State lawmakers recently met with the Jackson County Library Board to discuss the Charles Ralph Holland Memorial Library’s future. House Representative John Mark Windle said the library could pursue grant funding to either rehab the building or construct a new one. “There’s a chance we could apply for a community development block grant (CDBG) to build a library in Jackson ... Read More »

Celina’s Board of Aldermen voted Tuesday to approve its new budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. The new budget keeps property tax rates the same at 87 cents. Vice Mayor Donald Haston said not much has changed with the city’s new spending plan from the previous year. “The general budget is basically similar to last year. There’s really no increase ... Read More »

The Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) has denied an application allowing Jamestown Regional Medical Center to reenter its program. A CMS spokesperson released a statement Wednesday confirming the application submitted by Rennova Health Systems had been rejected. According to the statement, JRMC must meet all requirements of a new provider in order to qualify for re-entry. CMS also ... Read More »

Rennova Health Systems has denied a $1 million bid to purchase Jamestown Regional Medical Center. Crossville clinician and physician assistant Johnny Presley made the offer to Rennova and hospital CEO Michael Alexander earlier this summer. Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson said Rennova’s decision comes at no surprise. “Rennova and Mr. Seamus Lagan, they’re kind of dug in and I don’t ... Read More »

Celina’s ambulance services are struggling to fill full-time EMT and paramedic positions. Director Natalie Boone said Monday the issue boils down to low pay and few benefits available to employees. “Every service is short-staffed now. There’s a shortage of EMTs and paramedics anymore,” Boone said. “We’ve been referred to as a dying breed. Folks don’t want to go to school ... Read More »

Overton County commissioners approved County Executive Ben Danner to serve as their ADA Coordinator. Danner said the added responsibility will help save Overton County funding as they work to make buildings more ADA compliant. “I talked to some consulting companies, and it was going to be upwards of $100,000 to do this and we put $50,000 in the budget,” Danner ... Read More »

Clay County Commissioners voted Monday to pass its new budget which includes a 1.5 percent salary increase for employees. County Mayor Dale Reagan said raises will go into effect once the budget is approved by the state Comptroller’s Office. “Once they do that, my office and the finance clerk will go back to July 1 which is the beginning of ... Read More »

Firefighters responded to two separate incidents in western Putnam County Monday. The first fire occurred on Willow Street involving a vehicle and a nearby camper. The Putnam County Fire Department reports the pickup truck caught fire first before the blaze spread to the camper. Both vehicles are considered total losses. Firefighters also reported to a house fire in the 1800 ... Read More »

Increasing Tennessee’s E-911 surcharge would help benefit emergency districts across the state. That according to Putnam County E-911 Director Penny Foister. Foister said increasing the surcharge to $1.50 would provide additional funding for various projects. “I know that it would help us greatly as far as keeping up with technology,” Foister said. “There’s things that we’re needing to do that ... Read More »

The Cumberland County Juvenile Court system has asked all law enforcement officers to destroy tobacco products possessed by minors. Julie Long serves as a program coordinator with the Cumberland County Rising Anti-Drug Coalition. She said vaping and vape products have led to more problems with Cumberland County youth. “Vaping is becoming a big issue here in our community, especially the ... Read More »