Latest News

This week the Putnam County Commission will ratify County Mayor Randy Porter’s appointment of a new fire chief for the county. Fire Chief Tom Brown is retiring from the role after over 25 years with the department and 37 years in fire service. The board will also consider the approval of the new interlocal agreement with the Upper Cumberland Regional ... Read More »

Pickett CCC Memorial State Park adding two new features to its ninth annual Christmas in the Park event Saturday. Park Ranger Camron Martin said the event will have live Christmas music from the Rugby Cornet Band, a historical brass band. Martin said the park hosts the free event each year to draw in people who have not been there before. ... Read More »

Cookeville’s Community Development Department has a new Economic Development and Grants Coordinator in Matt Billings. Community Development Director Jon Ward said Billings takes over an expanded position following the retirement of Melinda Keifer in 2022. Ward said Keifer has been retained as a part-time consultant to help smooth the transition, but Billings is getting up to speed in his new ... Read More »

Work continues to lay new fiber optic cable in the Phifer Mountain area, Bangham and rural parts of Monterey and Algood. Twin Lakes has finished up installation of new fiber cable in surrounding counties. CEO Jonathan West said Twin Lakes is utilizing a federal-funded grant awarded by the state to expand its reach in Putnam. “Out ultimate goal is to ... Read More »

The Jackson County Sheriffs Department now equipped with body cameras, thanks to a recent grant. K9 Deputy Miquela Sullivan said the department received their first batch of body cams a few weeks ago. Sullivan said the body cams are a handy piece of equipment for the department to have. “It covers all of our hind ends,” Sullivan said. “Whenever we ... Read More »

The Cookeville Electric Department sent crews and equipment to Gallatin this week to help with damage caused by the tornado. Cookeville Electric Director Carl Haney said the department received a call late Saturday night and sent a crew of six workers early Sunday. Haney said the crew brought two dirt-digging trucks and two bucket trucks to reset telephone poles and ... Read More »

Two Crossville residents were asked to put on a variety show 13 years ago, beginning the annual tradition of raising money for Cumberland County seniors. The Lucas and Friends Christmas Variety Show returns Saturday with new performers and offerings for the audience. Event Producer Ruth Lucas said the feeling that comes from seeing the smiles on people’s faces while performing ... Read More »

White County Schools will use a grant of some $480,000 to add security cameras, improved door-locking systems, and other security upgrades. The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services awarded the district a Secure Our Schools grant, meant to provide and enhance safety equipment and violence-prevention programs. Board Chairman Bob Young said the district applied for the grant after teachers and ... Read More »

Livingston residents enjoying the return of Central Park’s annual weekend-long ice skating event. Park Supervisor Michael Hayes said the city creates a temporary skating rink each winter just for this event. This marks the third year of the free event. “It’s just something that we came up with several years ago and the community really enjoys it,” Hayes said. “It’s ... Read More »

The Clay County Board of Education discussed a set of policy changes from the Tennessee School Boards Association during their Thursday meeting. Chairman Benji Bailey said there was a total of six policy changes which included five revised policies and one completely new one. Bailey said the all of the changes came from the TSBA and were to be considered ... Read More »