Latest News

A homeless man was arrested in Crossville Tuesday for violating the Sex Offender Registry. 54-year-old Andy Phillips was found within 1000 feet of the Cumberland County High School. According to the police report, Phillps had been staying at a Justice Street residence without reporting to his sex offender registry. The arresting officer approached Phillips at the residence. Phillips said he ... Read More »

Livingston aldermen have agreed to provide matching funds for a water system rehabilitation grant program. Mayor Curtis Hayes said the $630,000 would replace current four-inch lines with new six-inch water lines. “It’s for areas that need to be upgraded and have good fire flow,” Hayes said. “It’s just replacing the bad pipes that causes some red water issues that we ... Read More »

The Cookeville Museum has nearly reached it’s docent limit. Museums Manager Beth Thompson said nine docents were added. They have 25 volunteers and three staff members. “We have had a really great response to our call for docents, so we got lots of volunteers that we’re in the process of training right now. A big thank you to our community ... Read More »

A man will spend a decade behind bars for admitting to possessing child pornography. Dustin Reed Rugh pleaded guilty Tuesday to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Cookeville Police began investigating Rugh in 2018 after receiving a tip about child porn associated to a Dropbox account. Officers conducted a search warrant and determined that the Dropbox account belonged to Rugh. “Child ... Read More »

The Putnam County Regional Planning Commission will consider sending a letter to county commissioners requesting opinions about a countywide zoning system. Commissioner Mike Atwood said it’s important to gauge interest from the 24-member group before planners move forward with studying and possibly creating a zoning document. “Because I think it’s important that we just identify and issue and ask them ... Read More »

Monterey has begun the process of restructuring the pay scale for city employees. Alderman Nathan Walker said the city will look at ending a system that tops out employee pay after one year. “We’re not looking to take anything away from anybody,” Walker said. “We’re actually looking to create a system that will reward them (employees) for their longevity. Hopefully ... Read More »

Deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a Cookeville man for kidnapping and domestic assault. Houston Dewayne Bussell landed behind bars Tuesday morning. He’s under $36,500 bond and has a court date scheduled for March 16. An arrest warrant stated that Bussell had argued with the victim for several days and refused to let her leave a Village ... Read More »

The Cookeville Police Department will request later this week to purchase 60 body cameras for $825,780. Chief Randy Evans said the new Axon system will provide unlimited cloud-based storage for recorded videos. “We also included an activation trigger in our bid specs,” Evans said. “So, when the officer removes the taser from the holster the body camera will activate. If ... Read More »

A Putnam County grand jury has indicted 15 people for their alleged involvement in a meth distribution organization. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said the investigation targeted meth sellers in multiple Upper Cumberland counties. “The effort that has culminated in the taking of 15 drug sellers off the street makes our community safer,” Dunaway said. “Methamphetamine remains an evil that ... Read More »

A Florida man faces several charges after crashing a vehicle in Cumberland County Monday afternoon. The Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested James C. Horton for felony reckless endangerment, DUI and driving on a revoked or suspended license. A THP crash report said Horton’s Chevy pickup crashed and landed on its top after he failed to negotiate a curve on Bud Tanner ... Read More »