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Flooding Creates Sinkhole, Damages Cookeville Water Line

A sinkhole caused by flood waters in Cookeville led to a broken water line along Rockwell Drive. Ronnie Kelly is the Director of the Department of Water Quality Control. He said workers received calls of low water pressure in the area around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. “When our employees arrived on the scene, they’d found that a sinkhole had fell out ... Read More »

Monterey Fire Chief Requesting Additional Personnel

Monterey’s Fire Chief would like to hire some additional firefighters to fix a personnel shortage. Chief Kevin Peters has asked town officials to provide funding for at least four part-time positions. “I think this year we got about 78 calls that weren’t responded to during the daytime hours,” Peters said. “Most of those were medical calls, but still there’s been ... Read More »

Heavy Rainfall Affecting Upper Cumberland Livestock

Heavy rainfall in the Upper Cumberland can have an impact on livestock and pastures. UT Ag Extension Agent Wayne Key said the heavy rain can muddy the fields and paths used by livestock, potentially affecting their health. “When it comes to the rain that we’ve had, it’s definitely causing the impact,” Key said. “Whether it be nutritionally, whether it be ... Read More »

Two Arrested For Drug Activity At Kohl’s

28-year-old Austin Kerry Weatherby, of Cleveland, TN, was arrested Wednesday for possession of meth at Kohl's Wednesday (Photo; Putnam County Jail)

Cookeville Police found approximately one ounce of methamphetamine while investigating suspicious activity at Khol’s Wednesday. Police have charged 28-year-old Austin Kerry Weatherby with manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and public intoxication. 24-year-old Brian Joseph Ralrick faces the same charges. Officers responded to the store when loss prevention reported two subjects crushing something up and possible drug ... Read More »

Authorities Arrest Six on Drug Charges in White County

The White County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Marshals, and other local agencies assisted in the arrest of six people last month on drug and weapons charges. (Photo: White County Sheriff's Office)

Local law enforcement agencies and U.S. Marshals recently arrested six people in White County on drug and weapons charges. White County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Thursday Clinton Staggs, Alyssa Beth Savage, Jennifer Lynn Hixson, and MaKenzi Jade Delaney all face charges for simple possession, drug paraphernalia, an felonious possession of a firearm. Joe Kyle Murphy was identified as a wanted fugitive ... Read More »

Putnam EMA Reports Street Flooding in Cookeville

Areas and roadways with standing water have been reported by Putnam County EMA officials following heavy rainfall. County EMA Director Tyler Smith said crews responded to a stranded vehicle along Walnut Avenue Wednesday evening. Smith said several Cookeville streets are experiencing flooding, including Fisk Road, Academy Road, Willow Avenue, and Broad Street. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash ... Read More »

Fire Truck Stranded During Flooding, Home Destroyed

Flash flooding impacted firefighters working to put out a house fire in Jackson County Wednesday night. Emergency Management officials report that one fire truck became stuck and about 10 firefighters nearly trapped on the other side of a rising creek. The blaze started after lightning apparently struck the home on Gladdice Highway. EMA Public Information Officer Derek Woolbright said firefighters ... Read More »

Gainesboro Elementary Flooded, Schools Closed Thursday

Jackson County Schools will be closed Thursday after flood waters entered Gainesboro Elementary Wednesday night. Jackson County EMA reports that the school experienced “significant” flooding from heavy rains. Director of Schools Kristy Brown said water entered the building quickly, but the administration and staff have addressed immediate issues in hallways and a few classrooms. “We will assess the situation again ... Read More »

WCTE Receives $50,000 Challenge Grant

WCTE - Cookeville has received a $50,000 challenge grant from Newman's Own Foundation (Photo: WCTE)

Newman’s Own Foundation has awarded a $50,000 challenge grant to WCTE. WCTE Director of Development and Marketing Avery Hutchins said the grant funding was awarded based on their service within public media and small, rural communities. “The money is going to go to help sustain the work that we’re doing on a local level as far as local productions and ... Read More »

Traffic Light Program Could Alleviate Cookeville Congestion

New traffic light programming could help improve Cookeville’s traffic flow. Public Works Director Greg Brown said the Central Software and Support system will allow the city to better coordinate traffic signals and ease congestion. “It’s a program that we’ll install that will link our signals together, particularly after we get them all connected with fiber,” Brown said. “We can monitor ... Read More »