Tag Archives: Covid-19

Overton County Schools adding a behavioral specialist to give extra attention to the challenge of student behavior during the coming school year. Director of Schools Donnie Holman said Taylor Howle will come on board to be a resource for teachers who are not used to dealing with increased behavioral issues. He said Howle will travel to all of the district ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council approved Cookeville Regional’s fiscal year budget which includes some $7 million in positive net income. Cookeville Finance Director Brenda Imel said the budget projects a 12 percent increase in both revenue and expenses from its fiscal year 2023 projections. She said the budget includes some $14 million in expansion and innovation projects. CRMC CEO Buffy Key said ... Read More »

Putnam County’s expanded Health Department will provide residents with an expanded primary care option with its upcoming completion. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said the canopy on the front of the building and some interior finishes are the primary tasks remaining. He said since the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have used the Putnam County Health Department as their primary healthcare ... Read More »

Overton County Health Director Andy Langford has retired after 34 years working in public health. Langford said through school, public health was never his plan. He said only a short while into his public health career, he realized that empathy and selflessness were values that he held close, and they lent themselves to good healthcare service. He said it quickly ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools have added a new School Nutrition Field Supervisor to oversee a handful of the district’s kitchens. Jessica Grissom will ensure the school kitchens and the meals they serve meet state and federal guidelines. Nutrition Program Supervisor Jennifer Mitchell said the school nutrition program is self-sustaining and does not receive funding from the district. She said the state ... Read More »

Highlands Economic Partnership Vice President Adam Poe said election years like 2024 can cause economic leaders to hold their breath. But Poe said the Upper Cumberland’s economy appears healthy entering the new year. Poe said the unique support of local career exploration efforts, chambers of commerce, and nonprofits can help the Upper Cumberland move forward regardless of national leadership. “I ... Read More »

The Tennessee Department of Economic And Community Development is celebrating Pall Mall’s Forbus General Store as a Tennessee business serving the community for over 100 years. General Manager Clint Hayes said the store began serving the community in 1882 as Pall Mall’s pharmacy, restaurant, and clothing store. Hayes said the recognition has been awesome. He said keeping a business thriving ... Read More »

New COVID-19 variants are showing up nationwide and across the Upper Cumberland. Cookeville Regional Infection Prevention Manager Stephanie Etter said the symptoms affiliated with these variants are similar to what we’ve seen before. “Just like flu changes each season a little bit, Covid is doing the same thing,” Etter said. “Fortunately, we’re not seeing severe cases like we saw in ... Read More »

COVID cases are on the rise across the Upper Cumberland and the flu is starting its annual increase. Donald Grisham is the Upper Cumberland Regional Director for the Tennessee Department of Health. He said it is hard to tell if RSV, COVID or the flu is hitting the Upper Cumberland hardest right now. “If you’re a family practiced doctor, you ... Read More »

When snow or ice strike this winter, local school systems have a new tool, implementing virtual days in place of snow days. Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King said the state put the new policy in place last year. King said the virtual days are helpful because they can be used for a single school or grade level, not ... Read More »