J-Turn Project Begins At Cookeville’s 111/Old Sparta Road
Construction underway on a new J-turn intersection along Highway 111 near the Old Sparta Road intersection in Cookeville to reduce the frequency and severity of vehicle accidents, T-DOT Regional Communications Officer Rae Anne Bradley said maintenance crews began work last week on the safety improvement project. Bradley said the design is specifically engineered to simplify […]
Putnam EMS Reports Successful Field Blood Program
Putnam County EMS reporting success with its new field blood program following three successful administrations during its first month of operation. EMS Chief Tommy Copeland said the department launched the initiative following recommendations from federal agencies. Copeland said the department is one of 400 sites nationwide currently carrying blood in the field. “We felt like […]
Monterey Health Clinic Celebrates Success In First Year
The Putnam County Health Department celebrating its first year of operation in its permanent Monterey facility. Public Health Director Lisa Bumbalough said the clinic has seen a significant increase in patients. Bumbalough said the establishment of the clinic followed years of planning and collaboration between the Department of Health and local officials to make care […]
Tennessee Tech Prioritizes Applicants Via Putnam First
Tennessee Tech launching its seventh annual Putnam First initiative Monday to provide Putnam County residents an exclusive two-week window to apply for the 2027-2028 academic year before the general public. Director of Admissions Jacob Cutshall said the program allows local students to submit their applications for the upcoming school year with the application fee waived […]
New Joins Communities In Schools Tennessee Board
Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Amy New announced as new member of the Communities In Schools of Tennessee Board of Directors. New said the organization partners with public and charter schools to connect students with mental health services, food, clothing and attendance intervention. New said maintaining a strong K-12 pipeline is a […]
New Putnam Expo Center Bid Comes In Under Budget
The low bid for the construction of 67,000-square-foot Expo Center at the new Putnam Fairgrounds came in some $150,000 under budget. Mayor Randy Porter said the county received eight different bids for the project. Porter said that represents a shift from recent years when rising construction costs often forced officials to scramble. “We felt good […]
Algood Council Requests Revised Public Works Paving Plan
The Algood City Council requested a revised street paving plan after discovering that initial bids for several city roads far exceeded the current budget. Algood Vice Mayor Luke Hill said the Public Works Department needs to prioritize which streets are in most dire need of repaving. Hill said the department should include public input into […]
Algood Pauses Firefighter Expansion Citing Budget Concerns
The Algood City Council voted Tuesday to table the idea of adding two full-time firefighters to the city’s fire department. Mayor Lisa Chapman-Fowler said the proposal to hire the additional personnel would require the city to spend approximately $207,000 that was not included in the current fiscal year budget. Chapman-Fowler said the recurring expense would […]
Free Fares Drive Record Growth For UCHRA Transportation
UCHRA reports a 17.6 percent increase in ridership over the last fiscal year after waiving the $1 fare for its city “Go” routes. Transportation Hub Manager Jenel Hill said the agency provided 125,597 total rides across Putnam, Cumberland and Warren County during the fiscal year that ended in June. Hill said the decision to eliminate […]
UC Election Administrators Forecast Robust Early Turnout
Election administrators across the Upper Cumberland are preparing for a significant wave of voters as early voting begins for the upcoming August election. Overton County Administrator of Elections Craig Story said the presence of numerous county offices and state primaries on the ballot should drive local residents to the polls. Story said he anticipates a […]
