Agreement To Be Approved To Move Jefferson TVA Tower
Cookeville City Council discussed finalizing a plan to relocate a TVA transmission tower at the intersection of South Jefferson Avenue and Neal Street during Monday’s work session. City Manager James Mills said the state allocation will cover nearly the entire cost of the $759,000 relocation project. Mills said after years of work and requests, the […]
Putnam Family Tragedy Leads To New State Suicide Law
New felony penalties for coercive suicide went into effect this week across Tennessee to protect citizens from individuals who use manipulation to encourage others to take their own lives. State Representative Ryan Williams said the state previously only maintained an assisted suicide statute. Williams said the new legislation was crafted with specific language to protect […]
LEV Manufacturing Promises Over 288 Jobs in Algood
An electric bike manufacturing company will bring 288 new jobs to Algood through a $7 million investment, announced Friday. The facility will locate on Burton Branch Road. LEV Chief Executive Officer Robert Provost said the company chose the region because an investor from the area recommended the local workforce. Provost said while most electric bikes […]
Legislation Focus On Property Rights, Suicide Coercion
As a new legislative session begins, initiatives to criminalize the act of moving property boundary markers and additional legislation to establish felony charges for coercing someone to commit suicide via social media are being introduced. State Representative Ryan Williams working with the Attorney General’s office to revise current state laws regarding protected speech and digital […]
Senator Bailey Raises $55,000 To Support UC Food Banks
With the Government shutdown limiting SNAP benefits, Senator Paul Bailey is making an impact by raising an estimated $55,000 for Upper Cumberland Food Banks. Bailey, along with Representative Ryan Williams and Representative Michael Hale, were able to raise the funds in just one hour. An estimated 20,635 residents across Cumberland, Jackson, Overton, Bledsoe, Putnam, and […]
UC Roads, TennCare Among Concerns In State Hearings
State legislators and Governor Bill Lee heard from state departments about their priorities for the upcoming budget during budget hearings Tuesday. State Representative Ryan Williams said the budget hearings help lay the groundwork for a budget. Williams said budget hearings are held after the state learns what revenues it has to work with for the […]
Legislators Proud Of Accomplishments As Session Ends
Tennessee lawmakers going home after the legislative session ended Tuesday and local representatives called the session successful. Ryan Williams said he is proud of the amount of money earmarked for the Upper Cumberland region for roads. Williams said the region is getting $340 million over the next ten years. Williams said expanding Interstate 40 up […]
Williams: Glad To Have 2026 State Budget Passed
State Representative Ryan Williams said he is glad to have the $59.8 billion state budget for fiscal year 2026 passed. State Representative Ryan Williams was at the forefront of the budget as Governor Bill Lee appointed Williams as the chair of the Finance, Ways, and Means budget subcommittee. Williams said though the budget is passed, […]
State Reimburses Cookeville, Putnam For Sales Tax Revenue
A sales tax reporting issue has been corrected and some $636,000 in revenue on the way to Putnam County from last year’s summer’s sales tax holiday. Cookeville City Manager James Mills said the Tennessee Department of Revenue reimbursed the lost money. The issue began with August tax receipts, the first month of the sales tax […]
Williams Plans To Revive Concealed Carry For School Personnel Bill
State Representative Ryan Williams said he plans to revive a bill during this legislative session that would allow school personnel to carry concealed firearms on school grounds. Williams said he first started work on the bill several years ago. Williams said the bill has already passed three committees with a super majority. “Those places where […]
