Cookeville Mayor Recognized For Medical Center Leadership
The Cookeville Regional Board of Trustees recognized Mayor Laurin Wheaton for her years of service as she attended her final meeting as a board member. Board Chairman Danny Rader said Wheaton held various committee roles during her tenure. Rader said the mayor previously served as the board chairman for one year while balancing her city […]
Wheaton Said Creativity Needed To Help Affordable Housing
Outgoing Cookeville Mayor Laurin Wheaton said leaders across the county want to explore “creative” ways to improve the housing affordability issues. A recent report from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency ranked Cookeville as one of the communities with the highest need for more affordable housing in the state, behind only Nashville and Knoxville. Wheaton said […]
Cookeville Annexation Plans Underway With City Officials
Cookeville Mayor Laurin Wheaton said city officials are now working on plans for the Dodson Branch annexed area. Wheaton said the plans focus on services to outline how utilities and emergency protection will be delivered to the newly annexed area. “We’re excited to bring another area into Cookeville that we can you know work on […]
Cookeville Regional Approves Half-Billion Dollar Budget
The Cookeville Regional Board of Trustees approved a $502 million operational budget for the 2027 fiscal year during a special called meeting Wednesday. Chief Financial Officer Tommye Wells said the facility is budgeting $21.9 million in net income for the upcoming year compared to a projected $10.1 million for the current fiscal year. Wells said […]
Cookeville Officials Seek Input On Depot Project Monday
Cookeville seeking public input Monday night on the 39 Depot Street project, aiming to revitalize the West Side area through new parking, green spaces and better traffic flow. Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the project focuses on a property the city purchased to highlight local shops and establish a long-term vision for the district. Wheaton said […]
Supporting Success, Awareness Across The Autism Spectrum
As the Upper Cumberland recognizes Autism Awareness Month, a local expert said understanding the broad autism spectrum better supports families and children. Board-certified behavior analyst Allison Crawford said it is important all residents understand the varying degrees of the diagnosis. Crawford said that helps neighbors properly assist one another. “So you might have a little […]
UC Makerspace, Imagine Foundry Eye Cookeville Mall Move
The Imagine Foundry and UC Makerspace have announced plans to move their facilities into the Cookeville Mall. UC Makerspace Executive Director Johnny Blayze said the two non-profits are currently partnered and operating out of offices on South Willow Avenue. Blayze said they have to move out of their current facility by July and saw the […]
Cookeville Adds Key Venues For Alcohol Permit Exemptions
City Of Cookeville will exempt the Putnam County Convention Center, the new Putnam County Fairgrounds, and indoor events at the Leslie Towne Center from obtaining a Special Events Alcoholic Beverage Permit. Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the city’s municipal code previously prohibited any alcohol on any city streets and city properties, with the exception of the […]
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting At Dogwood Park Sunday
Cookeville will kick off the holiday season Sunday night with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Dogwood Park. The event features Christmas singing by local groups and the lighting of Cookeville’s 40-foot Christmas tree. Cookeville Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the community takes a moment to pause and reflect on what is really important this time […]
Cookeville Celebrates Completion Of New Pickleball Courts
Cookeville leaders celebrated the completion of eight new pickleball courts at Cane Creek Park Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting. Construction of the pickleball courts took several months to complete due to soil issues. City Manager James Mills said it was great to finally see the project completed. “It’s very exciting,” Mills said. “There was some question […]
