A free clinic for victims of abuse will be held Tuesday. The Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center will host the event. Director Amy Stockwell said the Legal Aid Society sponsors the event and volunteers from the Putnam County Bar will be there as well. “If you’re a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault or elder abuse, then you’re welcome ... Read More »

Sparta Police Chief Jeff Guth said his department’s drug take back event was a success. Drug take back events were held across the Upper Cumberland the last Saturday in April. In Sparta, some 66 pounds of drugs were collected. “People just came and dropped off their unused prescriptions and their expired prescriptions and it was a good day,” Guth said. ... Read More »

The Putnam County Board of Education approved the first draft of the upcoming year’s budget. The budget lists $89.7 million in needs, from raises for certified and non-certified personnel, to buses and equipment. But the BOE’s revenues won’t be able to cover that amount. Director of Schools Jerry Boyd said the budget has a $4.5 million gap. “The gap between ... Read More »

Kentucky State Police extradited a murder suspect from Putnam County Thursday. Authorities have charged 66-year-old Arthur A. Long with murder and theft of a vehicle. The Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested long last December following an Interstate 40 high speed pursuit. Upon his arrest, authorities learned that Long was wanted for questioning in the death of his 68-year-old sister who died ... Read More »

A Cookeville mobile home park will soon be redeveloped. The Cookeville City Council approved Thursday night a Redevelopment Area Overlay zoning for the park located on Free Hill Road. A developer will be building a 52-lot single family detached development for low-to-moderate income families. “This is something we thought very highly of in the Planning Commission,” council member and planning ... Read More »

The Putnam County Board of Education will hold a lottery for 20 kindergarten spaces at Capshaw Elementary. The school’s enrollment has long been restricted. Families can register for the lottery at Capshaw until May 18. The first 20 names drawn will be enrolled, Attendance Supervisor Corby King said. That doesn’t mean that siblings will be able to attend Capshaw. The ... Read More »

Crossville Police have launched an investigation into the theft of a commemorative plaque from the Cumberland County-Crossville Community Amphitheater. City of Crossville employees reported the incident Thursday. The bronze plaque is valued at $1,000. The city commissioned the plaque in 2011 to recognize individual sponsors who supported the building, opening, and operation of the amphitheater. If you have any information ... Read More »

A parole hearing for Jessica Ashley May will be held May 23. May was convicted of attempted aggravated child neglect in December in connection with the death of her 23-month old son. May is incarcerated in the Carroll County Jail. The parole hearing will take place there. May pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years at 20 percent. Cody Key, ... Read More »

Putnam Board of Education members accepted a plan restricting enrollment at two more elementary schools. Enrollment at Baxter Primary and Northeast elementary schools will be reduced to students who live in the enrollment zone or students who are already enrolled. Putnam County Schools Attendance Supervisor Corby King said those two schools have enrolled more students this year than they did ... Read More »

Putnam County Director of Schools Jerry Boyd said he’s taking many calls suggesting property for the proposed elementary school. The board voted last week to approve a plan to sell Park View Elementary to the city of Cookeville to build a new police station. That plan requires building a school to replace Park View in the southwestern section of Putnam ... Read More »