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 »

Former Capshaw Elementary Principal Leslie Roberts has published a children’s book titled “A Kid’s Look at Big League Baseball.” Roberts said she wrote the book because she noticed a steady decline in baseball’s popularity among children and wanted to show kids why the game is so special. Roberts said the book takes the reader through the experience of going to ... Read More »

Rising Above Ministries will partner this weekend with Tennessee Tech’s School of Music to host a sensory-friendly music fair for people with disabilities. Rising Above Ministries Vice President Steve Chatman said many of these people love music, but are unable to go to live events due to a lack of accommodation or the need to sit still and be quiet ... Read More »

The Overton County Commission approved the addition of a new ambulance driver position to the county staff Monday night. Commissioner and Ambulance Service Director Shane Walker said the driver would only be permitted to assist other medical staff and drive the ambulance. Walker said the plan was approved by the state as a solution to the staffing issue affecting EMS ... Read More »

T-DOT has awarded Monterey a community transportation planning grant to strategize future growth along Commercial Avenue. Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said during the aldermen’s Monday meeting that the grant will allow the city to create a large series of projects to work on for years to come. Cleary said the grant involves a lot of public input when creating the ... Read More »