Latest News

Byrdstown Mayor Sam Gibson said he wants to further discuss who will administer the Pickett County’s state ARP funding. Gibson said he heard that the Pickett County Commission will contract with UCDD to oversee administration. Gibson said the three percent rate of the $2.7 million water project causes concern. “They already made a motion and approved for the town of ... Read More »

Overton County Commissioners got an update on a proposed natural gas pipeline expansion Monday night. Enridge Gas Stakeholder Relations Manager Art Haskins said that the project would supply energy to TVA. He said that should the project move forward, it would run about 11.4 miles in Overton and affect about 78 landowners. “The biggest impact will be the area’s impact ... Read More »

The Pickett County Board of Education will send a proposed budget to the county commission to consider that includes raises for employees. Director of Schools Diane Elder said the next fiscal year budget includes a $2,000 raise for teachers and a three percent raise for non-licensed staff. “We feel like the teachers that have stuck with us deserve as much ... Read More »

District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway is investigating if allegations made against Overton County Clerk Victoria Looper are criminal. The State Comptroller’s Office released an investigation on Looper in April finding that she altered vehicle titles for personal loans. Dunaway said the findings are currently under review. “That’s the thought process and the evaluation that we’re going through right now,”  Dunaway ... Read More »

The first ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day happens Tuesday. Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist Suzanne Angel said the goal is to educate the public about the fentanyl public health crisis. “We’re really seeing tragedy to be honest,” Angel said. “I’ve never personally seen more people overdose and survive and overdose and not survive. Those fatalities really break my heart, and it’s ... Read More »

Baxter is looking for sponsors for its first-ever Spring Festival on Saturday, June 11th. Friends of the Baxter Depot Member Jeanie Lee said that sponsorship proceeds will go towards work on the town’s new caboose. The City of Cookeville donated the car to Baxter last year. “You know we’re thrilled to have it but we would love to paint it ... Read More »

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation named Cookeville’s Cane Creek Park the recipient of a $450,000 grant Monday. Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said that the funding will cover a hard-surface 5,627-foot trail, a restroom facility, and a picnic shelter among other projects. “These were projects that were identified as needs and opportunities for us to increase and improve ... Read More »

Retired Tennessee Tech University Dr. Angelo Volpe died Sunday evening at the age of 83. Volpe served as president of Tech from 1987 to 2000. Dr. Robert Owens, Tennessee Tech’s Chief Diversity Officer, said he first met Dr. Volpe when Owens was a freshman at Tech in 1993. “I believe he changed the trajectory of the institution,” Owens said. “I ... Read More »

A motorcyclist has received minor injuries following an accident on I-40 in Putnam County Monday morning. 66-year-old Donnie Lamm of New Bern, North Carolina was traveling in the left eastbound lane in a 2019 Harley Davidson.  63-year-old James Hoffert of Yankton, South Dakota attempted to change into the lane in a 2019 Kenworth semi-tractor and forced Lamm off the roadway ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Foster Closet is hosting its 2nd annual Chips for Charity fundraiser this Saturday. The volunteer based non-profit provides clothing, hygiene items and more for children and families in foster care. Assistant Director Autumn Weitzel said the casino night will raise money for these efforts. ‘We have lots of casino tables there,” Weitzel said. “We have food trucks ... Read More »