Latest News

DeKalb County Commissioners voted Monday to implement a 29-cent property tax increase. According to County Executive Tim Stribling, the increase brings the total tax rate to about $2.12. Approximately $1.21 will go towards the general fund, four cents to the highway department, nine cents for general capital projects, 13 cents to debt service, and 65 cents towards the general school ... Read More »

The Putnam County Planning Committee approved on Monday regulations for short-term rental properties (STRP). Commissioner Kathy Dunn said the regulations will help the county collect sales and hotel-motel taxes from those operating STRPs. “Unfortunately, it’s my understanding that there’s probably at least 50 or 60 of these operating in the county,” Dunn said. “From talking with Freddie Nelson’s office, there’s ... Read More »

The United States Senate will vote Tuesday on whether to approve additional funding for the 9/11 victims compensation fund. U.S. Congressman John Rose was one of 12 members of the House of Representatives who voted against the bill earlier this month. He said the proposal would only worsen the federal government’s financial situation. “The biggest challenge to the future of ... Read More »

The Highlands Economic Partnership has hired David Darnell as its new director of investor relations. According to a press release, Darnell comes to the Highlands with over 15 years of sales and management leadership. “David is eager to begin working with our investors and understands how vitally important this position is to the Partnership”, said Lillian Hartgrove, Vice President of ... Read More »

A Granville man will spend 10 years in prison for possessing child pornography. 39-year-old Winston Alexander Puckett pleaded guilty in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday to sexual exploitation of a minor and aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. A grand jury indicted Puckett two years ago after authorities found a laptop containing more than 400-images of child pornography. According to ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech has renamed its Office of Disability Services to the Accessible Education Center (AEC). According to a press release, the newly-named Accessible Education Center will retain the same duties as the old Office of Disability Services. Director Chester Goad said in the release that the department’s growth over the last several years and comprehensive service offering prompted the change. ... Read More »

A Sparta man has landed behind bars after striking a man with a rock Sunday. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office charged 48-year-old Robert Guidara with a single count of aggravated assault. According to an arrest warrants, deputies responded to a complaint and determined that Guidara used a rock to strike the victim multiple times. The arrest report said the victim ... Read More »

A sewer rehabilitation project will get underway in Monterey next month. Nathaniel Green is a consulting engineer for the Town of Monterey. He said the $373,000 project will repair some aging sewer lines throughout town. “You’ve got some in the Highlands Residential Area and you’ve got some that’s going to be down on Industrial Drive. We even have some that ... Read More »

A bill passed by the United States House of Representatives may help Upper Cumberland entrepreneurs start new businesses. Congressman John Rose of Tennessee’s Sixth District co-sponsored the legislation. “What we want to be sure is the government’s programs are, on one hand, serving those businesses and not neglecting them,” Rose said, “and on the other hand, when regulations are being ... Read More »