A Sparta man will appear in court next week after being indicted on multiple sex-related crimes. 64-year-old Rickie Rechardo Dibrell will appear in court Wednesday, April 17 on charges of rape, criminal exposure, and aggravated kidnapping. The White County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dibrell March 29 after being indicted by a White County Grand Jury. The Sheriff’s Office reports the alleged ... Read More »

The Cumberland County Playhouse continues to assess their damages after the sprinkler system malfunctioned and flooded parts of the theater. Marketing Director John Fiomte said the Playhouse has mostly recovered as work to replace the sprinklers begins Wednesday. “We have gotten the lobby floor, which was drenched, and both of the theaters have been dried out. That took about two ... Read More »

Algood city officials now know what it may cost to operate their own dispatching service. Police Deputy Chief Bryant Swallows presented four different plans during Monday’s work session that would be available to the city. “What this would do… It would provide 24/7 coverage of all the city services to the citizens,” Swallows said. “We’re talking sanitation, public works, water, ... Read More »

Cookeville Representative Ryan Williams has withdrawn his bill allowing school teachers to have concealed carry weapons. Montgomery County Sheriff Jeff Fuson spoke against the bill during last week’s House K-12 Education Subcommittee meeting. “It doesn’t take long for folks to figure out you’re carrying a gun… Also, there’s the concern about that gun staying concealed and on the person carrying ... Read More »

Overton County will look to use grant funding to help assist in workforce development. County Executive Ben Danner said the county will have to decide what specific areas need to be addressed through the $50,000 grant. “It’s very competitive but we have to do something with workforce development,” Danner said. “We’re going to have public hearings about that and see ... Read More »

Overton County commissioners approved W&O Construction’s bid Monday to construct their new county services building. County Executive Ben Danner said he’s glad the project is moving forward as the county anticipates its first new building in 150 years. “Millard Oakley gave us nearly $2.1 million to go towards this project, so if it hadn’t been for him, we’d have never ... Read More »

Crews have started the process of repairing Highway 85 in Fentress and Overton Counties. TDOT Spokeswoman Jennifer Flynn said the project will cost nearly $13 million as workers begin repairs in Fentress County. ” It will address 12 separate sites along Fentress and Overton Counties,” Flynn said. “That’s been a problem as the Overton section’s been closed since Feb. 23, ... Read More »

Authorities arrested a Jamestown man Monday following a homicide investigation. The TBI reports 37-year-old  Wayne Ellis Kassow faces one count of criminal homicide after allegedly stabbing 36-year-old Mark Anthony Jennings Sunday. The Fentress County Sheriff’s Office found Jennings’ body at a residence on Casto Knepp Road in Jamestown. The TBI reports agents were able to collect information that connected Kassow ... Read More »

The Tennessee House Education Committee will consider a bill Wednesday by Representative Ryan Williams allowing teachers to have concealed carry weapons at school. Cookeville Representative Ryan Williams addressed the bill after citizens and committee members expressed concern over whether teachers should be armed, citing findings from the Parkland Shooting Commission report last year. “I’m not saying that this is the ... Read More »