Latest News

One victim from a fire at S. Jefferson Avenue’s Best Western Hotel Sunday evening according to Cookeville Fire Department. Chief Benton Young said the police department was the first to arrive on the scene. He said responders encountered an upstairs room with heavy smoke coming from it. Young said they pulled one victim from the room. Young said Cookeville Fire ... Read More »

Looking to save on your family’s Easter Dinner? UT Extension offers advice to save money on your family’s grocery budget in the face of rising costs. Family and Consumer Science Agent Paula May said the first thing you have to do to save money is to have a budget. “Then we need to know what we have in our refrigerators ... Read More »

New Executive Director for Pacesetters returns to his first interest, helping individuals with intellectual disabilities to live better lives. Larry Rector spent much of his life serving individuals with mental disabilities as a psychiatric technician. Even after graduating from Tennessee Tech with an accounting degree he used his non-work hours to serve as a direct support professional for people with ... Read More »

Cookeville’s DeBerry Heights Pump Station project running into delays due to difficulty getting parts. Water Quality Control Director Barry Turner said work has been ongoing trying to replace the existing pump station. He said the work will improve safety conditions and capacity at the pump station. “The contractor’s been delayed, he’s been having difficulty getting the parts he needs and ... Read More »

City of Livingston received T-DOT approval for its East Main Street sidewalk repair project designs. Consultant Ray Evans said the project was made possible through a T-DOT multimodal access grant. He said the project will reconstruct all the sidewalks on East Main Street and East Broad Street stretching from the courthouse to the Chamber of Commerce. “We’re in the process ... Read More »

Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King said he is appreciative of additional funding from the state to address security needs. Thursday the House passed a bill that would require things like locking the doors while students are present and conducting safety drills. King said he does not necessarily agree with the use of armed guards for the Putnam County ... Read More »

Monterey hoping to start construction on its Whitaker Park upgrades this summer. Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said the town is using some remaining ARP funds to hopefully get some new playground equipment. He said currently, the park has a lot of equipment that has been at the park since the 80s. “They’re unsafe, some of them don’t even work anymore ... Read More »

City of Baxter voted to hire Driving Trainer James Smith to launch its own entry-level commercial driver training. Council member Dustin Stanton said the training program includes books and online materials along with Smith providing hands-on training. Stanton said the alternative is costly in more ways than one. “You have to send these guys to a $5,000 to $5,500 school ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council approved new codes for campgrounds and RV parks Thursday night, slightly amending rules proposed by the Planning Commission. The changes will continue to allow the facilities in the General Commercial District. Landowners could also appeal to have the use allowed in the Local Commercial District. After a Monday Work Session, the planning department made new recommendations to ... Read More »

Putnam County School Board approved a $1.78 million expenditure for a new math textbook curriculum Thursday night. Curriculum Supervisor Dr. Chris Winningham said math standards are changing in the new school year, specifically at the high school level. Close to 90 percent of the 9-12 standards are new or are changing. Director of Schools Corby King said he expected the ... Read More »