Tag Archives: Putnam County

The Baxter Police Department is able to outfit all six of its road officers with body cameras because of a grant through Twin Lakes. Chief Danny Holmes said body cameras are something he has wanted to add to the department for some time, and the $2,500 grant made it possible. Holmes said having video and audio during encounters is a ... Read More »

The Biz Foundry and Cookeville’s Small Business Development Center are bringing in resources to help restaurants recover and navigate the pandemic. The Biz Foundry Vice President Tiffany Anton said free workshops will be provided by a Chattanooga company called Proof Incubator, who do food and beverage consulting. Anton said these workshops will help local restaurants prepare for a potential second ... Read More »

A pilot program between Cookeville and UCHRA’s Substance Abuse Solutions test program will expire in January. City Manager James Mills said an extension is worth considering. Mills said the city is satisfied with the program allowing Cookeville police to do more policing, and less social work. “Yeah, I definitely think it’s something we’ll consider if UCHRA-SAS is agreeable to it,” ... Read More »

UCHRA has named longtime employee Charlie Frasier to the role of Safety and Security Manager for the agency’s transportation department. In this role, Frasier will be the lead point of contact on safety and security concerns for the UC Public Transit. Including, the improvement of preparedness for public transportation in emergencies, and maximizing the staff’s ability to provide safe transit ... Read More »

Algood is waiting for Walmart to approve the easement needed to build a second entrance into the store on Big Mac Drive. City Administrator Keith Morrison said he feels Walmart is happy with what the city is doing to create an entrance. However, Morrison said Walmart wants the details completely ironed out before approval. “It’s just a matter of getting ... Read More »

The Jefferson Avenue widening project is still in its property acquisition phase, but remains on track for bidding in March 2021. T-DOT Community Relations Officer Jennifer Flynn said a total of 103 parcels are needed along the stretch from Interstate 40 to Highway 111. Flynn said the pandemic has slowed down acquiring properties. However, she could not say for sure ... Read More »

Putnam County reached its highest COVID numbers of the pandemic this weekend with 755 active cases. The State Department of Health reported 116 new cases Saturday, 109 Sunday. The county has reported more than 100 new cases in four of the last seven days. Putnam County’s previous high came August 30 with 649 active cases. Cumberland County also reached a ... Read More »

The first Assistant Director in the history of Putnam County 911 was given a plaque for 40 years of service Thursday. Former Assistant Director Mike Thompson started as EMT and worked his way through the department into an administrative role. The Current Putnam County 911 Assistant Director Brandon Smith said Thompson was a mentor, and helped implement systems the department ... Read More »

Baxter is one of nine cities in the state to get a $750,000 BlueCross Blue Shield of Tennessee Foundation grant. Mayor John Martin said it is unbelievable to have this grant for the Seminary Park Project, after the time and money spent on the city’s parks. Martin said plans are already set for Seminary Park, and it will become one ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools will not apply to be a part of a state pilot program providing rapid COVID tests to schools. Director of Schools Corby King said there are community partners like the Putnam County Health Department and clinics filling the void on testing. King said the nursing staff already has more responsibility than usual. “We don’t have the staff ... Read More »