Convicted Felon Escapes Van Buren County Jail
A convicted felon is wanted by the TBI and the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department after escaping from prison Monday. 37-year-old Joel Ernest Blanton escaped from the Van Buren County Jail at approximately 1 a.m. while being held for his sentencing Wednesday. Blanton was found guilty April 17 on four counts of child rape and […]
Fentress County Begins Search for Finance Director
Fentress County is now accepting applications for its finance director opening. Fentress County Executive J. Michael Cross said he hopes the process goes smoothly so the finance department can move forward. “We hope to be kind of expeditious with this and get it done fairly quickly,” Cross said. “We’re in the middle of a budget […]
Cookeville Council Approves 2018-19 Budget
Cookeville City Council approved the 2018-19 fiscal year budget Thursday. The city’s property tax rate will remain unchanged for the next year, holding steady at 84 cents. Included in the new budget is funding for the new Parkview skate park and Cookeville Police Department building. Council members approved the new budget unanimously on second-reading, which […]
Stolen Car Identified in Runaway Juvenile Case
Cookeville Police have identified a vehicle that may have been stolen by a runaway juvenile early Monday morning. According to CPD, the juvenile is suspected of stealing a white 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser from a car lot on the corner of North Washington Avenue and East Jere Whitson Road. CPD said the vehicle was stolen […]
Gainesboro’s Bull And Thistle Pub Suddenly Closes
Gainesboro’s Bull and Thistle Pub has closed after five and a half years of business. The restaurant has not provided a reason for the sudden closure. Calls the the pub went unanswered on Monday. A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page stated Saturday was the last night of business. “To everyone who has posted these […]
State Unveils Design For Fall Creek Falls Inn
The State Building Commission has approved the early design phase for the new inn, restaurant, and conference center at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Brandon Keown is with Earl Swensson Associates, the Principal-in-charge of the 95,700 square foot project. “The reclaimed natural environment is being brought back to the peninsula and views of the lake will […]
Bond For Shooting Suspect Reduced
A judge has lowered the bond amount for a Crossville man charged with fatally shooting his aunt earlier this month. 37-year-old Stacey Dwight Austin remains behind bars charged with voluntary manslaughter in the June 17th shooting of 55-year-old Teresa Faye Austin. Court officials said Monday that a judge has lowered Austin’s bond from $1 million […]
THSO Warns Drivers of High Crash Areas
The Tennessee Highway Safety Office’s latest campaign warns drivers of potentially dangerous roads and intersections. The THSO placed signs and banners across the state reading “High Crash Area” and “Extra Traffic Enforcement Ahead”. Law Enforcement Liaison Fred Sherrill said drivers should be cautious in areas where these signs are located. “When you see these signs, […]
Putnam County Man Charged with Selling Controlled Substances
The Sheriff’s Department has charged a Putnam County man with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. An officer conducted surveillance of Jason Brett Franklin, 34, on June 12. The officer followed Franklin to 660 N Willow Ave. The report said the officer witnessed two drug transactions. The affiant approached Franklin […]
CPD on the Lookout for Runaway Juvenile Suspect
Cookeville Police are looking for a juvenile suspect following an early-morning pursuit and attempted theft Monday. CPD officers apprehended two juveniles around 1:25 a.m. following a short vehicle pursuit. A third suspect was able to evade police at the time of the incident. The department said an attempted vehicle theft occurred about two hours following […]
