Latest News

Construction for a new Taco Bell location in Jamestown is set to begin in May. Jamestown building inspector Earl Sweat said the taco bell would be built at the old Hardee’s location on North Main Street. “They are going to start on the demolition work on the old Hardee’s building possibly,” Sweat said. “They have moved equipment in already.” Sweat ... Read More »

Putnam County Commissioners will move forward with plans to expand the current jail in the parking lot of the current Justice Center. When that expansion will happen and which properties the county will purchase for the expansion remain decisions for the future. The Fiscal Review Committee voted to hold off on any decisions about buying the property until the discussion ... Read More »

The Livingston City Council voted Monday night to move forward with the June city election as scheduled. Aldermen Kelly Coleman, Ken Dodson, and Chris Speck voted against a motion to move the election to August. Mayor Curtis Hayes broke the tie, voting against the motion. The 4-3 vote means the city wants to move forward with a June 3 election. ... Read More »

Countless industries have found workarounds during the pandemic. The salon industry has not had that ability. Cookeville stylist Debbie Fletcher said the future doesn’t look promising. “It’s gone to absolutely zero,” Fletcher said. “[We’re a] thriving business, hitting all kind of goals with 16 employees and nobody has any income. We did try to do the social distancing for a ... Read More »

Governor Bill Lee wants to reopen some Tennessee businesses as soon as Monday. “For the good of our state, social distancing must continue,” Lee said. “But our economic shutdown cannot. While we continue to emphasize social distancing for Tennesseans, I will not extend the safer at home order past April 30th, and moreover, we are working around the clock to ... Read More »

The trial for an Upper Cumberland doctor facing federal drug charges has been moved to September. Gilbert Ross Ghearing of Livingston faces charges for violation of the Controlled Substances Act. He allegedly prescribed Schedule II and IV drugs outside the usual course of practice. Ghearing’s age and pre-existing health conditions make him vulnerable to COVID-19, according to a court filing. ... Read More »

Fewer fundraisers. Fewer funds. That’s the way it works for the men and women who protect homes across the Upper Cumberland as members of volunteer fire departments. Right now, they are managing. Clay County’s East 52 Chief James King said the station had to cancel their largest fundraising event this year. “Our county government gives us $2,500 a year to ... Read More »

The state tested 164 residents in Van Buren County Saturday and 149 people in Pickett County Sunday. The drive-thru testing was part of a targeted-state approach to increase COVID-19 testing across the state. Both sessions last three hours. Results will take several days. Van Buren County had one positive case as of Sunday’s report. Pickett County is one of just ... Read More »

Expect delays on I-40 in Cumberland County this week as T-DOT crews conduct paving and milling around mile marker 326. The work will reduce interstate traffic down to one lane during the daytime through Thursday. Westbound lanes will be the Monday and Tuesday focus, where some temporary closures may be necessary. Work will switch to the eastbound lanes Wednesday and ... Read More »

The Gainesboro Downtown Committee is accepting grant applications for the revitalization of the town’s historic downtown district. Committee Chair Jordan Hunter said it’s about more than the aesthetics of the buildings. “Our main goal with that is obviously to bring a little bit of new life to the buildings, but also hopefully encourage people to invest in their buildings with ... Read More »