Tag Archives: pandemic

Putnam County teachers seeing an increase in unruly behavior, something Director Of Schools Corby King said must be addressed by administrators and parents. King said students fail to listen, distract classmates, and experience physical outbursts, such as punching or kicking teachers. King said it’s happening more often in the aftermath of the pandemic. “Our younger students who just didn’t have ... Read More »

Supply chain issues caused by the pandemic are not expected to be resolved any time soon. That is according to MTSU Supply Chain Management Professor Dr. Kimball Bullington. Bullington said the Delta Variant is spreading and supply chain infrastructure relies on a network of interstate trucking, that is 200,000 drivers short. “There’s really not any silver bullet on the horizon,” ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech Athletic Director Mark Wilson said his athletic department is ready for a new fall sports season. Wilson said the department is prepared to start with normal operations, despite the continuing unknown of the pandemic. He said the university can do what it takes to ensure students get onto courts and fields. “We feel like we have the knowledge ... Read More »

The number of Upper Cumberland bankruptcy filings has remained consistent, but certain groups have struggled more than others. That is according to Cookeville Bankruptcy Attorney Jay Leftkovitz. Leftkovitz said since COVID began some businesses have struggled. “The relief for businesses has dried up,” Leftkovitz said. “In some cases, the PPP loans and other things, businesses have needed to seek solutions.” ... Read More »

The Fall Creek Falls area is making multiple attempts to raise money for its community center. The community center is hosting a car show Saturday, and has an online store set up selling Fall Creek Falls memorabilia. Community Group Vice President Leon Deweese said the efforts are due to the aftermath of the pandemic. “A lot of people cancelled that ... Read More »

A $100,000 technology grant has been awarded to Putnam County’s Justice Center to modernize the legal process. Circuit Court Clerk Jennifer Wilkerson said it became clear during the pandemic that technology to limit contact was needed. Wilkerson said the new equipment will provide video monitors, telestrators, and new lines of communication to benefit both parties in a court case. “This ... Read More »

Governor Bill Lee announced Tuesday that Tennessee would end all federally funded pandemic unemployment compensation programs, and Upper Cumberland workforce agencies are expecting to see an increase in activity. Becky Hull, Executive Director for the Upper Cumberland Local Workforce Development Board, said they have been trying to fill a large number of job openings since businesses started opening back up. ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech is researching how small businesses and communities have responded to economic shocks. Tennessee Tech Center For Rural Innovation Lead Researcher Payton Womack said the goal is to create a plan to better respond to disastrous events in the future. Womack said an actual manual will be composed based on feedback from business owners across the Upper Cumberland. “It ... Read More »

Putnam County’s 2020 hotel occupancy rate finishing down 6.9 percent is considered a win. That’s according to Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors Bureau Executive Director Molly Brown. Brown said being an outdoor destination helped Putnam County during the pandemic, and there’s promise based on 2021 numbers. “As of January and February we were actually on the other end of the numbers, we ... Read More »

Members of The Upper Cumberland Medical Society are concerned about fewer people taking the COVID vaccine, as vaccinations open up to more people. UCMS President Dr. Dawn Barlow said everyone being vaccinated is the only way out of the pandemic. However, Barlow said that perhaps more could be done by the medical society to get rid of misconceptions. “I believe ... Read More »