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Voters across the Upper Cumberland will head to the polls to cast their votes in several local and state races Thursday. Debbie Steidl is the Administrator of Elections in Putnam County. She said there are a few things voters should know as they head to the polls. “Polls open at 9 a.m. and they close at 7 p.m. and you ... Read More »

The Cookeville Police Department reminds people to drive safely as students across Putnam County returned to school this week. Captain Bobby Anderson said some violations, like speeding in a school zone, can carry more weight than a citation. “If you are written a citation for speeding in a school zone, that is considered reckless driving,” Anderson said, “which can accumulate ... Read More »

Some new faces will be elected to the Cookeville City Council Thursday night. Current Council members Ricky Shelton, Dwight Henry, and Chuck Womack will be seeking re-election to the five council seats on Thursday’s ballot. In addition, Vern Crabtree, Mark Miller, Eric Walker and Laurin Wheaton will all be seeking a seat in the council chambers. Algood citizens will be ... Read More »

A total of five candidates will be seeking the position of Fentress County Sheriff during Thursday’s county general election. Current Sheriff Michael Reagon will be trying to keep his position. Reagon appointed as sheriff by the county commission a little more than a year ago after the arrest of Chucky Cravens. Other candidates seeking the position of Fentress County Sheriff ... Read More »

A total of five candidates will battle for the position of Jackson County Mayor during Thursday’s county general election. Current Mayor Randy Heady hopes to retain that position. Heady appointed to the position of county mayor earlier this year after the death of Bobby Kinnaird. John Cason, Truman B. Stearnes, Roy Thomas and Brandon Ward are also running for the ... Read More »

Putnam County continues to experience an increase in development, according to statistics released by County Executive Randy Porter Wednesday. According to Porter, the 2017-2018 fiscal year saw a near-20 percent increase in permits issued from the previous year. The county has received nearly 650 total building permits for single-family residential houses since the beginning of 2015. “It’s going to be ... Read More »

Putnam County School System reported a normal influx of students attending school this year. Chris Pierce is the Attendance Supervisor for the Putnam County School System. “In PowerSchool, we have a total of 11,703 students in Putnam County. That is Pre-K through twelfth grade. This number does include some students that have not shown up,” Pierce said. “So this number ... Read More »

Baxter officials expressed frustration Wednesday over efforts to install a traffic signal at the Highway 56 and Highway 70 intersection. The frustration came after a three car accident occurred at the intersection’s four way stop. Baxter Mayor John Martin said the state should be moving at a faster pace to get the project underway. “This has been an ongoing problem ... Read More »

Putnam County authorities arrested a Cookeville woman on multiple charges Sunday, including driving under the influence, evading arrest, and reckless endangerment. According to arrest records, a Putnam County deputy found Diane Bartlett, 53, traveling south in the northbound lanes of HWY 111 around Quinland Lake Rd. According to the report, Bartlett intentionally fled after receiving a signal from law enforcement to ... Read More »

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has charged a Sparta man following a crash at the Highway 56 and Highway 70 intersection in Baxter Wednesday morning. Troopers charged 33-year-old John Henley with failure to obey a traffic control device. A THP crash report said Henley was traveling South on 56 in a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu when he failed to stop at the ... Read More »