Latest News

Cumberland County reported its first COVID-19 death Tuesday with 70 positive cases. The Tennessee Department Of Health reports 10 deaths across the Upper Cumberland. The number of deaths statewide stands at 188 Tuesday. Across the Upper Cumberland, 307 positive cases have been reported. Some 7,031 tests across the region have been negative. Of the 307 positive cases, only 112 people ... Read More »

Bid deadlines to repair the breakwater and T Pier at Crossville’s Meadow Park Lake have passed without any takers. Engineering Director Tim Begley said there are no local dock companies, so the department has to scout larger companies in Knoxville or Chattanooga. “We know they’re busy, they’d rather not do paperwork and this is paperwork,” Begley said. “As long as ... Read More »

State Representative Ryan Williams said retailers are finding new ways to protect both customers and workers. Williams recently participated in a conference call with national retailers. “I think one of the biggest concerns they had was overall customer safety and employees, and how do they practically operate,” Williams said. “We’ve seen in our own community some nimble action by some ... Read More »

A plant native only to the Upper Cumberland is being removed from the Endangered Species List. The Cumberland Sandwort is a pink, flowering perennial, is only found in parts of Fentress, Morgan, Scott, and Pickett Counties. The plant rebounded from only 11 plants in 1988 to over 70 today. Geoff Call is an Endangered Species Recovery Coordinator for the Fish ... Read More »

The Crossville Police Department will be out in force patrolling crowded areas as the city begins to reopen. “We just want to let people stay cognizant of the fact that just because we’re trying to get back to normal doesn’t mean we are quite there yet,” Public Information Officer Brian Eckelson said. “Keep wearing your masks, keep your hands sanitary, ... Read More »

Cookeville residents going stir crazy will have new recreational opportunities this week. Several Cookeville parks will reopen Friday. “Cane Creek Park will be open on Friday, the skate park will be open on Friday,” Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said. “It’s still recommended that playgrounds continue to be closed, so we are not going to open the playgrounds this week, ... Read More »

As a number of food processing facilities across the nation have closed, the Monterey’s Perdue Farms plant remains safe. Diana Souder is a spokesperson for Perdue. “All of our facilities at Perdue are fully cleaned and sanitized every single day from top to bottom. Before we can even start running the plant for the day, someone from the USDA has ... Read More »

The state will allow elective procedures to resume at hospitals across the state Friday. The Tennessee Hospitals Association Board of Directors unanimously approved guidelines to the phased-approach that will begin Friday. CEO Wendy Long said the timing and approach to restarting elective procedures will be determined at each hospital. “Hospitals will be cleared to begin implementing their plans after a ... Read More »

Cookeville’ Sports One fire is considered accidental, although investigation is ongoing. Fire Chief Daryl Blair said the owners should be able to salvage parts of the store. “Pretty much the whole building had some kind of damage whether it was fire, heat, smoke, or water,” Blair said. “As far as the in depth of the damage, I’d estimate at least ... Read More »

Carl Sells will takeover as Cookeville’s new Human Resources Director upon the retirement of current director Gail Fowler. City Manager James Mills made the announcement Monday. Fowler will step down June 26. Sells began working for the city in 1996 as an officer for the Cookeville Police Department. He moved to the HR department in 2017 as Safety Coordinator. Sells ... Read More »