Latest News

A Chattanooga-based company wants to install cell phone towers on the campuses of several Putnam County schools. Interim Director of Schools Corby King said Vogue Towers would pay the school system to host the towers. “They look like light poles,” King said. “It’s not like the cell phone towers that you are accustomed to seeing. These would be basically light ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission has approved the final plat for a 49 lot subdivision. Senior planner Ken Young said the project at McCulley Road and Springboro Road began nearly ten years ago under a different developer. “It went through a significant rezoning to go from RS-20 to RS-10,” Young said. “When that was approved, the developer at the time had ... Read More »

A crash on Sparta Highway in Cumberland County killed a woman and left two juveniles injured Wednesday. The Tennessee Highway Patrol identified the deceased as 31-year-old Nikisha Blalock of Sparta. State troopers said she passed away while being transported to Cumberland Medical Center. Officials said Blalock’s 2006 Nissan Altima was struck head-on by a 2010 Jeep Commander, driven by 71-year-old ... Read More »

A Tennessee Tech professor traveled outside the state and country to inform others about cyber security. Computer Science Professor Ambareen Siraj said she was invited to speak at the Global Cybersecurity Forum in Saudi Arabia. “Cybersecurity is now a very big global problem. One of the things that the government in Saudi Arabia is trying to do is bringing world ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Hemp Expo will meet for the first time this Friday. Putnam UT Extension Agent Wayne Key said this event is a good way to provide information to producers and the public. “This hemp expo is important to let the consumers come out and see the product first hand, ask questions of growers and processors,” Key said. “Growers ... Read More »

UCHRA plans to apply for a grant that would address the needs of incarcerated parents and their minor children. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said the agency would use the funding to provide a more conducive environment for children visiting incarcerated parents. “Obviously, a lot of our correction facilities have gone to doing things over video,” Farley said. “This would ... Read More »

A townhome development can move forward after the Cookeville Planning Commission approved a rezoning request Monday. Developer Aaron Bernhardt said he plans to build 11 apartments and 17 townhomes at the corner of East Jere Whitson Road and North Washington Avenue. “They will be all brick, stone, and hardy plank construction with lots of greenery,” Bernhardt said. “There are 11 ... Read More »

A man will spend 12 years behind bars after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. Neal E. Maxwell Scott entered the plea in Putnam County Criminal Court on Monday. He received six years for each count, which will run consecutive for an effective 12 year sentence. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said the judge ... Read More »

Clay County authorities have arrested a man for allegedly soliciting a minor. 42-year-old Chris Gregory Allen faces charges of solicitation of a minor and soliciting sexual exploitation of a minor. Arrest warrants accuse Gregory of soliciting who he believed to be a 16-year-old female to meet him for sex. District Attorney General Bryant Dunway said the public should contact the ... Read More »

Smithville Police have arrested a man for allegedly firing a 9 millimeter handgun into a vehicle. 23-year-old Jeffery William Rigsby faces charges of reckless endangerment and vandalism. Officers came in contact with Rigsby on February 16 after responding to a shooting at 620 Highland Street. Officers determined that the shooting occurred during an argument between Rigsby and another man. Rigsby ... Read More »