Putnam County Rescue Squad getting the first gift of the holiday season, a straight axle box truck. Public Information Officer Mike Herrick said the rescue squad was looking into purchasing new trailers to replace the aging ones they use to haul heavy equipment. Herrick said Cookeville Heating and Cooling was working to sell the truck, but chose to donate it ... Read More »

The Pickett County Commissioners expressed concern Monday night about the state of traffic safety along Highway 111, with the need for additional turning lanes discussed. Multiple officials shared the need for more turning lanes during the meeting, citing intersections that have had dangerous or even fatal accidents in the area. County Executive Stephen Bilbrey said he met with T-DOT about ... Read More »

The demand for high-quality food continues to increase, even for basics like the Thanksgiving turkey. Heavenly Acres Farm increased turkey production some 25 percent this year. Co-owner Nicole Espinoza said they are looking to at least double production next year despite higher prices. She said the sharp rise in feed costs is the main cause. “You know, it trickles down,” ... Read More »

The White County Board of Education will allow construction of a new helipad for the Cassville Volunteer Fire Department on school property. Director of School Kurt Dronebarger said the helipad will be on a few unused acres between Cassville Elementary and Smithville Highway. He said the helipad will provide support to the fire department on a particularly hazardous stretch of ... Read More »

Sparta Police Chief Nick Dunn told Aldermen during a Thursday night work session the lack of officers and new certified applicants are hurting the department. Dunn said the city’s low pay compared to nearby areas continues to impact the city. He said he also lacks the ability to give new applicants higher starting wages based on prior experience. Dunn said ... Read More »

As Sparta gets closer to finishing the restoration of its train caboose, city officials concerned about security around the new addition. During the aldermen’s Thursday meeting, City Administrator Tonya Tindle said one of the windows of the caboose was recently broken in an act of vandalism. Mayor Jerry Lowery said he wanted to take inspiration from how Livingston’s mayor handled ... Read More »

The White County Animal Shelter is hosting a “Save The Old Timers” adoption event with the goal of finding a home for dogs that are at-risk of euthanasia. Volunteer Steve Kunze said dogs at the event will be up for adoption for only $25, a rate cheaper than the adoption fee at the shelter. He said dogs who stay at ... Read More »

The Sparta Board of Aldermen appointed a new city judge Thursday night, as Macey Gurley resigned from the position. Mayor Jerry Lowery and the board appointed Brandon Griffin, a Sparta-based attorney, as the new city judge. “He had put in before when we’d hired the other judge,” Lowery said. “And he does a great job and I’ve talked with him ... Read More »

The Sparta-White County Senior Citizens Center Board of Directors will disband as the investigation into the center’s finances continue. The board approved a motion to disband January 1 during a special-called meeting Wednesday. The board also accepted the retirement of Director Brenda Roberts, who is at the center of multiple investigations into issues at the organization. Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport Board approved a $1,039,000 bid for two new hangars during its Tuesday meeting. The board also approved building the foundation for a third hangar facility. The hangars, used to store airplanes, will be leased or rented to private citizens. Airport Manager Dean Selby said six of the eleven planned T-hangars are already pre-leased with the ... Read More »