Child Abuse Chances Rise During Pandemic
Governor Bill Lee said Wednesday he remains concerned about growing numbers of unreported child abuse cases across the state because of COVID-19. Dawn Raines, Executive Director of the Stephens Center in Livingston, said the added stress from the pandemic can lead to increased abuse. “There’s so many additional stressors right now,” Raines said. “For one, […]
Fentress Sheriffs Department Gets New Firing Range
The Fentress County Sheriff’s Department will soon have a new firing range and training center. Fentress County Sheriff Michael Reagon said locating the new range in Grimsley is the best option. “We have to have somewhere to qualify every year,” Reagon said. “That’s mandatory by the state. I believe this will be the best place […]
Comptrollers Office: UC Needs More Judges
The Upper Cumberland needs more judges. That’s according to a state comptroller’s report showing a growing deficit in the 13th Judicial District. The report showed the 13th district has a deficit of 1.3 full-time equivalent judges based on 2019 statistics. Chancellor Ronald Thurman serves the district as presiding judge. “Our numbers keep gradually going up, […]
Respect The Earth In Honor Of Earth Day
Traditional celebrations to raise awareness in honor of Earth Day this year for Tennessee Higher Education students took the form of Zoom meetings instead, according to Professor Of Biology Mark Green. Wile Covid-19 may have put a damper on festivities, “Maybe a positive aspect to this pandemic is it sort of made everyone a little […]
Tornado Relief Application Process Reaches Next Step
Over 450 tornado survivors submitted relief applications for Cookeville/Putnam County Tornado Relief Fund before Tuesday’s midnight deadline. Economic and Community Development Coordinator Melinda Keifer said it’s not too late for other survivors to apply. “We have had tremendous outreach to the survivors to complete the needs assessment and get that turned into us,” Keifer said. […]
Sunday Testing Set For Cookeville
The Putnam County Health Department will host COVID-19 drive-thru testing event Sunday. The event will be held Sunday Noon to 4pm at the Health Department off Willow Avenue. This is part of the state’s expanded COVID-19 targeted testing plan to get more weekend access to residents. “Anyone with health concerns, or who has concerns about […]
Only 2 UC Long-Term Facilities Reporting More Than 2 Cases
Only two Upper Cumberland long-term care facilities have dealt with two or more positive COVID-19 cases during this outbreak. The Department of Health released new data for facilities across the state in an effort to protects residents, family and staff. Algood’s Signature Health Care Center reported 51 positive cases, second highest among Tennessee’s long-term care […]
Crossville Man Lies To Police, Faces Domestic Charges
A Crossville man faces charges for filing a false police report after he said he was stabbed outside a Crossville gas station. 56-year-old Wallace Jewell Rhea actually was stabbed by his wife in self defense, according to police reports. He also faces domestic assault charges. The incident happened Tuesday night when Rhea said he and […]
Putnam COVID-19 Cases Reach 100
Putnam County’s COVID-19 case number hit 100 Wednesday with four people dead. That number reflects an increase of five cases from Tuesday’s report. Putnam County becomes the 12th county in the state to reach triple digits in positive COVID-19 cases. 74 of those who tested positive have recovered. 1,097 tests have come back negative. The […]
Veteran Cemetery Search Back On
The search for a location for the Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery has resumed after a land deal in fell apart. Paul Overholser is the Strategic Development Director for the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. The department had originally selected 93-acres adjacent to I-40 in Cumberland County for the cemetery. “We had an initial verbal […]
