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The effects of Tuesday’s tornado have left a life a lifelong imprint on the victims, survivors and the entire community. Local Counselor Selena Stewart said no matter the person, the impact of the storm affected everyone. “We know families. We work close together. We see the destruction in person or on TV or social media feeds. We are all affected ... Read More »

The response to Tuesday’s tornado has caused the shelves at Cookeville’s Lowes store to become bare in some aisles. Store Manager Jamie Fisher said the company has a plan in place in case of inventory shortages. “We have a command center that our corporate office sources different product out of locations to this area,” Fisher said. “So, lots of chainsaws, ... Read More »

Lessons learned from the 2015 Ice Storm will help Putnam County follow all the necessary procedures and protocols in cleaning up after Tuesday’s tornado. County Mayor Randy Porter said failure to follow the rules on what can be disposed of and how it should be disposed can slow relief funds. It could even cause a community not to get those ... Read More »

Documentation will be key as residents begin recovering from Tuesday’s tornado. Cookeville Attorney, Henry Fincher said you should take pictures and gather proper documentation before major cleanup starts. “The central means for most people’s recovery is going to be their home owners policy. Most home owner policies will cover tornado damage and wind damage. While most every policy has their ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland Electric estimates 1,000-1,400 homes remain without power after Tuesday’s storm. Country Farm and Royal Oak Road are the main focuses of the power company. Some homes will gain power slower than others due to individual damage per household. Separate from Upper Cumberland Electric, Cookeville estimates 50-100 households without power. -Benjamin Armstrong   Read More »

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation located Charles Alexander and Leah Suzanne Weeks today after the storm Tuesday morning. This leaves the current missing persons count to zero. Call 646-INFO for any needs for disaster relief. -Benjamin Armstrong   Read More »

The U.S. Postal Service has placed a hold on mail going to residents and businesses affected by Tuesday’s tornado. Cookeville Post Master J.C. Byrd said the destruction has disrupted two delivery routes serving about 700 people. He said residents and business owners can pick up their mail at the South Willow Avenue post office. Byrd said carriers will resume regular ... Read More »

Putnam County and the City of Cookeville imposed a burn ban countywide Thursday morning. The ban will be in effect until further notice. Water restoration continues in the affected corridor. The Double Springs Utility District has issued a boil water advisory until further notice. Water officials continue searching for leaks and are manipulating valves in the process. That may cause ... Read More »

President Donald Trump pledged the full support of the federal government during a call to Mayor Ricky Shelton Wednesday night. “He did pledge that they had been monitoring that and to make sure we get the resources we need,” Shelton said. “I specifically asked to remove some of the barriers and the red tape to help us get that sooner ... Read More »

The major job of restoring power along highway 70 will begin in earnest today with crews from Upper Cumberland Electric and Cookeville Electric. More than a thunderstorm with downed lines, Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said the corridor’s power grid must rebuilt from the ground. “There’s hundreds of polls that have been broken,” Porter said. “They have to get the ... Read More »