Latest News

The Empower Upper Cumberland pilot program will host a clothing drive Saturday after receiving a large donation from the Salvation Army. Director Megan Spurgeon said bring a bag to Washington Avenue Baptist Church, and you can fill it with as many items as possible. “The goal is to really just get the word out about Empower Upper Cumberland as well ... Read More »

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce has a new full-time tourism director, Beverly Murphy. The chamber received a grant from the state to fund the new position. Murphy said her main objective is to get local businesses recognized beyond the Celina community. “There’s ways for them to learn to reach out on social media,” Murphy said. “There’s ways for them ... Read More »

Algood City Administrator Keith Morrison said there will be a learning curve as the city prepares to open permits for the sale of wine. The city council approved the final reading of an ordinance that adds the process to the municipal code. Morrison said the new guidelines will start in two weeks. “We’ve reached out to MTAS,” Morrison said. “We ... Read More »

More than 9,000 students back in Cookeville as Tennessee Tech starts its spring semester Thursday. Chief Communication Officer Karen Lykins said it is a fresh start for returning students as well as some new students starting their education journey. “As happens in the fall, people graduate, so a few less than who was here in the fall,” Lykins said. “You ... Read More »

Roughly $4,000 added to the Byrdstown water fund after selling two trucks marked as surplus. Mayor Sam Gibson said the Board of Aldermen approved two separate bids to exchange the water department vehicles. “The bids came in fair,” Gibson said. “They realized they were going to have to work on them for a little bit, but each one of them ... Read More »

City of Cookeville completed layout plans and has started work for the upgrades of Fire Station 1. City Manager James Mills said the station located at city hall had not been upgraded for some 50 years and now requires more sleeping quarters and bathrooms. He said work has started on the chief’s office and other lower areas of the building. ... Read More »

The Sparta-White County YMCA opened a new Teen Center Tuesday to provide young people a new place to hang out. Marketing Strategist Joshua McCormick said the organization saw a real need for healthy fun in a structured environment. “With us being right down the road from White County High School, we get an outflow of kids walking straight from the ... Read More »

Monterey Alderman Bill Wiggins asked the board to consider additional options as vandalism of public facilities continues to be an issue. Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said the most recent example occurred at the Standing Stone Monument Park. Cleary said stones were kicked out from under the seating area within a pergola. “I would say over the past six months at ... Read More »

The Putnam County Health Department expansion on hold as county officials wait on guidance from the state. A $600,000 state grant and $850,000 of the county’s federal COVID money was budgeted for the project. Mayor Randy Porter said the anticipated cost increased to some $3 million causing a pause in the process. “We’re looking to see if the state will ... Read More »

Clay County once again having to push back bidding out its new jail project. County Mayor Dale Reagan said plans continue to face delays while awaiting approval from the USDA. Reagan said they had originally hoped to bid out the project this month. “It’s frustrating it is,” Reagan said. “But hopefully it’s a blessing in one sense because they’re telling ... Read More »