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Tennessee is launching a new social media campaign to raise teen awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. This awareness effort is called Fentanyl: The Deadliest High. District Attorney’s in Tennessee held focus groups with middle and high schoolers to see if they knew just how fatal fentanyl can be. This effort comes as fentanyl related over doses increase at a ... Read More »

Road crews across the Upper Cumberland will stop road construction lane closures effective Noon Friday for the Labor Day weekend. “The Labor Day holiday is typically a busy travel time,” T-DOT Commissioner Clay Bright said. “We want to ensure that travelers using Tennessee’s roadways during this period arrive at their destinations quickly.” The halt will continue through 6am Tuesday. While ... Read More »

Mechanical problems have closed the Dogwood Park fountain. Cookeville Leisure Services reported the issue Friday morning. Officials said they do not know how long the fountain will be out of operation. “We’re still evaluating the damage and needed repairs,” Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said. “We know the fountain is a popular attraction and the timing is unfortunate on a ... Read More »

Baxter Council approved the infrastructure plan for the new Portbello plant. A total of five resolutions passed Thursday night to begin installation of water and wastewater at the site. Mayor John Martin said everybody wants to see dirt turning at the location but Portobello officials tell him everything is good. “I think a lot is still COVID related,” Martin said. ... Read More »

The Sparta Board of Alderman Thursday approved the $33,000 purchase of a new Police Pursuit vehicle for the police department. Police Chief Jeff Guth said this purchase will replace the department’s 15 year old SUV. The board also approved purchasing a new Special Service Vehicle for the Public Works Department. It is ticketed a near $28,000 and will replace their ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council approved a contract with UCHRA Thursday night to provide social work assistance to Cookeville Police. The pilot program will provide on-call service for police 24/7. The SAS program team will provide assistance with housing, mental health services, substance abuse, and other needs for people needing help. “We need a service with social workers available on a 24/7 ... Read More »

Algood City Administrator Keith Morrison said vendors are coming in and out, and that traffic is up at the City’s Farmers Market. During a Thursday night work session, Morrison told aldermen more building materials are being delivered Friday. “We’ve made good progress with that, and hopefully within the coming two weeks, you’ll start seeing that go up and we’ll make ... Read More »

The Town of Gainesboro will have a drive-thru window at city hall before year-end. The Board of Aldermen voted Thursday to use the remaining $14,000 in CARES Act money to fund the project. Mayor Lloyd Williams said the window will help local residents. “We’ve probably got like 400 people that are still coming in and paying each month,” Williams said. ... Read More »

Cookeville residents will get the chance to sound off on a proposed panhandling ordinance as Cookeville City Council approved a revised measure Thursday night. The ordinance passed 3-2 with council members Mark Miller and Charles Womack voting against the ordinance. Council will host a public hearing at the next meeting September 17 as the ordinance comes up for a second ... Read More »

Businesses remain interested in development and growth, but since COVID their wants have changed. Acreage and building sites are out. Existing buildings with room to expand are in. That is according to Cookeville Economic Developer Coordinator Melinda Keifer. “The good news is we have no vacant existing manufacturing places,” Keifer said. “The bad news is we don’t have any vacant ... Read More »