Changes Coming To Cookeville Employee Health Insurance
Both employee budgets and the city budget could take a hit from Cookeville’s City Employee Health Insurance. City Manager James Mills said that the city’s health insurance is self-funded, meaning the city and the employees contribute to a fund to pay claims. He said that with COVID and major claims depleting the city’s health insurance […]
$1M Federal Investment To Address TN Maternal Health Crisis
Maternal mortality rates in the United States compare to that of third-world countries, but a new $1 million federal investment seeks to aid Tennessee mothers Part of that investment will focus on rural moms. Rebecca Kojak is the Administrative Director for Cookeville Regional’s Women’s Health Services. She said the most significant issues in maternal care […]
Cumberland County EMA Developing Emergency Communications App
Cumberland County EMA developing a new emergency services app. Director Travis Cole said the app will streamline all emergency communications, including weather bulletins, school closures, and road conditions. “I think it’s going to be beneficial and time will tell,” Cole said. “With it being a free download for iPhone and Android, I see it taking […]
Sparta Police Chief Says New PD On Wish List For New Administration
Sparta Police Chief Doug Goff said a new police department is a need in the next three to five years. Goff told the Board of Aldermen about the cramped facility during a work session after Alderman Jim Floyd asked about the department’s long-term plan. Goff said the department has outgrown the current facility. “I would […]
UCHFH Merging With DeKalb Co Affiliate
The Upper Cumberland Habitat for Humanity will soon add DeKalb County to its service area. Executive Director Pam Ealey said the DeKalb chapter was volunteer-ran for several years. Ealey said the affiliate has faced challenges keeping the mission going under that model. “At DeKalb many of them have been involved for the whole 20 years, […]
Cookeville High Student Facing Charges After False Report Of A Weapon On Campus
About an hour-long lockdown at Cookeville High School this afternoon after a student reported herself to the school system’s Crisis Hotline, saying she had a gun and planned to hurt herself and others. Director of Schools Corby King said the Crisis Counselor contacted Cookeville Police, who then contacted the school’s SRO. After the school went […]
Sparta Aldermen To Consider Employee Pay Raises This Thursday
The Sparta Board of Aldermen will vote on a pay adjustment plan Thursday night that would impact 67 employees. The plan would increase pay by $2.32 for employees in pay grades two through seven. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city needs to take action after losing nine workers over the past year. “I think it […]
New Pilot Forming Database Of The Region’s Best Views
A new crowd-sourced, pilot initiative that would compile the best views of the region has launched in four counties. Scenic Tennessee’s newest project is called Tennessee Vistas. President Marge Davis said residents of Jackson, Overton, Putnam and White County will help create a database for others to view. “One of our founding members was Mack […]
Algood Gains Required Permits To Bid Out Big Mac Drive Extension
Algood received the required state permits to move forward with its second Walmart entrance project. City Administrator Keith Morrison said this allows the city to move forward with bidding and finding a funding mechanism. “We had to apply for permits and make sure we weren’t causing any problems with wetlands, so we cleared all that,” […]
Final Paving To Begin For Intersection Improvement In Baxter
Paving to begin next week for TDOT’s intersection improvement project in Baxter. Community Relations Officer Rae-Anne Bradley said the final project would improve the safety of the Highway 70 and State Route 56 intersection. “The only remaining work once the paving is complete is to install the signal, some final striping and permanent stabilization of […]
