An improperly mounted light fixture ignited a smoldering fire at a Putnam County home Thursday. The Putnam County Fire Department responded to 7137 Brotherton Mountain Road just before 10 a.m. Chief Tom Brown said the investigation determined that a single light bulb caused several towels to catch fire. “It was producing heat in excess of 500-degrees off of that single ... Read More »

There will be no public hearing taking place before Putnam County Commissioners consider a 22-cent property tax increase next week. Commission Chairman Ben Rodgers said state law doesn’t require a public hearing unless the county increases the certified tax rate. “In fiscal year 2016-2017, Putnam County went through reappraisal and the certified tax rate from the state came back at ... Read More »

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is warning about a scam that’s targeting financial information. Authorities said several residents have received phone calls from individuals claiming to represent the sheriff’s office. A press release said the scammers will request debit and credit card information during the conversation. According to the release, the sheriff’s office will never contact residents requesting financial information. ... Read More »

A DeKalb County grand jury indicted a man this week for trying to solicit sex with a minor. Authorities have charged 40-year-old Jason Dwayne Johnson with solicitation of a minor. DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray said the alleged incident happened between April 2017 and November 2017. According to the indictment, Johnson used electronic communication to request a female under the ... Read More »

Job seekers can now apply for positions at White County’s future Hormann facility. The German manufacturer of doors, garages, and door frames began taking applications last week. The company’s website lists four full-time positions ranging from production supervisor to general production. A groundbreaking for the 315,000 square foot facility began more than a year ago. The $64 million project represents ... Read More »

Monterey residents will have to wait a little longer for construction to begin on a new splash pad. Putnam County Parks and Recreation Director John Albertson said the project continues to move through the preliminary phases. “We’re hoping to ramp that up within the next month to two months and try to get it completed as fast as we can,” ... Read More »

A convicted felon faces charges after deputies located multiple weapons during a crash investigation Tuesday. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office charged 37-year-old Anthony E. Parker of Monterey with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. An arrest report said deputies responded to Stamps Shady Road after Parker crashed an ATV and suffered injuries. Authorities determined that Parker had an ... Read More »

The Jackson County Commission approved a five-percent occupancy tax Monday evening. County Mayor Randy Heady said the new tax will take some of the burden off property owners. “We depend on the property owner too much. You hit them with property taxes and then you turn around and we do a wheel tax in Jackson County,” Heady said. “This occupancy ... Read More »

The Putnam County Planning Committee approved on Monday regulations for short-term rental properties (STRP). Commissioner Kathy Dunn said the regulations will help the county collect sales and hotel-motel taxes from those operating STRPs. “Unfortunately, it’s my understanding that there’s probably at least 50 or 60 of these operating in the county,” Dunn said. “From talking with Freddie Nelson’s office, there’s ... Read More »

A Granville man will spend 10 years in prison for possessing child pornography. 39-year-old Winston Alexander Puckett pleaded guilty in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday to sexual exploitation of a minor and aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. A grand jury indicted Puckett two years ago after authorities found a laptop containing more than 400-images of child pornography. According to ... Read More »