Latest News

Getting students outside and interested in using technology to grow things, one of the goals of a new STEM grant at Putnam County’s VITAL School. STEM Teacher Carrin Nash said the $5,000 grant will go toward a new hydroponics vertical farming system. Nash said the program already has a wealth of machines like 3-D printers and plotter printers. He wanted ... Read More »

Byrdstown preparing to start a blasting project as part of a larger plan to create a $3.8 million settling basin for the city. Water Plant Superintendent Buster Harmon told Aldermen during their Monday meeting that the blasting is the next step as the city works to improve its wastewater system. Harmon said the crew handling the work has completed the ... Read More »

Algood City Council will vote to transition to a new billing software to make online utility payments more informative for customers. City Administrator Keith Morrison said the new company will more directly interact with the city’s existing account management software. He said online customer fees will go from 2.75 percent to 2.5 percent. He said customers will be able to ... Read More »

The Doyle Volunteer Fire Department received a grant from the State Fire Marshal’s Office meant to increase its rescue capabilities. Fire Chief Jason Sparks said the grant will provide them with lightweight PPE that is dual-certified for rescue and wildland firefighting in addition to other tools meant to improve their abilities in rescue situations. Sparks said the materials from the ... Read More »

The Cookeville Police Department responded to a call early Monday morning at 586 South Jefferson Avenue where they found the deceased victim of an apparent gunshot wound. Lieutenant Anthony Leonard said detectives believe that they located all parties involved, including 36-year-old Christopher Posey of Maryland, who was dead on arrival. He said he believes this was an isolated incident. “If ... Read More »

Byrdstown Aldermen discussed upgrades for a local pump station Monday night to prepare for the construction of a new RV park and housing options. Mayor Sam Gibson said both projects will rely on the same sewer line, which feeds into a pump station near the city’s Dairy Queen. He said the station will need to be expanded and upgraded before ... Read More »

Algood City Council will decide the best options for the construction of a dog park fence Tuesday night. Parks and Recreation Director Roy Phipps presented the council with prices for building a residential or commercial-grade fence, or accepting a bid and having contractors build one. He said a 200-by-200 five-foot residential-grade fence would cost the city some $10 per linear ... Read More »

Byrdstown Mayor Sam Gibson said he wants to put up signs to celebrate the Pickett County Girls High School Basketball Championship. Gibson said he would like to work with the county and a local tourism group to get the signs in place. He said he does not care whether the sign is in the county or the city, as long ... Read More »

Changes in Baxter regulations will require subdivision developers to install their own streetlights, releasing the city from that responsibility. Building Inspector and Codes Officer Bob Lane said the need for a change has arisen now that a handful of subdivisions are under construction. He said the city has been installing wooden streetlights and paying per-light through a deal with Upper ... Read More »

UCHRA will equip Public Transportation drivers with naloxone nasal spray, an overdose-prevention medication. Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist Justin Cantrell said making the life-saving medication available will lighten the workload for law enforcement and first responders. He said he hopes this makes a dent in overdose rates, the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 49. ... Read More »