Tag Archives: baxter

Three full-time firefighters the biggest change in Baxter’s 2023 fiscal year budget. The proposed total expenditures are set at some $2.8 million, a $1.1 million increase from 2022’s estimate. Fire Chief Matthew White: “Council decided earlier in the year that this would be one of their top priorities to do,” White said.  “Our call volume has increased over the last ... Read More »

TDOT has started the right-of-way acquisition process for the new road towards Portobello. Baxter Mayor John Martin said at a Tuesday night meeting that property acquisition will be going up Baxter Road across where the new Ditty Road will be. “We’ve got quite a few that’s already agreed to donate the property,” Martin said. “And then TDOT highlighted that if ... Read More »

A city tractor has leaked hydraulic fluid along First Avenue in Baxter Wednesday afternoon. Police Chief Danny Holmes said a hydraulic hose busted that leaked fluid onto the pavement. He said that it has not gotten into the water. “Nothing that the citizens of Baxter should be worried about except to avoid First Avenue South if at all possible,” Holmes ... Read More »

A hotel company has expressed interest in constructing a new hotel in Baxter on Olan Maxwell Road. Cookeville Developer Donny Meadows shared plans of a two-phased residential development to the Baxter Planning Commission Thursday. The company has verbally agreed to build on the site. “I think it’s a great project,” Mayor John Martin said. “Like Donnie said, we’ve got a ... Read More »

The city of Baxter welcomed a new welding and gas company at a ribbon-cutting on Friday. Volunteer Welding is a welding supply store that also provides medical gases, industrial gases, PPE and more. Owner John Mark McMurtry said that they’ve been wanting to open a Baxter location for some time. “I think we’re really excited about what the market is ... Read More »

Sales tax collected across Putnam County in the month of February was up 18.1 percent compared to the same month last year. The county saw the largest increase with 26.4 percent. Baxter and Monterey were close behind behind with 21.7 percent and 20.1 percent. Algood had a 18.7 percent increase and Cookeville a 16.9 percent. Mayor Randy Porter issued the ... Read More »

A Baxter man missing since March has been identified as the man found floating in Center Hill Lake. Dekalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray said the man is 37-year-old William Houghtaling Jr. The body was found floating face down in the lake April 6th at the Johnson’s Chapel Recreation near a boat ramp. An autopsy revealed the identity as Houghtaling Jr. ... Read More »

City of Baxter starting to explore preliminary numbers to have full-time firefighters. Chief Matthew White said that currently there are only 12 part-time firefighters during the day, and 14 volunteers at night. “It’s important for us especially, and I believe all the council are on board with it, they’re looking too to make this a safer place for the citizens ... Read More »

Baxter Board of Aldermen tabled an ordinance Monday night that would increase the city’s tap fees on new developments. The board wants to gather more information before making a final decision. City Attorney Shawn Fry said that this has been discussed for some time, but the amount of development around the community makes the change necessary. Currently, the fees set ... Read More »

Baxter Planning Commission voted to approve the preliminary plat for the long-awaited Fiesta Cancun restaurant. Codes Inspector Bob Lane said that the restaurant will be located on the corner of Olan Maxwell Road and Highway 56. He said that the preliminary plat shows the restaurant at some 3,000 square feet on a plat of five acres. “This will be a ... Read More »