Latest News

The Van Buren County Masonic Building could receive the needed funding to upgrade the vacant structure to a new daycare facility. The county’s Committee B approved $30,000 to bring the building up to codes. Mayor Greg Wilson said at least three parties have expressed interest in opening a facility. “One thing that Van Buren County doesn’t have other than our Head ... Read More »

A long-time Pickett County educator was laid to rest on Monday. Harlan Cletus Copeland, died Thursday at the age of 74. Copeland served at Pickett K-8 as a principal, administrator, and teacher. Pickett K-8: “Today we say goodbye to another PC legend. Many of you that grew up in Pickett County will remember Mr. Copeland as your principal. Through the ... Read More »

The UCHRA/UCDD Executive Committee will consider auctioning some 110 acres that once housed a DeKalb County group home. The Indian Mounds Residential Center for Boys closed last year due to COVID. Executive Director Mark Farley said reusing the property for services was not an option due to the remoteness. “Its in a very remote area of DeKalb County, which was ... Read More »

Work has begun on widening a pedestrian bridge in Cookeville’s Cane Creek Park. Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said that this work will serve as a precursor to saving the shoreline of the trail in Cane Creek. “For us to be able to stabilize the shoreline we need to be able to get trucks and equipment across to that north ... Read More »

The Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office asking for public assistance on a man who has been missing for almost two months. 29-year-old Matthew Braswell has not been seen since fleeing a car crash on Ponder Road on December 17. Sheriff Patrick Ray said the last lead was Braswell’s jacket found a couple of days after the accident a half a mile ... Read More »

Cookeville’s Public Works Director Greg Brown has announced his retirement. Brown has served the city for over 23 years in different capacities. He began his career as a Civil Engineer with the Public Works Department and was promoted to the Director position in 2000. Brown’s retirement goes into effect on May 6th, 2022. Taking over the position is Civil Engineer II, ... Read More »

Long-time Jackson County Basketball Coach Jim Brown will be inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame class of 2022. Brown began coaching the Lady Blue Devils in 1992 accumulating over 600 wins and seven state championships. Brown said the accomplishment ranks on the top of his list over his 30 year career. “You work and grow up around it and ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech Faculty Senate President Jeannette Luna said Governor Bill Lee’s proposed budget is exciting for university faculty. Included in the proposal a four percent salary pool increase for higher education employees. Luna said if passed, retention and recruitment of employees could be more successful. “The Governor’s budget this year is very healthy for higher education here in the state ... Read More »

A Cookeville non-profit that supports individuals with disabilities sees a new state law as a step in the right direction. The Precious Cargo Act went into effect this year and helps certain citizens better interact with law enforcement or first responders. Community Options Executive Director Kristine Shirley said the act will help with communication barriers. “Not all of the public ... Read More »

Staffing in the Pickett County Schools is returning to normal after seeing its highest COVID number since the pandemic began. Director of Schools Diane Elder said the school system shut down for two days last month due to COVID cases among the staff. “Our numbers are a little bit closer to normal,” Elder said. “Not quite there, but we are ... Read More »