TBI agents arrested two Jackson County residents Tuesday on child abuse charges that resulted in the death of a 14-month-old girl. The mother of the toddler, 26-year-old Tessa Thomas, and a friend, 33-year-old Zach Dale, were taken into custody. Thomas faces one count of Aggravated Child Neglect. Dale faces one count one count of Aggravated Child Abuse, one count of ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council will vote Thursday on a new ordinance to better control panhandling in the community. The ordinance would prohibit business and individuals conducting commerce on sidewalks. That includes panhandling and selling. The ordinance focuses on the obstruction or blocking of sidewalks and right-of-ways. Police could cite an individual but could not arrest anyone. “This is an attempt to ... Read More »

Putnam County Commissioners voted to postpone a discussion until September on purchasing land around the existing Justice Center to be used for parking. Several commissioners expressed concern about having the discussion via electronic means instead of in-person. Commissioner Jonathan Williams said the lack of face-to-face communication made such a weighty decision difficult. “I think we do need to meet in-person ... Read More »

Three Smithville residents were injured when a Knoxville man tried to make a u-turn on Interstate 40 Friday afternoon. The Tennessee Highway Patrol charged 31-year-old Blake Taylor of Knoxville with DUI, reckless driving, driving with an open container, and possession of drug paraphernalia after the accident near mile marker 277. Taylor sat on the right shoulder of the westbound lanes, ... Read More »

Monterey’s Standing Stone Care and Rehab Center reports two positive COVID cases and seven positive cases among staff. The new data from the Tennessee Health Department one of multiple new clusters across the Upper Cumberland. They continue to be most cases among staff members. AHC Bethesda of Putnam County reported two positive staff cases. Jackson County’s Mabry Health Care & ... Read More »

White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger has been named 2021 Upper Cumberland Superintendent of the Year. “I would say that most of you would agree with me, there’s probably not a better accolade or accomplishment that one can receive than to be recognized by their peers,” Tennessee Director Of School Superintendents Dale Lynch said. “You’ve got a good man ... Read More »

The Tennessee Highway Patrol worked four accidents Thursday afternoon along a three-mile stretch of Interstate 40 as heavy rains pelted the region. A three-car pileup near mile marker 294 began the afternoon just before 3:00pm. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s preliminary report, the vehicle driven by Shibu Mammem John of Nashville slowed because of another car hydroplaning. A car ... Read More »

Crossville Police and the Cumberland County Sheriffs Department are looking for at least two people as part of a mobile counterfeiting and theft operation. Three people arrested Wednesday after passing at least 27 counterfeit fifty-dollar bills at approximately 15 Cumberland County business. Officers recovered some $3,000 in cash and at least 30 additional counterfeit bills. Officers also recovered equipment used ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech President Phil Oldham represented the state’s higher education campuses Thursday at the Governor’s Media briefing. “Tennessee Tech’s return to campus has been created and managed by hundred of facility and staff who continue to put students first. We remain committed to our university mission, to our students and the state of Tennessee even in amidst of the current ... Read More »

The NHC Smithville center has suffered its first fatality from COVID-19. Ten patients are now dealing with COVID-19 inside the Fisher Avenue facility. Seven employees continue to battle the virus. Four have recovered. One employee is awaiting test results. The Smithville facility is one of four NHC facilities across the Upper Cumberland to deal with COVID outbreaks. Read More »