A 13th patient has died from COVID-19 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, the fourth death reported in the last week. Public Relations Director Melahn Finley reports 24 positive inpatients at Cookeville Regional. A total of eight are being treated in intensive care. The elderly Putnam County resident had underlying health issues. Statewide, 27 deaths have been reported in the last ... Read More »

The City of Sparta cancelled the remainder of Bluegrass on the Square concerts for this year. Multiple concerts have been postponed over the last several months because of rising COVID numbers. “We look forward to seeing everyone in May 2021,” the city said in a release. Read More »

A Pegram man airlifted to Nashville’s Skyline Medical Center Thursday afternoon after his vehicle left Interstate 40 and struck a tree. The accident happened just before 2pm near mile marker 274 in Putnam County. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 54-year-old Milton Sauls was travelling eastbound when his car left the right side of the roadway and struck a guardrail. ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional reported its 12th COVID death as a patient with other health issues passed away. As of Thursday afternoon, CRMC reports 22 patients hospitalized who tested positive for COVID. 11 of those are intensive care. The Tennessee Department of Health reports 409 active cases in Putnam County. Over the last five days, Putnam County’s new case total has averaged ... Read More »

Putnam County refinanced its 2013 school bonds this week and saved some $3.6 million in interest. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said the county got a current interest rate of 1.35 percent this week, saving the county much more money than he had expected. “We were expecting around a 1.8 percent rate with a $1.8 million savings when we started ... Read More »

The Putnam County Schools will require masks be worn inside all school facilities including classrooms when schools reopen. Multiple local medical professionals made the suggestion to school officials during review of the system’s return to school plan. Masks should be worn when social distancing cannot be practiced, according to school officials. “We understand that this change to our Return to ... Read More »

The total number of COVID cases at NHC Cookeville reached 24 Wednesday with 10 of those who tested positive now recovered. No patients or employees are currently awaiting test results. The long-term care facility currently has three patients dealing with COVID. A total of 13 patients tested positive. Three died. A total of 11 employees tested positive. Five have recovered. ... Read More »

The civil case against Fentress County law enforcement officials accused of publicly strip-searching several females will go to trial in September, 2021. U.S. Magistrate Judge Alistair E. Newbern set two trial dates Tuesday. The cases involve women being made to disrobe on a public street without probable cause, according to the suit. The first case involves a June, 2019 incident ... Read More »

Cookeville Head Football Coach Jimmy Maynord found out on the football field Tuesday that high school football could start on time. “I think everybody’s excited about that,” Maynord said. “I know that’s something that we really was not expecting, I guess, but very, very happy that we’re going to get to start on time. I think that every football coach ... Read More »

Van Buren County Commissioners will vote next month on a 45-cent property tax increase. “It took a lot of work, I’ll be honest with you,” Van Buren County Mayor Greg Wilson said. “The meeting yesterday lasted a pretty good while. This has just been one of a series of meetings into the final document from the Budget Committee that they ... Read More »