Latest News

This week the White County Board of Education will consider a renewal of Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger’s employment contract. The board agreed to review his contract several months ahead of schedule to avoid a potential change in leadership right before the start of a new budget year. The new contract proposal is online at the school board’s website for ... Read More »

Changes related to workplace relationships and the city’s anti-tobacco policy have been made to Cookeville’s Policies and Procedures Manual. Human Resources Director Carl Sells said the manual currently only addresses cigarette smoking. This change will broaden the city’s policy to include tobacco and vaping products in city-owned facilities. “It would be enlarged to include all tobacco products, as well as ... Read More »

Brick finally being laid on the Upperman High School expansion with a final completion date now in site. Upland Design Group Consultant Kim Chamberlin said brick problems across the nation continue, but he is excited to finally have brick on site being laid. Chamberlin told the School Board Thursday that he expects the building to open after the holiday break. ... Read More »

A McMinnville Police Officer honored as the Child Passenger Seat Technician of the Year. Officer Toby Lewis said he won the award for his presence at various car seat safety events put on by the McMinnville Police Department. Lewis said keeping the community and its children safer makes it all worth the effort. “Hopefully they’ll never be involved in a ... Read More »

The Cookeville Fire Department will bring back its Cheer Truck this weekend, spreading holiday spirit through the city. Fire Chief Benton Young said the department received great feedback after debuting the truck last year. Young said a reserve fire engine will be strung up with lights and pass through all major subdivisions through December. “We work for the citizens of ... Read More »

Chamber of Commerce CEO Ethan Hadley spent Thursday in Nashville presenting Crossville’s case to receive a spec building grant. The Site Development Grant Program could grant Crossville up to $5 million to be put toward building a 100,000-square-feet industrial spec building. The intent is to build the spec building to attract more industry to the city. Hadley said having Whisper ... Read More »

Cookeville hoping for new T-DOT money to help modernize traffic signals along South Jefferson Avenue and a more coordinated traffic flow from Interstate Drive to Bunker Hill Road. Community Development Director Jon Ward said the stoplights at the intersections are currently connected through copper loops. The new system would allow the area to be monitored through a fiber-optic connection with ... Read More »

A serious gas leak in the basement of the Gainesboro Water Department’s main office has left the department without any heat. Water Distribution Supervisor Johnny Pigg said the gas line going to the building’s heater began leaking Thursday and was promptly shut off. Pigg said the gas company proposed two possible methods to re-plumb the gas line. “They may can ... Read More »

Improving bus safety could lead to changes on two Baxter roads following a discussion between Aldermen and School Officials. Putnam County Schools Transportation Supervisor Ron Chaffin addressed the Baxter Board of Aldermen on Thursday, expressing concerns about First Avenue, as well as Third Street at Buffalo Valley Road. “I’m really proud of the job that our drivers do and making ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech celebrated its fall graduates Friday as some 1,000 students received diplomas. 71 counties throughout Tennessee represented in Friday’s two ceremonies as were 19 different counties. Tech President Phil Oldham said he hopes the new Tech alumni realize that from wherever they may hail, Tennessee Tech and the City of Cookeville are now home to them forever. “You are ... Read More »