Tag Archives: Cookeville

Highlands Residential Services has been awarded a $899,000 grant to assist in the construction of Cookeville’s Hickory Valley. Director of Operations Chris Cassetty said the funding saves local money and helps the housing authority prepare financially for future developments. “Our grant actually scored 65,” Cassetty said. “65 was the lowest score that got funded, so we were right on the ... Read More »

Cookeville Public Works is working on a plan to widen West Stevens Street in an attempt to help with an increase in traffic flow. Director Greg Brown said the work would facilitate east to west traffic as more people seek other driving routes apart from the main roads. “To try to distribute the traffic between more roads,” Brown said. “Instead ... Read More »

Community for Heroes is a Cookeville organization with the mission of bringing homeless veterans off the street. Founder Josh Pack said 100 percent of donations go towards purchases that provide veterans with a hand up. “The end goal is to not just give them food for today, but set them up for success for tomorrow and the days to come,” ... Read More »

The city of Cookeville has begun installing signs that discourage motorists from giving cash to panhandlers. The signage located on popular intersections and roads such as the I-40 Highway 111 intersection. The metal signs state, “Say no to panhandling, contribute to the solution, give to charities.” Mayor Ricky Shelton said it is an attempt to find an answer to a ... Read More »

Putnam County’s new “Hope Park” has been chosen by Lowe’s as one of its “100 impact projects” getting funding. Lowe’s is providing funding to build a pavilion and bathrooms on the park site, located in the 2020 tornado zone. Mayor Randy Porter said the funds allow the park to be even better than it was first planned. The park is ... Read More »

The need for substitute teachers has stabilized in Putnam County after shortages during last school year. Putnam County Schools HR Director Angie Knight said the substitute teacher pool currently sits at roughly 270. Knight said there will still be challenges keeping the pool at the ideal number with expected drop outs. “We sent them a notice at the end of ... Read More »

Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation is changing lives using donations of gently-used medical equipment. “Project Procure” is a program that collects things like wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical equipment. Executive Director John Bell said they then give them to patients who might not be able to afford them otherwise. “The impact this has is amazing, particularly on things like wheelchairs,” Bell ... Read More »

Starting on Monday Cookeville will be smoke testing the sanitary sewer system in various locations, including the Deberry Heights area. Testing is done through a non-toxic smoke to search for storm and ground water entering the sanitary sewer system. If residents have defective or unused plumbing and drains, smoke may enter the home. If traces of the smoke or odor ... Read More »

Anyone with questions about ESSER funding and how it can be spent can get their questions answered by the Putnam County School System. The system is offering virtual office hours where parents and community members can participate. ESSER Coordinator Jason Stickler said the system wants to get as much information out as it can before the August 27 deadline. “What ... Read More »

Stories of Cookeville’s musical history will be on display at the Cookeville History Museum starting Saturday. Museums Manager Beth Thompson said new music to the city’s musical roots will be highlighted until September. Thompson said music is growing into one more point of pride for the area. “Of all the great things that we have that come out of Cookeville, ... Read More »