Congress recently passed a bill raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco from 18 to 21. Executive Director of the Power of Putnam Bill Gibson said this will help save lives. “Ninety-five percent of smokers who are addicted to nicotine take up smoking as youths, as children, and between the ages of 18 and 21. So, delaying that ease of ... Read More »

A number of Cookeville businesses increased their sales this holiday season. From boutiques to motorsports, local store owners have done well with profits despite the larger corporations at Eagle Pointe. Cigi’s Boutique owner Cigi England said this is thanks to the tight knit mindset that only local communities can provide. “This community really supports the local stores because in return ... Read More »

Authorities have charged a Hilham man with three counts of rape of a child. Adam Jereco Haney remains behind bars at the Putnam County Jail under $750,000 bond. An arrest warrant said Haney admitted to investigators that he had sexual intercourse with one victim, and that the other two victims performed oral sex on him. The report states that all ... Read More »

A Fentress County man convicted of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault must serve his time in prison. The Tennessee Appellate Court upheld Johnny David Key’s eight and four-year concurrent sentences for a June, 2016 accident. His vehicle collided with a woman killing her and injuring another person. Key argued his clean record should have factored into his sentencing, making him ... Read More »

The Tennessee Corrections Institute has re-certified the DeKalb County Jail for another year. This month’s decision followed the county’s agreement to develop a plan of action for addressing deficiencies. As part of the plan, the county must comply with the state’s request to form an adhoc committee to begin discussions on meeting needs at the jail. That committee meets January ... Read More »

The Monterey Law Committee has recommended an ordinance preventing residents from leaving dogs outside for more than 12 hours. Vice Mayor Starlett Wessels said enforcement of the rule would be left up to neighbors. “Nobody is going to have a stop watch. But if I’ve got an animal behind my house that I see perpetually chained then I have the ... Read More »

The UCHRA has found some solutions for its struggling nutrition program. Mark Farley is the Executive Director of the UCHRA. He said the nutrition program deficit continues to decrease as more county senior centers begin serving hot meals. “Not only are the seniors getting a good meal, but we’re seeing those senior centers being benefited because of it,” Farley said. ... Read More »

There’s a new natural area to explore in the Upper Cumberland’s diverse outdoors. The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area acquired 16.7 acres of land, which includes the Double Arch tract. Nature Conservancy director Gabby Lynch said this is a significant addition. “It’s called ‘Double Arch’ because there’s a sandstone arch that comes out of the ground that’s ... Read More »

A massive renovation project at a Cookeville public housing complex will wrap up next month. Chris Cassetty is the Director of Operations for Highlands Residential Services. He said crews have completed about 85-percent of the work at Walnut Village. “We have 80 total units over there and we have completely renovated and moved tenants back into 68 of the 80,” ... Read More »

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture announced the discovery of Asian Longhorned ticks in Putnam county. Agricultural University of Tennessee Extension agent Wayne Key said the foreign ticks could make people sick. “The thing about these ticks is, outside of the United States, the ticks has been shown to carry anaplasmosis and a couple of other viruses,” Key said. “As of ... Read More »