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Changes to UCHRA public transportation’s COVID precautions were made Tuesday. “In accordance to the court ruling and the TSA no longer enforcing the federal mask mandate, face masks will no longer be required for our customers and staff members on our public transportation vehicles and facilities,” Transportation Director Holly Montooth said. Montooth said the decision was made after the Transportation ... Read More »

A Cookeville exotic animal auction has been cited on 15 findings following a USDA inspection. The March inspection report released Tuesday found Wilson Horse & Mule Sale did not provide proper veterinary care to a hurt zebra. According to the report, a zebra broke its back after possibly falling in a stall. A veterinarian was not on the site, and ... Read More »

Sales tax collected across Putnam County in the month of February was up 18.1 percent compared to the same month last year. The county saw the largest increase with 26.4 percent. Baxter and Monterey were close behind behind with 21.7 percent and 20.1 percent. Algood had a 18.7 percent increase and Cookeville a 16.9 percent. Mayor Randy Porter issued the ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech students will be setting up their research Wednesday for the 17th annual Research and Creative Inquiry Day. The event features poster and paper presentations of students’ research. Office of Research and Economic Development Editor Amy Hill said 237 abstracts ranging over seven different colleges will be on display. “It helps build their communication skills, and it also helps ... Read More »

Fentress County approved a resolution to submit four grant applications for work at Big South Fork Park. Collier Engineering Consultant Arran Addington has been working with the county in the application process for $2.5 million worth of projects. He said that the state has some $8.7 million in funding to allocate. “There’s not a lot of funding out there,” Addington ... Read More »

Work to turn the Van Buren County Masonic Building into a day care facility is set to begin. That after the Van Buren County Commission approved a some $35,000 bid to transition the building. The building needs more entrances, a sprinkler system, a kitchen and a fenced yard. Three private parties have expressed interest in leasing the building. The building ... Read More »

Van Buren County students can get a change of pace this week as Spencer Elementary School hosts the Creative Discovery Museum of Chattanooga Thursday. School Health Coordinator Kelly Lewis said the event is called Full Steam Ahead. “The word steam is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, art and math,” Lewis said. “So that evening, the students and their families ... Read More »

A resolution supporting the 2nd amendment presented by Putnam County Commissioner Jordan Iwanyszyn was tabled Monday night for May discussion. The resolution stated that Putnam County would “dedicate no physical or financial resources toward the unlawful infringement of the right to keep and bear arms.” After Iwanyszyn’s presentation, Commissioner Cindy Adams made a motion to amend the resolution. Adams said ... Read More »

White County Commission approved matching funds for TDEC Water Infrastructure during its Monday meeting. County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said that the money will be spent in next year’s budget. He said that this approval allows him to go to the utility district to discuss the County Commission’s commitment to water infrastructure projects. “Because I need to start getting those ... Read More »

Public outcry about the rezoning of some 107 acres on Lovelady Road has Cookeville City Council wanting to explore potential compromises. Cookeville Planning Commission approved a rezoning to a higher density designation that could allow for the development of some 337 lots. Council members discussed the decision Monday during a work session in preparation for Thursday’s public hearing. Planning Director ... Read More »