Latest News

Pickett County Schools and the Central Office are getting a long-awaited facelift thanks to a local painter. Director of Schools Diane Elder said they hired Dixie Cafe Owner Bobby Davidson to take on major painting projects in all of the county schools. She said Pickett K-8 school has needed a new paint job for years. “Pickett County is the best ... Read More »

The Cookeville History Museum welcomes you to its latest microcar exhibit in collaboration with the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville. Lane Motor Museum Education Director Rex Bennett said microcars are unusually small vehicles that were made in Europe after World War II because they were easy to produce amid economic struggles. Bennett said microcars allow for a novel way to ... Read More »

Joining other local governments needing to upgrade their winter fleet, Gainesboro Alderman will advertise for a snow plow and a salt spreader. Alderman Ricky Head said he received numerous phone calls from the community asking why there was not more of an effort to get roads cleared when they were iced over. “We don’t have any means at all to ... Read More »

Despite concerns at the state level over tax collections so far this fiscal year, Cookeville’s revenues at the halfway point appear to be on target. Through December, Finance Director Brenda Imel said the city’s general fund revenues currently stand at 48 percent of budget. Sales tax revenues are on target for the first half of the fiscal year. “Other revenue ... Read More »

City Of Sparta amended its city ordinance to clarify sprinkler requirements for residential dwellings. Codes Officer Mike O’Neal said the actual rules required sprinklers in all residential dwellings, but city officials had waived that for single family dwellings. The revision codifies that clarification. “But anything above that, from a duplex to townhomes and apartments, would be sprinkled,” O’Neal said. “This ... Read More »

Contractors performing the renovation project at Upperman High School badly damaged an awning during January construction. Maintenance Supervisor John Magura told the School Board Thursday night that the company has completed all punch-list items on their bill except for the replacement of the awning. Magura said this was an existing awning not put in place by construction workers, so they ... Read More »

The former treasurer of White County’s Mt. Gilead Volunteer Fire Department has been indicted on theft of some $73,500. Brittney Hope Webb stole a total of $45,983 from the fire department by taking cash, making ATM withdrawals, and writing four checks to herself. The theft took place from June, 2020 to October, 2022 when she was removed from the role. ... Read More »

Cookeville will move forward with an engineering study in the Cane Creek area to plan for short-term and long-term growth in that area. City Council approved an engineering agreement Thursday night to look at the wastewater needs at both the Cane Creek and Cora Road pump stations. Water and Sewer Department Director Barry Turner said the department wants to understand ... Read More »

The Putnam County School Board voted Thursday night to send a 60-day contract termination notice to TMA Cleaning Services. Director of Schools Corby King said after extensive discussions with managers and staff, schools are still not being cleaned adequately. The board voted to create a new request for proposals to replace the company in March. “It’s a quick turnaround,” King ... Read More »

The Overton County Solid Waste Department has partnered with America’s Thrifts and The Make-A-Wish Foundation to help kids achieve their dreams. Yard Foreman Jamie Emerton said the department has set up drop boxes across the county where people can donate clothes and household items. He said those items are picked up weekly and sold at America’s Thrifts, and a portion ... Read More »