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Several Upper Cumberland residents gathered on the I-40 overpasses across Putnam County Friday morning in protest to trucker mandates. Supporters gathered to welcome the Freedom Convoy, a fleet of trucks and other vehicles traveling across the country supporting truckers. Sparta Resident Bill Berger said he came to the South Walnut Avenue bridge to show his appreciation. “They’re just one cog ... Read More »

Cookeville’s Water Quality Control Department hoping to bid out work for leak surveys. Director Designee Barry Turner said that the surveyor will follow about 145 miles of water lines to listen for leaks in the center part of town. “He can find leaks that don’t surface on their own so it basically pays for itself in the savings of the ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools enrollment is seeing good numbers and steadily growing. Attendance Supervisor Chris Pierce said that they’ve gotten back many of the students who turned to homeschooling because of COVID. He said that in terms of capacity, the only one that is bringing concern is Prescott South Elementary School, which is sitting about at 98 percent. “That school has ... Read More »

Putnam County Sheriff’s Office confirms a shooting incident has occurred around 10:30 Friday morning allegedly in the Woodcliff Road area near Monterey. Public Information Officer Houston Hamblin said that sheriff’s deputies are responding to the incident. He said that they are still gathering information at this time. Read More »

Monterey Mayor JJ Reels told city employees and Aldermen Friday he would step down as Mayor effective Monday. Reels cited ongoing medical issues as the reason. Reels said the issue is non-life-threatening. Reels said he would issue a statement before Monday’s meeting. Reels said he made the decision shortly after announcing in February he would not seek re-election. As for ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council members say that an ice facility is unfeasible now, but could happen down the road. Vice Mayor Laurin Wheaton said that she thinks the city has other focuses before taking on another project. However, she said that through this feasibility study the city now has formed a relationship with the Nashville Predators that could prove beneficial down ... Read More »

Two utility districts approached the Gainesboro Board of Aldermen Thursday gauging interest on a regional partnership. Old Gainesboro Road and Double Springs Utility Districts interested in sharing costs and water supplies through a water plant project. Engineer Nathaniel Green said the collaboration could solve the city’s water capacity issue. “That would be mutually beneficial to you guys as well as ... Read More »

Baxter Building and Codes Official Bob Lane is asking residents to be more compliant with city signage ordinances. In a Thursday night Board of Alderman meeting, Lane said that he’s been having issues with folks putting signs where they shouldn’t be. He said Thursday morning he picked up an entire truckload of unlawfully placed signs. “Everybody in the world is ... Read More »

Nashville-based firm Thomason and Associates will lead Sparta’s initiative to draft new guidelines for its historic commercial district. The Board of Aldermen approved the $18,900 contract Thursday night. Mayor Jeff Young said the final product will give the city’s historic zoning board legal backing to enforce building preservation. “They come highly recommended,” Young said. “Got a great track record of ... Read More »

The Putnam County Board of Education finalized plans for the new VITAL facility near White Plains Academy Thursday night. Upland Designs Consultant Kim Chamberlain said that the 13,000 square-foot facility was slightly bigger than originally planned for, but that the space will meet the needs of its users. “We’re going to try to be really economical with this one,” Chamberlain ... Read More »