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The Cookeville Police Department will purchase four new hybrid vehicles for $36,000 each. Chief Randy Evans said it was a first for the department. The department will also purchase three standard SUVs at $33,000 each. Evans said they’ve been looking at studies, and motivations for the purchase came from nature of the car industry moving in this direction, and that ... Read More »

In planning for fun at campouts and making s’mores by the campfire, you should also plan for fire safety. Jackson County Fire Chief Jeff Conn said a common mistake among fire-users is not being cautious when starting fires, especially when using accelerants. “A lot of times when the people use a product like that, they’ll get really close to it ... Read More »

Cookeville will not be receiving a visit from the motorcyclist group Run the Wall this holiday weekend. Visitor’s Bureau Executive Director Molly Brown said the group typically stops in on their Memorial Day tour, which was cancelled. She said they had hoped to have them this Fourth of July weekend. “Unfortunately that was cancelled as well so we’re definitely going ... Read More »

The city of Cookeville is pleased with the county’s decision to authorize the sale of the Putnam County Fairgrounds. City Manager James Mills said that this presents an opportunity for commercial development for the city. “Well I mean anytime you have an opportunity to redevelop it’s a positive for the community,” Mills said. “And the other positive is that this ... Read More »

Independence Day is a celebration of our nation’s freedom marked with patriotic displays. One of the most distinguished symbols of that independence is the American Flag. White County American Legion Post Commander Ron Lapierre said the proper times to fly the flag depends on the material. “If nylon or cloth, you only fly it from morning to evening and only ... Read More »

Red, White and Boom returns to the Putnam County Fairgrounds for its seventh annual Fourth of July celebrations this weekend. The weekend will kick off Saturday morning with a classic car show, and have events throughout Saturday and Sunday until the fireworks show at 9 p.m. Mayor Ricky Shelton said they’re excited to have this year’s show be bigger and ... Read More »

Governor Bill Lee was at Rock Island State Park Friday afternoon to tour the park’s Old Mill. The focus of the tour was to show future possibilities for the site and how the state could create future uses. Lee said that tours like this with community leaders make challenges something that can be overcome. “This spot right here is a ... Read More »

The Tennessee Historical Society announced Friday that Overton County’s Twinton Fire lookout Tower is officially registered to the National Register of Historic Places These include a WWII-era aircraft hangar, an African-American cemetery, a foundry complex, apartment complex, and three fire lookout towers. Six other locations in Tennessee were also added. The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s official ... Read More »

The doors opened at Overton County Health and Rehab’s new rehab center on Friday morning. Officials from across the county gathered for the ribbon cutting before they toured the facility’s addition. Administrator Jennifer Bouldin said this addition was a blessing for an aging community. “This day is just so special we’ve been working for this… I’ve actually been working on ... Read More »

The Red, White and Boom Classic Car Cruise-in Celebration returns for its 6th year at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Coordinator Becky Raines said that people can expect interesting cars, music, and a presentation of the colors program, all starting at 9 a.m. “We will be happy to have anyone,” Raines said. “We will have some tents that will be giving ... Read More »