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Two more positive COVID patients died at Cookeville Regional overnight Thursday. One patient who died is from Cumberland County, the other from Jackson County. That brings the CRMC total to 27 deaths since the pandemic began. The number of positive patients at CRMC decreased from 31 Wednesday to 26 Thursday. Five patients are in intensive care according to Public Relations ... Read More »

The first step in extending sewer lines to the new fairgrounds on Tennessee Avenue is underway. Cookeville Director of the Water Quality Control Department Ronnie Kelly said they have already met with engineers to develop the scope of services needed to begin negotiating a contract for this 6 month study. Kelly said this will take lines from I-40, up Cane ... Read More »

Local official concerned about rumors of other Middle Tennessee municipalities bringing homeless residents to Putnam County. Representative Ryan Williams said he spent part of Wednesday tracking the rumors. “Some of the reports that I am behind the scenes getting is that we are having instances where maybe surrounding counties or municipalities are finding creative ways of eliminating the problem in ... Read More »

A CDC study reports alcohol is responsible for over 250 American deaths every day. Power of Putnam’s Amy Gibson said any increase in alcohol related deaths is not surprising. “Alcohol can be a secondary contributor to many deaths from DUI and alcohol related accidents, to physical repercussions from long term use of alcohol as well,” Gibson said. Gibson said alcohol ... Read More »

Some Putnam County residents never received a June vehicle registration expiration notification. County Clerk Wayne Nabors said the notifications only come from the Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicle Services in Nashville. Nabors said the Nashville office had to relocate because of tornado damage. He believes a combination of the relocation and an in-person staff shortage due to COVID-19 could be ... Read More »

Shannon Cantrell is the new Executive Director for Livingston-Overton Chamber of Commerce. Cantrell said coming in during the pandemic has been a complete change in the chamber’s day to day routine. Cantrell said she has been running the chamber like an information center to help answer the community’s needs. “We had people constantly calling everyday, ‘where can I get some ... Read More »

Despite COVID-19, externally-funded research at Tennessee Tech topped $20 million for the second consecutive school year. “Despite all of the disruptions we faced this year, Tech researchers continued their work, which enabled us to reach this level again,” Tech President Phil Oldham said. “This is a testament to how outside organizations value Tech’s expertise.” A total of 154 sponsored research ... Read More »

A Spencer long-term facility received 11 false positive COVID tests. Generations Center of Spencer reported Monday six positive COVID cases among residents and seven among staff. Administrator Buffy Gaither said after retesting the 13 cases, systems identified only two staff members were positive. Gaither said the lab reported technical difficulties resulting in the false positives. Over the two week period ... Read More »

Resurfacing set to resume Thursday on State Route 294 through Overton and Clay County. Motorists should expect lane closures between Oakley Allons Road in Overton County and Willow Grove Road in Clay County. Flaggers will be in place and motorists should use caution. Crews are using microsurfacing to resurface the roadway, according to T-DOT. Read More »

Van Buren County’s administrative building will be closed until Tuesday. The building closed Tuesday after an employee tested positive for COVID. Mayor Greg Wilson said the state Department of Health recommended the office to be closed at least three days. “Out of caution, we were advised that the building need to be sanitized completely,” Wilson said. “And, that is what ... Read More »