Highway 70 Four-Way Stop Significantly Reduces Collisions
White County has reduced major motor vehicle accidents following the installation of a four-way stop at the intersection of Highway 70 and Old Kentucky Road. White County Emergency Management Director Matt McBride said the transition to a four-way stop followed a collaborative effort between the White County Executive’s office, the White County Sheriff’s Office and […]
Porter: No Answer From T-DOT On Highway 70 Connector
Putnam County awaiting a decision from T-DOT regarding a proposed partnership to extend Tennessee Avenue to Gainesboro Grade. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said the project stems from a joint transportation committee formed in 2017 to identify the top road needs for the area. Porter said the county previously used a grant to complete engineering […]
Putnam Sheriff Pursues Leads After Remains Discovered
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is pursuing strong leads to identify human remains discovered by hikers in rough terrain between Highway 70 and Interstate 40. Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said investigators are working with the medical examiners office as well as a dentist’s office in a county west of Putnam County to confirm the […]
Putnam Sees Successful First School Day
Putnam County Schools first full day concluded and the district is off to a strong start. Communications and Marketing Supervisor Buddy Pearson said an estimated 12,000 students attended school Monday. He said buses picked up and dropped off students without issue. Pearson said the only real issue was the traffic caused by different construction projects […]
Memorial Park Set To Open March, 2025
Putnam County will dedicate its Memorial Park next March, the five-year anniversary of the tornado that killed 19 Putnam County residents. County Mayor Randy Porter said the project was delayed because it took several months to get the necessary permitting for the project from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Porter said they are […]
Putnam Fire Calling Fatal Baxter Fire An Accident
Putnam County Fire Chief Jeff Hicks said he believes a house fire that claimed the life of a 79-year-old Baxter resident was an accident. Hicks said firefighters entered the burning structure through a window and extracted Mildred Wade in just 14 minutes after receiving the initial page. He said he believes this was an accidental […]
T-DOT Acquiring Land From Cumberland Near Obed
T-DOT is acquiring a small strip of land from Cumberland County next to Obed River Park and the nearby bridge on Highway 70N. County Mayor Allen Foster said they will have to rebuild a section of Obed River Park’s fence to account for the new property lines. Foster said T-DOT is paying the county $36,000 […]
New Development Proposed Off Highway 70 Outside Baxter
Putnam County Planning Commission got its first look Tuesday night at a 106-lot residential development planned just outside Baxter. Planning Director Kevin Rush said the 55-acre lot sits between Prosperity Point and Laffew Road, off Highway 70. He said rather than a septic system, developers plan to install a step system for decentralized sewer. He […]
Putnam Working On County Road Needs With Development
Work is already underway to plan for road needs from future development in the northern areas of Putnam County. The Putnam County Planning Commission got its first look Tuesday night at a proposed residential development in the Ditty Road area with some 850 units. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said he only expects development in […]
Traffic Study Could Be Coming For Highway 70/136 Intersection In White
Growing concerns about traffic and accidents at the O.T. Jones Crossroads in White County could lead to a traffic study. County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said the intersection at Highway 70 and Highway 136 has been busy for years. He said with the county growing and businesses opening near the intersection, safety and traffic flow […]
