Latest News

Following morning surveys by EMA personnel, Putnam County received minor damages and flooding as a result of Thursday’s rainfall. EMA Director Tyler Smith said there are still a few areas with water across the road such as Green Mountain Road. He said with some more forecasted rain this weekend, they will be monitoring the weather. “Any heavy rain we could ... Read More »

Cumberland County’s Military Museum will be using grant money to make repairs. Museum President Mark Pfaffenroth said they have hired an engineering firm that will begin the repairs in June. He said the bulk of the repairs need to be made to the second floor of the building which they currently are unable to use. “They are going to design ... Read More »

Cookeville’s Cane Creek Park is nearing the one-year anniversary of its dog park. Director of Leisure Services Rick Woods said he is happy with the park, but there have been some challenges in the first year in particular with heavy use. “Because of the heavy use and the soils we have there, we have had some difficulty, it gets muddy ... Read More »

Putnam County set to receive some $1.6 million to add more Student Resource Officers and boost school safety. Sheriff Eddie Farris that money comes from a $140 million appropriation by the state. He said Putnam County has approximately 20 SROs assigned to 19 schools. “With this grant money we’re certainly going to increase that number hopefully, I had requested that ... Read More »

Putnam County and the 13th Judicial District will get a new Circuit Court Judge September 1 to help with increased workload. Putnam County Circuit Court Clerk Jennifer Wilkerson told the County Budget Committee Thursday night said that means a new expense to the county. “It’ll be another court date, another judge, more dockets, and more jury trials,” Wilkerson said. “I ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council will hold a public hearing June 15 to annex a 74-acre parcel off Tennessee Avenue. Council approved the resolution Thursday night. The annexation is by owner consent. Council will also set zoning for the land, expected to be commercial in nature, according to Community Development Director Jon Ward. The city will also go ahead with the purchase ... Read More »

A thunderstorm cell that moved slowly over Cookeville and Algood Thursday night dropped more than five inches of rain on many areas, causing major flash flooding. At 8:45pm, the National Weather Service extended the Flash Flood Warning until 10pm to allow runoff to continue. “The water flooding into the creeks, running into the creeks, and then the creek banks, they ... Read More »

Catoosa Wildlife Area will host a field day Saturday exploring turkey habitats. Area manager Don Chance said turkey hunting is the second most popular hunting season in Tennessee.  Chance said managing habitats for turkeys from nesting to predation allows the sport to thrive. “It’s hard sometimes for us as wildlife biologists to communicate to the layperson about what it is ... Read More »

Fentress County’s Clarkrange JROTC won the 2023 National Fitness Championship with their first female team. Army Instructor First Sargeant Gil Sandoval said Clarkrange won the competition the last two years in the co-ed category. This year the JROTC put together an all-female team with two experienced competitors and nine other cadets. “And they showed up,” Sandoval said. “It was very ... Read More »

Concerns with recurring increased costs have Cookeville’s Water Department exploring ways to increase fund balance. Director Barry Turner said that based on current costs, he estimates an additional $1 million for chemicals in the coming year’s budget. He said that shortfall is funding that cannot be spent somewhere else. “That really hits harder than the water plant expansion because it’s ... Read More »