A Lebanon woman died in a motorcycle accident in Macon County Sunday evening. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Shawna Jennings, 46, was travelling westbound on Highway 261 just after 6 p.m. when she lost control  negotiating a curve. The accident report indicates Jennings went off the right side of the road, struck a tree, and was thrown from the ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System is looking to improve the lunch menus for the upcoming 2018-2019 academic year. Food Service Program Supervisor Kathlyn Walter said the district has heard from parents regarding changes to the school lunches. “We had a lot of feedback this school year,” Walter said. “Some parents are on the fence about… should we have pizza every week? ... Read More »

A Cookeville man faces multiple charges after being found intoxicated outside the Putnam County Justice Center Thursday. According to arrest warrants, 29-year-old Brandon Smallwood was arrested in the Justice Center parking lot after a deputy noticed the man was intoxicated. A search led to the deputy finding six oxycodone pills as well as one full and two halves of oxymorphone ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System announced changes within its administration Thursday. PCSS announced the departure of Strategic Decisions Support Supervisor Denette Kolbe, who accepted a position with the Tennessee State Department of Education. As a result, Algood Middle School Principal Tim Martin has taken the place of Kolbe, while Dr. Chris Winningham was promoted from the school’s vice principal to principal.  Position ... Read More »

Tennessee’s tax holiday allows local consumers to purchase clothing, school supplies, and some computers without added sales tax. Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce President George Halford said the holiday helps increase revenue for businesses in the area. “It really gives people a chance – who were putting off purchases – to make purchases,” Halford said. “While their in the store, ... Read More »

Following a report of a Hepatitis A outbreak in Nashville and the state of Tennessee, only two such cases have been reported in the Upper Cumberland. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, 113 total Hepatitis A cases have been reported statewide since December 2017. Of those cases, two come from the Upper Cumberland in White County, compared to over ... Read More »

A grant awarded to Putnam County intended to expand the county’s soccer complex may help bring lacrosse to the area as well. State Representative Ryan Williams said a new multi-use field can help bring one of America’s fastest growing sports to the Upper Cumberland. “Currently we don’t have a field in Putnam County that’s dedicated for just lacrosse,” Williams said. ... Read More »

Saint Thomas River Park Hospital of McMinnville will host a free healthcare clinic Saturday. Chief Advocacy Officer Nancy Anness said this will be the organization’s 35th Mission at Home clinic they’ve hosted in the last 10 years. “We started [the clinics] because we knew there were so many people who were uninsured, so many people who didn’t have access to ... Read More »

A Smithville alderman released a statement Thursday regarding Mayor Jimmy Poss’s indictment this week. Alderman Gayla Hendrix called the situation “unfortunate,” adding the Smithville City Council was unaware of Poss hiring his son, Tony. “I would like to make our community aware that the City Council and City Personnel made every attempt to avoid the situation escalating to this magnitude,” ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools delivered over 2,500 meals through their free summer meals program this year. That according to Food Service Program Supervisor Kathlyn Walter. “It was even larger and more wonderful than we had expected,” Walter said. “We served about 20 percent of our student population in Putnam County, which is really very exciting.” Walter said because of the success of ... Read More »