Latest News

Storms were reported across the Upper Cumberland early Saturday evening. No damage was reported in Putnam or White counties, however both saw tornado warnings and hail. Three-quarter inch hail was reported just east of the Putnam County Courthouse in Cookeville and in Baxter. Dime-sized hail was reported near the Putnam-White county line. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning after seeing ... Read More »

The Sparta Rescue Squad spent some time in the water last weekend learning swift water rescue skills. They’ll go back for more training the first weekend in June. Lt. Zachary Cunningham said the training is intense. “Basic swift water is probably about 20-30 hours on scene in the water and advanced swift water is a little bit longer than that. ... Read More »

According to the TWRA, a semi truck struck a bear in Cumberland County this morning. The carcass of the animal was found on Interstate 40 near mile marker 324. TWRA officials say bears are leaving their homes to forage for food. Officials want to remind people to cleanup after cookouts and to not leave leftovers and trash around the outside ... Read More »

The Tennessee Valley Authority will disconnect power Saturday, June 3rd to Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation members served from the Livingston Substation. The power interruption is needed by TVA to replace equipment. Upper Cumberland Electric will take advantage of the outage to do necessary maintenance on its equipment. The scheduled power outage will begin at 10:00 PM Saturday and could ... Read More »

A host of special events are planned across the Upper Cumberland to mark the Memorial Day weekend. Ceremonies will take place in Cookeville, Livingston, Sparta and Smithville, just to name a few. Putnam County Veteran’s Services officer Mark Harris said it’s an important time to recognize those who have died in the service of our country. Cookeville’s Memorial Day service ... Read More »

A Cookveille man is under a $150,000 bond after being arrested on drug charges this week. According to Cookeville Police, 36-year-old Joseph Israel Neely allegedly had 400 grams of methamphetamine in his possession. While executing a search warrant at a West Broad Street location Wednesday, Detective Chase Mathis found Neely flushing bags of meth down a toilet. He was arrested ... Read More »

Putnam County’s Boys State delegates have left an impression this week. Fourteen Putnam County boys were elected to a variety of offices, from Supreme Court to Aldermen. The annual event sponsored by the American Legion brings boys from every county in the state to Tennessee Tech to learn about government. The boys create a mock state, complete with county and ... Read More »

Many folks may be grilling out for the first time this weekend. Putnam County Extension Agent Michelle Parrot said a meat thermometer helps you serve perfectly prepared food. “Just keep one out there by your grill and as you’re grilling those hamburgers, let’s say, just make sure you put that thermometer in that hamburger that it reaches 160 degrees. For ... Read More »

DeKalb County High School will hold graduation Friday. The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. on the high school’s football field. This year, each graduate will be issued 4 tickets for family members to sit on the field. Lawn chairs will not be permitted this year. Read More »

The Upper Cumberland’s unemployment rate decreased more than a whole percentage point from March to April. The region had a 5.2 percent unemployment rate in March compared to April’s rate of 4-percent. Clay and Pickett County had the greatest decrease in unemployment with a 1.7 percent rate of change. Clay County went from a 6.5 percent unemployment rate in March ... Read More »