Latest News

Smoke testing in Cookeville’s sanitary sewer system will begin this week in various locations. Testing will be done by  the Department of Water Quality Control to search for sources of storm and ground water entering the sanitary sewer system. A special non-toxic smoke is being used and it leaves no stains. The smoke will have a distinctive odor, that only ... Read More »

A Fentress County man has been arrested for selling Oxycodone obtained through TennCare benefits and TennCare fraud. Kenny Evans of Pall Mall was arrested by the Office of Inspector General and the Fentress County Sheriff’s Department in a joint effort. Investigators say Evans used TennCare to get the pills and then sold them to an undercover informant. This case is ... Read More »

Clay County’s American Legion Post 18 is in need of an office space to grow their branch. Post Commander Bryan Brady said the group of roughly 30 vets operate out of the Celina Chamber of Commerce at this time. Brady said that in his mind, there is no reason an area like his cannot support a dedicated post for veterans ... Read More »

Van Buren County School’s new fiscal year budget has passed its second reading with little changes. Director of Schools Cheryl Cole said the proposed $7.4 million budget includes a two percent raise for teachers and support staff. “Expenditures we kept about the same,” Cole said. “I think there was $180,000 difference and that was a decrease because we are trying ... Read More »

This week in the Upper Cumberland Monterey will hold a work session with MTAS to discuss hiring regulations. Some members of the Board of Aldermen have questioned Mayor J.J. Reels’ role in appointing town positions. MTAS HR Consultant John Grubbs will review personnel rules starting at 6:00 p.m. at town hall. Immediately following the work session, Monterey will continue work ... Read More »

Baxter Building Inspector Bob Lane has asked Baxter officials to amend the plumbing code to protect water lines under concrete. Lane said requiring sleeves around pipes would decrease the likelihood of leaks over time. “Say you buy a condominium or you buy a townhouse, you’re probably not going to have any problems for several years,”Lane said. “But 10 years down ... Read More »

The Fentress County Highway Department wants to pave 15 miles of gravel road over the next year. Road Supervisor Joey Reagan said he will ask the county commission to allow the department to take out a $1.5 million capital improvement loan. Reagan said this will better serve the county’s most rural residents. “The majority is in the west Fentress area,” ... Read More »

McMinnville’s Milner Recreation Center officially opens Monday. Parks and Recreation Director Scott McCord said the Garfield Street location meets expectations and is ready for the community to visit. “Everybody has got their offices. All the rooms are setup,” McCord said. “Tennis court is setup, basketball and got the scoreboards put up. All the fitness equipment are in. All the spin ... Read More »

Bids for Putnam County’s Archives and Veterans Building construction came in much higher than expected. County Mayor Randy Porter said construction costs have gone up since they originally placed out bids. “When the tornado destroyed the building last year, we started looking at estimates of what it would cost to replace it,” Porter said. “They were tremendously lower than what ... Read More »

The Cookeville Fire Department is halfway to reaching its staffing goal for a 5th fire station on Tennessee Avenue. Chief Daryl Blair said plan to bring on three fire fighters a year to staff the station came together to alleviate the financial burden of adding them all at once. Blair said a plan had to be in place once it ... Read More »