Tag Archives: Upper Cumberland

Hemlock tress in Monterey’s Meadow Creek Woods struggle to survive due to a deadly invasive species of beetles. The hemlock woolly adelgid was accidentally introduced to Northeast America from Japan in the 1950’s. The beetle sucks the nutrients from the tree killing it in 5 years or less. Meadow Creek Woods Representative Robert Lee said if nothing is done, the ... Read More »

Election Administrators around the Upper Cumberland say they feel they are prepared for August’s election. That’s despite not meeting the state mandate of two times the normal workers. White County Election Administrator Dorcas Marcum said she is trying to have one or two extra workers at each polling site. “We don’t have double the workers,” Marcum said. “But we’re trying ... Read More »

Life Force Two first landed in Putnam County 25 years ago this summer. The medical helicopter’s service continues to this day. Flight Nurse Tim Perry and Flight Paramedic Robert Berger are a part of the original crew and remember their first day on the job. Berger said since day one, the Upper Cumberland community offered their team a home. “Even ... Read More »

Upper Cumberland tourist attractions are experiencing a boom in business since reopening. Floating Mill Park in Silver Point reopened on June 1st. Park Attendant Kathy Johnson said all 107 camp sites have been 100 percent booked every weekend since. “Last year, we would maybe be at 80 percent on weekends,” Johnson said. “We are more booked during the week then we ... Read More »

Northern areas of the Upper Cumberland saw training rain and thunder Saturday night as storms trained out of Kentucky. By 3:40am Sunday morning, one National Weather Service observer reported 2.77 inches of rain in Celina. A flash flood warning was issued as the storms began to unwind over Clay, Pickett and Fentress Counties Sunday morning. In Jackson County, EMS reported ... Read More »

Watch your step while tending your gardens and mowing the grass, as snake sightings have increased across the Upper Cumberland. White County Ag Extension Agent Scott Swoape said snakes are cold-blooded and search for cool or damp areas. Areas like crawl spaces, flower gardens,wood piles and ponds are the most common habitats for snakes. “Everybody gets the image that they ... Read More »

Meal deliveries to seniors across the Upper Cumberland have increased by almost 50 percent since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Director of the Area Agency on Aging Holly Williams said the Upper Cumberland Development District can handle the increase demand with extra funding from the federal government. “We have received some additional funding through the Families First Act,” Williams said. “That ... Read More »

Churches around the Upper Cumberland see around two thirds of their members returning to services. North Sparta Church of God Pastor Steve Gerhart said they average around 155 members after three Sunday services. Before the coronavirus, they averaged around 180 members. Gerhart said his congregation is relieved to finally be back together in person. “You can gather parts of a ... Read More »

The new Director of Workforce Development and Education at the Highlands Economic Partnership says she has big shoes to fill. Kaitlin Salyer is taking over the office after Lillian Hartgrove’s retirement after 12 years as Director. Salyer said she feels like she’s replacing a legend. “The programs she was able to build both in Economic Development where she started, and ... Read More »

The number of COVID-19 cases in Putnam County topped 500 Tuesday, becoming the 11th county in the state to pass that mark. The Tennessee Department of Health reports 507 cases across Putnam County. Across the Upper Cumberland, the total number of cases reached 1,027 Tuesday. The death toll in the region stands at ten. 54.3 percent of Upper Cumberland residents ... Read More »