Tag Archives: Putnam County

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 »

The community remembers the one year anniversary of the Putnam County tornado Wednesday. 19 people died in the early morning hours of March 3rd including five children. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said the day offers the community the chance to reflect. “Families lost loved one, lost everything they had sometimes, homes, vehicles and everything,” Porter said. “Every family has ... Read More »

Improvements at the Bee Rock Overlook are moving forward even with issues caused by rain. Monterey Mayor JJ Reels said that the structure for the composting restroom is going up, despite issues getting trucks in. However, Reels said problems caused by trucks have to be addressed. “We’re doing some grading work, putting some gravel down so we can have a ... Read More »

The state will move to vaccinations for the 1-C group next week. That opens eligibility to those 16 years or older at high risk for COVID complications. This includes current cancer treatment, chronic renal disease, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma, obesity, heart failure, hypertension, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease or stroke, liver disease or ... Read More »

Groundbreaking for the new Food City project will take place next week. Developer Wayne Cravens confirmed the move Tuesday during a meeting of Putnam County’s Joint Economic Development Board. The new shopping center will be built on 10th Street near the intersection of Highway 111. This project includes the widening of 10th Street from Highway 111 to Old Kentucky Road. ... Read More »

Monterey Alderman Starlett Wessels resigned from the board Monday night, before she missed a third meeting. Mayor JJ Reels read a statement from Wessels saying she could no longer attend. The aldermen debated whether Alderman Charles Looper, who is from the same ward, could nominate someone for the position. Looper said he wanted to nominate someone for the Ward 4 ... Read More »

Putnam County’s Sycamore Elementary School counseling program is being recognized as a model program. Only four schools in the state have the RAMP designation from the American School Counselor Association. Counselor Allyson Evans said having a data driven counseling system is a need in today’s world. “This year, more so than ever, I feel like counseling is so important to ... Read More »