Latest News

Cummins Falls has opened its new visitor center Tuesday morning, a day Park Manager Ray Cutcher has been waiting on for over six years. What used to a be 12 x 12 foot area for park employees to operate from, is now an over 5,000 square foot visitor center. State Senator Paul Bailey said this new look will play a ... Read More »

Putnam County Commission Chair Mike Atwood said last week it would benefit the commission to review the county rules. Atwood said he hopes there would not be any reluctance to review county rules and regulations by those elected to serve. Atwood said his suggestion for an active rules committee is about being prepared for the future. “Lets look at it, ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission approved the rezoning of 7.62 acres at the corner of Tennessee Avenue and Bob Gentry Road. The land located near the Academy Sports distribution center will be rezoned heavy manufacturing. Cookeville owns the land and is working with a business prospect. The prospect has not been identified. Planning Director Jon Ward said the city would deed ... Read More »

Fentress County voted Monday night to run an ad soliciting land for the future Agriculture pavilion. Commissioners voted against purchasing 15 acres on South York Highway Monday. The price of that land: $15,000 per acre. During a special called meeting, county commissioners cited issues with eight different parcels considered for the project. They include price, too much timber, too much ... Read More »

Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center Allergist and Immunologist Dr. Erin Rohman said 2020 has been a moderate allergy season in the Upper Cumberland. Rohman said this allergy season she is seeing patients experience nose, eye and throat irritations. Rohman said COVID pushed people’s allergy concerns to the back burner, however the pandemic affected allergy exposure. “We really got out in ... Read More »

Several counties have submitted reopening plans for local senior centers to the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency. Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD) Director Holly Williams said the agency is reviewing the plans and providing recommendations on how to open safely. “Being able to reopen the centers when they can at a safe time is very important,” Williams said. ... Read More »

Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter has asked Emergency Management to work with venues to make any gathering as safe as possible. Emergency Management Agency Public Affairs Officer Brandon Smith said this is not the best time to hold events. However, Smith said that EMA has started reaching out to provide recommendations, and the best guidance available. “There’s several things that ... Read More »

Another record-high COVID case tally Monday at Cookeville Regional Medical Center with 71 positive cases. Director Of Public Relations Melahn Finley said CRMC reported its 50 death this weekend, a resident from Putnam County. The COVID tally has more than doubled in the month of October at Cookeville Regional. The Medical Center suspended elective procedures with overnight stays last week ... Read More »

The town of Monterey is requesting T-DOT to conduct two traffic studies to remove a set of traffic signals. The intersections of Commercial Avenue and Poplar Street and Stratton Avenue and Holly Street are up for review. Mayor JJ Reels said traffic would flow better if both intersections used stop signs. “The one on Commercial has been one that has ... Read More »

Baxter will not have a Christmas Parade on December 4 this year, due to COVID concerns in Putnam County. Baxter Mayor John Martin said he knows this will be disappointing to residents, but the decision was made to protect the public’s health and safety. “I know a lot of children and all that’s gonna be riding on trailers, close contact ... Read More »