The former dean of the Tennessee Tech School of Engineering will be laid the rest Saturday. Dr. Leighton Esten Sissom passed away at the age of 85. The Coffee County native came to Tennessee Tech to study mechanical engineering where he graduated in 1962. He received his masters and doctoral degree from Georgia Tech. Sissom returned to Tennessee Tech to ... Read More »

Crossville police have charged two men in a string of recent burglaries and vehicle thefts. 37-year old Carl Creason and 20-year old Taylor Presley, both of Crossville, accused of stealing a jeep, truck, 3 motorcycles and two four-wheelers. The thefts happened over several weeks beginning in July. At a July burglary, the duo stole two motorcycles and two 4-wheelers from ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council members did not consider the ordinance to prohibit panhandling at Thursday’s meeting. A motion to approve the ordinance discussed at Monday’s work session by Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton did not receive a second. Under meeting rules, the ordinance was tabled. Council Member Eric Walker said he wanted to postpone the ordinance until the September meeting. Council Member ... Read More »

A 32-year veteran of the Cookeville Fire Department will be laid to rest Thursday afternoon. Billy Joe Brogdon passed away this weekend at the age of 85. Brogdon served in the Vietnam War and the National Guard before joining the fire department. Brogdon retired in 1995. Brogdon will be laid to rest at Cookeville City Cemetery Thursday afternoon with honors ... Read More »

It appears Putnam County has weathered the feared sales tax downturn from COVID as June revenue numbers increased 10.3 percent over last year. That countywide increase essentially wipes away the 9.3 percent decrease from April during the COVID shutdown, according to numbers released by County Mayor Randy Porter. Sales tax numbers for June reported Wednesday. County sales tax numbers increased ... Read More »

Rumors and suggestions that COVID-19 will soon overrun local hospitals and ICUs are simply not true, according to Cookeville Regional CEO Paul Korth. “We are in a position to take care of those patients, we’re in a very good position to take care of a surge if it does happen,” Korth said. “We have policies and procedures in place to ... Read More »

The Putnam County Sheriffs Department is searching for Emanual Gage for questioning on a drive-by shooting Tuesday night. According to department officials, deputies responded to a home on Platinum Circle around 7pm. A black Nissan Altima, driven by Gage, had allegedly driven by and shot at the home. “The homeowner was not at home and no injuries were reported,” Sheriff ... Read More »

Cookeville Police have made an arrest in last week’s shooting at North Dixie Avenue. Police charged 22-year-old Calvin Reeves III with first degree murder. Reeves in the Putnam County Jail under $3 million bond. A 14-year-old juvenile was also arrested and charged. Detectives believe Reeves and several others conspired to visit the apartment of Joshua Austin Rowan on Dixie Avenue ... Read More »

Algood Police and the Putnam County Sheriffs Department ended a standoff with a man Tuesday after he entered a home on Patton Street. Johnny Joe Threet entered the home with a long rifle and scope. Threet fired one round from the rifle, according to Algood Police. Deputies saw the man point the rifle under his chin on several occasions. He ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional reported its 20th COVID-19 fatality Tuesday. The patient from White County passed away in the overnight hours, according to Cookeville Regional Public Relations Director Melahn Finley. A total of 23 patients are currently being treated at CRMC with six in intensive care. Putnam County reports 512 active cases, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. The county is ... Read More »