Latest News

This week in the Upper Cumberland the Sparta Board of Aldermen will host its first budget meeting Monday. City Administrator Brad Hennessee will present department head requests and a preliminary spending plan to the board. The city will also work on a plan to spend its ARP money. The Cookeville Planning Commission will meet Monday at 5:30 p.m. Cookeville Regional ... Read More »

Roane State’s Director of EMS Education David Blevins named the 2022 Advocate of the Year by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. Blevins is one of three in the entire country to receive the designation. He said that he entered the field some 20 years ago inspired by his grandmother. “I was looking at the retail community and business ... Read More »

Friday marks Melinda Keifer’s last day as the Economic and Community Development Coordinator for Cookeville. City Council honored Keifer at its Thursday night meeting to thank her for her dedication to the city. Keifer thanked the council for trusting her with her efforts to better the community. “To raise the per capita income of every citizen, to make sure that ... Read More »

A horse in Smith County had to be euthanized after testing positive for West Nile Virus this week. Staff Veterinarian Whitnie Smartt said that the disease is transmitted through mosquitoes who carry the virus. “The main symptoms with West Nile Virus are a lot of the times, odd behavior, stumbling, incoordination,” Smartt said. “It mostly affects the nervous system so ... Read More »

Crossville City Council approved Upland Design Group for architectural and design services for the city’s recreation center. City Manager Greg Wood said that one of his biggest wants was to find a group that was familiar with the topography of Crossville. “The big thing about Crossville is of course we’re on the plateau and the plateau is a rock, and ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland voters have one more week to get to the poles for early voting. So far, election offices have seen a mixed bag of turnout since early voting began last week. Overton County Election Administrator Craig Story said over 700 people have participated in his county. “Mid-terms are usually a little less on turnout than some of our other ... Read More »

The Cookeville Industrial Development Board refinanced the Shoppes at Eagle Pointe project Friday morning. A lease between the board and Shoppes at Eagle Pointe LLC for the entire property was signed in 2017. Attorney Kent Moore said the leasing entity filed for bankruptcy, created a new group and now has a new lender. “The lender’s requirements are for this new ... Read More »

TCAT Livingston was named a recipient of a Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) 2.0 grant. The $1 million grant will be used to expand TCAT services across the Upper Cumberland and create a robotics program. Governor Bill Lee said that it’s important to the state’s economy to invest in the talents of its students. “It is an expansion that ... Read More »

Jackson County Director of Schools Kristy Brown has been named the Upper Cumberland Superintendent of the Year. The award is voted on by other school directors in the region. Brown said the recognition from peers makes the award even more special. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve students and children in my county,” Brown said. “This is where I ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council voted 3 to 2 to postpone a rezoning on Lovelady Road Thursday night until the council’s May 5th meeting. Vice Mayor Laurin Wheaton and Council Member Mark Miller voted against postponing. Miller said that he was for the higher density rezoning because of a need for affordable housing in Cookeville. He said that his family and many ... Read More »