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Some 40% of parents in the U.S. are considering delaying higher education for their college-bound high school seniors due to the coronavirus outbreak. Brian Tierney, CEO of Brian Communications, joins CBSN’s Elaine Quijano to discuss what this means for colleges and universities. Source Read More »

The Putnam County School Board approved the first draft of a new budget that will use some $1.1 million from the system’s fund balance. Director Of Schools Corby King said all county departments were instructed to present a zero increase budget due to COVID-19. King said the budget does include a expenditure increase but the school system will pay for ... Read More »

The Cookeville City Council amended its personnel policy Thursday night to eliminate an extra day of vacation for employees who do not use any sick leave. “We believe this benefit may encourage employees to come to work when they are sick to avoid losing that wellness day,” Cookeville Human Resources Director Gail Fowler said. “This is especially concerning during this ... Read More »

“We were so jubilant and happy about it, we were jumping up and down.” 100-year old Lehman Riggs of Cookeville remembering Victory in Europe, 75 years ago Friday. “I was in the second infantry division, and we were the furthest inland of any American division in Europe whenever the war ended,” Riggs said. “And we were selected to be one ... Read More »

Some $1.75 million in tornado relief checks will be signed and mailed Friday morning as the Tornado Relief Fund helps its first storm victims. Citizens and businesses across the nation donated more than $2 million to the Cookeville-Putnam County Tornado Relief Fund in the weeks after the March 3 tornado. “The committee that we set up has been working on ... Read More »

With the Upper Cumberland preparing for some of the coldest temperatures this year since January, local gardeners of flower beds and other delicate foliage risk losing their plants Friday night. Weather forecasters have issued a Freeze Warning for Friday night. Temperatures could dip into the mid 20s by Saturday morning. Putnam County UT Agriculture Agent Wayne Key said residents should ... Read More »

The financial effects of COVID-19 shutdowns are leading local nonprofits to find new funding sources. One way to help is through The Big Payback, a 24 hour period to easily donate money to Middle Tennessee charities. Dawn Raines, Executive Director of the Stephens Center in Livingston, said donations could help make up for some of their lost funding. “Right now ... Read More »

No one injured Thursday morning in an Interstate 40 crash when a tractor trailer crashed into a cable barrier and crossed back across two lanes of traffic. The incident happened near mile marker 291 in Putnam County Thursday morning around 7:45. Kenderrick Foreman and a passenger were driving a 2017 tractor-trailer. The truck was driving eastbound when it went off ... Read More »

FEMA’s total distribution to Putnam County residents affected by the March 3 tornado will total nearly $740,000. Monday marked the deadline for individuals to apply for FEMA relief. Public Affairs Specialist Cheria Brown said some 112 individuals have applied and been approved for FEMA assistance in Putnam County. More than $493,000 in individual and household assistance has already been approved. ... Read More »

Overton EMS Director Jim Morgan said two new ambulances are on the way and should be operating no later than September. “We will have to have an inspection performed by the state to make sure all the equipment is on there,” Morgan said. “We will receive a permit by the state of Tennessee then we will have to put all ... Read More »