White Co. Schools See Improvements After Summer Learning Camps
White County Schools saw improvements in third-grade reading scores after the recent Summer Learning Camp. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said based on preliminary information, all but two students who completed the camp will be promoted to 4th grade. He said that is based on their performance “I mean it’s difficult to say how much […]
Sharon Womack Stepping Down From Putnam County EMA After 50 Years
Sharon Womack retiring after 50 years service with Putnam County Emergency Management Agency Womack said she did not know she was training to become Deputy Emergency Manager when she began assisting Putnam’s Civil Defense Director in the 70s. Womack said she was just helping out and the job grew as the organization grew. She said […]
Richard Field Cooke’s Birthday Celebration at Cookeville History Museum
You can celebrate Richard Field Cooke’s 236th birthday Saturday. Cooke is the man Cookeville is named for. Education Specialist Ashley McKee said an actor will represent Cooke Saturday discussing history with patrons. She said Cooke was very influential in getting Cookeville established as the county seat. The museum will celebrate his birthday with refreshments and […]
Baxter I-40 Water Line Replacement Project To Begin Next Week
Baxter will begin the process of replacing a water line along I-40 near the Old Baxter Road exit after a leak was discovered. Mayor John Martin said a new bore will be needed under the interstate and a new waterline that will run alongside it. “This happened back really months ago and we had a […]
Smithville Budget Passes, Includes New Emergency Responder Positions
City of Smithville’s new fiscal year budget includes a new police officer and a new full-time firefighter. City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson said that was one of the big asks from those two departments. He said the additional personnel will serve as a huge boost to the city. “I think now we’ll be able to staff […]
Crossville School Resource Officer Is Tennessee’s SRO Of the Year
Van Ruden the winner among some 1800 SROs statewide Crossville’s Scott Van Ruden received the state’s School Resource Officer of the Year award. Graduating seniors at Cumberland County High School nominated him. Van Ruden was nominated by graduating seniors at his school. Van Ruden said he recieved copies of the nominating letters after the ceremony. […]
Clay County Courthouse Awarded $85K Grant For Restorations
The Clay County Courthouse received some $85,000 in grant money for continued efforts with its restoration and upgrade project. Curator Thomas Watson said the funding will go towards three main projects: doors, floors, and theatre lights. He said the first project to tackle will be restoring the doors and getting new floors. “And get them […]
Algood And Cookeville PD Partner For $2M Radio System Upgrade
Algood and Cookeville Police Departments worked together to get an almost $2 million grant for new radio equipment. Algood Police Chief Dale Armour said the P-25 system has been recommended for years for law enforcement and emergency services. Armour said the grant will cover about 121 radio systems across both departments. “So whenever we have […]
McMinnville Man Charged With Criminal Homicide After Hardaway Street Stabbing
A McMinnville man charged with criminal homicide as the result of an investigation into a stabbing off of Hardaway Street. A joint investigation by McMinnville Police Department, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s office found that Christopher Kaylon Stanton unlawfully stabbed Trayton Whipple multiple times Wednesday night. Whipple succumbed to his injuries […]
Sparta Begins Process To Replace Storm-Impacted Pump For Water Plant
City of Sparta will solicit bids for a new 300-horsepower high service pump for the water plant after a storm damaged the old pump several weeks ago. City Council voted Thursday night to begin the bid process. Public Works Director Dillard Quick said the city will end up with a second higher powered backup unit […]
