Tag Archives: Covid

A rebranding project for Upper Cumberland Senior Centers ready for its next steps after directors and boards completed surveys, sharing ideas for new names. Area Aging and Disability Director Holly Williams said the favorite: “The Activity Center.” Williams said 15 out of 19 centers have completed a survey and 80 percent are in favor of the rebrand. She said senior ... Read More »

TennGreen Land Conservancy is holding its annual Hike-A-Thon to preserve the state’s natural landscape, Like Cummins Falls. Executive Director Alice Hudson Pell said some 650 people have already signed up. She said people can enter mileage virtually after hiking, climbing, paddling, biking, or trail running. She said people can donate to the conservancy to help protect the bounty of natural ... Read More »

Dekalb County High School’s Work-Based Learning Program allows students to support their families while developing real-world skills. Work-Based Learning Coordinator Brad Leach said students are provided the opportunity to experience the workforce and see what careers best fit their interests. He said discipline and responsibility are key traits that students form through this program. “With it being a rural area ... Read More »

Two new ambulances are on the way in Clay County to mitigate soaring maintenance costs caused by high-milage units. EMS Director Andy Hall said he expects one ambulance to arrive this fall, while the second remains at least a year from arrival. He said the county had to replace a $16,000 motor for an ambulance recently. He said that money ... Read More »

UCDD Public Historian Mark Dudney named to the Humanities Tennessee board to advance appreciation for culture, literature, and history. Dudney said Humanities Tennessee is focused on helping the public delve into what the human experience looks like in their community, and what it means. He said the non-profit has developed programs like the Southern Festival of Books and administers grants ... Read More »

The Omicron Phi Chapter of Tennessee Tech’s Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity will host its Gospel Extravaganza Sunday with Trinity Baptist Church. Omicron Phi Faculty Advisor Harry Ingle said gospel ensembles from Cookeville and beyond will perform music that will leave attendees hopeful and inspired. He said music has always held a prominent role within the African American community. “The music ... Read More »

A report from the Department of Child Services revealed that all 14 Upper Cumberland counties rank higher than the state average in abuse and neglect in the household. Kristi Paling is Upper Cumberland Coordinator for The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. Paling said these numbers have been trending upward. She said many of the removals and custody cases across ... Read More »

Cookeville Mended Hearts Chapter 127 will end its visitation services at Cookeville Regional due to a lack of volunteers. President Blanche Smithers said Mended Hearts is a group of accredited visitors that meets with patients and their families during the process of heart surgery. She told the Cookeville Regional Board of Trustees Thursday night that after COVID stopped the organization’s ... Read More »

The latest report of the mental health of Tennessee Teenagers shows the ongoing impacts of the COVID shutdown, according to a local mental health expert. The Tennessee Coalition of Children and Youth reported increases in all categories of suicidal thoughts in Tennessee high schoolers. The study reported that nearly 30 percent of high schoolers said their mental health was not ... Read More »

Wait times at Cookeville Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Room have trended longer with the extra volume due to flu, COVID, and RSV. White County EMS discussed the growing wait times for arriving ambulances at a County Steering Committee meeting this week. Cookeville Regional Emergency Department Director Samantha McLerran said wait times are constantly fluctuating, making them difficult to anticipate. “There ... Read More »