Latest News

Over 900 Coookeville residents behind on their utility bills have until June 1 to pay them off before services are disconnected. City Manager James Mills said payment plans can be catered to each customer’s needs. “We don’t want to disconnect people, we want them to have the ability to, opportunity to, pay their bills,” Mills said. “We can’t continue this ... Read More »

A Tennessee-based company that operated a Cookeville pain clinic has settled allegations of Medicare fraud with federal authorities. Rinova The Wellness Group settled the allegations leveled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. The settlement stands at $482,000. The company closed its clinic, including the Cookeville location, in May, 2019 after charges that owner Dr. ... Read More »

Algood Police have identified a suspect and issued a warrant for a suspect in the last week’s Algood Manor kidnapping. Algood Police Chief Dale Armour said the suspect is wanted for kidnapping, four counts of aggravated assault, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. Police are currently trying to identify two other suspects involved. “We are requesting for anybody from the public ... Read More »

As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, families and friends may choose to spend time on the lake. Safe Boating Week reminds boaters to stay safe on the water while still enjoying the kick off to summer. Sometimes boaters are not aware of their surrounding once they hit the lake. Edgar Evins State Park Manager Brad Halfacre said that is one ... Read More »

Clay County High School Principal Derick Upchurch is stepping down. School Director Matt Eldridge said Upchurch held the position for over three years. Eldridge said Upchurch stepped up to the position after the previous principal retired from 30 years of service. “I’ve asked him every way in the world if he’d wanted to stay, and he doesn’t,” Eldridge said. “The ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools is offering childcare over summer break through its School Age Care Program. SAC Program Coordinator Krista Hamilton said enrollment is limited this summer because of COVID-19. “We’ll be limiting our group numbers,” Hamilton said. “We’ll have a maximum of nine students per group with one caregiver, and we’ll have the same groups of kids together each day. ... Read More »

The Town of Monterey passed its new fiscal year budget on second reading Tuesday night. The $4.7 million budget features a status-quo approach because of COVID-19. The third and final reading of the budget comes in June. The board also approved a five percent increase in water and sewer rates. On minimum water usage, the average bill would increase 25 ... Read More »

Putnam County saw a 19 percent increase in COVID-19 cases Tuesday with 46 additional cases. The uptick could be a data reporting issue. Nashville’s Health Department reported Tuesday that one of the companies conducting COVID-19 tests could not report its results electronically this weekend. That caused a spike in Nashville’s numbers Tuesday. County Mayor Randy Porter said the increase could ... Read More »

Clay County reopened the library this week to patrons. Library Director Judith Cutright said libraries provide important services to the community, especially in small towns like Celina. “A lot of people have lost their job,” Cutright said. “They need to file for unemployment, and if they don’t have computer access, they rely on the library. The same thing with the ... Read More »

Local tourism officials have turned their attention to trying reach road trippers who may be tired of being stuck at home. “People are wanting to plan a vacation,” Putnam County Visitors Bureau Executive Director Molly Brown said. “They are housed up and we have an opportunity to take advantage of a captive market of people who are sitting at home ... Read More »