Latest News

A Clay County Grand Jury has indicted a man charged with fatally shooting an 11-year-old girl. 30-year-old Jacob Stanley Snyder was arraigned in court Tuesday after being indicted on 12 counts last week. Snyder is accused of shooting and killing 11-year-old Harley Evans at her Hermitage Springs home last fall. Evans’ father Justin Evans and his girlfriend, Kelsey Rhoton, were ... Read More »

The City of Cookeville looks to have a clean audit report for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. Finance Director Brenda Imel said one notable change in the report includes re-categorizing benefits given to retired city employees. “Financially, the city’s got a strong fund balance, particularly in our general fund so we’re in a strong financial position,” Imel said. “One thing this ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland Regional Airport (UCRA) Director Dean Selby wants city and county governments to contribute additional yearly funding. The idea was proposed to the airport board during this month’s meeting to the mayors of Cookeville, Sparta, Putnam County, and White County. Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton offered an alternative solution, suggesting the airport be operated similar to Cookeville Regional Medical Center. ... Read More »

Authorities arrested a Cookeville man Tuesday in connection with a January domestic incident. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office charged 71-one-year-old Jerry Mack Williams after he allegedly threatened a woman last month. Authorities had previously arrested him on Jan. 5 for domestic assault. Bond conditions were lifted Jan. 9 allowing Williams to contact the victim. According to arrest warrants, the victim ... Read More »

Authorities have cited a Cookeville man following a crash on Highway 111 southbound Wednesday morning. The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports multiple witnesses saw 29-year-old Olen Allison driving erratically just prior to the crash. The crash report states Allison rear-ended a maroon pickup truck before losing control of his 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The vehicle then went into the median and ... Read More »

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance wants residents to be mindful of potential flood repair scams. Director of Communications Kevin Walters advises those affected by last week’s flooding to hire contractors with proper documentation. “Always use a licensed contractor – ask for the necessary license and get the correct building permits,” Walters said. “Beware of people who are going ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission denied a rezoning request along Royal Oak Drive near West Broad Street. Assistant Planning Director Jon Ward said the proposed local commercial rezoning was requested by the property owners looking to flip the lot. “It currently doesn’t comply with our Future Land Use Concept Plan, which is a component of Cookeville’s long-term 2030 Plan,” Ward said. ... Read More »

A bill that would allow Sunday voting has failed in the Elections and Campaign Finance Subcommittee. Putnam County Election Commissioners expressed concerns about the bill when discussed during last week’s meeting. Chairman Phil Adams said Sunday voting would make it harder to find election workers. “We’d have to get workers that are willing to come in and work on a ... Read More »

TDOT crews have begun work to install new traffic lights at the Interstate 40 and Highway 111 ramps in Cookeville. TDOT Spokeswoman Jennifer Flynn said crews will soon construct new turning lanes from the I-40 exit ramp onto 111. “Right now what the contractor’s doing is putting in the conduit necessary for the signal,” Flynn said. “They’ll be working on ... Read More »