Latest News

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 »

Crossville-Cumberland County EMA officials are asking residents with flood damage to report it to the agency. Administrative Assistant Travis Cole said living areas damaged by flood waters over the weekend can be reported. “Any kind of water damage caused by the rains needs to be reported,” Cole said. “Then we’ll turn everything in and we’ll try to get financial aid ... Read More »

The Fentress County Highway Department will move forward with purchasing a new tractor and fueling system. County Executive Jimmy Johnson said commissioners approved the department’s 2018 debt obligations during their last meeting, which included the new equipment. “What they’re doing is installing a new fuel system at the county highway department. It got really dilapidated and it was not doing ... Read More »

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance encourages residents affected by flooding to file claims as soon as possible. Director of Communications Kevin Walters said filing a claim will be the best option for residents needing assistance with flood damage. “Most insurance companies have a time requirement for reporting a claim, so contact your agent or company as soon as ... Read More »

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office wants senior citizens to stay safe while on the roadways. Safety Liaison Fred Sherrill said health-related issues can likely cause accidents among senior drivers. “One of the big things we try to approach is to make sure their health is good and they’re capable of driving,” Sherrill said. “If they’ve had an incident or something, ... Read More »

A Clay County woman suffered injuries after her vehicle struck a fallen tree during severe weather Saturday. The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports 20-year-old Tracy Smith, of Moss, was traveling eastbound on Highway 52 in Clay County when the accident occurred. The crash report indicates Smith’s 2015 Ford Fusion struck a fallen tree that had blocked both lanes of the roadway. ... Read More »

Authorities have cited a Smithville man following a Saturday collision with a White County deputy. The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports the accident occurred when 51-year-old James Youngblood was traveling west and 43-year-old deputy Mark Evans east on Highway 70. The report states Youngblood’s 2010 Toyota Tacoma crossed the center lane and struck the left front of Evans’ 2018 Ford Explorer ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission has voted to deny a proposed rezoning between Peek Drive and Bradford Circle. Planning Director James Mills said this is the third time the property has been denied for rezoning. “The reason being, a lack of adequate access [and] nothing really changed on that,” Mills said. “We had considered rezoning in January of this year and ... Read More »

A narcotics investigation in Fentress County has led to charges against a Jamestown man. The Fentress County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday 57-year-old Stephen Hicks was indicted by a grand jury last week. He faces four counts of possession, sale, or delivery of controlled substances. Hicks also faces one count of violating the state sex offender registry. The state registry indicates ... Read More »