Tag Archives: Upper Cumberland

A report from the Department of Child Services revealed that all 14 Upper Cumberland counties rank higher than the state average in abuse and neglect in the household. Kristi Paling is Upper Cumberland Coordinator for The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. Paling said these numbers have been trending upward. She said many of the removals and custody cases across ... Read More »

UCHRA looking for new money sources for its water assistance program after federal funds dried up. UCHRA Deputy Director LaNelle Godsey told the UCHRA Policy Council Wednesday morning that the money went to help residents pay off past-due water charges if a resident’s water had been shut off. She said the available money left for the program is down to ... Read More »

Jackson County Mayor Randy Heady among six Upper Cumberland Mayors who met with Governor Bill Lee to request recurring county funding. Heady said state government has always been open to offering the Upper Cumberland funding when available. He said he appreciates Lee advocating for rural communities, and long-term revenue commitment is another way for him to do that. “One-time money’s ... Read More »

A Tennessee Tech student-edited magazine titled “The Iris Review” rated excellent at a national English teachers contest. Assistant English Professor Erin Hoover teaches a Literary Magazine Editing class where students learn to edit, design, and market the Review. She said the magazine includes student work as well as submissions from across the Upper Cumberland. “We aim to publish the best ... Read More »

An Upper Cumberland District Attorney said many gaming machines in Upper Cumberland gas stations do violate Tennessee’s gambling laws. 15th District Attorney General Jason Lawson said machines with results that rely on a player’s skill are permissible. He said any activity where a participant risks value for a profit based on chance is considered gambling and can be reported. “Whenever ... Read More »

Highlands Economic Partnership Vice President Adam Poe said election years like 2024 can cause economic leaders to hold their breath. But Poe said the Upper Cumberland’s economy appears healthy entering the new year. Poe said the unique support of local career exploration efforts, chambers of commerce, and nonprofits can help the Upper Cumberland move forward regardless of national leadership. “I ... Read More »

The state wants to see how much you are composting. UCDD Solid Waste Planner Lisa Luck said a new state report seeks to find if counties have kept at least a quarter of solid waste out of class-one landfills. She said if residents track their composting, they can help the accuracy of the report. “The landfills are running out of ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Development District has promoted Rosa Smith to Assistant Director of Economic Development. Smith originally joined the UCDD as an Economic Development Planner focused on addressing the Upper Cumberland’s childcare shortage. She has focused on spreading awareness about childcare challenges in the region. Smith has also sought to find ways to make childcare more accessible and affordable. “The ... Read More »

A new mural on the side of Cookeville’s Outdoor Experience displays the abundant natural activities available in the Upper Cumberland. Outdoor Experience Owner Heather Call said the painting gives passersby a reminder of the outdoor adventure at their fingertips as well as what the store has to offer. She said the mural features an outdoor scene based on the region’s ... Read More »

Local power companies across the Upper Cumberland asking you to limit your power consumption during the next 18 hours. Temperatures near zero will be the coldest the region has seen since Christmas, 2022 when TVA imposed rolling blackouts to deal with energy consumption. TVA officials, working with local companies, invested money and time to limit the chances of that happening ... Read More »