Tag Archives: Randy Evans

Cookeville City Manager James Mills received a 4.89 out of 5 on his annual performance evaluation. Attorney Dan Rader shared the results of the evaluation Thursday night. City Council members graded Mills confidentially on 50 different categories. Rader said Mills received a perfect score on leadership and a nearly perfect score on staff and personnel relations. “I’m sort of blown ... Read More »

Cookeville City Manager James Mills proposed some $1.3 million in increased salaries for police officers and firefighters during the next budget year. Mills said the proposed budget includes a roughly $10,000 raise for all police officers in the lower grades, a $5,000 raise for firefighters, and a $9,800 raise for paramedics. “We’re talking about major improvements in pay for police,” ... Read More »

The Cookeville Police Department Life Saving Award given to three officers who helped save a woman from fire two weeks ago. “I couldn’t have been more impressed to see their teamwork and their courageousness in the way that they went into a structure fire and we’re not firemen,” Police Chief Randy Evans said. “But a smoke filled room, obviously very ... Read More »

Cookeville Police Officer Andrew Gibbs named Officer of the Year for 2021. Chief Randy Evans said the department received only one nomination, and it was somewhat unanimous across the department. At Thursday night’s Cookeville City Council meeting, Evans read memos from Gibbs’ supervisors lauding his work. “He has proven that he can make sound decisions in stressful situations,” Evans said. ... Read More »

Cookeville Police Department set to get seven new vehicles for its fleet. Chief Randy Evans said they hope the vehicles come in on time this fall, despite recent issues with vehicle orders. “It’s not uncommon in this day and time for orders to be canceled and I know many of the departments experienced that,” Evans said. “Orders got canceled, contracts ... Read More »

The new Cookeville Police Headquarters has come in some $326,000 under budget. Police Chief Randy Evans said that the department had budgeted about $400,000 in contingency money should they need to make changes or adjustments. “There were certain things that were passed or missed in the contract, or package pass-throughs,” Evans said. “And then there’s a variety of things like ... Read More »

The new Cookeville Police Department will feature a fallen officer memorial near the front entrance. Cookeville Police Chief Randy Evans said Putnam County artist Cindy Billingsley created the sculpture design which will be mounted on the granite wall. “She actually did a sculpture for Brentwood Police Department, so that’s how we came to know her,” Evans said. “We met with ... Read More »

The City of Cookeville will be moving its bank accounts to First Bank. Cookeville City Council approved a four-year agreement Thursday night to change its banking partner from Regions Bank. Finance Director Brenda Imel said the bank met all the requirements of the city’s bidding process and will provide the best interest rate. “Based on the current Fed funds rate ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council got its first view of the new $15.45 million police station to be built off Neal Street. That includes some $13.6 million in construction costs, well below earlier estimates. City Manager James Mills said architects called the building one of the most efficient buildings they had seen. “Very little wasted space,” Mills said. “I’m personally very pleased ... Read More »

Taps played. So did the bagpipes. The community gathered in a light rain Friday morning to honor the men and women of law enforcement. Flags flew at half staff in honor of those who have fallen. Officers and their families, citizens and local leaders gathered outside the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Friday morning to honor the fallen. Cookeville Police Chief ... Read More »