The Baxter Fire Department hopes to get some new equipment from a Tennessee Firefighters Assistance Grant. Captain Adam Brown said the $5,900 grant will hopefully provide the fire department with new helmets and other items. “That will also purchase a battery-operated ventilation fan, which is pretty cutting-edge,” Brown said. “It’s gonna give us some advantages we haven’t had in the ... Read More »

The town of Baxter will need to complete several projects leading up to construction of the Portobello facility. Mayor John Martin said town officials will meet Tuesday to begin discussing some of those projects. “We are going to do a road improvement and we are working now on the pump station,” Martin said. “We want to get that started and ... Read More »

A preliminary hearing will take place next week for an Overton County man charged in a November officer-involved shooting in Warren County. Authorities have charged 66-year-old Charles Ray Bean with two counts of attempted criminal homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, and evading arrest. The incident began Monday, November 19th when Bean allegedly set fire to his own barn and ... Read More »

Blood Assurance will hold a blood drive Saturday in memory of former Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Mike Wilson. Wilson passed away in August following a battle with stage 4 Melanoma. He served the sheriff’s office for 22 years and left behind a wife and two sons. The blood drive will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at ... Read More »

Monterey hopes to install a new water line from South Holly Street to Bee Rock. Town aldermen voted this week to submit pre-application for an Appalachian Regional Commission Grant that could potentially help fund the project. Water Plant Supervisor Duane Jarrett said the eight inch line would go under the interstate and tie on to a line at Bee Rock. ... Read More »

Baxter Aldermen voted to annex almost 60-acres of property Thursday for a new subdivision. Mayor John Martin said the project will be a nice addition for the new ceramic tile manufacturing facility that’s locating in town. “They have enough confidence in what’s getting ready to take place in Baxter and they realize that people are going to need nice homes ... Read More »

A 25-year-old Baxter woman died during a crash on Interstate 40 in Putnam County Thursday. The Tennessee Highway Patrol identified the deceased as Julia A. Starnes. A crash report said Starnes died at the scene of the accident after her 2018 Hyundai Elantra rear-ended a tractor trailer near the eastbound 281 mile marker. Two children inside Starne’s vehicle escaped without ... Read More »

A crash has shutdown both lanes of Interstate 40 eastbound at the Baxter exit. The Tennessee Highway Patrol said the accident involves a commercial vehicle and privately owned vehicle. Authorities received notice of the crash around 3:45 p.m. and expect the scene to be cleared by 8:00 p.m. Additional details will be released by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Read More »

A meeting will be held later this month to discuss potential projects for the Walton Road Scenic Byway. Dawn Kuperfer of Kwill Consultants said there’s hope that the federal and state governments will release funding for the byway. “We’re asking stakeholders to come from all four counties, which would be Roane, Cumberland, Putnam and Smith Counties,” Kupferer said. “We’re going ... Read More »

Algood officials will meet next week to select a design team for the city’s new park. City Administrator Keith Morrison said the city council will be choosing from three companies that responded to requests for qualifications. “The three companies are Clinton Engineering, Gresham Smith, and Kimley-Horn,” Morrison said. “We’re looking at their specialized experience, past records of performance, and capabilities ... Read More »