Latest News

Putnam County Historian Dale Welch honored for his contributions to helping the current generation understand the Civil War. Welch presented the Civil War Remembrance Award by the National Society Daughters Of The Union. The award given for Welch’s stories in local newspapers about the war as well as his work at the Monterey Depot Museum on Civil War-related exhibits. “His ... Read More »

40th District Representative Michael Hale will hold the third of four town hall meetings Tuesday night, as he visits with constituents in Dekalb County. Hale said the tour gives him the chance to update residents about the work going on in Nashville. He said the most common question so far has been the financial stability of the state. The tour ... Read More »

Overton County has received a $50,000 three-star grant to support the expansion of career technology at Livingston Academy. Livingston/Overton County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shannon Cantrell said the money will assist as the Overton County School System builds out the new CTE Building. It will fund equipment, software, research tools, interactive workshops and other projects. “They are creating for ... Read More »

Some $2.79 million headed to the City of Celina to expand drinking water to those underserved. The state announced a total of 20 new grants Tuesday using the state’s American Rescue Plan funding. In the last year, the state has awarded some $996 million. Tuesday marked the final award in the COVID program. Celina will install some 13,650 feet of ... Read More »

Darwin Clark will serve as the chair of the Overton County Commission for a second year. Clark won by a 10-4 vote Monday night after County Executive Stephen Barlow was defeated in a first vote. Barlow did not serve as chair in his first year as county executive, even though it is traditional in county government, Barlow said. He asked ... Read More »

Construction on Monterey’s new wastewater plant stands about 70 percent complete, but the plant will not be completed this year. Consultant Zeda Hillis told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday night that the contractor will likely bring a contract extension to the board at its October meeting. “We’re waiting on electrical control panel, which is a very major component ... Read More »

Overton County Executive Steven Barlow asked county commissioners Monday night to keep backdoor politics out of county business. The tension showed during a discussion of new board appointments for the new fiscal year. Barlow outlined his committee plans, noting he had moved commissioners around to expose them to other parts of county government. He said he had not received any ... Read More »

Cumberland County 911 Director Eric Ritzman has been appointed to a state board where he said he hopes he can help dispatchers. The Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB) provides and sets financial and operational standards for all emergency communications districts in Tennessee. Ritzman said work-place stress is at the top of his list to be addressed. “Well, personally, I would ... Read More »

A small section of Defeated Creek Recreation area at Cordell Hull Lake will be closing early this season, so new facilities can be constructed. The picnic area of the park closed to the public on Monday, so the new restroom facilities could begin construction. Cordell Hull Park Ranger Ashley Webster said the new facility much needed. “Of course over time ... Read More »

A morning accident on Cookeville’s Highway 111 Monday bottlenecked traffic, something that has increasingly become a part of Putnam County’s morning routine. Sheriff Eddie Farris said the county has seen an increase in accidents over the last several months. Farris said increased population, speeding, construction, and driver distraction are all factors. “The roadways are being really pushed to their limits just ... Read More »