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After two down months, Putnam County building permits again surpassed 2022 numbers in August. Excluding the four municipalities, the county issued a total of 38 permits in August, tallying some $7.6 million in construction money. A total of 19 of the 38 permits were for single-family homes. That’s up some $900,000 from 2022 numbers. The average price of the new ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Development District received a $40,000 state grant Tuesday to help with preservation efforts. It is one of 37 grants awarded by the Tennessee Historical Commission. The grants go to non-profits, municipalities, universities, and civic organizations across the state to support the preservation of historic and archaeological resources. UCDD’s grant will go to pay a preservation specialist on ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Extension Team will debit a brand new event this weekend designed to bring the region’s hunters, fishermen and outdoorsmen together for connection and learning. Woods, Water And Wildlife Day will be held at Hyder Burks Pavilion Saturday from 9am to 1pm. Ag Extension Agent Katie Martin said the extension agents wanted to host a forestry and wildlife ... Read More »

Fentress Volunteer Fire Department has put together a memorial walk and speaker event to commemorate lives lost at the World Trade Center September 11, 2001. Fentress Firefighter Tyler Arms said the fire department just wanted to assemble the community and remember that tragic day. Arms said there are young people of voting age too young to remember that day. Arms said ... Read More »

The Cumberland County Highway Department putting together a list of roads to prioritize improvements with an additional $2 million in spending this year. County Mayor Allen Foster said County Commissioners funded the one-time expenditure in this year’s budget discussions. “The commissioners really felt that it would be necessary, that there was a plan for that money, but they didn’t want ... Read More »

Van Buren County Schools updating the district’s family engagement policy to ensure parents understand they can have input in the system’s instruction and programs. Director of Schools Jared Copeland said every school system must update its policy as part of receiving Title 1 funds from the federal government. However, with the change in leadership, the update provides a good chance ... Read More »

Last week’s County Mayors Conference in Murfreesboro gave Upper Cumberland mayors updates on T-DOT’s increased road spending, reappraisal and how changes in the state education funding will impact county budgets. Jackson County Mayor Randy Heady said sometimes constituents do not understand why the elected official is out of the office for several days. But Heady said the networking and education ... Read More »

Gainesboro residents will soon have additional options to pay water and utility bills, thanks to its existing utility processor. Gainesboro Mayor Lloyd Williams said the move provides more ways to pay and better security. “Well, about three years ago, we went to a direct deposit with the company, and so they come in and give us a proposal to now ... Read More »

Vol State has opened a new Adventure Course to everyone above the age of eighteen in Upper Cumberland. Vice President of Economic Development in Regional Centers Nick Bishop said that the course gives Vol State the chance to promote a better lifestyle. Bishop said the course currently offers kayaking and mountain biking guided by certified instructors, as well as providing ... Read More »

Ever deal with a home improvement project that turns into much more than you expected? That’s what Putnam County School officials are dealing with in trying to replace the Avery Trace Middle School gym floor. You may remember the floor suffered flood damage during the Christmas freeze. Deputy Schools Director Tim Martin said crews pulled out the old floor at ... Read More »