Latest News

The Tennessee Supreme Court has denied the appeal of a Putnam County man sentenced to 24 years in prison for attempted first-degree murder. James Alex Greer petitioned the Supreme Court to force the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s office to hand over fingerprint and mouth swab evidence in the case. Upon consideration of the application for permission ... Read More »

Three COVID patients died at Cookeville Regional Medical Center over the weekend bringing the pandemic death toll to 78. The patients were from Jackson, White and Pickett Counties. Public Relations Director Melahn Finley reports 59 patients currently being treated at CRMC as of Monday. Read More »

Local senior citizens experiencing isolation this Christmas can get a little holiday cheer from the community this year through the Be a Santa to a Senior program. Home Instead Senior Care will have trees with senior’s names and gift idea on trees at the Algood Walmart, Putnam County Library and even online this year. Program Coordinator Isabeau Strader said after ... Read More »

Should the Upper Cumberland county leaders come together and issue a region-wide mask mandate. At least one county executive believes the time has arrived. Van Buren County Mayor Greg Wilson said he will try to gather county leadership together early this week to suggest such an approach. “I am going to urge my fellow county mayors in the Upper Cumberland ... Read More »

Extended hours for COVID testing in Putnam County will be available Monday and next Monday. Putnam County Health Department Director Lisa Bumbalough said this extension is happening because there will be no COVID testing on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Bumbalough said testing at the Putnam Fairgrounds will run from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM on November 23 and 30. “I ... Read More »

Young Men United held their annual roadblock fundraiser Saturday in McMinnville with a new goal this year. President Donald Crisp said Young Men United will be raising money to continue restoring the Bernard School in Warren County. Crisp said this is an important piece of history to local African Americans and sits across the street from where he grew up. ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech’s Compliance Officer Greg Holt said university police are implementing new systems for its record keeping. That after an audit found 32 inaccuracies within the crime log reports, and calls for service were not being recorded. “We are looking into software that will let us just fill in the information one time,” Holt said. “That will hopefully cut down ... Read More »

Applications for Highlands Residential Services’ Oak Tree Towers could be available this spring. Executive Director Dow Harris said construction for the 50 unit apartment complex on Buffalo Valley Road is back on track. “The interest is getting more,” Harris said. “We are seeing more interest, or more people speaking toward Oak Tree Towers as they come into the door, because ... Read More »

Thanksgiving is days away and now is the time to start defrosting your turkey. Putnam County UT Extension Agent Michelle Parrott said some of the largest turkeys can take up to four days to fully thaw. “What you want to do is make place in your fridge, get a small pan you can place the turkey in and then, look ... Read More »

Thanksgiving is not the only holiday around the corner, hunters will be celebrating this Saturday as  gun hunting season for deer begins. TWRA Wildlife Information Specialist Míme Barnes said this is popular time in the Upper Cumberland as sportsmen and women head out to hunt. Barnes said before hunting check that your wearing enough safety orange, know your areas sunset ... Read More »