Putnam Expanding Literacy Support Through New Grant
Putnam County Schools will now expand literacy support to students in grades 5-12 using an estimated $90,000 grant from the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program. Secondary Instructional Supervisor Bubba Winningham said the grant helps school students advance their reading, speaking, and writing skills from birth to grade 12. Winningham said the school system has received […]
UCHRA Testifies On Program Helping Local Poverty Families
UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said the agency has been very successful in helping local impoverished families through a one-time grant three years ago. Farley said the agency received an estimated $25 million grant in 2022 to fund a three-year initiative aimed at helping families move out of poverty. Farley said program navigators have worked […]
Cumberland Makes Change To Beer Permit Requirements
Cumberland County Commission has set a new hard limit for beer permits, requiring a minimum of 100 feet between retailers and public gathering places like schools and churches. County Commissioner and Beer Board Chairman Joe Sherrill said the county used to require a 2,000-foot distance between beer retailers and places of public gathering. But Sherrill […]
White County Schools Receives $600K For Letter Grades
White County Schools has received an estimated $600,000 from the state as part of a TISA funding performance bonus. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the state provided the bonus after more than half of the district’s schools received an A letter grade. Dronebarger said only 22 out of 147 school districts across the state […]
Alice In Winterland Festival Boosts Post-Holiday Economy
A new month-long immersive experience in McMinnville aims to drive foot traffic to local shops and restaurants during the typically slow post-holiday season. Tourism and Marketing Manager Jordan Pupols organized “Alice in Winterland: The Heart of WinterQuest” to encourage February spending. The festival features a storybook trail, themed decorations, and specialty items at businesses throughout […]
UC County Ballots Set For May Election After Deadline
The qualifying deadline passed on Thursday for candidates seeking to run in this year’s county election, officially setting the field for the upcoming ballot in May. In Putnam County, Incumbent Randy Porter will face Ryan Dalton and Wayne Nabors in the race for county mayor. Incumbent Eddie Farris will face Darrin Stout in August for […]
Hoot Headed Back To NBC Show For New All-Star Season
A Tennessee Tech alum will return to national television this month to compete in a new all-star format of a popular singing competition. Jake Hoot, a 2013 graduate and former Golden Eagle football player, is set to join fellow past winners for “The Voice: Battle of Champions” on NBC. Hoot originally captured national attention when […]
Woolbright Concludes 17-Year Career With Jackson EMS/911
Derek Woolbright worked his last full-time shift at Jackson County EMS/911 Wednesday, concluding a 17-year tenure with the department. Woolbright began his career at the agency in 2009 as an 18-year-old student seeking part-time employment. He described his time at the station on North Murray Street as a period where he grew up both personally […]
Cali Franklin, York Set Sights on Fifth Straight State Trip
As the York Dragonettes prepare for another postseason push, the standard has not changed, and neither has the expectation. With four consecutive trips to the state tournament already secured, York now sets its sights on a fifth straight appearance in Murfreesboro. Leading that charge is senior point guard Cali Franklin, who said she understands both […]
Multiple UC Wrestling Teams Advancing To State Championships
The mats have been busy across the Upper Cumberland this week, and the reward is a wave of local wrestlers headed to Franklin. Over the past several days, athletes from across the region punched their tickets to the TSSAA State Wrestling Championships, earning spots in this weekend’s state tournament after strong sectional performances. The Cookeville […]
