Winter Weather, Cold Stretches Driving Potholes Across UC
Potholes are popping up across the Upper Cumberland, something we think of mainly after snow or ice. Putnam Road Supervisor Randy Jones said freezing temperatures, rain, and repeated thawing cycles all play a major role in damaging pavement. “The rain, the freezing and thawing, the water gets down in the pores of the asphalt and […]
Putnam Renews Health Insurance At Two Percent Increase
Putnam County Commissioners renewing the county’s current health insurance for county employees at a two percent increase. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said he feels very good about the renewal. He said discussions began with an increase of some eight percent, but the county worked the increase down to two percent. He said with the […]
VEC Increasing Customer Charges Beginning April 1
Volunteer Energy Cooperative will raise its rates for the first time since 2005 as the company works to combat the rising prices of maintenance and materials. VEC Crossville and Monterey Service Area Manager Kevin Hembree said the residential customer flat rate charge will increase by $5.25, taking the price from $11.77 to $17. That rate […]
Gas Prices Fluctuating
Gas prices are at an average of $3.46 a gallon in Tennessee right now, 36 cents higher than a month ago. AAA Spokesperson Megan Cooper said there are points in the year when gas prices often routinely spike, with summer being one of those times. However, she said the current spike is larger than most, […]
OEA President: Teacher Salary Increase A Step In The Right Direction, More To Be Done
Overton County Education Association President Jennifer Eilender said the just approved teacher salary increases are a long-time overdue. The state legislature approved Wednesday the largest teacher salary raise in state history. The required base pay for teachers would gradually increase to $50,000 by the 2026/2027 school year. “Tennessee Teachers are some of the hardest working […]
Sparta Updates Tap Fees To Keep Up With Material Costs
Sparta more than doubling its water and sewer tap fees in March due to rising installation costs. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city was losing too much money at the current rates. “The reason we did that is, because the materials were going up,” Lowery said. “We were charging x number of dollars, and it […]
White Co Commissioners Increase Tipping Fees And Container Rental Costs
The cost per ton to dump at the White County landfill will go up by $10 in February of next year. The White County Commission approved increasing the fee to $61.25. County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said the idea is to improve the revenue generated by the landfill. “There’s been a lot of spotlight on […]
Jackson Schools Budget Sees Biggest Teacher Salary Increase In 20 Years
Jackson County School Board approved its budget Thursday night with some of the largest teacher salary increases in 20 years. Director of Schools Kristy Brown said that increase amounts to about $2,000 a year for certified personnel. “We want to do all that we can to recruit teachers and retain the ones we have,” Brown […]
Warren BOE Doubles Longevity Bonuses For Employees
The Warren County Board of Education has increased longevity bonuses for teachers. Director of Schools Grant Swallows said faculty of 15 years or longer that reach retirement get $80 for each sick day they have. “Our school board sees that we want to reward those employees that want to stick with our district,” Swallows said. […]
White Co School Board Member Wants More Oversight On Budget
White County School Board Member Dewayne Howard wants to increase the number of members on the schools budget committee. The school system currently operates as a centralized finance system through the county. The school board appoints one member annually to work with the county finance director and director of schools. Howard said he would like […]
