Latest News

The Jackson County School District has been recognized as one of only five Reading 360 Model Districts in Tennessee. Director of Schools Kristy Brown said the recognition is for a clear and strong focus on early literacy skills. Brown said this now means that teachers across the state will learn from her teachers. “Some of our teachers will be submitting ... Read More »

A rally in support of voter rights and restoring the 1965 Voting Rights Act on the Putnam County Courthouse lawn Friday. Cookeville-Putnam County NAACP President Thomas Savage said the Finish The Job Rally is a chance to educate the community. Savage said some states are working to make voting more difficult for the working class. “They put one box where ... Read More »

The Overton County School Board discussed the possibility of increasing teacher pay rates during its Thursday work session. Vice Chairman Mike Gilpatrick said the school system is falling behind and needs to stay competitive with surrounding counties. “We are in the five lowest in Tennessee,” Gilpatrick said. ‘We can’t retain good teachers if we are in the five lowest systems ... Read More »

Sparta has made headway on its long-term paving plan, so much so that the city has shaved a year off its goal to repave every city street. Public Works Director Dillard Quick said the paving plan could be finished as soon as 2026. “With what we’ve got done if the prices continue to come in like it does and I ... Read More »

The Van Buren County Commission will consider bonuses for county employees who have worked through the pandemic. County Mayor Greg Wilson said $200 per month for full-time employees and $100 per month for part-time employees will be considered. Wilson said the money is coming from the county’s COVID funds. Wilson said the county employees deserve this as they keep working, ... Read More »

Representative Ryan Williams wants to explore solutions for improving traffic flow in downtown Cookeville. Williams said that there has been a desire for some time to better east to west routes through the city. He said that over the years there have been two traffic studies that recommended making Spring Street and Broad Street one-way roads. Williams said that making ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland Regional Medical Director Dr. Don Grisham is warning the public against treating COVID with Ivermectin. Grisham said the drug is used by veterinarians to treat animal parasites like heartworms and roundworms. Grisham said the FDA, CDC and WHO have all issued statements saying Ivermectin is not authorized or approved to treat COVID. “The side effects of Ivermectin that ... Read More »

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will provide a mobile hazardous waste collection service at the Overton County Fairgrounds on Saturday. Solid Waste Director Gary Smith said collection service will take anything from household cleaners, to pool chemicals, to paint thinner. Smith said it’s important to dispose of hazardous waste properly. “Mainly just keep it away from the other ... Read More »

The Clay County School System is boosting its school safety with upgrades across the district’s surveillance system. There will be 24 new cameras in total, with Hermitage Springs getting 15 of the new cameras. The total cost is roughly $13,000 which will be completely covered by a Safe Schools grant. Clay County High School is getting two cameras and Celina ... Read More »

Crossville is expanding its location options for the future indoor recreation center. City Manager Greg Wood said property purchased on Webb Avenue has shown potential development issues. Wood said the city’s attorney will now pursue property on Main Street to increase the recreation center’s visibility. “One big reason for doing the recreation center in the first place is our folks ... Read More »