Latest News

Cookeville’s proposed ordinance concerning grass clippings on the road failed Thursday night. Council members Eric Walker and Laurin Wheaton recommended the city implement an educational campaign instead of an ordinance. Walker said such an ordinance would risk more lawsuits. “I’m an avid motorcyclist, I truly understand the hazards and one hundred percent get behind city campaigns to urge its citizens ... Read More »

Butterfly Blessing Effect along with UCHRA will be accepting food donations Saturday to fuel the Butterfly Blessing Box. Non-Profit CEO Pam Russell said the donation cabinets works like this. Take what you need and leave what you can. “Butterfly Blessings is an organization that have outside food pantry boxes for people who just need it,” Russell said. “Who just need ... Read More »

Sparta’s North Church and Quill E. Cope Streets are set for sewer line replacements, before they are repaved. The Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved soliciting bids for this work Thursday night. Sparta Public Works Director Dillard Quick said this project will be beyond what his own department is capable of doing at this time. “We just don’t have ... Read More »

Putnam County considering a potential $11 million in capital projects for next year’s budget. County Mayor Randy Porter told the commissioner’s budget committee meeting last night, $2 million to replace the school bus garage and county highway building among the priorities. “We know that we’ve got to build the building first down on Tennessee Avenue,” Porter said. “Once we get ... Read More »

The Cookeville City Council will keep Cookeville Regional’s payment in lieu of taxes firm for the next seven years in exchange for an aggressive retirement repayment schedule. Council approved the plan Thursday night with only Charles Womack voting against. The CRMC Board of Trustees must approve the plan. That board meets next week. The council will ask the CRMC Board ... Read More »

The need to fill jobs is high, and one Cookeville church is opening its doors to get people employed. David Hunter from The Bend Church said they have partnered with Goodwill’s Career Solutions to be host site for the job fair. Hunter said when the church started reaching out around the nearby community, the need for employment became evident. “In ... Read More »

Water loss continues to be a problem for Highlands Residential Services with multiple new leaks over the past month. Executive Director Dow Harris recommended to the housing authority board Thursday to consider replacing lines in the most serious areas of Baxter. “These Baxter water leaks are killing us,” Harris said. “They are not coming to the surface. We are having ... Read More »

Livingston Academy Athletic Director Bruce Lamb says new legislation passed by the Tennessee General Assembly will elevate the safety of student athletes. The new legislation known as the “Safe Stars Act,” establishes certain health and safety requirements in regards to school youth athletic activities. Lamb said it will ensure coaches and trainers are more prepared when it comes to student ... Read More »

State reimbursement for Putnam County’s tornado-related tax short falls has been put on hold. Representative Ryan Williams said Governor Bill Lee’s office and FEMA have recommended to wait and see if excess revenue could fill the gap instead. “The costs associated with the tornadoes will be in by the end of this calendar year, which leaves a quarter left in ... Read More »

The Monterey Wesleyan Church is in the process of creating an Immigrant Connection Center for surrounding communities. Senior Pastor Ted Stepp said the church-based initiative will provide low cost legal services for Hispanic families. “Right now, we’re in the process of filing all the paperwork we need with the Department of Justice, and we’ll actually try to get that done ... Read More »