Latest News

A Supreme Court ruling on cell phone location data may not effect many cases in the Upper Cumberland. The Supreme Court recently ruled 5-4 requiring police to acquire a warrant to access and track a criminal’s movements. District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said the process in acquiring cell location data may take a little longer now that warrants are required. “You ... Read More »

A date is set for Pickett County officials to publicly discuss whether the county should separate from the Overton-Pickett E-911 Service. The meeting will take place Friday, July 20 at 10 a.m. at the Pickett County Community Center in Byrdstown. Officials will present information to the public on how a separation from the organization would financially impact the county. Citizens ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission has approved a Commercial-Industrial Mixed use zoning for the Mackie farm area. Voters approved the annexation of the 250 acre property last month. Planning Director James Mills said the city has had a couple of prospects considering the property for industrial use. “We’ve had a couple of prospects, which is why the property was annexed,” Mills ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech University approved its tenure policy for faculty members during the Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday. The new policy includes clarification on if a tenured employee at TTU can be terminated or have their tenure revoked. TTU President Phil Oldham said either path could be likely if action is needed. “I think policy would allow any of those opportunities,” ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech University has posted a record number of graduates for a second straight year. TTU President Phil Oldham said Tech graduated more than 2,500 students this past academic year. “This is a significant improvement in graduations. We’re not only graduating more students, but we are graduating them sooner so they are incurring less debt,” Oldham said. “They are getting ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees approved a proposal to add a new engineering building to the campus master plan. Tom Jones is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Remember this is really just to simply add the engineering building to the current master plan,” Jones said. “I guess when it becomes more under the privy of the board then it ... Read More »

DeKalb County authorities have formally charged a man with several offenses following a June 20th raid. Charges against 29-year-old Travis Eric Patterson include 5-counts of carrying a weapon by a convicted felon, one count of manufacture, sell, or delivery of meth, and possession of marijuana. In addition, he’s also charged with simple possession or casual exchange. Authorities raided his home ... Read More »

A man convicted of child rape and aggravated sexual battery now faces new charges after escaping from the Van Buren County Jail Monday morning. Van Buren County Sheriff Eddie Carter said 37-year-old Joel Ernest Blanton manipulated a lock at 1:00 a.m. and ran out the door. Carter said Tuesday he’s happy to have Blanton back in custody. “I’m in hopes ... Read More »

The Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees approved a tuition increase for the 2018-2019 academic year Tuesday. TTU President Phil Oldham said multiple factors contributed into the increased tuition. “We want to make sure that every dollar that comes into Tennessee Tech is invested as strategically as possible to go into the student experience, to make sure that we create value ... Read More »

The Putnam County Commission voted Monday to write off nearly $788,000 in uncollectible debt from the EMS department. Commissioner Donnie Buttram said the figure actually comes in lower than several surrounding counties. “In comparison with a couple of counties around us, we have done quite well,” Buttram said. “Smith County, which is quite a bit slower in call volume than ... Read More »