Latest News

Roof repair bids for the Cookeville High School and Cane Creek Elementary School came in under budget. Putnam County Schools Facilities Director John Magura said the Cookeville High School bid arrived at $1 million. Repairs to the Cane Creek roof will cost some $690,000. “Both roofs are being fixed because they’ve exceeded their lifespan,” Magura said. “Typically a roof will ... Read More »

The permitting process for a new Cookeville Texas Roadhouse restaurant has been completed. Texas Roadhouse Vice President of Communications Travis Doster said they are currently in the process of choosing a general contractor for the location. It will be built in front of the Shoppes at Eagle Point along Interstate Drive. “We’re really excited about the area,” Doster said. “We ... Read More »

Cane Creek Elementary School Principal Emily Pierce announced her retirement Thursday. The 30-year educator will step down immediately. Pierce has been principal at Cane Creek since 2012. Putnam County Director Of Schools Corby King called Pierce a respected educator and mentor to local students. “She has served as a respected teacher, administrator, friend, and mentor to many students and educators ... Read More »

The Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees agreed Thursday to sell 0.5 acres of the Hyder Farm to Putnam County for a fire department. Putnam County will pay $25,000 for the piece of land on the corner of the farm. The revenue will go to scholarships as outlined in the 1996 gift of W. Claude Hyder and his wife. That gift ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech President Phil Oldham said the campus will begin its reopening plan next week in an effort to return students to campus August 20. “The goal is very clear, the goal is by the end of August to be welcoming 10,000 students back on this campus in as much of a traditional format as possible,” Oldham said. Oldham said ... Read More »

After four years of service, Crossville’s Palace Theater administrator Ronny Hill will retire at the end of this summer.Hill first joined the Palace Theater in 2007 and became administrator in 2016. Hill said leaving the theater and the patrons he loves was no easy decision.“I have been here a long time,” Hill said. “You really get into this stuff, but ... Read More »

Only 32 property owners have taken advantage of the Upper Cumberland Association of Realtors’ tornado relief fund. President Kathy Dunn said she wishes more people would apply for relief before the June 1 deadline. “We’ve gotten the word out through several different methods,” Dunn said. “I don’t know if some people because of the name of the realtor relief fund ... Read More »

The White County Commissioners approved the transfer of the old White County Middle School from the school system to the county. County Mayor Denny Wayne Robinson said the future of the property is unknown. “The County Commission has had many different talks,” Robinson said. “Some talk about a park. Some talk about using the building for storage. We have storage ... Read More »

As school systems across the state have sought to work through the COVID-19 shutdown, a Cookeville leader has been part of many tough decisions. Lillian Hartgrove serves as the chair of the Tennessee Board of Education. She came to the board in 2014. The board includes 11 members, appointed by the governor, who focus on decisions concerning Tennessee children. During ... Read More »

UCHRA’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program could be an assist to residents struggling to pay utility bills in the wake of COVID-19. Community Services Manager TaShana Hooks said customers could receive up to $650 in financial aid. “I know we’ve got a lot of people that are up for disconnections right now,” Hooks said. “We have crisis assistance, that ... Read More »