Construction is underway at the Jackson Plaza shopping center in Cookeville to make room for two new tenants next year. The former Sears location will be divided with Hobby Lobby occupying 55,000 square feet while an unannounced tenant will take the other 20,000 square feet of space. Jackson Plaza was purchased earlier this year by Rise Partners in Chattanooga, who ... Read More »

The Tennessee Department of Health’s Upper Cumberland office reports eight cases of tuberculosis (TB) have been diagnosed this year. Regional TB Resource Nurse Robin Palmer says although uncommon, the disease is still capable of spreading easily from person to person. “It is airborne, if [the patient] to cough or sneeze as you’re inhaling, you could get the bacteria in your ... Read More »

A ceramic tile company from Brazil could help the Baxter community greatly expand over the next several years. Mayor John Martin says Portobello America’s $150 million capital investment will have a tremendous impact on the small town. “It’s absolutely unbelievable that a company of this magnitude is coming to a small town like Baxter,” Martin says. “It’s just absolutely unbelievable ... Read More »

Ceramic tile manufacturer Portobello America, Inc. will invest $150 million in Putnam County to open a new United States Headquarters. TDECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe says the company will create 220 jobs with its new location in Baxter. “It’s a fantastic day for Baxter and Putnam County, and we say that because rarely do we get to come to this community ... Read More »

Authorities are searching for a man in connection with a shooting that left three people injured. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office reports 38-year-old Avert Lee Johnson, also known as “Kojack,” is wanted following an incident that occurred on Bunker Hill Road near White County Friday evening. A 26-year-old White County man was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville after ... Read More »

A shooting in White County left one person dead and another injured during an attempted armed robbery. The White County Sheriff’s Office reports two people attempted to break into a residence on Quebeck Road Friday night. The resident called 911 to report the incident before the two suspects were shot .One was pronounced dead on the scene while the other ... Read More »

The Crossville and Fairfield Glade Lions Clubs have partnered with the Tennessee College of Applied Technologies (TCAT) in Crossville for their 20th annual ‘Coats for the Cold’. TCAT Student Success Coordinator Jena DeMars says the coat drive benefits both the students who work the event in addition to those in need. “We are very appreciative to partner with the Lions ... Read More »

Walmart in Cookeville looks to hire at least 50 additional workers as they prepare to remodel the store beginning Jan. 6. Store Manager Jacob Howard says the three-month process will involve replacing and removing counters throughout the store and reorganizing parts of the grocery section. Employees will be transferred to the Algood Walmart to conduct the same process after Cookeville’s ... Read More »

The Cookeville Industrial Board signed a PILOT agreement for a $150 million capital investment project in Putnam County Friday. Board Chairman Robert Bell said many details remain confidential regarding what is being referred to as ‘Project Sim’. “I’m not going to comment too much on the company or their investments, but this will have a major economic impact on our ... Read More »