Latest News

The Cookeville Energy Department stands almost 60 percent to its goal of replacing all of Cookeville’s existing street lights with improved LED lights. Department of Energy Director Carl Haney said the replacement project began some three years ago when manufacturers started to move away from the lights the city previously used. “They were coming out with a more energy-efficient LED ... Read More »

Four local organizations have come together to form the Cookeville Community Cares Coalition to work on issues like poverty and homelessness. Hip Cookeville CEO Blair Dudley said the coalition has the ability to work directly with people in need. He said the street-level work they do can resolve issues that might take a government entity three to six months to ... Read More »

Tech’s College of Agriculture and Human Ecology has entered the design phase for a new Agriculture Engineering and Innovation Center to be built at Shipley Farms. The structure will house state-of-the-art equipment used in agriculture to allow students to get hands on training. The building will also have classroom and lecture space. Dean Darron Smith said getting this structure built ... Read More »

State Representative Ryan Williams said he plans to revive a bill during this legislative session that would allow school personnel to carry concealed firearms on school grounds. Williams said he first started work on the bill several years ago. Williams said the bill has already passed three committees with a super majority. “Those places where there technically considered gun-free zones ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional Medical Center is hiring an American Sign Language interpreter to serve increased demand. Director of Patient Experience Craig Norris said eliminating communication barriers is proven to result in increased patient satisfaction and comfort. He said studies show that better language interpretation decreases adverse medical outcomes and improves adherence to medical advice. “It’s really important that we include everyone,” ... Read More »

This week the White County Commission will discuss allowing County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson to handle negotiations for the sale of the county landfill. The solid waste committees last week heard presentations from two potential companies seeking to manage the landfill and Waste Management received a higher score than its competitor. The negotiations will include how solid waste is disposed ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council allocated $5,000 to Helping Hands of Putnam County with funding emergency winter shelters. With this week’s winter weather, shelters have been much more heavily populated than normal. Vice Mayor Luke Eldridge said he was excited to see the city help get shelter for those in need over the cold months. “I’m glad to see that we’re able ... Read More »

Days away from the second presidential election event of the season, a Tech Political Science Professor said the 2024 election cycle will likely feel a lot like 2020. “I feel like this election cycle is just déjà vu and we’re just watching 2020 play out all over again,” Assistant Professor Lauren Harding said. Harding said Donald Trump is very likely ... Read More »

Sparta water crews spent hours trying to repair a main water line bust this week on Gaines Street. Water Department Superintendent Greg O’Neal said his crew stood knee deep in water in temperatures only in the teens. O’Neal said his crew’s safety was a big priority. “The guys do get wet,” O’Neal said. “We keep a couple of trucks running ... Read More »

The developer of the Old Kentucky Road Commons has officially withdrawn the appeal over signage for a potential new Wendy’s location. The Cookeville Planning Commission denied the additional free-standing pole sign at the shopping development located on East 10th Street and Old Kentucky Road. Developer Wayne Cravens appealed to the Cookeville City Council, the protocol in such a circumstance. Cravens ... Read More »