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Teia Arms will become Clay County High School’s new principal. Born and raised in Clay County, Arms has taught math for over 20 years. Arms said she expects her students to take ownership in their actions and education. But at the same time, let her students know their teachers care about them. “Trust between you and the staff, making sure ... Read More »

Many of the faces for the Black Lives Matter movement are from a younger generation. Most of the protesters are also not one particular color. Putnam County NAACP President Thomas Savage said diversity through this movement is its strongest ally. “This group of people are front and center,” Savage said. “Their diversity is their strength. Their diversity where they have ... Read More »

Two local activists want to purchase a Black Lives Matter billboard in Cookeville. Julia Gruber, said she and Jena Lowndes organized a GoFundMe page. “I mean, this is freedom of speech, and I do expect some people’s heads exploding over this, but that’s part of change,” Gruber said. “You can get angry, and I think anger is a good emotion. ... Read More »

Cookeville residents can now return to Big O Donuts after six weeks of the shop being closed. The new building off of Spring Street is painted white, blue, and pink. Owner Tom Bonning said he’s happy with how the new shop looks. “Well it’s larger in the lobby, everything is new, whereas the old building had been there quite a ... Read More »

The Overton County fair has been cancelled. Fair Board Treasurer Donita Wilson said the board waited to the last possible moment to cancel this year’s event. She said there were too many factors working against having a good fair. “Ever since all this started in March we started talking about ‘what if, what if, what if?’, ” Wilson said. “Of ... Read More »

McMinnville’s Gilley Pool reopened Saturday with no issues. The pool opened from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with a temporary closure for cleaning. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Justin Scott said about 300 visitors filtered through the gates on the first day. “So far it’s been pretty good,” Scott said. “Everybody has been compliant and we’ve just been trying to ... Read More »

Plans for the Pickett County Schools to return on August 5th are in the works. Pickett County Director of Schools Diane Elder said if she made a decision today, school for Pickett County would start on time five days a week. “We want them to get back into the routine of coming school and get back in the routine of ... Read More »

A motor vehicle crash on Interstate 40 has closed the eastbound lanes in Putnam County Tuesday morning. The incident happened just after 5:30am at mile marker 276, near the Smithville/McMinnville exit. The accident is in the Silver Point area. A lifeflight helicopter reportedly is being flown into the area. The duration of the closing remains unknown. Eastbound travelers may want ... Read More »

City Court in Baxter will resume on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Police Chief Danny Homes said it will be the first time since February the court has met. A large docket is expected. “I guess we had between 100 and 150 cases,” Holmes said. “Most of them have come in and paid, so we’re down to approximately 50 people. We’re ... Read More »

The new fiscal year Putnam County budget will come in about $500,000 lower than last year’s budget with no property tax increase. County Mayor Randy Porter proposed $40,034,718 in general expenditures during the new fiscal year. Porter said the department heads and elected officials worked hard to create a status quo budget. “There was a team effort put forth by ... Read More »