Latest News

The Putnam County Redistricting Committee will explore three possible options to bring before the county commission. One plan is to maintain the current 12 districts with two commissioners each. County Technical Assistance Service Consultant Ben Rodgers said that the other two options affect both county commission size and school board size. “Seven commission districts, three commissioners per district,” Rodgers said. “Which would ... Read More »

The Celina Board of Aldermen supports Mayor Luke Collins asking Clay County for funding to assist in purchasing the Cumberland River Hospital. The Aldermen passed a motion unanimously at a special called meeting Thursday. Collins said the commission’s answer will determine future negotiations with Hospital Owner Johnny Presley. “It’s a long journey, but I’d like to see us start moving ... Read More »

This week’s flooding in middle Tennessee serves as a reminder for flood insurance. Vice President of Operations for Swallows Insurance Agency Kelly Swallows said that flooding is not covered in most homeowners’ protection. Swallows said that when communities see floods like last weekend, it serves as a reminder that flood insurance policies don’t serve only those on flood plains. “I ... Read More »

Putnam County Emergency Services will explore adding another radio tower in the northern part of Cookeville by the Putnam County Soccer Complex. Putnam 911 Assistant Director Brandon Smith said that the new tower will enhance coverage for the Bangham, Hillham, Dodson Branch areas. Smith said that the new 180-foot tower would also fix paging issues for emergency responders. “That paging ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland School Leaders want the governor to allow a certain number of school COVID days to deal with possible closures. Representative Ryan Williams said that some school districts statewide are using their snow days while they navigate the rise of cases. UC School leaders asked Williams for help. Williams said that he and school leaders proposed an idea that ... Read More »

The Highway 111 park and ride lot off I-40 will be temporary closed Monday. T-DOT Community Relations Officer Rae-Anne Bradley said crews will be trimming vegetation on that day. “The city police in the area have requested this vegetation clearing, and the parking area most be empty for our crews to perform this work,” Bradley said. “These safety improvements should ... Read More »

Some White County residents disagree with TWRA’s plan to clear cut a portion of the Bridgestone-Firestone Centennial Wilderness. One of those residents is Mike O’Neal who has hunted on the property for some 40 years. O’Neal said he is strongly against the project that would turn a hardwood forest into a quail habitat. “Why would anyone take out a hardwood ... Read More »

The 2021 U.S. Kayak Open in Putnam County has been postponed to next year. The kayak fishing event at Center Hill Lake scheduled September 9th-12th has been moved to April 29th- May 1st 2022. Event host USAngling, the Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors’ Bureau and participants made the decision. Limiting the spread of COVID and the safety of anglers caused the push ... Read More »

In-person visitations at the Putnam County Jail are set to resume Monday. Visitations were temporarily suspended for three weeks after a COVID spike among inmates. Sheriff Eddie Farris said the facility now stands COVID free. “We’ve certainly made some progress over the last few days,” Farris said. “So the 27th everybody will be off quarantine. So, we’re excited about that. ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional is looking to combat the national nursing shortage through international nurses. Chief Nursing Officer Scott Lethi said that Worldwide Health Solutions will hopefully add stability to decrease a high turnover rate in the profession. “The COVID surge for those that have been in nursing 20 to 30 years that can retire, some are seeking earlier retirement,” Lethi said. ... Read More »