Mustard Seed Ranch will soon learn from the Tennessee Fire Marshal’s Office on whether they can begin construction of two new homes. Executive Director Tammy Depperschmidt said the housing plans will likely be approved in the next couple weeks. “We’re really excited because we’re on the verge of approval from the fire marshal,” Depperschmidt said. “We anticipate that within two ... Read More »

A Sparta woman will appear in court Sept. 10 after being arrested for drug possession at the Baxter Huddle House Sunday. According to arrest warrants, 32-year-old Stacey Rinehart was arrested by Baxter Police during an investigation involving Rinehart’s husband who had an outstanding warrant. The report states a search was conducted on Rinehart after the officer noticed an odor of ... Read More »

The Putnam County Transportation Committee selected its top 10 projects based on results from a recent public survey Wednesday. One of the committee’s top projects was widening and improving Hilham Road between the Cookeville city limits and the northern Putnam County border. According to statistics provided during the meeting, about 160 vehicle accidents have occurred on Hilham Road since 2013, ... Read More »

Teachers and administrators of the Putnam County School System have received training to certify schools as being trauma-informed. Deputy Director of Schools Corby King said programs will allow PCSS staff the opportunity to better help students going through difficult times. “An example of this would be the ‘Handle with Care’ program [with] the Cookeville Police Department,” King said. “[CPD] approached ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System is emphasizing safety during the new school year to prevent major tragedies from occurring. Deputy Director of Schools Corby King said prevention and recognizing potential warning signs is crucial. “We encourage students and parents, if something’s going on, they see something out of the ordinary, or students that are talking about things that aren’t appropriate,” ... Read More »

Schools within the Jackson County School District will once again offer free meals to all students during the 2018-2019 school year. Jennifer Mitchell is the School Nutrition Program Supervisor for JCSD. She said the free meals will especially be beneficial to low-income families in the county. “It guarantees them (the students) at least the opportunity to receive a meal at ... Read More »

Algood City Council Candidate Ruby Hawkins is now ahead of Justin Grant in the Algood City Council election. According to Putnam County Election Administrator Debbie Steidl, Hawkins now leads Grant by a single vote following Thursday’s election. A second provisional ballot gave Hawkins the lead Tuesday afternoon. A provisional ballot discovered Friday afternoon put the candidates at a tie with ... Read More »

The Putnam County Election Commission will certify the Algood City Council election results Friday after being granted the opportunity by the state. Debbie Steidl is the Election Commission Administrator for Putnam County. She said both Ruby Hawkins and Justin Grant will have reason to contest the results after an audit discovered errors in the city’s results. “Three people voted in ... Read More »

Smithville Mayor Jimmy Poss is set to appear in court October 5 for his trial as he faces theft and official misconduct charges. Poss was not present for court Monday as his attorney Tony Hagan filed a motion to waive his client’s arraignment. Both Poss and his son, Anthony, were charged last month after the Mayor hired Anthony to work ... Read More »

The Smithville City Council meeting was called off Monday after only two of the city’s five aldermen were in attendance. Mayor Jimmy Poss dismissed the meeting after Aldermen Gayla Hendrix, Jason Murphy, and Danny Washer did not appear. “We don’t have enough to have a quorum. Nothing we can do. We’re done,” Poss said before banging the gavel. “Sorry guys, ... Read More »