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Tech Alumnus Wins Grammy

Tennessee Tech alumnus Criag Terry has won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album. Terry served as pianist and musical director for the Grammy-winning album “Songplay”. He and five other people received the award during the 62nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Terry attended Tennessee Tech and graduated with a bachelor in music education in 1996. Following ... Read More »

Putnam Building Permits Above Average For January

The number of building permits issued in Putnam County last month outpaced the normal average for January. The county awarded 21 permits last month for $2.16 million. County Mayor Randy Porter said the county has averaged 15 building permits in January dating back to 2014. Last month’s figure marked the second lowest number of building permits issued for fiscal year ... Read More »

Putnam Judge Rules State Violated Brady Rule

A Putnam County judge ruled Friday that prosecutors violated a defendants constitutional rights by withholding evidence in a rape case. Judge Gary McKenzie said the District Attorneys Office committed a Brady violation when they failed to inform the defense about a material witness, identified as Hayden Moore. McKenzie said Moore’s testimony could have proved the defendant’s innocence. “The state chose ... Read More »

Overton County’s Archives Will Have A New Home

The Overton County Archives will be housed in a new facility by late summer. County Executive Ben Danner said they’ll move from the County Clerk’s basement to the new county services building. “It’s in the bottom of this old hospital building and they’re basically out of room, and we’ve got some dampness issues in this building. In the new building, ... Read More »

Smithville Man Killed In Saturday Night Crash

A Saturday night crash on Highway 56 in DeKalb County claimed the life of a Smithville man. The Tennessee Highway Patrol identified the deceased as 20-year-old Samuel Wright. A crash report said Wright died at the scene after his Mini Cooper collided with a Dodge Charger, driven by Hunter Hoffman of Mt. Juliet. Hoffman suffered non life threatening injuries and ... Read More »

HRS Gearing Up For Phase III Housing Development

The Highlands Residential Services (HRS) has begun planning for a new housing development off Buffalo Valley Road. HRS Director of Operations Chris Cassetty said the agency will apply for tax credits to determine the specific amount of homes for what he calls phase III. “It’s probably going to be right in the 60 unit range,” Cassetty said. “These will tend ... Read More »

Monterey To Consider Bids For City Hall Roof Repair

Monterey Aldermen will meet Monday to award bids for repairing the roof at city hall. Mayor Bill Wiggins said a few leaky spots have started to make their way inside the building. “We have been up in the attack in city hall to take pictures of water damage up there,” Wiggins said. “We have water coming in at three different ... Read More »

Byrdstown Veterans Memorial’s Last Call For Names

Byrdstown residents have until next week to submit a veteran’s name for their memorial monument. DAV Chapter member Billy Lee said they’ve been receiving names for five years. “Well right now we’ve got 740 something [names] that’s being engraved. But we’re open now for more names to put on there,” Lee said. The deadline to submit a name is February ... Read More »

Coyote Mating Season Begins Soon, TWRA Says Keep Pet Safety In Mind

Coyote mating season begins in February and the TWRA says the animals will become more active and possibly more aggressive. TWRA Wildlife Information Specialist Mimi Barnes said residents should keep a close eye on pets during this time. “We highly encourage dog owners to keep their pets on leashes or to keep their pets indoors,” Barnes said. “Don’t allow them ... Read More »

Putnam Schools Closed Monday and Tuesday Due To Illness

Putnam County Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday due to a variety of seasonal illnesses affecting students, teachers, and support staff. Interim Director of Schools Corby King said the system-wide absenteeism rate jumped to 8.5-percent on Friday. King said five schools reported absenteeism rates over 10-percent and three over 9-percent. 5-percent of teachers and support staff were absent on ... Read More »