Latest News

Avoid weight gain from boredom or emotional eating through mindful meal planning. Break Thru Nutrition Dietitian Kelsey Higgins, who offers telemedicine services to the Upper Cumberland, said be mindful with your meals. “Taking slow bites, sitting at the table, trying not to eat on the couch or in front of the television, and try to be as present as you ... Read More »

Amy New has been selected as the new President/CEO of the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. “I am honored to take on this role and thrilled to bring my family back to the place I’ve always been proud to call home,” New said. “Opportunity in Putnam County and the region is boundless, and I’m excited to lead an exceptional team ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland museum members are still busy spreading the importance of history during the pandemic. Cookeville Museum Education Specialist Ashley McKee said part of learning about history is you can’t move forward if you don’t know where you’ve been. “This is definitely one of the first pandemics that we’ve had to encounter, but older people have had to go through ... Read More »

Despite the pandemic, a local honor guard has found safe ways to honor fallen veterans. Cookeville’s Veterans Honor Guard has postponed casket guards and escorting next of kin from their vehicle to the grave site. But Commander Jim McAfee said the guard has paid their respects at more than a dozen services since COVID-19 struck. “We all understand the patriotism, ... Read More »

More than a thousand Fentress County residents got power restored as daylight emerged following a long day Sunday of heavy rains and strong winds. As of 6am Monday, just under 1,000 Volunteer Energy customers are without power. Most of the outages in the Clarkrange area have been cleared. The majority of the remaining outages are centered around Jamestown. Volunteer Energy ... Read More »

The City of Cookeville will take the next step in the widening of South Jefferson Avenue by relocating utilities. Ronnie Kelly, Director of the Water and Sewer Department, said the $95,000 dollar project will involve Consolidated Technologies working to obtain new easements. Kelly said the city is looking to acquire easements from 14 properties along Jefferson Avenue. “This is a ... Read More »

A new $50 wheel tax went into effect this month across Clay County to provide funding for a new $7.5 million jail. Mayor Dale Reagan said the debt payments will be $350,000 per year. “Nobody ever wants to have any kind of increases and I understand that, but the position that [we’re in], either we face this now or later down ... Read More »

Farms and ranches that received storm damage last month may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program. White County Farm Service Agency Executive Director Chad Huddleston said farms damaged in White, Putnam and Van Buren Counties are eligible for relief. “We have a cost share program that would assist in debris getting cleaned up and fences put back ... Read More »

“Wow, what a day. I never thought in all my life we’d share Easter apart.” An emotional Cookeville First Baptist Church Pastor Scott McKinney began his Easter Sermon Sunday morning in front of an empty sanctuary. “I really miss the church coming together,” McKinney said. A 2018 national survey found more than half of Americans planned to attend Easter services. ... Read More »

Strong winds Sunday evening led to some 4,000 Fentress County residents being without power. Volunteer Energy reports major power outages in both the Jamestown and Clarkrange areas just before 8pm Sunday. Cookeville Electric also reported outages in the Shag Rag Road and Old Kentucky Road area around 7:30pm Sunday night. Putnam County Emergency Management reported multiple trees down and outages ... Read More »