Tag Archives: Laurin Wheaton

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 City Council members are gathering information as they begin to prioritize capital projects and create a long-term plan. Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the council would like to have a work session to discuss these plans in more detail. She said they plan to use input from department heads, city officials and community wants to inform their next steps. “Each ... Read More »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

A Sunday drag brunch on Cookeville’s West End filled the council chamber Thursday. Local pastors and residents complained about what they consider the adult nature of the show, its proximity to places where families can gather, and the interpreted inappropriateness of the show. Cookeville First Baptist Pastor Scott McKinney said he, along with other local and like-minded pastors, is concerned ... Read More »

A packed house celebrated the swearing-in of the members of the next Cookeville City Council Thursday night. Former Vice-Mayor Laurin Wheaton was the highest vote-getter in the August 4th election. Wheaton was officially voted into the role Thursday night, making her the second-ever female Mayor of Cookeville. The only other female mayor was Jean Davis, who served from 1994 to ... Read More »