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The Putnam County Fire Department has received the land deed from Tennessee Tech to begin work on the new Gainesboro Grade substation. Fire Chief Tom Brown said preliminary work has already began on-site. “We got the site staked out, acquiring permits and utility connections and what not,” Brown said. “We are waiting for the builder to show up. When we ... Read More »

On Thanksgiving, a traditional meal will have turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce. But how has the traditional meal changed over time? Tennessee Tech History Instructor Laura Smith said that the main difference comes from the creation of convenience foods. “Which of course we really see in the 50s and 60s is people become much more interested in ... Read More »

The Upperman High School Football program will have a chance to play for a state title Friday. The Upperman Bees will travel east to Elizabethton for a semi-final battle against the Fighting Cyclones. Principal Billy Stepp said students have been participating in pep rallies and spirit week to get excited for the game. “Baxter is very proud of their football ... Read More »

The structure of the Putnam County Judicial Commissioners will change upon Judicial Commissioner Tom Derricks’ retirement at the end of this month. Circuit Court Clerk Jennifer Wilkerson said night shift Judicial Commissioners will transfer under the supervision of the circuit court clerk office. “By having them under another agency or department within the county will allow them more opportunity to ... Read More »

Dual enrollment students from six Upper Cumberland Counties will benefit from a $1 million grant that TCAT Livingston was rewarded. Operations and Facilities Vice-President Jeff Slagle said through the grant, a manufacturing cell with robots will be added on campus. “This is a new technology that we know that’s needed in the Upper Cumberland based on our surveys with advisory ... Read More »

This Saturday in Sparta will be one of the first opportunities to get into the Christmas spirit. It is the lighting of the Christmas Tree and other holiday festivities surrounding the evening. Chamber of Commerce Director Marvin Bullock said Santa Claus will be present with carriage rides and Christmas caroling. “The lighting of the tree and this is a little ... Read More »

A 49-year-old man was found Tuesday after getting lost while hunting in DeKalb County. A multi-agency search began when Rodney Weathers was separated from his hunting partner in the Pea Ridge area Monday. The two were coon hunting when Weathers went back to his vehicle while his partner pursued a scent of an animal. The man tried to reunite with ... Read More »

The State Department of Education released last school year’s graduation numbers for school districts across the state. Jackson County Schools saw the biggest jump in the Upper Cumberland. A 7.1 percent increase bringing the graduation rate to 88.5 percent. Putnam County Schools saw a slight increase by about one percent with a graduation rate of 91.9 percent. Dekalb County School’s ... Read More »

Allardt’s Sycamore Springs Farms 2021 Christmas tree crop is set up to be a good one, but that may not be the case across the Upper Cumberland. Co-Owner Lyna Pennycuff said that prepping for the year’s crop takes place seven to eight years in advance. She said that conditions from that time period might create a shortage this year. “First ... Read More »

Overton County Schools received sealed bids Tuesday to replace HVAC units at AH Roberts Elementary School. Director of Schools Donnie Holman said nine units that approach 20 years of service will be replaced. “There’s several other schools in the district that need additional HVAC units replaced, but rather than us employing contractors and engineers to help us with this, we ... Read More »