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A Tennessee Tech alumni will make his television debut Wednesday in the newest episode of “Forged with Fire.” Four bladesmiths compete in a three-round elimination contest to forge bladed weapons, with the overall winner receiving $10,000. Blacksmith Joshua Foran said he always had an interest in making things with his hands, but he first got into metal work about four ... Read More »

A Celina volunteer has started an initiative to build more trails by removing an invasive species from Donaldson Park. Jason Upton presented a five-year removal plan to the Board of Aldermen Tuesday night. He said a shrub called the Chinese Privet has overtaken the majority of the wooded area. “I’m here basically to get permission from the city to pursue ... Read More »

Expanding the White County Recreational Complex and building a splash pad are two initial projects included in the county’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The ideas were shared during a Parks and Recreation Committee community feedback session Tuesday night. Chair Jayson McDonald said the final plan should be ready to share next month. “We kind of modeled a lot of ... Read More »

Van Buren County Commissioner Brian Simmons ended Tuesday’s commission meeting with a message to the community: the financial state of the county is the best it’s ever been. “Basically, what I was wanting to do is just shut down all these rumors that I hear everyday of how Van Buren County is broke and the school system is broke,” “We ... Read More »

Van Buren County Commissioners passed a budget continuation resolution Tuesday night for the start of the new fiscal year. “It doesn’t appear that we’re going to have a budget by the end of the physical year for the start of the new one,” Committee A Chair Will Maxwell said. “So we need to pass a continuing budget resolution for the ... Read More »

The Celina Board of Aldermen voted Tuesday night to provide employee family insurance through a new firm — and pay 80 percent of the premiums. The company Benefits Blueprint Partners will provide coverage moving forward. Mayor Luke Collins said a situation with an employee caused the change. “It was just unacceptable for that employee already going through a difficult medical ... Read More »

The Overton County School Board explored options to increase school safety during a Tuesday night work session. The work session included a review of procedures, training, and committee meetings as well as school resource officer contracts, duties, and training procedures.  Director of Schools Donnie Holman said he spoke with a consultant regarding the issue earlier Tuesday afternoon. “I feel like ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools is exploring a new way to pay teachers by moving away from level of effectiveness measures. Director of Schools Corby King introduced the idea in a recent work session. King said teachers currently receive raises based on student achievement and growth. “There are so many factors that are involved, and I really want to pay teachers for ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Airport is creating a nine-member board to figure out how to implement commercial flights. Airport Manager Dean Selby said Cookeville, Sparta, Putnam and White County will have a representative as well as five members that Selby will select.   “We’re changing the way that we are doing a lot of things that you have to do for ... Read More »

You may have wondered what caused local power companies to recommend lesser use of electricity last week. The appeal was a part of TVA’s four-step emergency load curtailment program. Spokesperson Scott Brooks said the hot weather and available power last week initiated the plan. “We actually have a system center in Chattanooga where they are monitoring real time every activity ... Read More »