Latest News

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 »

Aphena Pharma Solutions will expand its Cookeville operations to the old Russel Stover factory on Chocolate Drive.  The expansion will create up to 160 jobs over five years. Aphena will invest $21 million to renovate the 500,000 square foot building. Two of the three Putnam Aphena locations will operate out of the facility once renovations are complete. Mayor Randy Porter ... Read More »

A Clay County man pled guilty to one count of statutory rape and one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell. Defendent Scott Brown will serve eight years in the Department of Correction and be placed on the sex offender registry. Brown was indicted for four counts of the statutory rape of a minor with incidents ranging from ... Read More »

Contractors are conducting emergency slide repairs to State Route 85 in Fentress and Overton Counties resulting in some road closures. The Overton side of the road will be closed from mile marker 17 to 22. A detour route remains in place for Overton SR-85 and motorists are encouraged to continue using the detour route until the road is opened. This ... Read More »

The city of Crossville took a small step forward in preparing for a future land acquisition project. City Council voted Tuesday to submit a letter of intent to apply for next year’s Local Parks and Recreation Fund Grant. City Manager Greg Wood said the city is exploring three potential projects including a new recreational facility, new baseball fields at Centennial ... Read More »

The design of Sparta’s new Findlay Elementary School is being submitted for a Tennessee School Board Association award. White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said it might be styled as learning factory with its saw tooth roof and cinder block walls, since it is near Sparta’s industrial park. However, the inside feels like a modern school. “There’s lots of ... Read More »

Byrdstown employees mourned the loss of Aldermen Johnny Bilbrey during Monday’s board meeting. Bilbrey was sixty-nine- years-old and serving his third term as a city councilman. Mayor Sam Gibson said this is the first time a Byrdstown alderman has died while in office. “One of the most things that he liked the most than about anything he’d done was being ... Read More »

Overton County will have a new archivist to help preserve the county’s books. The Overton County Commission approved creating a paid position to work two days a week. Executive Ben Danner said the county could not find volunteers, so the pay rate was needed. “Before, we had a person that volunteered and helped to do that,” Danner said. “It is ... Read More »