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Wednesday will be the shortest day of the year as the season officially transitions to winter. Tennessee Tech Physics Department Chair Steve Robinson said the Northern Hemisphere is at its furthest point away from the sun making for a short number of daylight hours. “In our sky the sun seems to move up and down over the course of the ... Read More »

You may notice some new for sale signs placed around the Putnam County Fairgrounds while driving through Cookeville. County Mayor Randy Porter said it is part of the strategy to deal the some 40 acres. Porter said the idea was to increase advertisements as more holiday traffic comes through town. “You never know who might be stopping by and getting ... Read More »

Forecasted inclement weather for the week has some communities thinking about the need for emergency shelters. Jackson County Emergency Management Spokesperson Derek Woolbright said there are about 10 locations across the county at churches or community centers that can be used for shelters. Woolbright said the department does not preset the shelters in the face of weather but activates them ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools awarded more than $60,000 to promote employee recognition and appreciation. The funding from Utrust includes $30,000 to promote employee appreciation system-wide and an additional $30,200 to be divided among all Putnam County schools to fund appreciation activities in each school. Utrust is an organization that assists school systems in Tennessee with unemployment issues and in recognizing, supporting, ... Read More »

The state Department of Economic and Community Development investing some $30,000 for industrial development in Warren County. Industrial Development Board Executive Director Don Alexander said the money will be used to determine if some 200-acres near the Coffee County line is suitable for business. “We have a site that is on the west side of Warren County very close to ... Read More »

The Pickett County Commission approved the formation of an official tourism commission at its meeting Monday night. County Executive Stephen Bilbrey said this comes as part of the recently established occupancy tax. He said those tax dollars will go directly to fund tourism and economic development. “And that was part of the resolution to establish a tourism commission,” Bilbrey said. ... Read More »

Tennessee drivers have just days left to ensure their license plates and tags are up-to-date if they still have the green mountain license plate. Putnam County Clerk Wayne Nabors said starting January 1st, 2023, all drivers are expected to have the new blue plate that went into circulation this year. “If you’re driving on the streets and highways of Tennessee ... Read More »

With below-freezing temperatures in the forecast for later this week, local plumbers are advising homeowners to winterize their foundations. Putnam Plumbing Owner Garry Brown even new homes require winterization. He said forgoing certain precautions could result in an expensive problem. “If they’re gone and out visiting the family they could quite well come home to a complete disaster,” Brown said. ... Read More »

White County voters will decide if the sales tax rate within the county will increase next year. The county commission approved a referendum to bump the rate to 9.75 percent. County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said if passed, the rate would match Sparta’s. “It makes it more fair for the people of White County, because most of the people in ... Read More »

Pets make for nice Christmas gifts, but they are not good surprises. That is according to Cookeville-Putnam County Animal Shelter Director Jennifer Hutchinson-Tracy. Hutchinson-Tracy said the owner should always be a part of the selection process. “When adopting for a child, there has to be a lot of thought,” Hutchinson-Tracy said. “You can only expect the child to take so much responsibility. ... Read More »