Friday, March 29, 2024
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Tag Archives: Laurin Wheaton

Cookeville Regional Holds Ground Breaking Ceremony For Wing Renovations

CRMC, Cookeville Regional Medical Center

Cookeville Regional held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for an expansion project that will bring 40 additional beds. The 4 West/5 West project is further along than what a groundbreaking would suggest. Rooms are framed and drywall is up in some places, though some wiring and pipes are still exposed. Chief Executive Officer Buffy Key said the medical center has to ... Read More »

Cookeville Mayor Angry About More Park Issues; City Working To Catch Perpetrators

Cookeville Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the closing of the Cookeville City Skate Park shows a disrespect for property and the rights of others. The city’s Leisure Services Department closed the park Friday after the sixth instance of vandalism in less than a month. The latest incident happened Thursday. Wheaton said the vandalism has been occurring so frequently that the city ... Read More »

New Parking Coming To North Cedar, Wheaton Said Will Help Downtown Area

The City of Cookeville is starting the process of building a new parking lot on North Cedar Avenue as demolition has been completed on old buildings. Cookeville Mayor Laurin Wheaton said that she hopes the new parking lot will improve citizen convenience around downtown and CRMC area. She said that parking has been an issue in the area largely due ... Read More »

Cookeville To Help Biz Foundry Through Economic Development Funds

Next week the Cookeville City Council is expected to pass its budget on final vote. This includes a new expenditure line from the economic development fund to put towards the Biz Foundry. Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the council decided to change the Biz Foundry’s designation from a non-profit after learning just how much of an economic driver the organization is. ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council Members Debate Fireworks Show Funding

Council Member Eric Walker said he remains concerned about Better Cookeville receiving city funding for the 2024 July 4th fireworks. Walker said the non-profit has a healthy fund balance and does not need city funding right now. Further, he said he believes it is wrong that one week the organization’s Facebook page will promote the show one week and two ... Read More »

New State Legislation Makes Requirements For City Council Meetings

Some changes could be coming to the way the Cookeville City Council conducts its business. Mayor Laurin Wheaton said this comes as a result of two state legislation changes. She said one of those has to do with public comments during meetings, which they already allow at the end of the meeting or during public hearings. “But this legislation is ... Read More »

Council Wants Safeguards On Former Mayor Fireworks Spending

Several Cookeville City Council members want better accountability of the money provided for the Fourth Of July Fireworks. Better Cookeville, started by former Mayor Ricky Shelton, produces the fireworks show. City Manager James Mills said Better Cookeville has asked to increase funding to $20,000 in the new fiscal year. Council Member Eric Walker said the city requires financials of the ... Read More »

Wheaton: Communication Between Hospital And City Council Should Continue Expanding

The CRMC Medical Team spent time with Cookeville City Council Monday, something Mayor Laurin Wheaton said she wants to continue. Wheaton said communication is an integral part of the relationship between the council and the medical facility. She said while it is a city-owned hospital, the council does not actually control the day-t0-day. “But we also know that when there ... Read More »

Cookeville Dedicates New Dogwood Park Sculpture Remember The 2020 Tornado

An emotional ceremony Friday afternoon as the community dedicated a new Dogwood Park sculpture remembering the 2020 Tornado. “And it will forever serve as a reminder of how Cookeville and Putnam County came together in a time of tragedy to support, and comfort, and to assist one another,” Wheaton said. “The beautiful sculpture will remember the lives that we lost ... Read More »