A Chattanooga-based company wants to install cell phone towers on the campuses of several Putnam County schools. Interim Director of Schools Corby King said Vogue Towers would pay the school system to host the towers. “They look like light poles,” King said. “It’s not like the cell phone towers that you are accustomed to seeing. These would be basically light ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission has approved the final plat for a 49 lot subdivision. Senior planner Ken Young said the project at McCulley Road and Springboro Road began nearly ten years ago under a different developer. “It went through a significant rezoning to go from RS-20 to RS-10,” Young said. “When that was approved, the developer at the time had ... Read More »

A crash on Sparta Highway in Cumberland County killed a woman and left two juveniles injured Wednesday. The Tennessee Highway Patrol identified the deceased as 31-year-old Nikisha Blalock of Sparta. State troopers said she passed away while being transported to Cumberland Medical Center. Officials said Blalock’s 2006 Nissan Altima was struck head-on by a 2010 Jeep Commander, driven by 71-year-old ... Read More »

UCHRA plans to apply for a grant that would address the needs of incarcerated parents and their minor children. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said the agency would use the funding to provide a more conducive environment for children visiting incarcerated parents. “Obviously, a lot of our correction facilities have gone to doing things over video,” Farley said. “This would ... Read More »

A townhome development can move forward after the Cookeville Planning Commission approved a rezoning request Monday. Developer Aaron Bernhardt said he plans to build 11 apartments and 17 townhomes at the corner of East Jere Whitson Road and North Washington Avenue. “They will be all brick, stone, and hardy plank construction with lots of greenery,” Bernhardt said. “There are 11 ... Read More »

A man will spend 12 years behind bars after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. Neal E. Maxwell Scott entered the plea in Putnam County Criminal Court on Monday. He received six years for each count, which will run consecutive for an effective 12 year sentence. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said the judge ... Read More »

Clay County authorities have arrested a man for allegedly soliciting a minor. 42-year-old Chris Gregory Allen faces charges of solicitation of a minor and soliciting sexual exploitation of a minor. Arrest warrants accuse Gregory of soliciting who he believed to be a 16-year-old female to meet him for sex. District Attorney General Bryant Dunway said the public should contact the ... Read More »

Smithville Police have arrested a man for allegedly firing a 9 millimeter handgun into a vehicle. 23-year-old Jeffery William Rigsby faces charges of reckless endangerment and vandalism. Officers came in contact with Rigsby on February 16 after responding to a shooting at 620 Highland Street. Officers determined that the shooting occurred during an argument between Rigsby and another man. Rigsby ... Read More »

Center Hill Lake levels will return to normal this upcoming recreation season for the first time in 12 years. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers received approval to resume normal operations as a dam safety rehabilitation project begins to wind down. As part of a risk reduction measure during the project, the Corps has operated Center Hill within a targeted ... Read More »

A man faces possible deportation following a traffic stop in Crossville City police conducted the stop after 48-year-old Eduardo Colin Gordillo allegedly ran a stop sign last week. According to an arrest warrant, a computer check showed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had a deportation hold against Gordillo for felony assault. Officers also checked Gordillo’s identification and determined that ... Read More »