The number of building permits issued in Putnam county last month almost doubled in number from the same time last year.   Mayor Randy Porter says the county issued a total of 23 building permits last month.   “In the past, November is not normally a very big month for permits,” Porter said in an email to county commissioners. “Last year in 2018 we only had 14 permits in ... Read More »

Heating related fire calls are the most common the Putnam county fire department receives during the winter months. Fire Chief Tom Brown says one of the main causes are space heaters. “The big thing with space heaters is they need plenty of clearance around them, you don’t need anything close to them. They should be plugged directly into the wall, ... Read More »

A Jamestown man suffered serious injuries during a two-vehicle crash in Fentress County Monday night. The accident happened at 7:35 p.m. on Highway 127 and Hoodtown Road. Tennessee Highway Patrol identified the man as 41-year-old Robert Brown. State Troopers charged a 17-year-old with failure to yield right of way. A crash report said the juvenile was pulling out of Hoodtown ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council agreed Monday to discuss and consider a charter change allowing residents to directly elect the mayor. Councilman Eric Walker said he would like to see a committee formed to make a recommendation to the city council. “To take that position out and make it separate is a lot of changes to the charter. I don’t think we ... Read More »

A Monterey alderwoman has proposed a city ordinance to keep people from having dogs chained up in their yards. Vice Mayor Starlett Wessels said during Monday night’s board meeting that it’s a sight she’s tired of seeing. “I know everyone who has animals needs to contain them at some point in time. We obviously have leash laws here in town,” ... Read More »

The City of Cookeville plans to apply for a Community Development Block Grant for the first time in several years. James Mills is the Cookeville City Manager. He said the city has an increased chance of landing the grant because of its tier three distressed designation. “We’re considering an INI (infiltration and inflow) project for sewer, but we’re eligible for ... Read More »

The Cookeville City Council will consider an emergency expenditure for the fire department during Thursday’s meeting. Chief Daryl Blair said the tower one aerial device has a defective part that needs to be replaced. “The problem is it’s drifting and can rotate on itself right now,” Blair said. “It’s out of commission, as far as fire and rescue efforts. It’s ... Read More »

You can put a few extra dollars in your pocket by serving as an election worker during the upcoming primaries. Jackson County Election Administrator Clay Thaxton said you have to meet some requirements before applying for a position. “You need to live inside the county,” Thaxton said. “Most people don’t know this, but 17-years of age is the minimum. So ... Read More »

It could be late May before Celina’s Cumberland River Hospital reopens. CRH owner Johnny Presley said that’s because the federal government hasn’t approved the hospital’s Medicare provider number. “As of last Tuesday, they said they had received my application and have up to 180 days to process it,” Presley said. “Unfortunately, it looks like that it could be up to ... Read More »