The Cookeville City Council has approved a new long-term agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The 20-year deal comes with a 3.1-percent discount on the city’s wholesale rate. Electric Department Director Carl Haney the agreement also includes enhanced power supply flexibility. “What that is, we’ve always had to purchase 100-percent of our power from TVA,” Haney said. “With solar ... Read More »

Vol State Campus Police have released a description of a suspect who attempted to abduct a woman this week. The incident happened Tuesday evening at the Cookeville Campus when the man followed the woman through the parking lot. A press release said the man asked the woman to a party and attempted to grab her after she replied no. The ... Read More »

The price for water will increase for North Overton Utility District customers. District board members approved a 10-percent water rate increase earlier this month. Officials implemented the rate hike after the City of Livingston approved a 10-percent water rate increase this summer. Livingston currently supplies water to the utility district. The price for 3/4 inch minimum will be $24.72 for ... Read More »

The City of Crossville has joined the list of municipalities that have implemented burn bans. Fire Chief Mike Turner said he will not issue any permits until weather conditions allow for safe outdoor burning. The chief said fire department staff will monitor the weather an re-institute open burning as conditions improve. The city’s burn ban does not include outdoor fireplaces ... Read More »

The Site plan for Monterey’s Taco Bell received the green light from city officials Thursday. Planning Commission Chairman Brian Eads said site preparation began earlier this month. “This is just so exciting. Driving by there is just great,” Eads said. “I’m seeing a lot of actual work getting done. I mean a lot of work getting done. The way they ... Read More »

The City of Baxter has issued a burn ban that prohibits all open-source burning within the city limits. Baxter Fire Chief Mark White said he implemented the restriction because of extremely dry conditions and hot weather. The restriction includes all recreational fires and the burning of any wood,brush, or yard debris. White gave no specific date for lifting the burn ... Read More »

The Jackson County School System has received a state grant to help hire two new School Resource Officers (SRO’s). Director of Schools Kristy Brown said the $70,000 will place SRO’s at Dodson Branch and Gainesboro Elementary. The funding comes from the Tennessee Department of Education. It’s part of Governor Bill Lee’s $40 million investment for school safety grants. State officials ... Read More »

Tennessee’s burn permit season will begin earlier than usual this year. Tim Phelps is the Public Information Officer for the Tennessee Division of Forestry. He said the state typically requires a burn permit starting October 15. “Because the conditions have been so hot and dry as we lead up into the fall fire season, we just want to use little ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport has begun the process of updating its Airport layout Plan (ALP). Airport Manager Dean Selby said the FAA requires an update to the plan every 10-years. “Ours has exceeded 10-years, so it’s time we have to do a new airport layout plan,” Selby said. “It helps us plan, budget wise, for what’s going in the ... Read More »