On her first day as Cookeville High School’s Interim Principal, Karen Trentham said she received overwhelming support from faculty and students. Trentham takes over following the resignation of Max Petett this week for health and personal reasons. She said change is never easy, but happening so early in the school year, there’s still learning and adjusting that needs to happen. ... Read More »

Despite increased signage, tractor trailer trucks continue to drive in the left lane of Interstate 40 going from Cookeville to Monterey. Putnam County officials asked the state to strengthen the rules in recent years after wrecks bottlenecked the roadway, many of them caused by slow moving trucks. However, in three separate trips up I-40 in the last week, trucks have ... Read More »

Cookeville officials looking at resumes to fill the role of Economic Development and Grant Coordinator. Melinda Keifer continues to assist the city in a part-time role after her 2022 retirement. Community Development Director Jon Ward said the role has been changed to work both on economic opportunities for business and industry as well as grants. “They’re working with the local ... Read More »

Cookeville High School Principal Max Petett has resigned, citing health and personal reasons. Petett has spent four years as principal at Cookeville. In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Director Of Schools Corby King said prayers of the system’s staff and students are with Petett. “I appreciate what Max has done for Cookeville High School during his four years there,” King ... Read More »

Higher than expected construction prices causing some changes in how Putnam County will bid the new school bus garage. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said many of the price increases seen in construction since COVID remain an issue. He said the county will divide up the Tennessee Avenue project in an effort to get the costs where they need to ... Read More »

Adopt-A-Highway is leading the charge in cleaning up litter around Tennessee public highways. Statewide Adopt A Highway Coordinator Brittany Morris said that the program has seen recent success in lessening trash left on highways. She said a study conducted by the Tennessee Department of Transportation found 12 percent less highway litter between 2016 and 2022. She said that the decrease ... Read More »

Friday will be the final day of work for a noted member of the Putnam County Sheriffs Department. K-9 Bolt began serving thee county in 2015. He will retire Friday, set to live with Sheriffs Department Lieutenant Richard Cobble. “It’s going to be a challenge for him to slow down because we go wide open every day,” Cobble said. “He’s ... Read More »

The White County High School Future Farmers of America earned a National Chapter Award with a three-star ranking. White County FFA Advisor Kim Eller said the the students worked hard to achieve the honor. She said that the student-led organization comes to her for advice, but for the most part, she was able to proudly watch them build their ideas. ... Read More »

McMinnville’s Magness Library will upgrade the building’s public internet and phone connection, thanks to a new grant. Library Director Brad Walker said that the Technology Opportunities for the Public grant will allow the repair of the library’s outdated cabling. He said that the grant allowed the library to end up paying a fraction of the overall cost. “That allows libraries ... Read More »

Wendy’s is interested in a new Cookeville location at the Old Kentucky Commons Shopping Center, off 10th Street. The Cookeville Planning Department has accepted a request to study changes to the original Planned Commercial Development overview for the shopping center, and specifically, for the Wendy’s site. That plan was developed by the city and was approved by the City Council ... Read More »