Tag Archives: Sparta

The Sparta Board of Aldermen approved the emergency purchase of new machinery for the sewer department Thursday night. Public Works Director Dillard Quick said the machinery is called a Muffin Monster, a specialized grinder placed before sewage pump stations to break down debris. Quick said the equipment at the South Carter Street pump station broke down two weeks ago and ... Read More »

Sparta has begun the process of searching for applicants with event-planning backgrounds and sociable dispositions to manage its Senior Center. Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said a new Senior Center Board will be appointed on January 1, and will immediately begin sifting through applications. Lowery said there is no timeline for the new hire, but the board will move swiftly to ... Read More »

Christmas parade season goes into overdrive this weekend across the Upper Cumberland. Pickett County is celebrating the holidays with the “Christmas in Byrdstown” event and Christmas parade Saturday. It will be at the Pickett County Library featuring music, food, and even an appearance from Santa Claus. The event begins at 9am. The Jamestown Rotary Club hosts its annual parade Saturday ... Read More »

Sparta Metal Processing is set to expand its manufacturing operations in White County. Sparta Metal Processing will be expanding its operations onto Turntable Road. This will allow them to add more equipment and more employees. The $12.3 million expansion will create over 50 new jobs in the county. Vice President and General Manager John Dury said they were looking forward ... Read More »

White County’s oldest cemetery is getting its gravestones cleaned thanks to the White County Museum. The museum is cleaning up the gravestones in the Old Sparta Cemetery that overlooks downtown, using grant money to purchase the same chemical national cemeteries use. White County Museum Co-Director Peggy Hurteau said the process does not take long. “You spray it and leave it ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport Board will hold a special called meeting Wednesday to discuss a new interlocal agreement between the four governments involved with the airport. Airport Manager Dean Selby said the new agreement will clarify the responsibilities the governments of Cookeville, Sparta, Putnam County and White County. Selby said the current agreement has become outdated since it was ... Read More »

This week the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport Board will discuss approval of a new interlocal agreement. The agreement, once approved, will declare how the airport is to be run and the roles each the four governments involved will play. The governments of Cookeville, Sparta, Putnam County, and White County will all have to ratify the plan after the board approves ... Read More »

Sparta Police Chief Nick Dunn told Aldermen during a Thursday night work session the lack of officers and new certified applicants are hurting the department. Dunn said the city’s low pay compared to nearby areas continues to impact the city. He said he also lacks the ability to give new applicants higher starting wages based on prior experience. Dunn said ... Read More »

Building costs have jumped but lease rates have remained consistent, leaving Cookeville’s commercial real estate imbalanced. That according to local real estate expert Craig Hughes. Hughes said that as the cost to build has nearly doubled since 2021, lease rates have not been able to keep up. Hughes said this leads to a lack of incentive for investors to build. ... Read More »

Sparta preparing for its annual Lester Flatt Celebration Saturday to honor the city’s bluegrass icon. The free event will feature bluegrass music from six different groups along with food and other events. Sparta Administrative Clerk Mindy Stone said the celebration has been a part of fall in Sparta for more than 15 years. It honors Flatt who was born near ... Read More »