Silver Alert Issued for Elderly Cookeville Man
The Overton and Putnam County Sheriff’s offices have issued a Silver Alert for a missing elderly man. Putnam County authorities have identified the man as 83-year-old Dr. James Smith of Cookeville. Previous information had stated Smith was from the Overton County area. Overton-Pickett EMA Assistant Director Eric Stephens reports Smith’s truck was found unoccupied along […]
Eight UC Counties To Receive Federal Flood Relief
President Donald Trump declared Thursday that several Tennessee counties were eligible for disaster funding following severe flooding and storm damage earlier this year. Jackson County Mayor Randy Heady said the relief funding will help greatly in the region’s recovery efforts. “The floodings are hard on small counties like us,” Heady said. “You have a lot […]
Salary Increases A Priority In School Budget
The budget for the Putnam County School System will once again include increases for salaries and wages. Superintendent of Schools Jerry Boyd addressed the issue during a joint work session between county commissioners and school board members earlier this week. “We’ve tried to raise salaries as much as we feasibly can, but one of the […]
UCDD To Assist Communities With Industry-Ready Building Sites
The Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD) wants to help prepare several communities for potential industry. Executive Director Mark Farley said several locations across the region have industrial sites available but few are actually prepared for site visits. “We want to reach out to our seven or eight communities that have industrial products that are ready […]
Tonya Spears Named New Mayor of Celina
Former Celina Vice Mayor Tonya Spears has taken over as the city’s mayor. Celina City Hall reports Spears was officially sworn in as the new mayor April 9 after former mayor Joey Rich stepped down due to health reasons. Spears said Wednesday she hopes to continue the Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s efforts in moving […]
Four Apply For Criminal Court Judge Vacancy
A total of four people applied for the criminal court judge vacancy in the 13th Judicial District. Candidates for the vacancy include Rebecca Brady, Wesley Thomas Bray, Michael Shipman, and Jeffrey A. Vires. The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will interview the candidates when it meets May 21 at Tennessee Tech University. The meeting will include […]
British Cave Diver Rescued in Jackson County
Emergency rescue crews have rescued a British cave diver trapped in Jackson County. Officials released a statement Thursday evening saying Josh Bratchley of the United Kingdom was rescued just before 7 p.m. Bratchley and four other diving team members had made the trip to Jackson County to explore a secluded underwater cave system earlier in […]
New Elementary School Discussed With Commissioners
Putnam County school officials want to see more progress with building a new elementary school. The school board purchased land for the new school in Southwest Cookeville last year. Superintendent Jerry Boyd said he would like the design phase to get underway. “In the operational budget next year I may have to ask for additional […]
