The annual Upper Cumberland Homeschool and Christian Education Fair will begin at 8 a.m. Friday at Cookeville’s The River church. Catrina Howell serves as one of the organizers. A homeschool mom herself, Howell said it’s a great way to get information on education alternatives. “It’s a blessing to know that we’re helping other families answer questions and get started and ... Read More »

WCTE’s Great TV Auction begins tonight and so does the annual Bidding With Becky event. WCTE President Becky Magura said Bidding With Becky began several years ago at Spankie’s restaurant. Members of the public are welcome to visit Spankie’s and watch the auction with Magura. “It’s a Dutch-treat thing, you’re on your own, but we do door prizes, it’s just ... Read More »

WCTE’s annual Great Television Auction begins tonight. WCTE President Becky Magura said it’s a fun event for everyone involved. “This is our 35th Great Television Auction, it is an opportunity for businesses to participate, be a showcase for them in our region with items they give to WCTE, then we put them on TV and online and people can call ... Read More »

Sparta’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen will discuss the city’s budget during its regular meeting Thursday. City Manager Chris Dorsey said the group will hold the first reading of the city’s budgets, including the operating budget, tax ordinance and the amendments for the current year. Dorsey said the tax rate will remain at $1.05. The meeting takes place at 5 ... Read More »

District Attorney Bryant Dunaway has ruled a White County officer-involved shooting last month was justified. Michael Dial died from a gunshot wound,ending a high-speed pursuit through DeKalb and White counties. Dunaway said Wednesday the TBI investigated the shooting at his request. “That file was delivered to my office, I have reviewed it, and the conclusion is I feel like the ... Read More »

Celina’s election is less than a week away. Mayor Willie Kerr chose not to run for re-election this year. Current alderman Charlie Goad and Joey Rich are running for the mayor’s seat. Rich was a city employee who had to quit when he filed to run for mayor. Four people are running for three alderman seats. Incumbents Henry “Buddy” Thompson ... Read More »

Senior citizens can get help planning for emergencies Tuesday. The Senior PREP program will hold a senior preparedness day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Walgreens on Washington Avenue. Information will be available and seniors can enter to win a free preparedness kit. The Senior PREP program is a part of the Area Agency on Aging and ... Read More »

Some sidewalk improvements could be coming to Sparta soon. City Manager Chris Dorsey said the city’s $1 million project would improve sidewalks, storm drains, curbs and gutters along Bockman Way. “We’re ready to start up, we’re just waiting for approval from TDOT, for our Bockman Way project, the sidewalks and storm drainage, curb and gutter and sidewalk, storm drainage,” Dorsey ... Read More »

News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 will launch a new daily program that focuses on the people, issues and communities of Putnam, White, Overton, Dekalb and Jackson Counties on Monday. “Local Matters” airs weekday afternoons at 5:30pm beginning Monday. The 30-minute program follows the Upper Cumberland At 5, a daily local news, sports and weather roundup on News Talk 94.1. “It is ... Read More »

The state Department of Education awarded voluntary pre-K grants recently. The grants target four-year-old students from low-income families. Nearly $6 million was distributed to Upper Cumberland counties. Putnam County received more than $1.5 million to help fund 18 pre-K classrooms. Jill Ramsey is supervisor of instruction for pre-K through fifth grade. She said the grant helps, but doesn’t completely fund the ... Read More »