The city of Crossville will apply for some $15,000 in federal disaster relief funds. City council voted on the measure at its meeting last week. FEMA issued a disaster declaration for several Tennessee counties following the Memorial Day storms. Cumberland and Putnam counties were both included in the declaration. Crossville expects to be reimbursed for about 85 percent of the ... Read More »

Emergency officials hope today’s eclipse will go off without a hitch. Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said slowing down behind the wheel is key. “With increased visitors come increased traffic, we encourage all residents and visitors to make a plan for the day and try to stay off the roads as much as possible, if one must venture out, please ... Read More »

Three people have been transported to the hospital after a pickup and tractor trailer collided on I-40. The THP said the accident occurred at 3:24 p.m. Friday in the eastbound lanes near the 280 mile marker. A tractor trailer reportedly rear-ended a Ford F-150 pickup. The impact pushed the pickup into a Lincoln MKX. The right lane of I-40 eastbound ... Read More »

The Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees approved a plan to restructure university administration, including hiring a new vice president. A new vice president will oversee a division dedicated to student success, from recruitment to career placement. Ten existing departments will report to that individual, including financial aid, scholarships and military and veterans affairs. The university will conduct a nationwide search ... Read More »

The city of Sparta may benefit from U.S. Marshals Service auction. The Marshals Service will hold an auction Saturday, Aug. 26 at the former Gentry Bros. Tractor Supply. Sparta Public Works Director Dillard Quick told the city’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen he’d be attending the auction with city business in mind. “I’ve talked to some people that worked there ... Read More »

The city of Sparta’s annual independent audit came back clean. Auditor Buddy Dicus went over the audit with Sparta’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen at its regular meeting Thursday. “We have total assets of $43 million and total liabilities of $7.6 million, so there again, the city’s in great shape,” Dicus said. Dicus said there was only one finding. One ... Read More »

Sheriff Eddie Farris said he hopes residents take some common-sense precautions this weekend. Officials can’t estimate the number of visitors that will arrive this weekend to view Monday’s eclipse. “I think all the motels are sold out, several people have rented houses and so on and so forth, so people who are staying obviously are going to the grocery store ... Read More »

Cookeville Police believe a man committed suicide at Cane Creek SportsPlex Friday morning. At about 8 a.m. Friday, city employees reported a hearing a gunshot, then found a 46-year-old man in a vehicle in the parking lot, bleeding from the head. The man was reportedly alive when officers arrived on scene and was able to communicate, but he died before ... Read More »

TBI agents arrested a Smith County man on a child abuse charge Thursday. Ralph Mendez, 21, is accused of injuring his girlfriend’s four-year-old child. The child’s injuries were so severe, she had to be hospitalized at Vanderbilt’s Monroe Carrell Jr. Childen’s Hospital. Mendez reportedly injured the child Sunday. Thursday, agents charged him with one county of aggravated child abuse and ... Read More »

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 »