Latest News

The City of Baxter started preparing for a new corridor study this week in light of the Putnam County transportation survey results. Baxter Mayor John Martin said Baxter needs various updates to the roads, including signals on Highway 56 and 70 crossroads. “We also talked about widening the road under the bridge. We don’t know what we can do there,” Martin ... Read More »

Pickett County residents expressed their opinions on a proposed new E-911 district during a public meeting Friday. The meeting was called by the State Emergency Communication Board to gather more information. Local paramedic Bernie Copeland said nothing needs changing and that the current Overton-Pickett E-911 District is fine as it is. “I just want to say, the Overton-Pickett 911 system ... Read More »

The state has awarded Putnam County a $333,500 grant to help expand the county sports complex in Cookeville. The project will involve building a new soccer field and a second multi-use field at the complex. The monies will also construct an access road to the facility from North Washington Avenue. “We’re excited to be able to expand the complex,” County ... Read More »

Medical helicopters airlifted two people to hospitals following a crash on Interstate 40 eastbound in Putnam County Friday. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the crash happened near mile marker 284. Lieutenant Jimmy Neal said the right lane is currently blocked and more information will be released at a later time. Read More »

Clay County authorities have identified the man presumed to have drowned near Dale Hollow Reservoir Wednesday. Sheriff Brandon Boone has identified the victim as 52-year-old Sammy Bilyeu of Gainesboro. According to EMA Director Natalie Boone, Bilyeu went under water and never resurfaced after being thrown from a jet ski. “The story that we got from the witnesses who were with ... Read More »

The threat of severe weather has led Clay County authorities to scale back search efforts for the body of missing man on Dale Hollow Lake. “We do have a few of our local rescue squad members who are back out on the water today,” Clay County Emergency Management Agency Director Natalie Boone said. “We’re just gonna have to watch the ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council honored members of the Tennessee Tech baseball, men’s tennis, and women’s track & field teams Thursday. Each team was recognized by Mayor Ricky Shelton for each of their championship seasons in 2018. TTU President Phillip Oldham said it’s great for the coaches and athletes to be recognized for their efforts. “It’s such a great relationship between the ... Read More »

Demolition of the inn at Fall Creek Falls State Park will take place next month. Park Manager Jacob Young said the contractor has received notice to proceed with the project on August 4th. “We received a call that the crane is about to be delivered,” Young said. “We are anticipating work to start that week, but that’s when the contractor ... Read More »

The search for a missing Jamestown man entered its second day Thursday. Bobby George Cook reported missing Wednesday around 7:25 a.m. after he failed to show up for work at Cookeville’s Bennett Industries. Fentress County Sheriff Michael Reagan said Thursday deputies have continued efforts to locate Cook and interviewed several individuals on Thursday. “If the public does see this person ... Read More »

A 52-year-old Gainesboro man is presumably dead following a jet ski accident at the Dale Hollow Reservoir Wednesday. Clay County EMA Director Natalie Boone said two witnesses saw the man crash but didn’t resurface after hitting the water. “The story that we got from the witnesses who were with him stated that he hit a wave from another boat that ... Read More »