The State Attorney General’s office has withdrawn a motion to intervene with an opioid lawsuit filed by the 13th Judicial District. The state withdrew its motion in Putnam County Court Friday morning, meaning the District Attorneys General lawsuit can now move forward in state court. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said by filing in state court the monies and damages ... Read More »

The state fiscal year budget includes $3 million dollars for the College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech University. Cookeville State Representative Ryan Williams said he began working to secure the funding in 2012. “I was able to advocate over the last six years for the opportunity to be able to fund the engineering department at Tennessee Tech University. Six years ... Read More »

Joseph Biernacki, chemical engineering professor, has been awarded Tennessee Tech University’s highest faculty honor, the 2018 Caplenor Faculty Research Award. “Dr. Joseph Biernacki was selected as this year’s Caplenor Faculty Research awardee based on his extensive record of externally funded research and publication,” the Caplenor award committee said in a statement. “Dr. Biernacki is recognized by his colleagues as one of ... Read More »

Teachers, students, and school districts will not suffer from the results of this year’s state assessment test. Following a week of issues with the TN-Ready test, lawmakers passed a bill Thursday that makes sure teachers, students and school districts will not be harmed by the results. “It’s one of those things where the trust was already eroded from previous years,” ... Read More »

Deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday captured an escape felon who fled from authorities last week. Michael D. Whitaker taken into custody around 9:00 a.m. without incident. He’s charged with two counts reckless endangerment and one count of evading arrest. Bond set at $11,500. Authorities located Whitaker outside a home on Spurlock Drive. Last Thursday, Whitaker fled ... Read More »

State lawmakers have passed a $37.5 billion dollar budget that includes $600,000 for constructing an Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery. Chuck Mateyka serves on the Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery Association board. “It’s definitely needed in the state of Tennessee and in our region of the Upper Cumberland,” Mateyka said. “We are very pleased that they have done this and ... Read More »

The local Tennessee Forestry Service says the rain has helped bring a mild spring wildfire season. Forester Jim Dale said it should continue as long as the region gets some consistent warmth. “If we can get some warm weather here and stabilize the temperatures, those humidities will tend to stay higher during the day and we will have more moisture ... Read More »

The City of Gainesboro wants to hire some new police officers. Newly hired Police Chief Michael Head said certified officers can be a hard thing to find right now. “They will go to school and find more pay and just leave to a different place to make more money,” Head said. Despite the difficulties in finding officers, Head said he ... Read More »

The relocation of a Cookeville water line has resulted in discolored water in parts of the city’s water system. Water Quality Control Director Ronnie Kelly said Thursday that the issue occurred after a 30-inch water line had to be shut down for relocation during the 5th Interchange construction project Tuesday. “This forced all of the water from the water treatment ... Read More »