Latest News

School boards and directors from nine Upper Cumberland districts were scheduled to hold the Fall District Meeting at White County’s Findlay Elementary School. Now, that meeting will be virtual. White County School Board Chairman Jayson McDonald said he looked forward to showing off the county’s newest school. “We were looking forward to showing off our new Findlay Elementary School, getting ... Read More »

Overton County crews cleaned up road damage Monday along Rickman Road after Sunday’s flash flood. EMA Assistant Director Eric Stevens said the county has not seen flooding in the Rickman area that high since 2010. “There was damage last night,” Stevens said. “Old Highway 42 was closed for a little while until the highway department get some rock put back ... Read More »

Habitat for Humanity’s Lunch on the Lawn might be cancelled, but the need for community support is still going on. From September 12th until the 19th the Cumberland County ReStore is offering the bowls usually sold during Lunch on the Lawn. Development Director Vanessa Petty said their needs increase during a time like the pandemic. “You have the option to ... Read More »

Overton County’s Carr Creek Bridge project will break ground Tuesday. The new federally funded concrete bridge will stretch 220 feet with an expected April completion date. Highway Superintendent James Norrod said reports required to use the funds has caused setbacks. “We have been working on this for five years or better,” Norrod said. “It is a partially TDOT funded. Very ... Read More »

The Van Buren School System is in need of pay increases to stay competitive in recruiting teachers. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said Van Buren is struggling to keep teachers from moving to larger school systems in Tennessee. “The county has not provided the teachers with a raise or the support staff with a raise for several years,” Cole said. ... Read More »

As Cookeville’s 10th Street prepares for widening, many question if power lines along the entrance way could be buried. Cookeville Electric Director Carl Haney said many of the 10th Street power lines have five times more voltage than your regular power line. Haney said the price tag to bury those lines can skyrocket. “Once you bury those lines, the insulation ... Read More »

The Overton County Election Commission is preparing for an increase in absentee ballots for November’s election. Administrator Craig Story said the county is expecting about 500 by-mail ballots. Almost tripling the amount for August’s election. “Back in August, we had about 175 or somewhere in that neighborhood for that election there,” Story said. “But, that is really apples and oranges ... Read More »

The City of McMinnville is considering implementing a no-fee mural permit. If passed, the mural permit would require property owners to provide the proposed mural’s details in a permit application. Community Planner Katie Kemezis said three new murals have appeared downtown in the past two years. She said another is in the works. “I think that our city is really ... Read More »

International Overdose Awareness Day is Monday. Almost 200 people die everyday in the United States due to overdosing. Tennessee Overdose Specialist Suzanne Angel said the Upper Cumberland is particularly hard hit by the problem. “Everyday, we see lives around being changed in result to overdose,” Angel said. “It does not discriminate. It could be you, someone you love, a friend, ... Read More »

Flash flooding across Putnam and Overton Counties Sunday night causing damage. The worst problems in Putnam County were in the Baxter area where crews had to rescue an individual in a car. Double Springs Road, McBroom Chapel Road, Plunk Whiston Road, Martin Creek Road, Pharris Road, Locust Grove Road, Eaton Road, Highway 70 at Echo Valley all impassable Sunday night ... Read More »