Latest News

The Sparta Rotary Club Christmas Parade happening Saturday will be led by a longtime local business owner and active community member. Ernie Cheek one of the two men that will be grand marshals leading the parade. Cheek moved to the community in 1968 and later purchased an insurance company known as Cheek Insurance Agency today. Cheek said as a parade ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech celebrating the graduation of over 800 students at its commencements Friday. President Phil Oldham said the undergraduate class covers 39 different fields of study. Oldham said the students come from 72 counties, 18 different states and 20 other countries. “You are prepared,” Oldham said. “You are set to get a great return on the investment you have made ... Read More »

A Putnam County man arrested in Knox County, charged in the rape of a child under 13. James Coley is also charged with one count of aggravated sexual battery and one count of solicitation of a minor. Coley was arrested Thursday as the result of a several-month-long investigation. Coley has a bond of $1.5 million. Read More »

Repurposing White County’s Central View School will not be part of the proposal for the system’s Innovative School Model Grant. The grant is aimed at building readiness and preparing students for success after high school, more students will have opportunities to participate in innovative local programs that boost CTE programs. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said one preliminary idea had ... Read More »

A former Overton County School Resource Officer jailed on charges of sexual offenses. 39-year-old Dustin James Farris of DeKalb County arrested Thursday for solicitation of a minor by electronic means, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and sexual contact with a minor by an authority figure. Incidents leading to the charges ranged from May to July of this ... Read More »

Algood Public Works Director Victor Jones charged with aggravated sexual battery against a victim less than 13-years-old Thursday. According to investigators with the Cookeville Police Department began looking into allegations of sexual misconduct in September 2022. As the investigation progressed, investigators found sufficient information to charge 61-year-old Jones. Jones was arrested and booked into the Putnam County Jail.  The investigation ... Read More »

The Museum of Appalachia in Crossville has cancelled its annual Candlelight Christmas due to rain. The old-time winter cerebration was scheduled for Friday and Saturday evening. The event will not be rescheduled due to the availability of facilities and vendors. The event is centered around the museum’s pioneer village where you can tour authentic log cabins. Historic demonstrations such as ... Read More »

The Cookeville JayCees hosting its fourth annual Festival of Trees as a fundraiser for those with disabilities Friday. National President and Local Member Margo Dirkson said local partners sponsor and decorate a tree to be sold in a live auction. Margo said the funds go towards scholarships for the organization’s Camp Discovery in Gainesboro. “It’s a camp that specializes in ... Read More »

Downtown living in Cookeville a trend that Cookeville Cityscape expects to gain momentum. Some 60 units planned off Spring Street. The Cookeville City Council on first reading approved rezoning the Builder’s Supply property to allow the development this month. Cityscape Executive Director Lorie Krauss said she sees downtown living as an option that young people want. “We’re within walking distance ... Read More »

Development in Putnam County showing signs of slowing down slightly after its recent boom. Planning Director Kevin Rush said that doesn’t mean it shows signs of stopping. “There’s always a lag between development and when the market is hot,” Rush said. “When the market is hot you see people start looking at developing property, but that takes a while to ... Read More »