Tag Archives: Putnam County

The TSSAA would consider the possibility of bringing the high school football championships back to Cookeville upon the completion of Tucker Stadium renovations. TSSAA Assistant Executive Director Matthew Gillespie said a return has been discussed. Cookeville lost the State Championships in 2021. He said the TSSAA has maintained a strong relationship with Cookeville and Putnam County in the years since. ... Read More »

Putnam County’s expanded Health Department will provide residents with an expanded primary care option with its upcoming completion. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said the canopy on the front of the building and some interior finishes are the primary tasks remaining. He said since the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have used the Putnam County Health Department as their primary healthcare ... Read More »

Tennessee Tech’s emergency text notification service worked as intended as shots were fired Tuesday night near campus. Tennessee Tech News and Public Relations Director Jonathan Frank said Campus Police sent out an alert moments after shots were fired, and the “all clear” was given within just 15 minutes. He said students are automatically enrolled in the service when they come ... Read More »

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department will hold an event Thursday night to teach parents of Putnam County students how to protect their children online. Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said cybercrime has been steadily rising for years. Farris said Detective Rick Wistocki is an expert in this field and will spend the evening educating parents on the dangers of the ... Read More »

Putnam County officials adding new technicians to help improve a 92 percent misuse rate among child safety seat users. Federal stats estimate car safety seats can reduce the risk of injury in a crash by as much as 80 percent when compared to just a seat belt. Putnam Car Seat Coordinator Leah Thomas said the four-person team wants to make ... Read More »

Putnam County’s infrastructure needs through 2027 total some $899 million, according to a new state report. Tennessee Tech needs led the way among county needs, with some $635 million in infrastructure improvements. Putnam transportation needs totaled more than $188 million. The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations ranks infrastructure needs for all 95 counties. The report covers the period through ... Read More »

A new generation of horticulturalists beginning to file into the new greenhouse at Monterey High School. Putnam County Schools CTE Supervisor Jackie Vester said after a four-month process, the greenhouse is operational, and students are beginning to use it. She said the school plans to hold its first-ever plant sale in April to showcase the students’ hard work. “It’s important ... Read More »

Putnam County residents can test out the new Microvote machines at the Putnam County Elections Office Monday and Tuesday. The office updated all of its voting machines in accordance with Tennessee State Law that now requires machines to leave a paper audit. Election Administrator Michele Honeycutt said the county opted for the simplest option for the new machines. “They’re demos, ... Read More »

Syphilis cases are on the rise again as health officials track a nationwide epidemic impacting heterosexual couples like never before. Tennessee Tech Microbiology Professor David Beck said syphilis cases are typically five times higher among gay men. In 2022, women accounted for nearly a quarter of nationwide syphilis cases. Beck said a major part of the problem is a failure ... Read More »

God’s Jail Ministry, a faith-based initiative for Putnam County Jail inmates, will be holding classes for new volunteers Saturday. God’s Jail Ministry Treasurer Annis Talley has been with the organization for over 20 years. She said members have to take a four-hour class to be allowed to interact with inmates. “Each year it’s state requirement,” Talley said. “We have to ... Read More »