Latest News

The Cumberland County Schools Attorney has recommended that the school board should continue enforcing a mask mandate. The Board of Education met in a special called meeting Wednesday to revisit the topic of mask wearing. Lawyer Earl Patton said if the mask mandate was removed, the school system could be liable. “It does not make sense to do away with ... Read More »

The Putnam County Humane Society is fundraising to continue its Access to Care program. Director Jennifer Farley said they will participate in the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Giving Tuesday event on May 5. Farley said over 50 percent of clients cannot afford spay and neutering, let alone surgery at a full service vet. “They’re doing the absolute best that ... Read More »

The Cookeville-Putnam County NAACP has launched its own website to host all of its resources in one place online. President Thomas Savage said the site will include community resources, COVID relief information, and allow people to ask NAACP leadership questions. Thomas said this is an important time for the NAACP to grow and overpower divisive and negative talking points. “Even ... Read More »

The Livingston City Pool will reopen on Memorial Day after a long year with less recreation in the city. Mayor Curtis Hayes said reopening is possible thanks to the vaccine rollout during the cold season. “Get our swimming pool back up and going, I think it’s important that kids have social events as much as adults do,” Hayes said. “I ... Read More »

The Native American Guardians Association is coming to Putnam County this weekend to discuss preserving Native American culture. The Tennessee Freedom Force is hosting the event. Freedom Force President Jeffrey Birdwell said they are having a panel Saturday where Native American leaders of 15 tribes will meet to discuss the eradication of Native American culture and issues facing the Native ... Read More »

The Putnam County School System will help keep students out of the rain with new canopies at Cookeville High School. Deputy Schools Director Tim Martin said a ball park figure of $350,000 has been budgeted for the project. Martin said the hopeful goal is to have canopies at the main entrance and rear bus pickup entrance finished by the start ... Read More »

Counties are being cautious moving into the budget season with the recent influx of sales tax revenue not expected to hold in the future. White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said the main question is will this one time COVID fund spending be reoccurring. “We don’t think so,” Robinson said. “We don’t expect this trend to continue to rise, especially ... Read More »

Main Street McMinnville has named Cliff Davidson its new president. Main Street highlights the resources and growth opportunities for downtown McMinnville. Davidson said one specific way he plans to revitalize McMinnville’s historic downtown is to get residents socializing safely in a post-pandemic world. “Really the only safe way to do that is outdoors, and we have the the best outdoor ... Read More »

Putnam County Budget Committee Chair Ben Rodgers said going back to a percentage of sales tax funding the school system is something he wants explored this budget season. The school system and commissioners negotiated a set revenue number in 2008 after a shortfall in revenue. “I personally would like the schools to get a locked in percentage,” Rodgers said. “If ... Read More »

Algood is trying to find ways to keep costs low on the Green Mountain Water Project. City Administrator Keith Morrison said one solution is bidding out the project with other sewer and water projects simultaneously. Morrison said the goal is to have bids in and approved in the next three to four months. “I think the biggest challenge is just trying ... Read More »