Latest News

Changes are coming to the UCHRA’s nutrition program, according to Interim Executive Director Mark Farley. Farley said the program had been operating at a deficit of at least $250,000 upon his arrival. “Systematically, you can’t continue on running a program at a deficit such as this,” Farley said, adding some costs were offset by both outside and internal funding. Farley ... Read More »

Area law enforcement will be cracking down on safety violations during the summer travel season, according to Highway Patrol Captain R.C. Christian. During a Click It or Ticket press conference, Christian said violations go beyond not wearing a seat belt. “We’re always looking for distracted drivers,” Christian said. “We’re seeing such increases in crashes and even fatal crashes involving distracted ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech is working to educate students on federal financial aid restrictions. Dr. Brandon Johnson is the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Career Placement at Tech. Federal financial aid only applies to courses contributing to a degree. “One we have to educate students to make sure they are aware of this, so that will be a part of this. And ... Read More »

Homeland security officials have spent this week touring White County school facilities as part of a statewide security assessment for public schools. It marks the first time that the state has has led a comprehensive effort to determine the security needs at each individual school. The recommendation to conduct the assessments came from a school safety working group appointed by Governor ... Read More »

Citizens should not call 911 during power outages. Brandon Smith coordinates public safety for Putnam County. “The problem for us in the center is we are receiving hundreds of calls with three or four dispatchers working in the room and mixing in emergency calls on top of that,” Smith said. “So it’s really difficult to tell what are power outage ... Read More »

An animal caused a power outage in the northeast and northwest parts of Putnam County Tuesday morning. Upper Cumberland Electric District Manager James Dennis said about 1,500 people lost power when 3 breakers went suddenly out. “We had a small animal get on the main bus in the ground and cause us to lose part of the Moss substation on ... Read More »

Putnam County Fire Department responded to a Hilham Road residential fire 6:00 PM, Monday evening. The fire crews found a single story house with smoke coming from the eves. The fire started in the attic of the residence. Crews determined the fire as an electrical fire. The crews stayed on site for two hours. The home received moderate damage. The fire ... Read More »

A Cookeville High School athlete will not be allowed to participate in this week’s track and field state championships in Murfreesboro. Cookeville high School Principal Cliff Matloc said school system officials made the decision after police arrested 19-year-old Nathaniel Stalnaker last week on a felony charge of patronizing prostitution. Stalnaker, one of ten men indicted on prostitution charges as part ... Read More »

The number of Putnam County students with autism spectrum disorder has increased over the past ten years. School system officials said approximately 168-students have autism spectrum disorder, representing 1.5 percent of the student population. 2008 statistics listed 68 students living with the condition, or less than 1-percent of the student population. Tonia Wheeler serves as an autism consultant for Putnam ... Read More »

The City of Monterey has restricted access to Meadow Creek Park. Mayor Bill Wiggins said Elk Mountain Construction started work Monday on the primary access road into Meadow Creek Park. “In order to build the road, they are going to have to destroy what’s there now and it’s pretty sad,” Wiggins said. “So there will be no way to get ... Read More »