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The official start of summer may be next week, but Cookeville officials are looking ahead to the mid point. For the third year, the city’s July 4th celebration will include SlideCKVL. Mayor Ricky Shelton said volunteers are still needed. “Just go online either to my page or to the SlideCKVL event page and there’s a link to click on, pick ... Read More »

A party for a cause will take place Friday on Cookeville’s First Street. MealFit owner Thomas Cox said Cupcake Wars will run from 6-8 p.m. with barbeque, wings, a DJ, bounce houses and lots of cupcakes. The idea for the event brought together three things: a boost for small bakers, MealFit’s new Bacon Candy topping, and raising funds for the ... Read More »

A rally and town hall meeting sponsored by Indivisible District 6 will take place Saturday at the Putnam County Courthouse. Angela Hedgecough, one of the organizers, said the group decided to hold the event because Congressman Diane Black has not yet held a town hall meeting in the district. The rally will begin at 6 p.m. on the square at ... Read More »

A new exhibit opening this weekend at the Cookeville History Museum will have kids trying to escape. Ashley McKee is the museum education specialist. “In the summertime, we like to do exhibits geared toward kids, and our exhibit specialist came up with the idea of doing a kids-themed escape room,” McKee said. Escape rooms are popular with adults in cities ... Read More »

A Putnam County nonprofit organization will be delivering meals to students over the summer. Ashley Swan heads up the Food to the Rescue Program, which seeks to provide nutritious food for students in need. “A lot of kids lose their free and reduced lunch during the summer,” Swan said. “Putnam County Food Services provides food during the summer, but a ... Read More »

Rep. Ryan Williams just completed his first session as Republican Caucus Chairman in the state House of Representatives. That role usually goes to a representative for a more urban district. “The role probably pays the most dividends for rurals because you have someone rural that’s in the room where a lot of the financial decisions are being made as it ... Read More »

An early spring and summer brought out the rodents and the snakes. Putnam County Extension Agent Wayne Key said Middle Tennessee is home to some 30 species of snakes. “Snakes like cool, moist damp areas, basements, crawlspaces under your house, under old wood stacked in the corner of the yard, pieces of tin or metal where they can get out ... Read More »

A Smithville woman faces DUI and Child abuse charges after passing out in her vehicle with a 2-year-old child inside. Stacey Lee Woods has a bond of $7,500 and appears in court June 8th. According to DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray, deputies found Woods asleep in her vehicle on Short Mountain Highway. Officers managed to wake Woods up and according ... Read More »

Pickett County will host its annual Spring Clean Up Day this Saturday. Pickett County Executive Richard Daniel said the event encourages residents to pickup trash alongside county roadways and in front of their homes. “There will be no charge for anything that you bring in to the transfer station that day,” Daniel said. “It’s an opportunity to get rid of ... Read More »

Crossville Police recently arrested a man allegedly impersonating an officer. George Matthew Leeds was arrested on narcotics charges and a probation violation, as well. When officers questioned him, Leeds reportedly gave a different name and insisted the vehicle belonged to his brother. Leeds reportedly had red, white and blue lights on his vehicle, an FBI badge and shirts from several federal ... Read More »