Latest News

Sparta Electric has won a Top Performer EnergyRight Award from TVA. Energy Service and Program Vice-President Cindy Herron said EnergyRight partners with local power companies to offer clean and inexpensive energy to homes and businesses. “We are here to say we appreciate this partnership, and we want to recognize Sparta Electric for being a top performer for fiscal year 2020 ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech will have $12 million in federal funding available to eligible students, but they must confirm enrollment. Enrollment Management and Career Placement Vice President Brandon Johnson said where the funding goes is based on the university census. However, he said September 2 is when that data will start being analyzed. “If you’ve not confirmed fall enrollment, do so and ... Read More »

There is a need for more child care services in the Upper Cumberland according to two local providers. Nana’s Child Care is the sole state licensed center in Clay County. Owner Debra Anderson said they have seven clients on hold and often turn down new business due to capacity. “We aren’t licensed to hold as many kids as like a ... Read More »

Vol State’s Cookeville and Livingston Campuses are seeing enrollment numbers similar to 2020 pandemic numbers. Classes are set to begin on Monday, registration is still open. The fall 2020 headcount across all campuses reached 8,832. Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator Eric Melcher said the college is trying to get enrollment to pre-COVID levels. “We have had a few on ground ... Read More »

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office continues to struggle finding dispatchers and correctional officers. Sheriff Brandon Boone said three full-time positions remain open, leaving the jail understaffed. “We are going to have to be competitive in the pay,” Boone said. “I’m not saying we can pay what some of the bigger counties such as Putnam County. I mean we obviously can’t ... Read More »

The Van Buren County Fair will open the gates on Saturday with country nights and carnival lights. Fair President Lesa Bouldin said the fair stuck with fan favorites this year like beauty pageants, the chainsaw challenge and greased pig competition. “We stuck with the ones that we knew worked, that people would come out and see,” Bouldin said. “The carnival, ... Read More »

DeKalb County teachers, non-certified personnel, and bus drivers will see an increase in their next paycheck. Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said that the board of education has been working to better compensate employees. He said that the board wants to be able to compete for teachers with the bigger surrounding districts. “To be competitive we knew we had to ... Read More »

The Fairfield Glade Ladies’ Club is seeking more vendors for the Village Green Mall location of its 14th annual Mistletoe Market. Ways and Means Committee Co-Chair Mary Ann Urban said the organization is searching for vendors to bring in products ranging from crafts to home decor. “Craft vendors, direct sale vendors we don’t already have, places like Thirty-One, Pampered Chef, ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional Chief Strategy Officer Ricky Shelton said the administration is concerned about the rising number of housed COVID patients. Shelton said the number of hospitalizations are the highest since January of this year. “We were very busy and near capacity before this rise,” Shelton said. “Now as you can imagine, we are very full. Today, we have 56 positive ... Read More »

Livingston approved the only bid received for its raw water intake system improvements on Wednesday night. This consists of a new pump and valve installation for roughly $451,000. Engineer Greg Davenport said he had to make multiple calls to secure a bidder. “I would have loved to have gotten more bidders but it’s just the way it happened this time,” ... Read More »