Zoning amendments and the 2018-19 budget will be on the table for Cookeville’s City Council meeting Thursday. One proposed zoning amendment would decrease maximum size of political signs on private residential properties. The change would limit signs to be no bigger than 16-square-feet in sign face area, down from the current 32-square-feet limit. City Planning Director James Mills said the ... Read More »

The Livingston liquor referendum passed during the town’s municipal election Wednesday. 55 votes were all it took to allow liquor stores within Livingston city limits. Supporters of the referendum said it would help generate tax revenue for the city and schools. However, it also faced heavy opposition, specifically from area religious organizations. The referendum passed by a final count of ... Read More »

Monterey officials said it’s unlikely a Fourth of July fireworks display will happen this year. The city has struggled to find an appropriate location to launch the fireworks for the second-straight year. Monterey Fire Chief Kevin Peters said the fireworks need to be shot from a certain radius away from buildings and structures. “The size shells that they shoot is ... Read More »

A 53-year-old Smithville man suffered injuries in a two-car crash in DeKalb County Wednesday morning. Kenny Dyal was flown to a hospital out of town with undisclosed injuries. His condition is currently unknown. According to Tennessee Highway Patrol, both Dyal and 29-year-old Bryan Cunningham of Smithville were traveling southbound on Highway 56. Dyal was stopped in traffic for utility work ... Read More »

Two traffic lights at the Baxter exit of I-40 were recently removed on Route 56. Baxter Mayor John Martin said a construction company had installed the lights temporarily as crews worked to repair the Old Baxter Road Bridge at exit 276. “The reason they did that was to do a detour through Baxter to divert people back through Silverpoint,” Martin ... Read More »

Livingston polls are open until 7 p.m. to vote for new aldermen and the liquor referendum in the municipal election Three aldermen will be selected once polls have closed. Kelly Coleman, David Langford, Bill Linder, David Sadler II, and Chris speck are the five candidates. The liquor referendum, if passed, will allow liquor stores in Livingston’s city limits. The original ... Read More »

Armed with a possible shotgun, two masked men committed an armed robbery at the Highway 127 Dollar General in Crossville Tuesday night. Crossville Police Lieutenant Brian Eckelson said the men ordered the cashier to empty the register and unsuccessfully tried breaking into a cigarette cabinet before leaving on foot. Police do not have any suspects at this time. Read More »

Putnam County saw over 5-million dollars in construction permits last month. That according to Putnam County Executive Randy Porter, who said single-family residential continues to boom with 26 permits issued for construction last month. For those keeping score…that’s 311 permits for a total of $39.6 million in construction from July to May. Porter said that’s a 20-percent increase over the same ... Read More »

Cookeville welcomed home the Tennessee Tech baseball team Tuesday afternoon following the Golden Eagles’ victory over Ole Miss. Head Coach Matt Bragga said winningthe regional title impacts more than just the university. “I think it’s awesome,” Bragga said. “I think right here, it just shows you that it brings a community together. Anytime you can do that, I think that’s ... Read More »

Cookeville Police arrested a Jamestown man Tuesday for leaving a suitcase full of stolen items at the South Jefferson Avenue Walmart Monday night. Police have charged 39-year-old Shane Benjamin Conatser with theft of property. Police said Conatser had arrived at the store Monday night and placed the suitcase behind a propane tank cage before walking into the store. Conatser left ... Read More »