Latest News

Putnam County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting on Cumby Road Monday that had resulted from a domestic argument. Jamie Boronda was arguing with her brother Jeff Jackson when at somepoint a firearm was brandished and Boronda shot Jackson in the leg. Jackson was transported to the hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury and was later released. Boronda ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission approved rezoning a 25 acre parcel along Buck Mountain Road to allow denser residential developments Monday. The property at 2730 Buck Mountain Road can now be used for single-family detached dwellings.  The minimum lot size set at 10,000 square feet as long as wastewater services are available. Chair Jim Woodford said the rezoning was appropriate considering ... Read More »

The State Department of Education released its annual report card on education Monday, an effort to understand how school districts are serving students. Van Buren County Schools one of 15 systems in the state to receive the top ranking of “exemplary.” Fentress, Pickett and White Counties all received “advancing” rankings. The rest of the Upper Cumberland School Systems ranked as ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech officials watching Tuesday’s forecast to make a final call on its Lighting the Quad event. The annual Christmas decoration lighting on campus is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Chief Communication Officer Karen Lykins said the university should know at midday if the event will take place. Updates will be posted on the university’s homepage as information becomes available. The ... Read More »

Jackson County Middle School was in lockdown for several hours Monday after a report of a student bringing a loaded gun to school. Director of Schools Kristy Brown said the suspicion was reported to a teacher, and the situation was swiftly handled by the school’s Student Resource Officer. “And the firearm was confiscated and the student was removed from the ... Read More »

Putnam County applying for $1 million in grant funding to construct the arena at the new fairgrounds. Mayor Randy Porter said if awarded, hosting a fair at the Tennessee Avenue location in 2024 will be likely. “If we can get this ARC grant to pay 50 percent of it, it would be a big deal,” Porter said. “Hopefully next summer, ... Read More »

The Clay County community abuzz this week as the Bulldogs prepare to travel to Chattanooga for the football state championship. Athletic Director Rob Edwards said the school plans to hold a pep rally Thursday before the team leaves Friday morning. “I think this one is kind of special because it’s the first time a football team has ever been in ... Read More »

New state data reports boyfriend/girlfriend relationship made up more than 42 percent of domestic violence cases in 2021. Genesis House Sexual Assault Program Manager Danielle Girt said there are two reasons. One, Girt said in today’s culture, fewer couples are getting married and remain partners in a different capacity. “But also I would say the second reason is that married ... Read More »

Highlands Residential Services taking the next step in its Hickory Valley development following the approval from the Putnam County School Board for a sewer easement. The 69-acre site is set to include approximately 224 units near Cane Creek Elementary. Director of Operations Chris Cassetty said to handle the current and future capacity needs, Highlands Residential was going to have to ... Read More »

Motlow State Community College will host a triage training for EMS students at its Sparta campus this Wednesday. Motlow Director of EMS Houston Austin said around 30 students will get to have hands-on experience as they learn the statewide triage system. Austin said the best time to learn and make mistakes is while students are still learning in school. “And ... Read More »