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The 18 tornado victims killed by Tuesday night’s tornado have now been identified. Five of the victims are children. The list includes Jessica Clark, a female in her 30s; Amanada Cole, a 34-year old female; Hattie Collins, a child between the ages of three and four; Dawson Curtis, a 6-to-7 year old female; 54-year-old Terry Curtis; Erin Kimberlin, a female ... Read More »

Officials have identified all but one of the 18 people who died when tornadoes struck part of Putnam County Tuesday morning. County Mayor Randy Porter said the dead included five children under 13-years-old and 13 adults. He described the unidentified person as a 30 to 35-year-old female with dark curly hair. Officials believe she may have lived in the area ... Read More »

The tornado that caused the destruction and loss of lives in Putnam County ruled a F-4 tornado. National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed the damage Wednesday including 20 homes destroyed to the foundation. The tornado is the strongest in Middle Tennessee since the Good Friday tornado on April 10, 2009. Weather Service officials will be back on the ground Thursday and ... Read More »

About 150 votes separated Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders in Putnam County Tuesday but Sanders takes the win in the democratic presidential primary. Sanders won the vote 34 percent to 31 percent. Michael Bloomberg finished third with 14 percent of the vote. More than eight thousand Putnam County residents voted in Tuesday’s presidential primary. Biden won easily in White County, ... Read More »

Jessica Clark fell victim to the Cookeville tornado this week. Clark was the city hall receptionist for over six years. City Manager James Mills said she was a dedicated worker. “We’re brokenhearted, I’m brokenhearted when I first heard the news. It’s crushed the City Hall, she was well liked and well respected,” Mills said. “She had recently been promoted to ... Read More »

Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton announced at a press conference Tuesday night that a relief fund is planned to assist people affected by Tuesday morning’s tornados. “We are in the process of establishing a fund that people can donate to,” Shelton said. “It will be called the Cookeville/Putnam County Tornado Relief Fund.” The fund has not been established at this time, ... Read More »

Up to 250 local law enforcement officers worked throughout Tuesday searching the area affected by the early morning storms. According to Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris, all standing structures have been cleared and over half of the destroyed structures searched. “Currently we have been able to go door-to-door on all standing structures including houses that are not demolished,” Farris said. ... Read More »

Putnam County officials confirmed at least 18 deaths after a tornado tore through the area. Officials say 77 residents are unconfirmed and possibly still buried in debris or trapped in basements. Sheriff Ferris believes the majority of these residents sought protection with family and friends. Putnam County Sheriff’s Department released a list of the 77 residents and encourages people to ... Read More »

In response to the state of emergency, Officials received confirmation tonight President Donald Trump plans to visit Putnam County. The exact date is unknown, but officials spoke with the White House earlier today regarding his arrival. -Benjamin Armstrong   Read More »

Members of around fifteen different agencies are currently assisting in efforts to assist residents affected by Tuesday morning’s tornadoes. According to Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris, efforts will continue as long as possible, with plans being made for tomorrow’s efforts when that is no longer possible. “Sixty percent of houses in the area are still standing, and we went through ... Read More »