Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Author Archives: Rafferty Cleary

Rugh To Serve 10 Years For Possessing Child Pornography

A man will spend a decade behind bars for admitting to possessing child pornography. Dustin Reed Rugh pleaded guilty Tuesday to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Cookeville Police began investigating Rugh in 2018 after receiving a tip about child porn associated to a Dropbox account. Officers conducted a search warrant and determined that the Dropbox account belonged to Rugh. “Child ... Read More »

Planners To Ask County Commission About Zoning

The Putnam County Regional Planning Commission will consider sending a letter to county commissioners requesting opinions about a countywide zoning system. Commissioner Mike Atwood said it’s important to gauge interest from the 24-member group before planners move forward with studying and possibly creating a zoning document. “Because I think it’s important that we just identify and issue and ask them ... Read More »

Monterey Moving Forward With Restructuring Pay Scale

Monterey has begun the process of restructuring the pay scale for city employees. Alderman Nathan Walker said the city will look at ending a system that tops out employee pay after one year. “We’re not looking to take anything away from anybody,” Walker said. “We’re actually looking to create a system that will reward them (employees) for their longevity. Hopefully ... Read More »

Cookeville Man Charged With Kidnapping

Deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a Cookeville man for kidnapping and domestic assault. Houston Dewayne Bussell landed behind bars Tuesday morning. He’s under $36,500 bond and has a court date scheduled for March 16. An arrest warrant stated that Bussell had argued with the victim for several days and refused to let her leave a Village ... Read More »

Council To Consider $825,780 Body Camera Bid

The Cookeville Police Department will request later this week to purchase 60 body cameras for $825,780. Chief Randy Evans said the new Axon system will provide unlimited cloud-based storage for recorded videos. “We also included an activation trigger in our bid specs,” Evans said. “So, when the officer removes the taser from the holster the body camera will activate. If ... Read More »

Grand Jury Indicts 15 In Long-Term, Multi-Agency Meth Distribution Investigation

A Putnam County grand jury has indicted 15 people for their alleged involvement in a meth distribution organization. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said the investigation targeted meth sellers in multiple Upper Cumberland counties. “The effort that has culminated in the taking of 15 drug sellers off the street makes our community safer,” Dunaway said. “Methamphetamine remains an evil that ... Read More »

Driver Facing Felony Charge Following Monday Crash

A Florida man faces several charges after crashing a vehicle in Cumberland County Monday afternoon. The Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested James C. Horton for felony reckless endangerment, DUI and driving on a revoked or suspended license. A THP crash report said Horton’s Chevy pickup crashed and landed on its top after he failed to negotiate a curve on Bud Tanner ... Read More »

Monterey Planning Operation For Stray Dog Problem

The town of Monterey has announced a new effort to address a stray dog problem. Mayor Bill Wiggins said the police department will soon conduct a sweep of each ward looking for dogs without collars. “The chief and I talked about this and I came up with this idea,” Wiggins said. “He’s (chief) going to help me flesh it out ... Read More »

Elected Officials Meet With Frontier Over Service Complaints

Following several complaints, a group of elected officials have challenged Frontier Communications to improve local services. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said his constituents deserve better than what they’re receiving from the telecommunications company. “With Frontier, they’re having really slow internet speeds and telephones being out of service for a week or two weeks at a time,” Porter said. “We ... Read More »

Tech Alumnus Wins Grammy

Tennessee Tech alumnus Criag Terry has won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album. Terry served as pianist and musical director for the Grammy-winning album “Songplay”. He and five other people received the award during the 62nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Terry attended Tennessee Tech and graduated with a bachelor in music education in 1996. Following ... Read More »