Latest News

COVID positivity rates across the Upper Cumberland reached 50.8 percent for the final week of January. The CDC early in the COVID pandemic set 10 percent as a goal for the positivity rate. According to state data for the last week of January, Pickett County had a positivity rate over 75 percent. Statewide, COVID cases dropped 19 percent last week, ... Read More »

The new Putnam County K-8 school formerly known as the Southwest School received its official new name: Park View. The Putnam County School Board approved the decision unanimously at its Thursday night meeting. Naming Committee Member Adam Pharris said that the committee received over 2,900 submissions from the community survey and 308 submissions from the current Park View Elementary students. ... Read More »

Granville has decided to postpone its Mayberry Valentine Dinner Shows. President of Historic Granville Randall Clemons said that the decision came because several members came down with COVID, and the group was unable to rehearse. “We practice for a month solid on these,” Clemons said. “So when we had to miss that it was just not possible to have everybody ... Read More »

Fairfield Glade’s Jeff Houston has been named the 2021 Tennessee Golf Professional of the Year by the state’s Professional Golfer’s Association. Houston is the Director of Golf for Fairfield Glade. He said that he earned the title after winning the local nomination. “It is a great honor and I’m truly blessed to be recognized with all the professionals in the ... Read More »

A new state requirement will have those seeking to get their Commercial Driver’s Licenses, such as school bus drivers, to undertake more training. Putnam Schools Transportation Supervisor Kim Bradford said that drivers can no longer go to a driver’s testing station and pick up a learner’s permit. She said that they now must be properly trained through certified personnel. “We’ll ... Read More »

State Senator Paul Bailey said TWRA’s decision to stop the habitat project in White County serves as a postponement- and may not be the final answer. Bailey said the agency wants to take a step back and make sure the clear cutting plan is what’s best for the wilderness area. “They are going to postpone the clear cutting for a ... Read More »

TWRA’s Deputy Director Chris Richardson said in a letter to legislators that the proposed habitat project will continue on the south side of the Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness area. Richardson said the decision to stop the clear-cutting project on the north side of the wilderness area is based on community feedback not science. Wednesday’s letter from Richardson to State Senator ... Read More »

Does a dinner, dance and live music sound like a good way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Tickets on sale now for the First Responders Ball on February 12th presented by the Hermitage Springs Volunteer Fire Department. Secretary Amanda Fleming said it’s a perfect Valentine’s Day gift. “It’s the first time,” Fleming said. “We decided to do one to see how ... Read More »

Highlands Residential Services has reopened applications for low-income housing in Celina. Director of Operations Chris Cassetty said the portal closed in the fall due to large waiting lists. “I think we have a couple that are coming available,” Cassetty said. “Certainly since we have opened the waiting list, we may have even had some people come in and apply that ... Read More »

Van Buren Audit Committee Chair Barry Austin said the committee has taken measures to ensure it remains active. A State Comptroller’s Office report of Van Buren County found the audit committee was not functioning. Austin said new members have been appointed to the committee made up of four residents. “One of our members passed away, and one of our members ... Read More »