Latest News

City of Cookeville renewing a contract with consulting firm Retail Strategies for a ninth consecutive year. Community Planning Director Jon Ward said the company provides services for retail recruitment, research, and market analysis. He said they measure information using credit card swipe locations, cell phone data, and regional trends. “I think the use of it has expanded every year over ... Read More »

The Van Buren County 4H Land Judging Team is heading to the national competition. Coach Lance Smith said the all-girls team placed 2nd in the state and will get to compete at the National Land Judging Contest in Oklahoma in May. He said this is only the second time a team from Van Buren has made it to this level. ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional Medical Center recently earned the highest recognition for its efforts to increase organ donor registration across the state. This was achieved through the Workplace Partnership for Life (WPFL) Hospital Organ Donation Campaign. The WPFL is a national initiative that unites the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the organ donation ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council approved on first reading an ordinance Thursday night amending the city’s code setting new sewer tap fees. Water Quality Control Director Barry Turner said the last time the fees were updated was in 2005. He said with so much new development going on, it was important to update these fees to recoup the cost of creating sewer ... Read More »

Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said the Board of Aldermen needs to seriously explore a permanent solution to transfer city garbage. City employees have been hauling city trash to an out-of-county facility since August due to White County closing its landfill cell. Lowery requested City Administrator Brad Hennessee to review the costs. “I think it is imperative that we get aggressive ... Read More »

Warren County Schools has begun the process of conducting a salary study for faculty and staff. Director of Schools Grant Swallows said through this process a team has been reviewing salaries from surrounding counties, including DeKalb, White and Putnam Counties. “We need to get that salary schedule updated and maybe a little more competitive with the people around us,” Swallows ... Read More »

A Jackson County man has been arrested and charged with aggravated arson. 34-year-old Daniel Alden Shivers was identified as the person responsible for a September fire at 300 Hilltop Lane in Gainesboro. Shivers was booked into the Jackson County Jail on a $200,000 bond. Read More »

Cookeville City Council had a change of heart Thursday night on awarding a bid for a low-pressure sewer system. The project would have brought sewer to parts of Shag Rag Road, Dry Valley Road, and Contraband Road. But a piece of property in the area is up for zoning and the developer has verbally offered to pay for some of ... Read More »

UCEMC began a two-day community project in Livingston Thursday clearing overgrown trees around the walkways of Winningham Park. District Manager Ben Winningham said about 40 UCEMC employees volunteering for the project as a part of the statewide Electric Cooperative Day of Service. “My guys and gals are absolutely tickled to death to be out here and giving back to the ... Read More »

Hundreds of anglers arrived in Pickett County as the Renegade Classic Bass Fishing Tournament kickoffs Thursday. County Executive Stephen Bilbrey said the county commission made a $2,000 donation during its meeting this week to help with the operation. “It does cost a little bit to get those folks here, and so the county donated, the town of Byrdstown donated some ... Read More »