New Stations To Improve Putnam County Response Times
Putnam County completing construction on two new fire stations to strategically spread resources across its 405 square miles and reduce emergency response times. Fire Chief Jeff Hicks said the department is finishing the final two stations in its current plan, with Station 14 at Austin Bottom expected to open next. Hicks said the department intends […]
Kindergarten Enrollment Up In Putnam, Full Picture To Come
Kindergarten enrollment in Putnam County rose to 696 students during the early registration window, marking an increase of 23 children compared to the same time last year. Putnam Schools Attendance Supervisor Chris Pierce said the early enrollment window for elementary schools opened concluded April 17. Pierce said the district typically expects to pre-enroll between 650 […]
Cookeville City Council Approves Budget, Worker Raises
The Cookeville City Council approved a $244 million annual budget on first reading during its Thursday meeting. Finance Director Jenni Nisewander said the budget addresses priorities including capital infrastructure, equipment, and employee compensation. Nicewander said the spending plan includes a $2,000 market adjustment for all full-time employees and a merit raise of up to 2 […]
Putnam County Schools Approve “Difficult” Budget Cuts
The Putnam County School Board approved a new budget Thursday that addresses a significant state funding shortfall while attempting to avoid a local tax increase. Director of Schools Corby King said the district is facing a $2.5 million decrease in expected state revenue compared to initial estimates provided earlier this year. “This has been the […]
Stones And Logs Shape Early Learning Academy Playground
Putnam County Schools swapping traditional chutes and ladders with stones and logs to provide pre-K students with a unique outdoor environment. Putnam County Schools Deputy Director Tim Martin said the district is opening bids for the project at the new Early Learning Academy. Martin said the construction package includes a basic design with several additional […]
Putnam County Deputy Arrested In Jackson DUI Crash
A Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrested and charged with driving under the influence following a single-car accident Tuesday. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said the incident involved Deputy Chase Carter in Jackson County. The Tennessee Highway Patrol said Carter was operating his personal vehicle at the time of the crash. Carter has been placed […]
Monterey Board Rejects City Administrator Charter Ratification
The Monterey Board of Aldermen want to see physical documentation from the state before moving forward with a new city administrator position. Mayor Alex Garcia said the city received notification from the governor that the charter change had been signed and was ready for local ratification. Garcia said he received a PDF copy of the […]
Cookeville Volunteers Expand Bluebird Nesting Box Project
The Tennessee Bluebird Society is leading an effort to expand the number of bluebird nesting boxes across local parks to support native cavity-nesting birds. Cookeville Chapter Coordinator Lynn Maddux said the organization recently installed four additional boxes at the new Cowan addition of Cane Creek Park. Maddux said the space provides open terrain that bluebirds […]
Cookeville Strengthens Enforcement Of Local Hotel Taxes
Cookeville enforcing stricter regulations on hotel and motel tax collections after increasing its authority to collect payments in a timely fashion. City Manager James Mills said the city updated its regulatory codes last year to address instances where certain businesses were not paying the required taxes on time. Mills said the city clerk monitors the […]
Cane Creek Teen Reported Missing, Sheriff Asks For Help
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 17-year-old Natalia Antes, reported missing Sunday. Antes reported missing from her home on Cane Creek Road. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said Antes was last seen during the early morning hours of Sunday. Antes is five feet, seven inches tall and weighs approximately […]
