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The new home and corporate headquarters of Aphena Pharma Solutions was celebrated in Cookeville Tuesday. Local leaders and company executives gathered for the ribbon cutting in the multipurpose room of the facility. CEO Shawn Rilley said the business will support the Cookeville of the future. “We look forward to continuing to work with everyone in Cookeville and Putnam County in ... Read More »

Two transported to hospitals after a tractor-trailer accident on South Jefferson Avenue Monday. According to a THP report, 72-year-old William Tony Key and a six-year-old female were traveling east in a 2003 Buick Century when they were hit by 40-year-old Steven Wayne Morgan of Murfreesboro in a 2021 FRHT Tractor-Trailer. Morgan was stopped at a stop sign at the intersection ... Read More »

Fentress County residents still have time to enter into the Chamber of Commerce’s first chili cook-off on Saturday. Tourism and Membership Director Seth Vaughn said the event will happen alongside the county’s Hope Foundation Trick or Treat on the Jamestown Square. Vaughn said all you have to do is bring your already made chili and enter. “You can drop your ... Read More »

American Legion National Commander Paul Dillard was in the Upper Cumberland Monday, ending his trip with a meet and greet dinner in Livingston. Dillard said when he comes into an American Legion Post, seeing the tradition still going on, it inspires him to do more and make the American Legion better. Dillard said his theme while on tour is “no ... Read More »

Jackson County Commission approved two resolutions Monday that would bring in more money to the county general fund. One being increasing litigation taxes, and the other levying an additional litigation tax. County Mayor Randy Heady said that the idea behind the move stems from finding a revenue stream the county didn’t previously have, that also doesn’t burden the average taxpayer. ... Read More »

The Gilley Pool at McMinnville’s Milner Recreation Center was drained for deep cleaning for the first time in at least eight years. Assistant Director Justin Scott said until the pool was drained, it is hard to imagine just how much surface area needed work. Scott said the nearly 800,000 gallon pool will have a fresh look after patching, caulking and ... Read More »

2020 suicide rates across the Upper Cumberland region mirror those reported statewide: steady. Hotline calls rose dramatically because of COVID last year. Michael Anderson directs the Upper Cumberland’s Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network office. He said that there was concern about a potential rise in the number. He said the numbers remained steady compared to 2019. “Everyone was holding their breath ... Read More »

Putnam County EMS is projecting a seven percent usage increase since the start of the fiscal year. Director Tommy Copeland said the increased usage is continuing to wear down his existing staff, more so than vehicles and equipment. Copeland said that asking for higher worker pay is already on his radar for the next budget season. Copeland said higher pay ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland fall foliage is set to reach its peak over the next two weeks. Urban Forester Jaime Nunan said that while it has taken time for the transition, a tree’s fall colors are actually in the tree year-round. “The green color that we see during the summer is the chlorophyll that’s being produced by the tree,” Nunan said. ... Read More »

Revenue is down at least some 55 percent for the Leslie Town Centre because of COVID cancellations. Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce CEO Amy New said that the lack of events has impacted the bottom line. “A good reference would be that in the 4th quarter of last year, fiscal year 20, we only had six events in the entire ... Read More »