Latest News

Jackson County 9-1-1 encouraging residents to sign up for the county’s emergency alert system with storm season arriving. 9-1-1 Director Michael Smith said he calls the “Hyper-Reach” system a reverse 9-1-1. He said anytime there is an emergency, residents who have signed up will receive an alert with the details of the potentially dangerous situation. Smith said the system can ... Read More »

Cookeville and Putnam County will launch the new “Explore More Cookeville” app April, 1, aimed at enticing tourists to patronize local businesses. Tourism Director Shan Stout said the app allows people to check in when they visit one of 60 participating local businesses, as well as parks and hiking trails. She said people earn points by checking in and can ... Read More »

Hertz has closed its Cookeville rental car office. Hertz Corporate confirmed the closing, citing its recent fourth quarter earnings. The company posted a net loss of $418 million. “We have been assessing the scope of our global facilities network, which has resulted in the closure of some rental locations,” A Hertz statement said. The statement said customers can use the ... Read More »

The City of Allardt is transitioning from manual water readers to Advanced Metering Infrastructure for what it hopes will be a safer, more accurate meter-reading process. Bennett Associates Incorporated President Thomas Bennett said the new water readers will automatically transmit data to Allardt City Hall every few minutes. He said this would prevent the city from having to pay workers ... Read More »

Clay County has a new garbage truck on the road catching up on overflow after the county’s previous truck suffered numerous maintenance issues. Attendant Margo Deckard said the replacement truck was a desperately needed upgrade. She said the previous truck frequently broke down due to faulty parts, namely, hydraulic hoses. She said prior to the new truck’s arrival, the county’s ... Read More »

A local expert says the concept of permaculture living is gaining traction in homesteading and gardening communities across the region. Homestead Consultant Owner Ryan Steva (STEE-VUH) said the permaculture system is a style of homesteading and gardening that encourages using different systems to work with nature instead of against it. Steva said there are multiple advantages to the permaculture system ... Read More »

Livingston Academy students are participating in a new recycling program that teaches them about responsibility and community. Comprehensive Development Classroom Teacher William McDaniel said his class has been split into crews where they make weekly recycling pickups from classrooms. He said job responsibilities rotate to help students understand the different roles they may play in future careers. “Teaches the kids ... Read More »

A former Overton County Superintendent remembered three Overton County Schools in his will. Lisa Coil presented the three Overton County schools with $800 checks on behalf of her father, Edwin Garrett. Coil said the her father’s will states that the only stipulation for the money is that it be spent directly for the students. The money will be distributed to ... Read More »

A Recovery and Prevention Celebration will showcase resources available to Jackson County residents Thursday night to fight substance abuse. The Jackson County Prevention Partnership hosting the event at Gainesboro’s Bridge Church. Power of Putnam Project Director Nora Anderson said in rural counties, people often have to travel to find resources like these, or simply do not know they exist. She ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System plans to make Personal Finance Class available for high schoolers only to ensure that the subject matter reaches students who need it most. Curriculum Supervisor Bubba Winningham said the class is currently taught in high schools but is also available in the spring semester for eighth graders. He said the tools students learn in the ... Read More »