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A new coalition in Tennessee is aiming to mitigate flood damage throughout the state by calling for better preparedness and more legislative action. The group called Flood Ready Tennessee is made up of elected officials, homeowners, small business owners, faith leaders, and community members. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said that he joined the group because he believes there is ... Read More »

One hundred percent of hospitalized COVID patients this month at Livingston Regional have not been vaccinated. That is according to Physician Relations and Marketing Director David Cox. Cox said during that time, 31 percent of inpatient admissions have been COVID cases. “Currently, most of our patients that have been tested positive for COVID are in our ICU,” Cox said. “Currently, ... Read More »

Putnam County has opened bids for repaving at four solid waste convenience centers. Solid Waste Director Doug Ashburn said prices came in where he expected, with a $155,000 price tag. Ashburn said the West Jackson Street Convenience Center will get all new paving first. “We are shooting to pave those on the days off, which is Thursdays,” Ashburn said. “If ... Read More »

Residents might see or smell smoke this afternoon at Cane Creek Park due to a controlled burn Thursday. Cookeville Leisure Services will be burning some fields beginning at 3:00 PM, lasting for a few hours. Leisure Services has said the burn should not stop anyone from doing outdoor activities and the burn will not have a lasting effect on air ... Read More »

The 43rd Annual Mountaineer Folk Festival is coming to Fall Creek Falls this week from Friday, September 10th to Sunday, September 12th. Festival Director Matt Brown said that the festival is a weekend-long event dedicated to the pioneer culture of the Cumberland Plateau. “We focus on demonstrations that date back to pre-Depression Era,” Brown said.  “So we have some spinning ... Read More »

University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd made a stop in Algood on Wednesday to showcase Algood and their collaborative projects on their tour across the state. Algood Mayor Lisa Chapman-Fowler said that the city has utilized many of the services UT offers in work to enhance the community. “Because that’s what they’re there for,” Chapman-Fowler said. “And those resources ... Read More »

Over 240 athletes and counting are competing at the Upper Cumberland Senior Olympics. Assistant Coordinator Alicia Arehart said the events kicked off last week with golf and bowling, with registrations ongoing for other events. Arehart said that after canceling last year, participants are excited to get back to competing safely. “There are always worries about coming into contact with COVID ... Read More »

Record numbers at Cookeville Regional Medical Center have the facility working to ensure enough capacity to continue patient treatment. Chief Strategy Officer Ricky Shelton said that over the past month, the overall number of COVID-positive patients has increased by some 600 percent. “One thing for sure is the variants that we’re dealing with spread more easily than the initial virus,” ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland lakes saw fewer accidents during the Labor Day Weekend than last year. TWRA Wildlife Officer Dustin Buttram said between the region’s four lakes, only two accidents occurred. Buttram said the accident with an injury was at Center Hill Lake, where water was powerful enough to break a leg. “Below those reservoirs where they’re generating the water through that ... Read More »

DeKalb County and Smithville are joining together Thursday to remember those fallen on September 11. Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker said 20 years later, many cannot remember the events of that day. Parker said that makes events like this meaningful, to recall a moment that rallied a nation to band together. “That brought the first responders to the forethought of ... Read More »