Latest News

White County School System’s Nutrition Program the recipient of a $140,000 grant for equipment upgrades. Communications Director Candice Allen said the opportunity came about after a teacher did a previous grant with the program Action for Healthy Kids. Allen said the teacher had done so well with the first grant, the program reached out again to suggest another grant that ... Read More »

Overton County set to double its solid waste tipping fee from $50 to $100. County Executive Steven Barlow said the need comes from rising costs for hauling fees. He said Overton County hauls its waste to a location in Oneida. “Since we shut our own county dump down back 30 years ago we have to rely on other sources to ... Read More »

On National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, Upper Cumberland Election Administrators gave thanks for poll workers. Putnam County Election Administrator Michele Honeycutt said the county had recently combined some precincts, reducing the total from 22 to 18. Honeycutt said this was because they had a hard time recruiting poll workers. “Just encourage your friends, your family,” Honeycutt said. “It’s a good ... Read More »

The hottest weather of the year is causing changes to keep high school athletes safe this week. White County Athletic Director Terry Crain said a high heat index can cause dehydration while wearing heavy equipment. “We’ve rescheduled our practices, we make them later in the day,” Crain said. “We actually take the players indoors for the first maybe hour or ... Read More »

City of Cookeville presented its priority project to T-DOT officials which includes the widening of I-40 throughout city limits. City Manager James Mills said included in that would be revamping the on and off ramps for I-40. He said perhaps the most important component for local traffic would be overpass installation on I-40, which would allow the city to run ... Read More »

The Cookeville Industrial Development Board officially approved amending its PILOT agreement with Ficosa The change lowers Ficosa’s employee threshold from 900 employees to just over 600. The Payment in Lieu Of Taxes agreement is between the city, the county, and the company as an incentive for the business to relocate or expand. The board debated the need for adaptability versus ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional Medical Center is set to partner with Tennessee Tech in a new corporate sponsorship for marketing materials. The Board of Trustees Finance Committee approved the contract at its meeting Tuesday night. Committee Chair Danny Rader said it will include advertising at Tucker Stadium, the baseball fields and the Hoop. “And I think that benefits the hospital, I think ... Read More »

Funding for a new electric security fence to be installed for the White County Sheriff’s Department has been approved. The request to the county commission includes an additional $28,000 in funds on top of already approved funding for the county. The fence is to be placed around the White County police vehicle lot intended to provide additional security for officers ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech launched its new Science DMZ communication network, designed to help universities share their research. Assistant Director of Network Operations, David Hales said Science DMZ is a common network used by researchers. He said that universities use the network typically to conduct advanced research. What makes the program especially popular, Hales said, is the ease and speed with which ... Read More »

Pickett County Commission will provide funds for five Pickett County High School cheerleaders to travel to Hawaii for national program. But not without debate. The county was asked to donate funds towards the cost of the athletes’ trip which totals about $3,000 per student. While the commission agreed it was an opportunity of a lifetime, some argued it could be ... Read More »