Cookeville Planning Commission approved the rezoning of Bob’s Body Shop property Monday night after the action was tabled last month. Owner Bill Grogan said that while he originally planned to use the rezoning to construct a customizable automotive paint business on the Highway 70 property, that venture was no longer his intention. “We decided to go a different direction,” Grogan ... Read More »

A new transportation software update allows White County School System buses to run routes more efficiently. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the software update allows for faster route scheduling and street level mapping. Dronebarger said the software has even allowed for the elimination of one bus route so far. “We did come across one route here recently, rather close ... Read More »

Capacity issues at four Putnam County elementary schools will limit enrollment heading into the new school year. Algood, Jere Whitson, Prescott, and Sycamore Elementary Schools will be open to students who live in the school zone and those students who live outside the zone but attended the school this year. These four schools are at 86 percent or more of ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission holds a public hearing Monday on a proposed zoning change in the Highway 70 corridor. Planning Director Jon Ward said future land use of a property on West Broad Street near County Farm Road and Royal Oak Drive is the reason. “The residents have submitted a request to rezone the property, and also requested that the ... Read More »

Fentress County Commissioners will explore potential land-use rules on cell phone towers. County Commissioners heard concerns from two Fentress County residents this week, after a neighbor allowed a cell phone tower to be built on his property. Commissioners agreed to form a committee to look at the issue. Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson said the committee will explore options, looking ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools are struggling to fill openings in their Pre-K classes because of parents reluctance to send kids into schools during the pandemic. Pre-K-4th Curriculum and Instruction Supervisor Jill Ramsey said there are openings at three schools for four year old kids only. Ramsey said parents should know all COVID precautions that can be taken for preschool classes are ... Read More »

Sparta could soon have new small home rental spaces on North Church Street designed for tourists. The Board of Alderman Thursday approved a zoning change for roughly two acres to allow multiple dwellings on one parcel. Mayor Jeff Young said the homes will be marketed to visitors. “What the intention is behind that property is they want to build smaller ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission unanimously voted against the rezoning of land along Buffalo Valley Road Monday night for multi-family housing. The 10.2 acre plot would have been rezoned RM8 to allow for apartments or town homes. Planning Director Jon Ward said the proposed change did not meet the uses outlined in Cookeville’s land use plan. He said further sewer facilities ... Read More »

The Putnam County Commission will meet Monday night to hear reports of its committees. Planning Committee will meet at 5:00 to adopt the updated Upper Cumberland Regional Airport zoning map. Next, the Road Committee will review recommendations for the speed limit on Silas Vickers Road. Then at 5:30, the Fiscal Review Committee will consider purchasing properties for additional parking around ... Read More »

Pickett County has seen an increase of retirees moving into the Dale Hallow Lake area. As of 2018, 28 percent of the Pickett County population is 65 years or older. Chamber of Commerce Director Bill Robbins said over the past few years, retiree numbers have steadily rose. “Some folks have been living away from here that were actually born and ... Read More »