Tag Archives: March Tornado

The effects of the 2020 March tornado are still present in Cookeville with cleanup continuing this Saturday. The Monterey Lions Club Disaster Response Team have been working at ground zero for over a year. Team Leader Ken Hall said about two weeks of work remain, so volunteers are welcome to join. “It is amazing what has been done when you ... Read More »

The Putnam County community joined together at Double Springs Church of Christ Wednesday night to remember lives lost one year ago. Mayor Randy Porter said the community joins in praying for the families to continue their healing. “We remember the pain and suffering that so many of you experienced,” Porter said. “We remember the loss of your family members, friends, ... Read More »

Blood Assurance is hosting a Cookeville blood drive event in memory of the lives lost and the lives saved through blood donations after the March tornado. Donor Recruiter Trudy Cody said blood supplies have been low since the pandemic, so this week offers multiple ways to help. “Today’s patients needed donors yesterday,” Cody said. “Any trauma that happens today, we ... Read More »

A contractor has been indicted by a Putnam County Grand Jury for allegedly committing fraud in the aftermath of the March tornado. The contractor is Jonathan Rathunde, he faces felony home contractor fraud charges. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said as complaints of contractor fraud come in, more indictments could occur. “There are other situations that we’re looking at that ... Read More »

Hundreds of Tennessee Tech students signed up for volunteer efforts over the Spring semester and Spring break as part of the campus remembrance of the 2020 tornado. Tennessee Tech President Dr. Phil Oldham said Tech is blessed to be a part of a community with a strong, healthy spirit. “Words cannot express our gratitude to all the first responders and ... Read More »

Baxter’s Reflection Park will serve as a cornerstone of the Seminary Park project, a chance to remember the five children who died in the March tornado. That’s according to Baxter Mayor John Martin. “Putnam County is strong and we have a team, anything that ever happens in our community we work together,” Martin said. “That’s what it’s all about, our ... Read More »

The building of Hope Park will begin after Wednesday’s dedication of the park in the Highway 70 corridor. “Without hope, we don’t have much,” Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said. Three families, the Asantes, the Barnetts, and the Pitts, sold their land to the county for the building of the park. All three families lost their homes in the storm. ... Read More »

Putnam County and Cookeville are looking to acquire land for a park and have a dedication set up by the anniversary of the March tornado. Mayor Randy Porter said there are two or three pieces of land being considered for the green space honoring those lost and those who survived the tornado. Porter said areas along Highway 70, an area ... Read More »

Four Tennessee Tech Students used their skills to create a Christmas gift for an autistic child who lost everything in the March Tornado. They are mechanical engineering students who spent the semester building a sensory swing. The mother, Lorren Robertson said 2020 was the roughest year of her life, and this gift for her child was the perfect way to ... Read More »

Putnam County residents affected by the March tornado will have access to free legal aid thanks to a new grant. The Legal Services Corporation has given $125,000 to the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee for direct legal services, educational outreach and free legal clinics. The Legal Aid Society will host three virtual legal clinics for disaster victims in Spring ... Read More »