Latest News

The Putnam County Schools will ask parents to make a final decision on in-person or virtual learning by September 18. School Board members unanimously voted Thursday to the change in the system’s reopening plan. Director of Schools Corby King said the system needs to better control its teaching resources by settling on a strategy. “When students make that move from ... Read More »

The Overton County Sheriff’s Office will be able to expand services toward impaired driving thanks to a $20,000 grant. The Tennessee Highway Safety Office funded the grant. Sheriff John Garrett said the funds have helped the sheriff’s office tremendously. “[It helps] being able to use this grant money for not only training, equipment, but also overtime pay for deputies that ... Read More »

With virtual learning and working from home becoming the norm, the need for a laptop or computer grows. The only problem is supplies are running low. Laptop Dudes Owner Dave Dickerson said computers are in high demand, but especially inexpensive options. Almost every major retailer is sold out of affordable laptops. “School systems have ordered from big Chromebook manufactures in ... Read More »

A Kentucky diver found a sunken vessel in Dale Hollow Lake. Treasure Hunter Loy Milam said during his dive Tuesday he came across what appeared to be an old houseboat or dock. “The metal on those is really thin, so I guess it’s not uncommon for those things to sink over the years,” Milam said. “This is just one that ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech’s enrollment of international students has dropped just over 20 percent due to COVID. Senior Associate Provost Mark Stephens said the majority of the 250 international students currently on campus are returning students. “It has depressed our enrollment of international students largely because of the difficult in making travel arrangements,” Stephens said. “And also, in terms of students getting ... Read More »

The President/CEO of Food City said the company’s new Cookeville supermarket will bring between 150 and 175 new jobs. Second-generation grocer Steve Smith said the chain has been watching Putnam County’s growth for some time. The store will open next fall at the new 10th Street/Old Kentucky Road Shopping Center approved by the Cookeville Planning Commission. “We think Cookeville is ... Read More »

Brandon Smith will lose the Interim Assistant Director Title at Putnam County 911 when he steps in full time for his mentor Mike Thompson. The Putnam County Emergency Communications board voted to make Smith the full-time assistant director. Smith said stepping in for someone who spent 40 years serving Putnam County is an honor. “I can honestly say that I’m ... Read More »

Overton County Nursing Home residents will have the opportunity to vote on October 6th for November’s election. If visiting restrictions are lifted, the election commission is prepared to send workers on location. If not, employees of the nursing home will assist residents with voting. Overton Election Commission Administrator Craig Story said the plan is similar to August’s election. “We are ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech raised over $8 million in the 2019 fiscal year. The total includes cash, pledges, stocks, gifts-in-kind and new planned gifts. President Phil Oldham said nearly $2 million for scholarships came from cash donations alone. Almost all of the donations are earmarked for specific scholarships or projects by the donors. Oldham said the gifts will have a positive and ... Read More »

An overnight accident along Interstate 40 in Crossville left seven people injured, one critically. The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports the one-vehicle accident happened around 2:30am near mile marker 320. A vehicle driven by 48-year-old Dorthy Clark of Clinton ran across the left rumble strips. Clark over corrected and left the right side of the roadway. Clark’s vehicle went down an ... Read More »