Latest News

As the number of people furloughed or laid off rises across the Upper Cumberland grows, knowing how to access unemployment benefits is an important tool. Chris Cannon, Assistant Administrator of Communications for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development said being prepared is critical when beginning the process. “They need all of their employment information,” Cannon said. “They will need ... Read More »

A Warren County Pearl Harbor veteran’s remains will not be returned to his hometown as planned this weekend. COVID-19 is the reason. Warren C. Crim was killed while stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma on December 7, 1941. His body was to be returned to McMinnville Saturday, to be buried at the Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Family member Bruce Atnip said ... Read More »

Achieving appropriate amounts of sleep is vital for a functioning immune system and overall health. Cookeville Regional Sleep Center Director Dr. Davis Henson said sleep refuels our antibodies, which stops intruders, such as viruses, from harming the body. “In this time with the coronavirus, we all want to have a good immune system,” Henson said. “One of the things that ... Read More »

More than two years of an Upper Cumberland building boom are continuing as best as possible through a March tornado and the current COVID-19 outbreak. Josh Stites, President of J&S Construction, said one of his main problems is getting supplies. “Our supply chain has been disrupted in a few places, and it’s caused supplies we normally get immediately are now ... Read More »

Grades after the March school closure will not count against Tennessee students. That’s according to Clay County Director Of Schools Matt Eldridge, who said the State Department of Education implemented the decision in a Thursday conference call. Eldridge said his system had already planned to use grades during this online scenario only to help students. The State Department of Education ... Read More »

Power restoration to the Caney Fork Electric service area could cost over $1 million. That’s according to Caney Fork Electric General Manager Bill Rogers. Rogers said he has only received billing from a single contractor thus far and there are still a lot of costs to tally. “We have assembled our internal payroll numbers,” Rogers said. “We had two contractors ... Read More »

The Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber Of Commerce has a nominee to serve as President/CEO of the organization. The committee, chaired by Phillip Baker, met Thursday to make its final decision. Chamber officials confirmed the committee made a final decision, but said the name will not be announced until Monday, citing confidentiality. CEO George Halford announced in 2019 that he planned to ... Read More »

Beginning Wednesday, Putnam County School Nutrition distribution will change. Putnam County School Nutrition will serve a two-day supply of meals each Monday and Wednesday, and then the regular meal distribution will take place on Friday. Meals will not be served on Friday or Monday, April 13 as those days are previously scheduled holidays. Weekend meal service will not be available. ... Read More »

COVID-19 cases continue to increase slowly across the Upper Cumberland with 148 cases reported Thursday. The Tennessee Department Of Health reported 82 Putnam County cases, 34 in Cumberland County, and 7 in Dekalb County. Jackson, Overton and Smith Counties reported 5 COVID-19 cases. Warren and White stand at three positive cases while Clay and Fentress Counties report just two cases ... Read More »

Overton County’s historic Pioneer Day will not return in 2020 because of COVID-19. Chamber Marketing and Tourism Director Shannon Cantrell said cancelling Pioneer Day was the easiest and safest decision for the community. “We didn’t want to do it,” Cantrell said. “We knew under the circumstances and concerns of COVID-19 that we really didn’t have any other options.” The Pioneer ... Read More »