Latest News

All three tornado sirens in Smithville passed their test during Tuesday’s tornado warning. EMA Director Charlie Parker said the sirens are activated automatically when they are within the National Weather Service’s polygon area. Prior to adding two new sirens, the existing siren on city hall had to be activated manually. “The first warning issued for Dekalb County was more north, ... Read More »

Roads have been reopened in Jackson County and Clay County following Tuesday’s storms. EMA Spokesperson Derek Woolbright said that the county highway and sheriff’s department have been able to get Cook Lane and Homer Lane reopened. Woolbright said the county saw a majority of its fallen trees in the Brooks Bend area. Clay County EMA Director Kyle Haney said that ... Read More »

Clay County experienced flash flooding and fallen trees around the county Tuesday morning. EMA Director Kyle Haney said the areas of Neely Creek Road and Willow Grove Highway were the flash flooding locations. Haney said that road crews are clearing trees and loose gravel across county roadways. “The only road that is closed right now is going to be Scott ... Read More »

Dekalb County is currently evaluating storm damages in several areas of the county. EMA Director Charlie Parker said a tornado has not been confirmed but straight line winds did take a definite path. Parker said Alexandria, northern Smithville and Johnsons Chapel took the majority of damages. “The biggest thing has been tree damage, we have some power lines down,” Parker ... Read More »

Several commercial buildings in the Woodlawn Road area of Crossville suffered damage from Tuesday’s storm. Fire Chief Chris South said high winds blew out multiple storm doors and roll up doors that flew into adjacent buildings. “These are two commercial businesses in our area that were affected,” South said. “We’ve had some additional roof damage to another business located by ... Read More »

Jackson County experienced some minor damages from this morning’s storm. That is according to EMA Spokesperson Derek Woolbright. Woolbright said there are downed trees in the Brooks Bend area. He said county highway and sheriff’s department are currently working to get blocked roadways opened in that area. Woolbright said crews are targeting Cook Lane and Homer Lane for reopening. Woolbright ... Read More »

The Putnam County Commissioners budget committee saw a seven percent increase in county general fund expenses as budget deliberations began Monday night. County department heads requested 18 new employees in the $43 million budget, led by six paramedics, three firefighters and two new 911 dispatchers. County Mayor Randy Porter said he thought the department heads put together a reasonable budget. ... Read More »

The Livingston Police Department has new directives for property procedures related to seized cash and evidence. The directive came down from Police Chief Greg Etheredge who worked on the changes over the last two months with MTAS Police Management Consultant Rex Barton. Barton presented the procedure changes to the Livingston Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday night. Etheredge said ... Read More »

The new Cookeville Police Department will feature a fallen officer memorial near the front entrance. Cookeville Police Chief Randy Evans said Putnam County artist Cindy Billingsley created the sculpture design which will be mounted on the granite wall. “She actually did a sculpture for Brentwood Police Department, so that’s how we came to know her,” Evans said. “We met with ... Read More »

The town of Monterey wants to work with T-DOT to address drainage issues along Commercial Avenue. Mayor JJ Reels said a sink hole that has opened in front of Monterey High School is a major concern. “There is a hole that is getting bigger five feet off the road, and it’s probably 10 feet deep, and it is getting wider,” ... Read More »