Construction continues at the new I-40 interchange. TDOT spokesman Jennifer Flynn said crews will have a rolling roadblock in the Crawford/Mine Lick Creek Road area Tuesday through Thursday. The roadblocks allow the contractor to place bridge beams. The roadblocks will take place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Flynn said. Additional rolling roadblocks will be done from Monday, June 5 ... Read More »

A National Weather Service team has already determined straight line winds caused Cookeville’s damage Saturday night. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mark Rose said the team is looking for some specific things. “They’ll look at the debris, if it’s all going in one direction, that’s a good indication of straight-line winds,” Rose said. “Tornado activity causes the debris field to be ... Read More »

Potential cuts to education funding could have school districts all over the nation reviewing their budgets. Putnam County Schools Director Jerry Boyd said federal dollars make up about 12 percent of the school system’s budget. Out of a nearly $90 million annual budget, that’s a lot of money, Boyd said. “Any cuts certainly require us to do a lot of ... Read More »

The National Weather Service said straight line winds of up to 95 mph caused damage in Cookeville. NWS teams are also assessing damage in White and Cumberland counties today. No one was reported injured in Saturday’s storms. Counties across the Upper Cumberland reported mass power outages and many trees down during the storms Saturday night. Some remain without power today. ... Read More »

No one was injured during severe thunderstorms that tracked across the Upper Cumberland Saturday night Crews are still working to restore power to hundreds in counties across the region. Teams from the National Weather Service will be assessing damage in Cumberland, White and Putnam counties this morning.   Read More »

Storms were reported across the Upper Cumberland early Saturday evening. No damage was reported in Putnam or White counties, however both saw tornado warnings and hail. Three-quarter inch hail was reported just east of the Putnam County Courthouse in Cookeville and in Baxter. Dime-sized hail was reported near the Putnam-White county line. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning after seeing ... Read More »

The Sparta Rescue Squad spent some time in the water last weekend learning swift water rescue skills. They’ll go back for more training the first weekend in June. Lt. Zachary Cunningham said the training is intense. “Basic swift water is probably about 20-30 hours on scene in the water and advanced swift water is a little bit longer than that. ... Read More »

A host of special events are planned across the Upper Cumberland to mark the Memorial Day weekend. Ceremonies will take place in Cookeville, Livingston, Sparta and Smithville, just to name a few. Putnam County Veteran’s Services officer Mark Harris said it’s an important time to recognize those who have died in the service of our country. Cookeville’s Memorial Day service ... Read More »

Putnam County’s Boys State delegates have left an impression this week. Fourteen Putnam County boys were elected to a variety of offices, from Supreme Court to Aldermen. The annual event sponsored by the American Legion brings boys from every county in the state to Tennessee Tech to learn about government. The boys create a mock state, complete with county and ... Read More »

Many folks may be grilling out for the first time this weekend. Putnam County Extension Agent Michelle Parrot said a meat thermometer helps you serve perfectly prepared food. “Just keep one out there by your grill and as you’re grilling those hamburgers, let’s say, just make sure you put that thermometer in that hamburger that it reaches 160 degrees. For ... Read More »