Cookeville’s Gondola’s Pizza House Closes
Cookeville’s Gondola’s Pizza House has closed after being in business since 1968. Lambros and Helen Lainos have operated the Italian restaurant for the past five years. Helen Lainos said COVID did play a role, but the deciding factor was changes to the Jefferson Avenue location. “There is a road being widened. We are going to […]
Cookeville Water Finished Repairs On Three Line Breaks
The Cookeville Water Department has dealt with three water line breaks since Monday due to freezing weather. The three lines are located from Big Lots to Kroger on Jefferson Avenue. Water and Sewer Director Ronnie Kelly said the cast iron lines are not flexible and snap like a glass rod in low temperatures. “The ground […]
Cookeville Quality Inn Removal Begins
The removal of the Cookeville Quality Inn has begun. A new 102-room, 5-story Hilton Property will be built on the front of the Jefferson Avenue site. The newest portion of the Quality Inn will remain with 65 rooms. According to the hotel General Manager, there is no estimate on how long the tear down will […]
Jefferson Avenue Widening Remains On Track
The Jefferson Avenue widening project is still in its property acquisition phase, but remains on track for bidding in March 2021. T-DOT Community Relations Officer Jennifer Flynn said a total of 103 parcels are needed along the stretch from Interstate 40 to Highway 111. Flynn said the pandemic has slowed down acquiring properties. However, she […]
Cookeville Public Works Preparing For Widening Of Jefferson Ave.
Cookeville’s Public Works Department is planning ahead for increased Jefferson Avenue traffic by reworking traffic signal timings. T-DOT plans to start widening the road next spring from Interstate 40 to the south towards Highway 111. Director Greg Brown said work for a new traffic pattern needs to start now. “The reason we need to do […]
Jefferson Avenue Community Garden Plans Growth
2020 was the first year for SeedFork of the Highlands community garden on Jefferson Avenue and there are already plans for the Spring. SeedFork Chairman Rodney Laulo said the long term vision is continuing to build a partnership with Tennessee Tech Agriculture to bring transplant crops into the garden. Laulo said he wants to create […]
City To Begin Jefferson Sewer Exploration
Cookeville is preparing to begin an assessment on the sewer system on Jefferson Avenue. Cookeville Water and Sewer Director Ronnie Kelly said the department has taken bids to begin video monitoring the sewer to check the condition. Kelly said the sewer video will be reviewed by city engineers to determine the scope of the project. […]
Local Officials Request Signage Under I-40 Overpass
T-DOT has placed signs saying, “No sales or soliciting on state right-of-way,” under the Cookeville I-40 overpass on Jefferson Avenue. That after local municipalities made the request. Public Information Officer Jennifer Flynn said Cookeville’s T-DOT offices received questions from local officials asking what could be done to increase safety. “They were expressing concerns that there […]
Cookeville’s Pop-up Trump Store
An all Donald Trump store is doing business on Jefferson Avenue in Cookeville. Store Manager Greg Tipton said the idea for the store popped up when the county fair season ended. The store is operated by East Coast Concessions and Tipton said the operators wanted a temporary location so memorabilia can keep selling. “We’re also […]
Shelton Hoping For Help From Legislature On Panhandling
As Cookeville considers a new panhandling ordinance, one issue would be citing individuals on state right of ways. For example, the corner of Jefferson Avenue and I-40 as well as I-40 and Highway 111. Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton said the city has explored that issue with Representative Ryan Williams. Shelton said it is something other […]
