Latest News

Applications are now open for the state’s Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program. The Nameless Volunteer Fire Department were awarded some $20,000 last year. Chief Josh Locke said that grant was used to purchase brand-new turnout gear and a thermal imager. “It’s a lifesaver for us because if not, we were using gear that was so old that it ... Read More »

T-DOT has awarded Sparta a $950,000 multimodal access grant to improve sidewalks along Spring Street. Mayor Jeff Young said new sidewalk will stretch from Bockman Way to Turntable Road. “This project does take a long time,” Young said. “We’ve been granted the funds. The paperwork process I’ve got a stack of documents we’ll have to sign to get everything in ... Read More »

The Sparta Board of Aldermen unanimously voted Thursday to solicit proposals to update design guidelines for the historic district. A work session was held prior to the board’s consideration with members of the Historic Zoning Commission. Chair Kim Griffin called the move, “Necessary,” to preserve the downtown area. “We got a small town feel,” Griffin said. “Places like Nashville and ... Read More »

Sparta trash pickup services should resume by next week after maintenance on garbage trucks caused a short delay. Public Works Director Dillard Quick said the main truck’s pickup arm is out of commission and the backup has a bad alternator. “Trying to find an alternator for that truck is very difficult,” Quick said. “We’ve been dealing that with Worldwide out ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council voted to skip committee formation and move forward with a Tech partnership for an upcoming gateway design project at its Thursday night meeting. City Manager James Mills said that committees can sometimes slow down the work. He said that his recommendation was to move forward in these conversations to get the design phase done as quickly as ... Read More »

Director of Cookeville Leisure Services Rick Woods said Tucker Stadium upgrades could open the door for new big events. Tennessee Tech President Phil Oldham told city council members in a presentation that upgrades could bring events like big tournaments and concerts to Cookeville. Director Rick Woods said that those kinds of events are out there and suitable for the stadium. ... Read More »

The town of Monterey is asking for public input on its recreational activities through an online survey. Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said that the 10-question survey asks respondents questions about sporting activities, physical activities, and art activities. He said that over the years they’ve received a lot of public comments about wants in the community. “Better quality of life builds ... Read More »

Fentress County Chamber of Commerce is pursuing some $70,000 in grant funding to upgrade the Ye Ole Jail Museum. Executive Director Jacob Rosenbaum said that they are applying for the Rural Arts Facilities Grant through the Tennessee Arts Commission. “It will allow us to promote the museum further and by improving the visibility of the museum, that’s going to give ... Read More »

Putnam County school nutrition workers that qualify will receive bonuses at the end of the month. Deputy Director Tim Martin said the extra pay serves as a retention incentive. “We have a great group of workers, but we are short several positions,” Martin said. “We want everybody working with us to stay.” Nutrition employees who work five hours or more ... Read More »

Sickness taking a toll on the staff of Livingston Middle School closing the Overton County School for two days. Director of Schools Donnie Holman said a mixture of COVID, flu and other illnesses has 13 or 14 of the 21 teachers unable to work. “Another problem in that is sometimes we can use an educational assistant or other people in ... Read More »