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Putnam Schools Expanding Free Meal Program

The number of Putnam County schools offering free meals to all students will increase this school year from seven to twelve. School Nutrition Program Supervisor Jennifer Mitchell said those schools will be participating through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) which provides free meals to all students regardless of economic status. Mitchell said schools are eligible […]

Pickett Schools To Continue Offering Free Meals In 2024

Breakfast and lunch will continue to be free for all Pickett County students after a successful first semester of the program. School Nutrition Supervisor Rebecca Wallin said the price of food at grocery stores and restaurants has created a strain on many Pickett County families. She said the program proved extremely beneficial to the students […]

Mobile Clinic Providing Healthcare In Byrdstown Saturday

The RAM Mobile Medical Clinic will provide free medical, dental, and vision services at Pickett County K-8 in Byrdstown Saturday and Sunday. Remote Area Medical Senior Clinic Coordinator Audra Fitzgerald said services will be provided on a first come, first serve basis. Fitzgerald said the clinic will open its doors at 6:00am Saturday. “So in […]

St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic Opens Crossville Center

St. Mary’s Legacy clinic opened its new Crossville Free Healthcare on Wheels program Tuesday. St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic Executive Director Martin Vargas said over half of the clinic’s patients come from Crossville. He said uninsured residents in need of care poured in alongside members of the Crossville community who stopped by to voice their support […]

Pickett Schools Begin Free Lunch Pilot Program, Hopeful Long-Term

Pickett County Schools will provide free meals for all students district-wide through the end of the school year. School Nutrition Supervisor Rebecca Wallin said this year, Tennessee made Medicaid-eligible students certified to receive free lunch, almost doubling the number of eligible students in Pickett County. She said the increase finally made this a fiscal possibility. […]

Four Year Extension For White County Director Of Schools

After more than two hours of public comments and debate, the White County School Board agreed to a contract extension for Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger. The contract will run from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2027. Much of the discussion from the board revolved around why Dronebarger needed the contract renewed six months […]

Health Care Enrollment Extended, Free Help Available

Help for affordable health care is available in the Upper Cumberland through the Tennessee Healthcare Campaign. Campaign Organizer Thomas Savage said 44 percent of people in Putnam, Overton, Clay and Cumberland Counties have no insurance or use the Affordable Care Act. Savage said that open enrollment has been extended until August 15. “This new Tennessee […]

Fentress Agrees To Purchase Location For Stand-Alone ER

Fentress County Commissioners approved purchasing a building for a stand-alone UT Medical Center facility. Commissioners agreed to purchase the old Fentress Health Systems building for $655,707. County Executive Jimmy Johnson said a long-term commitment was needed for UT Medical to lobby the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for restriction changes. “Passing this right here, […]

Fentress County Seeking Locations For UT Medical ER

The Fentress County Commission has given the county executive permission to move forward in finding a location for a stand-alone University of Tennessee emergency room. County Executive Jimmy Johnson met with UT Medical Center officials Monday for more than 90 minutes. County Attorney Leslie Ledbetter said the University wants the county to pursue a long-term […]

Tennessee Voting On Medicaid Waiver For TennCare

Tennessee Legislators will be getting to work this week on a first in the nation Medicaid Block Grant Waiver for TennCare. Senator Paul Bailey sponsored the original $8.6 billion Medicaid Block Grant Waiver in 2019. Bailey said the federal government accepted this waiver because of Tennessee’s track record of consistently saving money for Medicaid, by […]