Fentress County will apply for a grant to help purchase and equip a new ambulance. County Executive Jimmy Johnson said the $140,000 vehicle replaces an older ambulance that has suffered some wear and tear. “We were going to just have a remount,” Johnson said. “But considering that we’re having to go 70 to 80 miles for an ambulance trip, we ... Read More »

The City of Cookeville has lifted a burn ban issued more than a month ago. Fire Chief Daryl Blair said normal operations will resume after the city received a little more than an inch of rain Monday. “We just go back to normal operations with burning permits. People still need to be aware of what they’re burning and how they’re ... Read More »

Six Upper Cumberland counties will benefit from a federal behavioral health training grant. The State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse said the $660,000 expands crisis intervention training for law enforcement officers. Department officials said the 40-hour training program aims to improve outcomes of officers’ encounters with people dealing with behavioral health challenges. The City of Memphis first implemented ... Read More »

Two Cannon County residents died during a two-vehicle crash near Woodbury Tuesday morning. Officials with the Tennessee Highway Patrol identified the deceased as 21-year-old Johnathan Holland and 19-year-old Johnny Kennedy. The crash happened on Highway 53 as Holland traveled southbound in a 2004 Mazda.  A THP crash report said Holland’s vehicle crossed the center line and collided head-on with a ... Read More »

Residents have a chance to get rid of used or unwanted medications during Saturday’s National Drug Take Back event. Bill Gibson is the Executive Director of the Power of Putnam Anti-Drug Coalition. He said residents can drop-off medications at several Putnam County businesses. “We’ve got a lot of sites,” Gibson said. “There’s Andy’s Pharmacy, Infinity Drugs, Monterey Drugs, Nunalley’s Drug ... Read More »

Cumberland County firemen will soon have extended protection from new air packs. County Mayor Allen Foster said the county received a $571,600 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase the equipment. “Their air packs are expiring and there’s a lifespan to those. We’ve done the upgrades and the maintenance to keep them as long as we can, but they’re actually expiring,” ... Read More »

Fentress County will explore the idea of opening an emergency or critical access healthcare facility. County Executive Jimmy Johnson said the effort comes as Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC) remains closed. “That’s our major goal right now. To do something with the health facility in the county because it’s a private entity, so we can’t do anything with it,” Johnson ... Read More »

Sparta will spend nearly $19,000 to tear off and replace the roof at the old city garage. Mayor Jeff Young said aldermen have awarded the project bid to Crossville-based Turner Roofing Co. “This old building is probably about 35-years-old,” Young said. “We’re going to tear off the old roof, it’s a flat roof system, and put a new roof on ... Read More »