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Cookeville Turf Field Approved

Cookeville High School will get a new synthetic turf surface after the school board approved the financing completed by Cookeville parents. The school board gave the parents and about 75 Cookeville Cavalier athletes in attendance a standing ovation. The group raised close to $800,000 to replace Cookeville’s football field. “It’s just been awesome seeing the community come behind this project ... Read More »

Jackson County Creating Park Plan

Jackson County will soon begin upgrades to the Roaring River Park. Jackson County Mayor Randy Heady said a $60,000 TDEC grant will help pay for planning and design. He said because of COVID shutdowns the county is about 2-months behind on the grant’s public feedback requirement. “It’s a 10-year plan,” Heady said. “So we find out over then next 10-years ... Read More »

Pickett Commission Rejects Tourism Grant

The Pickett County Commission denied permission for a county group seeking a grant to restore Byrdstown’s Amonett House. The Pickett County Historical Society approached the commission to apply for a $75,000 Tennessee Tourism grant that included a 10-percent match. County Historian Richard Pierce said he is disappointed in the Commission’s decision, especially since a private citizen had agreed to cover ... Read More »

Four UC Counties Double Digit Unemployment

Four Upper Cumberland counties reported double-digit unemployment rates with Dekalb and Warren Counties among the highest rates statewide. Warren County’s unemployment rate stands at 12.7 percent, down from 17 percent in May. Last June, Warren County’s unemployment rate stood at just five percent. In Dekalb County, June unemployment stood at 11.6 percent. Jackson and Van Buren counties also reported unemployment ... Read More »

Richards Retiring From Fentress EMS

John Richards is retiring from Fentress County Emergency Medical Services after 44-years on the job. Richards serves as Fentress County EMS Assistant Director. He said he has mixed feelings about his retirement. “It’s just kind of bittersweet, I guess you would say,” Richards said. “I really enjoyed my job all the time, and I had some good people to work ... Read More »

Local Farmers Dealing With COVID Losses Can Get Help

Farmers and producers suffering from COVID-related financial losses can apply for the USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The program pays monies to compensate for market losses when the market was closed and livestock prices fell during the pandemic. White County Farm Service Agency Director Chad Huddleston said farmers have until August 28 to apply. “It pays a subsidy based on ... Read More »

Sparta Not Chosen For $500K TVA Grant

The City of Sparta will not receive a $500,000 TVA Grant for industrial park improvements. City Administrator Brad Hennessee said he’s disappointed, but understands this is a competitive grant. “We were told essentially that it wasn’t necessarily anything that we had included or not included in our grant [application],” Hennessee said. “They didn’t tell us who had been awarded, but ... Read More »

127 Yard Sale Continuing As Planned

The 34th annual Highway 127 Yard Sale will go on as planned August 6 through the 9. Media Relations Director Josh Randall said social distancing for the event should be easy since the 690-mile event is predominantly outdoors. “We considered a lot of things,” Randall said. “Obviously the safety of everybody who participates is of paramount importance. We also considered ... Read More »

Putnam Will Not Check Temps On School Buses

Putnam County Schools will not check temperatures of students boarding school buses. Deputy Director of Schools Tim Martin said regardless of a student’s temperature, once they are left at a bus stop, the county is responsible for their safety. “The fact of the matter is,” Martin said, “If parents leave their kids at a bus stop, we can’t refuse to ... Read More »

Young Named Clay County’s New Chamber Director

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce has a new director. Dr. Doug Young will volunteer to permanently take over the position starting July 28th. Young is currently the director of Clay County’s three-star program and member of the chamber board for over 10 years. Read More »