Fireworks Inside Cookeville: What To Know About 5 Days
As Independence Day approaches, the Cookeville Police Department reminding residents to follow the city’s fireworks ordinance. Sergeant Charlotte Austin said people can use fireworks within city limits beginning Tuesday and continuing through Saturday. Austin said during this five-day window, fireworks cannot be used inside city limits earlier than 9am and no later than 10 pm. […]
Cookeville Council To Consider Police Auto-Tagging Contract
The Cookeville City Council will consider entering a contract for an auto-tagging license for the city’s police department this Thursday. Cookeville Police Chief Scott Winfree said the feature takes information from the Computer-Aided Dispatch and Records Management Systems and tags it with evidence automatically. Winfree said the license would be useful for storing footage taken […]
Barlow: Salary Increases Important To Retain First Responders
A three percent employee pay raise highlights Overton County’s new budget, a key to retaining employees in the Sheriff’s and Fire Departments and EMS. That’s according to County Executive Steven Barlow. Barlow said employees were not paid enough in years past, causing some to leave for better paying jobs elsewhere. Barlow said this was especially […]
Tech Program Receiving Recurring Funding From State
Tennessee Tech’s Rural Reimagined Program will now receive $1 million in recurring funding from the state. Vice President for Research and Economic Development Dr. Michael Aikens said the program is designed to help rural areas in Tennessee tackle rural-facing challenges. Aikens said it was great to see the program receive recurring funding from the state. […]
U.S. Representative Rose Wants More Federal Budget Cuts
Representative John Rose said the new federal budget has lots of good pieces, but wants to see more spending cuts. The Senate passed its version Tuesday. It includes increased spending for border security, defense, and energy production. Rose said the bill includes a spending cut of some $1.6 trillion, but some GOP legislators wanted more […]
Livingston Approves 2025-2026 Fiscal Budget, Tax Increase
Livingston Aldermen have approved the city’s budget on final reading for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The city’s budget does contain a five-cent property tax increase as requested by MTAS. Livingston Mayor Lori Elder Burnett said the city tries to do a small tax increase gradually rather than doing one big increase every few years. Burnett […]
Disruption At Putnam Commission Meeting Leads To Arrest
A disruption after the conclusion of the Putnam County Commissioners meeting on Monday night has led to an arrest. According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, a group of attendees, including individuals from the Putnam County Democratic Party, Putnam County Young Democrats, and the Indivisible Upper Cumberland Group, were present and generally peaceful. However, some […]
Jackson Commissioners Not Ready To Consider Budget
Jackson County Commission Chair Joey Denson said the budget committee should have Jackson County’s budget complete in the next several weeks. Denson told County Commissioners Monday night the budget committee is still working through the numbers. Denson said the budget will likely be passed in mid-August. Denson said in years past, the Commissioners have come […]
Boat Dock Utility Asking For Charter Change For Wastewater
Putnam County Commissioners approved amending of the charter for the Cookeville Boat Dock Road Utility District Monday night to possibly add wastewater service. County Attorney Jeffery Jones presented the utility district’s petition. Jones said the initial charter was drafted for water service. Jones said the utility district wants the option because of increased development in […]
Overton Approve $20.6M Budget, Raises For County Employees
The Overton County Commission approved a $20.6 million budget Monday night including a 90-cent property tax decrease. The tax rate decreased due to reappraisal. Despite the reduction, expenditures are an estimated $2.7 million more than the projected revenue. Overton County Executive Steven Barlow said he is not concerned with the general fund taking a large […]
