Latest News

Putnam County’s oldest veteran 101-year-old Lehman Riggs passed away Thursday. Mayor Randy Porter said Riggs was one of the nicest individuals he ever met. “I got to know him over several years, and he was just a good, christian man,” Porter said. “Very humble, kind, gentle, but he was very dedicated to the Honor Guard and serving veterans and their ... Read More »

COVID testing and vaccination clinic through the Putnam County Health Department will relocate to the fairgrounds starting Monday. The entrance for both testing and vaccines will be on Walnut Avenue. COVID PCR testing will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. COVID self-testing available Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. COVID vaccines will ... Read More »

Cookeville Police Department will enter into a service agreement for language interpreting services. Chief Randy Evans said that the agreement with Telelanguage will provide a translator for several languages when necessary. “Victims or witnesses and even suspects,” Evans said. “We have to have that clear communication to ensure that we’re making the right decisions as we move forward with the ... Read More »

Live In Livingston is back Saturday with blues guitarist Stacy Mitchhart. The show starts at 5:30 in Livingston’s Central Park. Mayor Curtis Hayes said the invite is open to blues fans around the region because this is a show they will not want to miss. “What entertainment he can bring and will bring,” Hayes said. “He will be performing with ... Read More »

Friday night’s football game between DeKalb County High School and Warren County High School has been postponed due to COVID-related concerns. The tentative makeup date is scheduled for Friday, October 8th. Tickets for Friday’s game may be redeemed at the rescheduled game. Read More »

A Red Boiling Springs man was arrested Friday charged with killing his wife and family dogs. Tracy Chestnut and four dogs were found deceased in her home on August 10th. A TBI investigation found 55-year-old Joseph Chestnut responsible. He was indicted Thursday on one count of First Degree Murder and four counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. Chestnut was booked ... Read More »

A consortium of ten Middle Tennessee hospitals joined together Friday to ask local residents to get vaccinated against COVID. The consortium includes Cookeville Regional, Ascension St Thomas in both White and Dekalb Counties. The open letter, quote begs Middle Tennessee residents to get COVID vaccines. Hospitalizations in Middle Tennessee are escalating at a rate that threatens to overwhelm the healthcare ... Read More »

White County’s Northfield Elementary School is on soft lockdown Friday after a shooting nearby on Old Cookeville Highway. Sheriff Steve Page said a resident was shot in the stomach during an attempted home robbery. The man tried to apprehend the suspect and fired a warning shot in the air. Page said that resulted in the robber firing back with a ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council approved a $17,384 emergency purchase of carbon for the water treatment plant at their meeting Thursday night. Water and Sewer Department Director Ronnie Kelly said that carbon prevents the treated lake water from having a musty, earthy taste. “Carbon absorbs some of the taste compounds of algae in the lake,” Kelly said. “It comes in, we treat ... Read More »

The Jackson County School Board considered whether a mask mandate might help keep the school system open during its Thursday night meeting. Parents on both sides of the topic gave their opinion, as the system is in its second week with 31 positive COVID cases. A mandate was not on the agenda and no vote was taken on the subject. ... Read More »