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The first case of COVID-19 in White County Wednesday as the total number of cases regionwide increased to 15. Putnam County’s cases increased to nine. Cumberland County’s case number remains at three. Dekalb, Overton, and White Counties each reporting one case. The Wednesday total statewide increased to 784, up from 667 Tuesday. Three people have died in Tennessee. Just under ... Read More »

Warren County emergency officials are on the scene of an incident on Goodbar Road near the Warren County/Van Buren County line. Emergency vehicles are blocking the road. Officials are on the scene but are releasing no details. Goodbar Road between Highway 30 and Highway 70S is currently blocked. Read More »

Citing the need to further guard public health, Monterey Mayor Bill Wiggins closed all outdoor city facilities Wednesday. The order includes Bee Rock, Black Bottom Fields, the Farmers Market, Meadow Creek Park, The T-Ball Field, the walking trail and Whittaker Park. The order goes into effect immediately. Wiggins said police will not cite citizens for violation of the order. The ... Read More »

Overton County Director Of Schools Mark Winningham said parents will play a critical role in making the next month work academically for students. “We can’t be there with their child and so we have to encourage students to continue to make the progress that they need to in their academic endeavours,” Winningham said. Governor Bill Lee announced Tuesday schools statewide ... Read More »

WCTE will air two hours of instructional programming for local students beginning April 6. Station President Becky Magura said the six public television stations statewide will partner with the State Department of Education Commissioner Peggy Schwinn on the programming. It will likely include teaching, focused on reading and math. “It will be specific home-based instruction provided by the Department of ... Read More »

How can people anxious about the COVID-19 pandemic process uncertainties? Personal Growth Counseling Director Carole Lovell said perspective and encouragement are key. “We are focusing on encouraging people that we are going to get through this,” Lovell said. “This is temporary, we are all strong, we have survived all kinds of things in this country, and we are going to ... Read More »

The Cookeville Police Department will begin upgrades to their in-car camera systems and body cams this week. Captain Bobby Anderson said improving the department’s technology is important for overall safety and accountability. “The incidents, the calls and the contacts that are recorded are always reviewed by supervisors periodically,” Anderson said. “We spot check those to check for officer’s safety, as ... Read More »

When classes resume for Tennessee Tech students, the online formats will depend on the class. Tennessee Tech President Dr. Phil Oldham said faculty members have spent spring break trying to craft an approach that will best work for the subject matter. “We’re encouraging all the faculty members to be very sensitive to a variety of student needs and personal situations,” ... Read More »

With Tennessee Tech students not returning from spring break, local businesses have seen the impact over the last two weeks. Poet’s Barista Wilmer Prez said the coffee shop had to close two of their three locations. “Right now we’re just taking it one day at a time,” Prez said. “We’re trying not to stress too much or overthink about things, ... Read More »

Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton said it is time to stop the rumors concerning COVID-19. “Just today (Tuesday) I’ve received messages that people are saying and posting ‘Cookeville is going on a lockdown at 6pm tonight,’ that ‘our ICU is full of COVID patients,’ ‘only 12 people have actually been tested in our entire county’ and that ‘I personally had the ... Read More »