The Cumberland County Highway Department putting together a list of roads to prioritize improvements with an additional $2 million in spending this year. County Mayor Allen Foster said County Commissioners funded the one-time expenditure in this year’s budget discussions. “The commissioners really felt that it would be necessary, that there was a plan for that money, but they didn’t want ... Read More »

Van Buren County Schools updating the district’s family engagement policy to ensure parents understand they can have input in the system’s instruction and programs. Director of Schools Jared Copeland said every school system must update its policy as part of receiving Title 1 funds from the federal government. However, with the change in leadership, the update provides a good chance ... Read More »

Last week’s County Mayors Conference in Murfreesboro gave Upper Cumberland mayors updates on T-DOT’s increased road spending, reappraisal and how changes in the state education funding will impact county budgets. Jackson County Mayor Randy Heady said sometimes constituents do not understand why the elected official is out of the office for several days. But Heady said the networking and education ... Read More »

Gainesboro residents will soon have additional options to pay water and utility bills, thanks to its existing utility processor. Gainesboro Mayor Lloyd Williams said the move provides more ways to pay and better security. “Well, about three years ago, we went to a direct deposit with the company, and so they come in and give us a proposal to now ... Read More »

Vol State has opened a new Adventure Course to everyone above the age of eighteen in Upper Cumberland. Vice President of Economic Development in Regional Centers Nick Bishop said that the course gives Vol State the chance to promote a better lifestyle. Bishop said the course currently offers kayaking and mountain biking guided by certified instructors, as well as providing ... Read More »

Ever deal with a home improvement project that turns into much more than you expected? That’s what Putnam County School officials are dealing with in trying to replace the Avery Trace Middle School gym floor. You may remember the floor suffered flood damage during the Christmas freeze. Deputy Schools Director Tim Martin said crews pulled out the old floor at ... Read More »

Six blue ribbons, four red ribbons, two third place ribbons and two honorable mentions. Quite a haul for Magness Library Director Brad Walker. In his spare time, he grows flowers. Walker took the 14 honors at the Tennessee Gesneriad Society’s annual event. “One of the most common plants people knows is the African violet,” Walker said. “It’s one of the ... Read More »

Getting an architect in place to help design Sparta’s new splash pad project will be a major step for the long-awaited project. The city is currently accepting qualifications from prospective applicants. Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said some social media speculation said the project has been designed and the plans are in place. He said that is false. “There’s no plans ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech waiving application fees for the second year in a row through the month of September. High School seniors and transfer students can apply at T-N Tech Dot EDU. The free application period of part of a statewide initiative called College Application and Exploration Month. The free application period ends September 30. The application process takes roughly 15 minutes. Read More »

Putnam County Sheriffs Deputies apprehended a Colorado bank robber in the county over the weekend. Jerry Robert Stubbins robbed a Colorado Springs credit union August 25, escaping with $420,000. The Sheriffs Department received work Thursday Stubbins might be in Putnam County and issued a “Be On The Lookout” alert for deputies. Deputies spotted a silver minivan at the Dollar General ... Read More »