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Author Archives: Logan Weaver

Kelly Smith Names New Stone Memorial High Principal

The Cumberland County School District has selected a new principal at Stone Memorial High School for the upcoming academic year. The district announced Thursday Kelly Smith would take over as principal beginning Monday. Smith had previously served as the school’s vice-principal since 2010. Former Stone Memorial principal Dr. Scott Maddox will continue working for Cumberland County schools after accepting an ... Read More »

Indicted Cumberland Co. Commissioner and Teacher Found Dead

A Cumberland County commissioner and teacher indicted for sexual battery was found dead Thursday. Authorities found the body of 55-year-old Michael Speich in a field on his property with a gunshot wound to the head. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said a family member confirmed the identity of the body Thursday evening. “It’s a tragic situation all across the board. ... Read More »

Cookeville’s Davidson Moving To Middle Tennessee Natural Gas

Cookeville City Manager Mike Davidson will soon step into a new role with Middle Tennessee Natural Gas. Davidson will become the organization’s new assistant chief executive officer after two decades with the City of Cookeville. Davidson said he appreciates his time spent as city manager. “It’s been 22 years I’ve been with the city and I’ve worked with some great ... Read More »

CRMC Cancels Celina Hospital Deal With Osborn Group

Cookeville Regional Medical Center has canceled negotions with Ohio-based Osborn Group in selling Cumberland River Hospital. CRMC’s board of trustees has recommended moving forward with the second-highest bidder Steve Clapp and Celina Healthcare, LLC. CRMC Chief Executive Officer Paul Korth spoke on the hospitals decision following Thursday’s board meeting. “[Clapp has] assured us he can come up with the money,” ... Read More »

Downed Trees, Dime-Sized Hail Reported In North Putnam County

Putnam County 911 officials are reporting trees down and power outages during Thursday afternoon storms. Director Tyler Smith reports trees were reported down along Timber Trail off Dodson Branch Road near the Jackson County line. Smith said power outages have also been reported in the area of Shipley Road near Knights Chapel Church. Dime-sized hail has also been reported in ... Read More »

DeKalb Commissioners Vote Against Property Tax Increase

DeKalb County Commissioners rejected a 2019-2020 budget proposal earlier this week which included a 29-cent property tax increase (File Photo)

DeKalb County will have to create a new budget plan after a proposed budget was voted down by commissioners Monday. The budget included a property tax increase of 29 cents from the current $1.83 rate to $2.12. Matthew Adcock serves as a District 6 Commissioner in DeKalb County. “Right now they’re saying we’re in the red and having to dip ... Read More »

Vol State Looking Into Remote Courses In Smith County

Vol State Community College is looking into the possibility of offering classes to adults in Smith County this fall. Nick Bishop serves as Vol State’s Vice President of Economic and Community Development. “Two nights a week, we will launch evening courses on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Livingston campus,” Bishop said. “Our vision is to stream those Livingston courses over ... Read More »

Cookeville Man Charged With Agg. Arson After Sparta House Fire

A Cookeville man faces six counts of aggravated arson following an investigation into a Sparta house fire (File Photo)

A Cookeville man faces charges following a Sparta arson investigation. 27-year-old Richard Hunger will appear in court July 16 at the White County Justice Center. He’s facing six counts of aggravated arson. White County dispatchers received a call for a structure fire around 9 p.m. on June 17 at 1200 Country Club Road. Arrest warrants state Tennesssee Bomb and Arson ... Read More »

Ransomware, Computer Attacks Can Devastate Small Governments

Cyber attacks can pose a threat to many small cities and local governments in the form of ransomware. Lee Lawson serves as the It Administrator for the City of Crossville. He said inattentiveness by municipalities can lead to hackers holding valuable information hostage. “A lot of the situations would be emails, people not paying attention to where the emails are ... Read More »

Bear Sightings More Frequent In UC During Summer Months

The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) wants residents to be safe as black bears slowly expand their territory into the Upper Cumberland. Wildlife Information Specialist Mime Barnes said bear populations have grown across the state. “This is the most common time of year to see bears,” Barnes said. “Young males especially are out on their own for the first time ... Read More »