Tag Archives: Covid-19

Capacity restrictions will be lifted for restaurants and retailers beginning next Friday, Governor Bill Lee’s office announced Friday. “Tennesseans have worked incredibly hard to do their part and help slow the spread of COVID-19 so that our state can begin to reopen,” Lee said in a statement Friday. “Thanks to their continued efforts, we’re able to allow restaurants and retail ... Read More »

Summer fun for kids has not been cancelled for at least one local summer camp this year. The Cedar Lake Camp will begin seeing kids for overnight camp in June. Executive Director Ryan Higgins said they are implementing safety measures. “The parents are going to do a wellness check before the kids ever come to camp,” Higgins said. “Parents are ... Read More »

Putnam County’s number of positive COVID-19 tests reached 204 Thursday, according to the Tennessee Department Of Health. That equates to .25 percent of the county’s population. Statewide, 16,699 people have tested positive. The total Upper Cumberland case count reached 500 Thursday. 292 of those impacted or 58 percent of those tested have already recovered from the coronavirus. Some 5,600 people have tested ... Read More »

New unemployment claims across the Upper Cumberland fell to more typical levels last week for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak began. 681 people filed for unemployment last week across the region, the lowest since the week ending March 21. Upper Cumberland new claims ranked lowest among the nine state workforce development areas. Statewide, the number declined as well ... Read More »

If you’re in the market for a new home, Cookeville High School is selling a 1500 Square Foot, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house. The home was built on school grounds by its carpentry class. Teacher Randy Mansell said the structure was constructed by his students. “The students do 100 percent of the work,” Mansell said. “They do all aspects of residential carpentry, ... Read More »

Cookeville City Government will begin a phased reopening of City Hall next Tuesday. City Manager James Mills said the number of visitors entering the building will be limited. Guests will be encouraged to wear masks. Officials also urge residents to continue using alternative methods to conduct city business, such as continuing to use mail or online resources to pay bills. ... Read More »

The world’s reaction to COVID-19 could have a lasting impact on society, much like the effect of World War II or the great depression on previous generations. Middle Tennessee State University Sociology Professor Ashleigh McKinzie said she sees many similarities with other major events that defined a generation. But McKinzie said unique economic problems may also be defining. “A lot ... Read More »

The community’s need for masks led a local company to design and manufacture a new $1 washable face mask. Cassemco of Cookeville manufactures foam and plastics, operating here since 1975. Cassemco Plant Manager Jimmy Mansell said the idea came as community partners struggled to find materials for medical grade masks. “We turned our efforts to what else we could do ... Read More »

White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said school leaders want to learn from the COVID-19 shutdown. He siad one of the biggest challenges the school system has faced has been a lack of internet connections. Dronebarger said even if the district had a device to give every student during the shutdown, many would not be able to use them. ... Read More »

Livingston Regional Hospital continues to add new elective procedures each week after a smooth reopening. Marketing Director David Cox said the hospital has a phase-in plan in place. “We’re phasing back in through a three-phase process,” Cox said. “Some elective procedures like colonoscopies and things of that nature are phasing back in right now. We’ll continue to approve more-and-more services ... Read More »