The Putnam County Board of Education has slightly reduced it’s budget gap, but not by cutting expenses. The $4 million gap decreased by $80,000 after the school system received its projected Basic Education Program revenue estimates for May. The board approved the second draft of its budget Thursday, which still includes a 3-percent pay increase for all employees. That proposal ... Read More »

The Cookeville Fire Department responded Thursday afternoon to a residential fire on East 6th Street. The Putnam County Fire Department has also responded to the scene. Officials with the county fire department said crews moved to a defensive attack due to deteriorating conditions inside the structure. Cookeville City Mayor Ricky Shelton confirmed the fire occurred at the home of former Tennessee ... Read More »

Monterey city officials have requested Volunteer Electric to estimate the cost of the city switching to LED streetlights. The potential change comes after Mayor Bill Wiggins noticed the city’s current spending on streetlights. “Our power bill for streetlights got my attention some time back,” Wiggins said. “I discovered that we were paying a pretty fair amount of money for 349 ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland residents helped out local veterans organizations when they rolled up their sleeves and donated blood prior to Memorial Day. The Battle of the Branches Blood Drive provided donations totaling $3,000 to Veteran’s Honor Guards in Fentress County, Overton County, and Putnam County. The donation will assist in efforts to provide services to veterans across the Upper Cumberland. “This ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Department recently submitted an offer for a special census to be conducted in the city. However, City Manager Mike Davidson said it’s unlikely to happen with the 2020 census only two years away. Planning Director James Mills said a special census would benefit the city by bringing in additional state shared revenue. However, census statistics may be ... Read More »

Lvingston’s voter turnout for Wendesday’s municipal election was not a major issue. This according to Overton County Administrator of Elections, Craig Story. “Historically, this election has had a smaller turnout,” Story said. “Traditionally, all we have on here are three aldermen slots that are open.” About one-third of registered voters in Livingston cast their votes Wednesday, choosing three new aldermen ... Read More »

Construction will begin soon on Baxter’s NAPA Auto Parts store. Alderman Dustin Stanton said Wednesday that trucks have delivered the building materials for the store and the slab should be poured sometime this week. In July of last year, owners of the Cookeville NAPA store purchased property for the Baxter store on Fast Lane.   Read More »

A Livingston minister has an optimistic outlook after voters elected to pass the city’s liquor referendum Wednesday. Jonathan Ledbetter is the Minister of Livingston Church of Christ. “I’m obviously not happy about it passing,” Ledbetter said. “But I do hope that only positive things come from it. People obviously wanted it in and they voted it in.” Ledbetter said he ... Read More »

Algood Police were issued new handguns and Tasers Wednesday. Chief Dale Armour said the department’s previous Tasers were becoming outdated and were in need of replacing. The new Tasers will be connected with the officers’ body cameras. “When you turn the Taser on or start to deploy it, it automatically makes sure your camera is on so there’s always a ... Read More »

Cumberland County has proposed a 1-percent restaurant privilege tax to help pay for a 45,000 square foot indoor expo center at the community complex. County Commissioner Wendell Wilson said the entire project will cost an estimated $3.86 million to construct. “This 1-percent restaurant tax will pay for what we need to have to make our payment on this bond issue,” ... Read More »