Parasitic Screwworms Could Impact Pets, Livestock In UC
The New World Screwworm, a parasitic fly, has been detected in Mexico and could soon enter the southeast. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture said screwworms present a threat to pets and livestock. University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension Agent Wayne Key said screwworms lay their eggs on an animals skin, and the larvae start feeding at […]
Pickett Approves $2K Bonus For Teachers/Non-Teachers
Pickett County Schools has approved a $2,000 bonus for teachers and non-teachers. Pickett County Director of Schools Diane Elder said teachers will be receiving the $2,000 from the state as part of the Education Freedom Act. Elder said the school board approved similar bonuses for non-teachers to show appreciation to those employees who were left […]
CRMC Borrowing $13 Million For New Inpatient Hospital
Cookeville Regional Medical Center will borrow funds up to $13 million to construct a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital. CRMC received authorization from the Cookeville City Council to borrow the funds on Thursday. Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the expansion is needed. “We are keeping people in the community, which is so important as a health care […]
Sparta Budget Features Property Tax Rate Decrease
The City of Sparta plans to decrease property taxes in the upcoming fiscal year. Sparta Aldermen passed a general fund ordinance to cut property tax rates to 59 cents per $100 of assessed value on Thursday. Mayor Jerry Lowery said this is a reappraisal year, and the state recommended a lower rate based on the […]
UCDD; State Officials Discuss Empower UC Successes
UCDD Officials shared the successes and opportunities of the Empower UC Program with state counterparts this week. UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said despite rising income and lower unemployment, poverty rates are still high in some areas. Farley said some people in poverty want to get back to work, but others fear re-entering the work […]
Gainesboro Water Rates Increasing By Two Percent
Gainesboro has approved to increase water rates by two percent for the upcoming fiscal year. Alderman Beth Young said the state is requiring Gainesboro to increase the water rates as the state has a mandate that all water systems have to make increases on an annual or sometimes bi-annual basis. Young said the two percent […]
New Sparta Disc Golf Course Open, Tournament Coming
The White County Recreational Complex’s new Spartan Summit Disc Golf Course is now open, and it will host one of several tournaments in the fall. Disc golf is similar to regular golf, but players throw frisbees at a chainmail basket “holes” rather than hitting a ball with a club. Spartan Summit is an 18-hole course […]
Vet Shortages Continue As Demand Increases
It’s National Pet Week, but there is a shortage of vets to take care of your pets. Tennessee Tech Dean of Agriculture and Human Ecology Darron Smith said the reasons are a lack of schools, and if you are lucky to get into one, it is very expensive. Smith said vet shortages are not only […]
Cookeville Welcoming “Run For The Wall” Biker Group This Sunday
The world’s largest and longest organized cross-country motorcycle run, called Run for the Wall, is making its annual stop in Cookeville this Sunday. Run for the Wall is a group of over 300 veteran motorcycle riders who travel from Los Angeles, CA, to Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The purpose of riding the long journey […]
Livingston Replacing Roof On City Garage
Livingston will begin replacing the roof at the city’s garage on Monday, after the city approved an estimated $45,000 bid. Livingston’s Codes Enforcement Officer Walter Rutherford said the roof is old and is leaking in multiple places. Rutherford said he was a little disappointed as the city only received one bid. “I don’t know if […]
