Local Beekeeper Keith Ray said the hobby is increasing in popularity across the Upper Cumberland, especially with younger people. Ray said he thinks people are becoming interested in the hobby because of concerns about the environment and sustainability. He said the biggest mistake he sees people make when getting into beekeeping is not spending enough time in their hives during ... Read More »

Crossville City Council discussing options to ensure the city’s water and sewer utilities stay profitable in the coming years. MTAS Finance and Accounting Consultant Brad Harris said the city council has two possible solutions. Harris said they can either reduce the minimum utility bill from 2,000 gallons to 1,500 gallons. The other option, implement an annual rate increase around 3.5 ... Read More »

Crossville City Council will consider a memorandum of understanding for a potential Recreation Center during its meeting next week. City Attorney Randall York told the council during the Tuesday work session that the memorandum would outline the responsibilities of the city as well as the Putnam County YMCA, a possible partner for the prospective project. York said the document states ... Read More »

Showcasing energy savings at Rickman Elementary School netted the school a $10,000 grant from the TVA’s School Uplift program. Interim Principal Kelly Pendergrass said the school was able to reduce its energy usage through simple practices like turning off lights in empty rooms and replacing projectors with newer, more energy-efficient models. Pendergrass said it is important that the school and ... Read More »

The Cookeville-Putnam NAACP recently led an effort to give proper recognition to black veterans who served in World War I and II. President Tom Savage said the organization canvased Buck Cemetery in Cookeville, Hermitage Cemetery in Algood, and another cemetery in Silver Point. Savage said between all three black cemeteries they found the headstones of 85 black veterans that had ... Read More »

Five female inmates overdosed in the Putnam County Jail after illegal drugs were smuggled into the facility. Sheriff Eddie Farris said fentanyl and heroine were involved in the incident. Farris said the presence of fentanyl has led to a much higher rate of overdosing compared to the other drugs that have been smuggled into jails for decades. “Twenty years ago, ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission approved the rezoning of land surrounding Dogwood Park from Local Commercial (CL) to Central Business District (CBD). Community Development Director Jon Ward said the impacted area includes Dogwood Park, the Cookeville Performing Arts Center, the Cookeville History Museum, the Putnam County Library, and a number of privately-owned businesses along East Broad Street. Ward said the area ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for a 49-lot development off Mine Lick Creek Road Monday night. Community Development Director Jon Ward said the project is called the Bungalows at Cookeville. It contains an easement from the TVA for power lines, as well as flood plains that cannot be built on. Ward said the plat would require a ... Read More »

White County moving forward with the purchase of three acres for the county health department at a price tag of some $380,000. The land located on Old Smithville Highway North. County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said the project has been in the works for several years. “That money will be reimbursed back to the county or it will be used ... Read More »

The White County Commission approved the purchase of 20 acres surrounding the historic Rock House Monday night. Commissioners heard a presentation from the Tennessee Historical Commission explaining the importance of preserving the Rock House site and its surrounding area. Historic Sites Program Director Dan Brown said the area is valuable for its place in both local and state history. “And ... Read More »