Latest News

Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation is changing lives using donations of gently-used medical equipment. “Project Procure” is a program that collects things like wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical equipment. Executive Director John Bell said they then give them to patients who might not be able to afford them otherwise. “The impact this has is amazing, particularly on things like wheelchairs,” Bell ... Read More »

Overton County Schools is working to bring students a JROTC program, a first in the district’s history if achieved. Board of Education Member Mike Hayes said surveys are being created to gauge interest and will be sent out to parents once completed. “We talked about it a couple of years ago and kind of got to the point of meeting ... Read More »

Highlands Residential Services has hired an engineer to design a replacement water system for its Baxter sites. Executive Director Dow Harris said the city was made a priority after nine found leaks in the past year. “The master meter will go away,” Harris said. “We’re going to have a whole new system with fire hydrants, individual meters. Residents will get ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland continues to see climbing numbers of drug overdoses, according to experts. Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist Colby Lane said that fentanyl is the driving force behind most of the overdoses. Lane said that law enforcement sees traces of the drug in almost everything. “Drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine,” Lane said. “They said they’re saying that 60 to 70 ... Read More »

Sparta plans to purchase new infrared cameras and extrication stabilization equipment for the city fire department. The city’s budget has $5,000 for the cameras and $6,000 for the extraction gear, also known as cribbing. Fire Chief Kirk Young said both are necessary purchases to replace aging tools. “It will make it safer for the volunteers and paid guys to use ... Read More »

It has been a polar opposite summer compared to last year for Clay County Director of Schools Matt Eldridge. Eldridge said that while it has been a busy summer, it is much better than the unknowns of 2020. However, Eldridge said it is still a summer unlike any before as an administrator. “All through most director of school’s careers you ... Read More »

Monterey Alderman Charles Looper wants a review of the town’s trash services and what can be included in curbside trash pickup. Looper said large items such as couches have been laying on the ground and loaded into the garbage truck. Looper said he wants a resolution that remove those items from trash pickup. “We pay tonnage at the landfill for ... Read More »

Increasing temperatures lead to a want for more air conditioning, but what effect does this have on your energy bill? Karen Brown with Cookeville Energy Services said the best way to keep your power bill down is to keep your thermostat between 75 and 78 degrees during the day. “Also use ceilings fans to keep your air moving in your ... Read More »

Starting on Monday Cookeville will be smoke testing the sanitary sewer system in various locations, including the Deberry Heights area. Testing is done through a non-toxic smoke to search for storm and ground water entering the sanitary sewer system. If residents have defective or unused plumbing and drains, smoke may enter the home. If traces of the smoke or odor ... Read More »

This week the Putnam County Commission will discuss finances and county debt in a work session Monday. The topic of discussions will focus on the bond issue for the new jail, a new school, as well as the new fiscal year budget. Sheriff Eddie Farris and School Director Corby King are set to present their requests to the county court ... Read More »