change in the Putnam County Schools’ enrollment through the first month of the school year, home schooled students and students enrolled through the VITAL program. Attendance Supervisor Chris Pierce reported to the School Board Thursday night. Pierce said roughly 248 fewer students had enrolled systemwide to begin the year, a decrease of 2.5 percent. “VITAL enrollment was down ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council approved the next step in the Tennessee Tech pump station replacement project Thursday night. Water and Sewer Director Barry Turner said the next step in the process includes the bid and construction phase. The biggest part of the $826,760 contract is an inspector to help manage this part of the process. “The RPR is going to be ... Read More »

Clay County residents advised to avoid contact with Trace Creek and Wilson Branch because of pathogens in the water. TDEC issued a Water Contact Advisory Thursday after receiving several complaints about potential impact on water quality from an animal feeding operation. Deputy Commissioner Greg Young said the agency took the step because of a threat in the water. In August, ... Read More »

High mercury levels at Fall Creek Falls have led the state to caution residents against largemouth bass consumption at Fall Creek Falls Lake. TDEC issued the advisory Thursday after mercury levels were found to be .10 milligrams higher than the tolerable levels. The advisory urges women, nursing mothers, and children to avoid eating the fish until further notice. All other ... Read More »

Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King said the state’s new system to grade schools needs to be clear and precise about the information being used. The State Legislature implemented the grading system in 2016 calling for a letter grade system for schools. It was delayed by issues with state testing and then COVID. Now, the State Department of Education ... Read More »

Livingston residents will receive new property tax notices later this month, as the city tax office showed off the changes to the Board of Aldermen. Denise Thompson said the city would be using a new private vendor that prints most of the counties’ tax bills statewide. She said the notices provide more information to residents. “They look much better,” Thompson ... Read More »

The TBI, working with multiple agencies nationwide, has identified the skeletal remains of a man found in Crossville in 1983. Kenneth Levall Thompson of Detroit went missing in 1982 or 1983, according to the bureau. His remains were found August 26, 1983 near Sycamore Lane in Crossville. The victim had been stabbed multiple death and the death was ruled a ... Read More »