Latest News

A Cookeville man faces sex crime charges following an incident reported last summer. Brian Michael Carlton, 19, of Shag Rag Road was indicted on four counts of statutory rape and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. Cookeville Police conducted the investigation after the incident on Aug. 24, 2016. No information on a victim has been released in this ... Read More »

Cookeville City Manager Mike Davidson said he’s got an open mind for a new police station property. The city and Putnam County Board of Education caused some concern among parents when they discussed the city buying the Park View School property and building a new police station there. “We’re exploring other options, just want to see what else is out ... Read More »

Five felons were arrested in a multi-agency drug bust in Alexandria over the weekend. DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray said officers found 5 grams of fentanyl, methodone, morphine, xanax, six weapons, three cars, cell phones, computers, paraphernalia and $973 cash. Thirty-six year old Samer Walid Abdalla, 34 year old Courtney Paris, and 55 year old Ernest Grady Tanner, all of ... Read More »

Cookeville’s West Cemetery Road will be closed Friday and Saturday. The 15th annual Soap Box Derby will be held at Prescott South Elementary and the road is closed for the event. Cookeville City Manager Mike Davidson said the event usually takes place near Tennessee Tech, but construction on campus forced the derby to move this year. The derby begins with ... Read More »

Even though school’s out for the summer, officials spent Tuesday morning working on improved safety plans for next year. A host of officials attended the school safety meeting, including emergency management, 911, police, and THP. Putnam County Schools Attendance Supervisor Corby King said every possible incident at a school planned out. That includes going through various drills with students, from ... Read More »

The White County Board of Education’s plans for a new Findlay Elementary are moving forward. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said they hope to break ground this summer and open in the fall of 2019. “We’ve hired Lewis Group Architects out of Knoxville, they have an initial schematic design and they’ve drawn some 3D imagery and at this point, they’ve released ... Read More »

Last week the state health department reported a McMinnville woman died of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever after a tick bite. Cookeville dermatologist Dr. Lisa Whiteaker said preventing illnesses starts with a thorough check. “When you come back from enjoying the outdoors, really inspecting yourself carefully, especially areas where clothes might be tighter,” Whiteaker said. If you do find a tick, ... Read More »

Clay County Mayor Dale Reagan said Community Development Block Grants are needed by rural communities. Without the Community Development Block Grant Program, it would be difficult for rural counties with limited money to do projects to benefit the public, Reagan said. “There’s just no way that we can come up with that type of money, just to do stuff like ... Read More »

Pickett County residents will see some changes in downtown Byrdstown thanks to a state grant and some local matches. Pickett County Executive Richard Daniel said the state Asset Enhancement Grant will bring $50,000 to give Byrdstown a facelift. A local bank is matching that and offering zero-interest loans to business owners. The county got the grant, but they’re using it ... Read More »

Brandon Young of Sparta was named Tennessee Firemen’s Association Firefighter of the Year last week. Young serves as captain of the Cassville Volunteer Fire Department, volunteer firefighter at Sparta Fire Department, part-time advanced emergency medical technician at White County Emergency Medical Services, as well as full time firefighter and EMT in Rutherford County. Young said he was honored by the award. The ... Read More »