An Upper Cumberland principal may be Tennessee’s principal of the year. Rickman Elementary School principal Donnie Holman said he’s proud and honored to be named one of the nine semifinalists. “I’ve got a lot of good people helping me and I don’t think anyone can be principal without a lot of good people supporting them, and I definitely have that,” ... Read More »

This week’s rhetoric between the United States and North Korea reminds us that the Communist Regime remains one of the outliers in World geopolitics. Since an early age, one local man has been interested in just that kind of politics. In fact, part of his military career included time along the North Korea South Korea border. Bryan Payne grew up in Cookeville, graduated from college ... Read More »

TDOT will suspend construction-related lane closures for the eclipse. The state normally does that for holidays, when more travelers are expected on the roads. TDOT spokesman Jennifer Flynn said the agency expects heavier traffic than normal throughout the weekend, leading to Monday’s eclipse. Construction-related lane closures on the state’s highways will be suspended from noon Friday until noon Tuesday, Aug. ... Read More »

The Van Buren County inmate who escaped earlier today has been captured. Multiple law enforcement agencies searched for 28-year-old Gary Blankenship after he escaped custody earlier Saturday. The sheriff’s department announced Blankenship’s capture via social media. No additional details were released. Read More »

Multiple law enforcement agencies are searching for an escaped inmate in Van Buren County. The Tennessee Highway Patrol stated officers are searching for 28-year-old Gary Blankenship. He was last seen wearing a tan jumpsuit. Blankenship is a white male with a full beard and a tattoo on his neck. Anyone with information should call their local law enforcement agency.   Read More »

A motorcycle rider has died following an accident on Cookeville’s Jackson Street Friday. Francis Robertson, 56, died on scene. He was traveling west on Jackson Street just west of the Jackson Plaza. Cookeville Police say he traveled across all lanes of traffic and struck a car preparing to enter the street from a business parking lot. The driver of the ... Read More »

Sources indicate a serious accident occurred in Cookeville Friday night. A motorcycle and car collided on Jackson Street. Serious injuries have been reported. Read More »

Tennessee Tech hopes the community will show off their Eagle Pride. TTU pride days begin Monday. Community members are welcome to pick up yard signs at the Roaden University Center Information Desk, Alumni Building, TTU Ticket Office and University Bookstore. Signs are also available for pick up in the community at the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce in the Leslie ... Read More »

A new state law will have drivers in school zones watching their phone habits. THP Lt. Jimmy Neal said January 1, it becomes illegal to use a handheld phone in a school zone. “We want people to realize, January 1 it’s all going to change as far as the use of handheld phones,” Neal said. Those under the age of ... Read More »

Jeff Gentry’s property will be auctioned off later this month. The former Sparta businessman pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday. He faces up to 40 years in federal prison for mail fraud and money laundering charges. The U.S. Marshals service will auction Gentry’s property to benefit the victims. Marshal Dany Shelton said the auction will have a little bit of ... Read More »