Latest News

It’s one of the most affordable ways to buy a home in today’s market. The Cookeville High School Carpentry Class will put its class-made home on public auction this Saturday. Trades Instructor Randy Mansell said the 1,560 square foot home has three bedrooms, two bath and includes appliances. “The money that our house bills will go back into my program, ... Read More »

For the second time this week, a rope rescue was required to save a person that jumped from a Fall Creek Falls waterfall. This time a 17-year-old boy attempted an 85-foot jump off of Cane Creek Falls. Piney Volunteer Fire Department PIO Tiwanna Bricker said the rescue was the exact same scenario that occurred Monday with a some 20-year-old woman. ... Read More »

Putnam County School Board rejected the $330,868 bid for improvements at Upperman High School’s baseball field. Director of Schools Corby King said that the bid came back almost double what the system had originally budgeted. He said that the school has been trying to work on drainage issues at the field. “So we’ve gone back talking with the Maintenance and ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System has decreased the $3 million gap in its budget by almost $1.3 million in the second draft of the budget presented Thursday night. Director of Schools Corby King said that they received a $620,000 increase in BEP funding from the state. The number also included an estimated increase in the penny rate of $664,453. “So ... Read More »

Cookeville will go forward with phase one of the East Spring Street Sidewalk project. Council approved Thursday night spending some $469,000 to fund the project. Just one bidder came forward on the project which would build sidewalks from Old Kentucky Road to Raider Drive. T-DOT delays have caused the costs to grow astronomically. City Manager James Mills said the original ... Read More »

The Gainesboro Mayor and Board of Aldermen are leaning towards constructing a new water treatment plant as opposed to upgrading the current facility. Engineer Nathaniel Green presented preliminary plans Thursday. A new facility would cost some $10.5 million, while upgrading the current plant would cost $8 to $9 million. Green asked for preliminary approval in order that he could start ... Read More »

Upperman High School underwent an emergency roof repair after strong winds tore a hole above the band and choral room. Putnam Schools Deputy Director Tim Martin said that they were getting ready to bid to replace the roof anyway, but the damage was significant and required an immediate temporary fix. “These roofing projects are very expensive and we think that ... Read More »

Livingston Academy’s new stadium project is on track for completion by the first game. Overton School Board Chair Mike Hayes said that the new scoreboard has been delivered and that they expect the lights in mid-June. He said that the only potential issue could be the steel beams for the bleachers. “It’s cutting it close right now as far as ... Read More »

The town of Monterey has received a bid for its outdoor classroom project at the Depot Museum. Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said that the base bid came in at some $84,000. He said that the town allotted funds from ARP money. “It’s a deck system that we’re wanting to do in a composite material and not in treated lumber,” Cleary ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council approved the first reading of its 2022-2023 budget Thursday night, including the addition of a bond issue for a proposed aquatic facility. Mayor Ricky Shelton proposed the $15 million bond addition for the facility. Council member Mark Miller seconded the amendment. Council members approved the addition unanimously. Shelton said the community has spoken for many years that ... Read More »