Latest News

Putnam County owned tennis courts are receiving upgrades to its lighting with new LED bulbs. The Cookeville, Baxter and Monterey court lights will all be replaced. Parks and Recreation Director John Ross Albertson said the county budgeted the $30,000 price tag with last year’s capitol projects. “We are going to be able to hopefully complete all of those within the ... Read More »

Parks and Recreation Director John Ross Albertson met Monday with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to review the Putnam Sports Complex expansion. He said the expansion consists of adding two new fields. One located at the old airport hanger off North Washington. The other north of the two existing fields. Along with the additions, a new main entrance will ... Read More »

The state has extended mental health benefits to uninsured children. Dale Hallow Mental Health Center Director Anne Stamps said the need has increased. “We are seeing some more anxiety and some more depression in our kids,” Stamps said. “Right now, probably about one in five of our kids have depressive symptoms.” The Behavioral Health Safety Net program offers essential mental ... Read More »

Gainesboro and Celina are creating resurfacing and striping plans through a state rural planning program. Both municipalities applied for the same grant worth up to $25,000. Dale Hollow Rural Planning Coordinator Mark Dudney said the funds will pay for a consultant to provide each municipality a plan to refurbish roads. “It is a planning document,” Dudney said. “It is not ... Read More »

The Monterey Board of Aldermen is considering applying for a $600,000 FEMA grant to fix its storm water drainage system. Grant Writer Dawn Kupferer said flooding caused by the storm drain issue has caused thousands of dollars in damage each year. “This could really address issues for city property, businesses, and residents,” Kupferer said. “I really feel like he’s really ... Read More »

The Putnam County Parks and Recreation Department is in the preliminary stages of developing its first master plan. Director John Ross Albertson said the department has contacted all its stakeholders for discussion on future facility needs. “We are wanting to do is to focus really on all of the different facilities we have,” Albertson said. “All the way down to ... Read More »

Starting on Monday next week, the first department in McMinville’s new City Hall will be open. Pending an elevator inspection, McMinnville Mayor Ben Newman said permits will be available at the Community Development Department. Multiple departments will be consolidated into the downtown McMinville old Regions Bank building. Newman said the Police Department will be moved in within the next two ... Read More »

Monterey’s administrative buildings will receive upgrades for its COVID safety equipment through the CARES Act. Mayor J.J. Reels said the town has $43,000 to spend before the end of the year. “If you don’t use it, you lose it,” Reels said. “So, that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to use it all that way we will be able ... Read More »

The Smith County School System has agreed to a permanent injunction Monday that will ban imposing religion on students. A federal district court issued the injunction following a lawsuit brought on by two families. Now, Smith County Schools may not incorporate official prayer into school events, pray with students or encourage or promote student prayer. The court also ruled promoting ... Read More »

The city of Spencer now has an official website. Residents can pay their water bill and complete city forms online. Mayor Mickey Robinson said the community can now stay up-to-date with city business. “We got our new website for the city of Spencer,” Robinson said. “Very informational for the community. It has a lot of our information, so instead of ... Read More »