Only White County Schools will be in session Monday for the eclipse. White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said teachers and staff have been working hard on learning activities planned for students. There’s even an eclipse-themed lunch. Dronebarger said a permission form was sent home for parents to sign, allowing their child to participate in the day’s activities. Students ... Read More »

Cookeville Police have issued suggestions for residents and visitors alike for Monday’s solar eclipse. Major Carl Sells said folks should arrive early to their viewing destination and don’t pull off to the side of the road to view the eclipse. He said there are several public viewing locations in the Cookeville area in addition to Tennessee Tech’s viewing party. They ... Read More »

Four youths face misdemeanor vandalism charges after a vandalism incident Sunday. Cookeville Police Major Carl Sells said four young adults were arrested Thursday in connection with the incident. He said a fifth suspect will be arrested soon. The individuals are accused of spray-painting a historic building and the CityScape trailer on Cookeville’s Historic West Side early Sunday morning.   Read More »

TDEC Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill said there are 18 state parks in the path of totality for Monday’s eclipse.   “All of our events are sold out, all of our campgrounds and cabins and all the overnight lodging opportunities we have within totality including the Inn at Fall Creek Falls and some of the inns that aren’t even in totality ... Read More »

The Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees approved several measures relating to the office of the university’s president. The measures will apply to President Phil Oldham. They include an evaluation method board ChairmanTom Jones said he believes the board needs to try. “As I said, it’s a lot of back and forth and a lot of moving parts, it scares me ... Read More »

A decision on pay raises for employees continued to cast a shadow two months later at the Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees. Associate Vice President for Human Resources Leslie Crickenberger showed the board how a one-percent cost of living increase and a potential two percent merit pay raise were distributed. Crickenberger said the money for faculty raises went into a ... Read More »

Officials all over the state are planning for the great unknown over the weekend. An unknown number of people will visit the state to view Monday’s eclipse. Putnam County 911 Public Safety Coordinator Brandon Smith: “You’re looking at the entire state of Tennessee, 55 counties will be in the full eclipse path and 44 counties will be in the partial ... Read More »

The Cookeville branch of the NAACP will hold a candelight vigil at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Putnam County Courthouse. The vigil is the group’s response to last weekend’s events in Charlottesville, Va. Community leaders will be present and a moment of silence for the victims will be held. Candles will be provided. Read More »

The Baxter Busy Bees I claimed victory in the Upper Cumberland Senior Brain Games held earlier this month. They beat out five other teams from around the Upper Cumberland. The Busy Bees I will receive a trophy, the opportunity to host next year’s tournament and bragging rights. They’ll also represent the Upper Cumberland district in the regional games in Tullahoma ... Read More »

Cumberland County students will be out of school Monday after the administration reversed course. Director of Schools Janet Graham released a statement Wednesday evening that said challenges posed by the eclipse will prevent the schools from opening Monday. The statement didn’t detail the challenges Graham said the goal was to provide the optimal learning experience for students. She said eclipse ... Read More »