Smithville Man Charged With Child Rape
A 23-year-old Smithville man will appear in court next month after reportedly raping a 12-year-old girl. Smithville Police arrested Ruben Aluvez Mejia last week on one count of child rape. Arrest warrants indicate Mejia engaged in sexual intercourse with the girl, who was 11 years old at the time, on multiple occasions between September and […]
Upperman Veteran’s Monument Fundraising Continues
The Upperman Veteran’s Monument project will move forward in the coming months. Manager of the Upperman Campus Community Council Eric Brown said the lack of funding previously delayed the project. “We haven’t completely raised everything. There were a couple adjustments raised to our previous goal around some electrical needs and some other site prep that […]
Poles Ordered For Highway 111 Signal Project
The work to install traffic signals at the Interstate 40 and Highway 111 interchange will begin early next year. Tennessee Department of Transportation Spokeswoman Jennifer Flynn said the contractor has ordered the signal poles for the project. “We are expecting the contractor to get started in March and we’re thinking that the signal poles will […]
Local Rehab Center Helps Addicts with Prior Convictions
An Upper Cumberland drug rehab organization looks to help people with prior drug convictions overcome their addictions. Chelsea Hughes is the Intake Coordinator at Adult and Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland. She says many patients find trouble receiving proper addiction treatment while incarcerated. “What I have seen is that just being in jail, it’s […]
Cookeville Looks to Adjust City Tree Ordinance
Cookeville officials look to adjust and revise aspects of the city’s current tree ordinance. Public Works Director Greg Brown says one of the changes allows the tree board to designate someone to inspect right-of-ways for properties with hazardous trees. “We also clarified the city’s right to trim or remove trees on the right-of-way that may […]
Rescue Mission Sees Influx of Homelessness
The Cookeville Rescue Mission has seen an influx of people seeking shelter this winter. Executive Director Bruce Bailey said the shelter typically houses anywhere from 50 to 55 people. “We have a constant influx of people and especially with colder temperatures and we are now in the warming shelter mode,” Bailey said. “Which is in […]
Civic Center Project Moving Forward After Petition Fails
The McMinnville Civic Center remodeling project will move forward after a petition for a public referendum failed. City Administrator Bill Brock said the $10 million project will hopefully get underway by the end of the year. “It’s now back in the hands of the mayor and board of aldermen. They are moving forward with financing […]
Clay Co. Library Adding Outdoor Security Cameras
The Clay County Library will soon have new security cameras on the outside of the building following the approval of the county commission. County Sheriff Brandon Boone says a recent increase in suspicious activity caused library officials to propose the new cameras. “The library has public WiFi which causes some people during after-hours to congregate […]
Colorado Man Arrested With Drug, Firearm Charges
A Colorado man faces multiple charges after a routine traffic stop Wednesday. Putnam County authorities arrested 22-year-old Marcus Henderson of Ft. Carson for possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm during a felony. Officials initially stopped Henderson in relation to speeding and improper display of registration. During the stop, authorities detected an […]
Local Vet Office Warns of High Vitamin D in Dogs
In light of FDA-recalls on various dog food brands, local veterinary officials warn of high Vitamin D levels. Amanda Bowan is a Vet Tech at White County Veterinary Hospital. Bowan said natural levels of Vitamin D help dogs develop. “If they have too much, then that could lead to kidney failure or death because the kidneys can’t […]
