Tag Archives: Putnam

If you travel Highway 56 between DeKalb and Putnam Counties, be ready for delays. Resurfacing work set to begin from the north of East Church Street in DeKalb County to I-40 in Putnam County. Contractors will be performing daily lane closures as construction signs are installed and the resurfacing begins. Read More »

Putnam County Schools had their first full day back on Tuesday, and officials say it looks like it will be a good school year. Deputy Director Tim Martin said that the main issue facing schools is long car lines from the influx of students. “Not just newly registered but everybody being back,” Martin said. “All of us kind of got ... Read More »

By a 23-1 vote Monday night, Putnam County Commissioners approved a $98 million bond proposal to fund jail expansion and a new K-8 school. Commissioners spent very little time debating the proposals Monday night, which have been discussed for several years. Only District Four Commissioner Theresa Tayes voted no. Commissioner Cindy Adams cited a concern with maxing out the bond ... Read More »

Putnam County Commissioners approved its 2021-2022 fiscal year budget Monday night, but not without some concern about the 10 cent increase in property taxes. The proposed increase raises the recommended tax rate from 237.2 to 247.2. Commissioner AJ Donadio said that before commissioners voted no on the tax levy, he asked for alternatives for how to pay for the increasing ... Read More »

COVID positivity rates are again on the rise, with rates above 12 percent in both Putnam and Cumberland Counties over the last week. “The average per day over the last seven days is over seven hundred cases a day, and that continues to grow,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey said Friday. “Now, to put that in perspective, that is ... Read More »

Some 140 Putnam County teachers underwent extensive training on improving elementary school reading skills. Curriculum Supervisor Jill Ramsey said teachers underwent three weeks of training to emphasizing a sounds-first approach in early literacy teaching. Ramsey said the state has been encouraging districts to move to that learning approach. “We’ve been doing that in Putnam County for the last three to ... Read More »

The Putnam County Commission will have a work session to discuss two bond issues. The topics on the docket for discussion are the expanded jail, and a potential new school. Chair Mike Atwood called the meeting for Monday, July 19th, because he said he wants to address any questions commissioners have before they make decisions with the bond issues. “Anytime ... Read More »

Putnam County Schools welcomed two new faculty members to their staff. Dr. Leslie Eldridge will serve as the new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Supervisor, and Dr. Diane Wood will serve as the new Pre-K to 4th Grade Curriculum Supervisor. As the new CTE Supervisor, Eldridge will take her experience, including serving as interim CTE Director for Cumberland County, and ... Read More »

Putnam County considering a potential $11 million in capital projects for next year’s budget. County Mayor Randy Porter told the commissioner’s budget committee meeting last night, $2 million to replace the school bus garage and county highway building among the priorities. “We know that we’ve got to build the building first down on Tennessee Avenue,” Porter said. “Once we get ... Read More »

Baxter is preparing to move into the first phase of a citywide sewer evaluation to find leaks in its system. Mayor John Martin said the first step is to camera the entire sewer system in Baxter. Martin said with leak locations unknown, work will take time. “That creates a problem to our sewer plant when you have more water going ... Read More »