School Board Races Dot Super Tuesday Ballot
Several Upper Cumberland counties let their voices be heard in School Board races Tuesday. Putnam County School Board incumbents Kim Cravens, Dawn Fry, and Lynn McHenry ran unopposed in their individual primaries Tuesday. Putnam County Republicans cast 5,640 votes for Steve Pierce in the Property Assessor voting. No one ran on the Democratic side. On […]
Baxter Attorney To Explore Possible Rules On Gaming Machines
The Baxter Board of Aldermen asked the City Attorney to investigate the legality of gaming machines in local gas stations. Baxter Alderman Willie Allison expressed concerns over several of these machines at the Shell Station off Interstate 40. He said people coming off the interstate are congregating at the station at late hours to do […]
Baxter Aldermen Discuss Need For Assistant Police Chief, Chain Of Command
Baxter Alderman Willie Allison questioned the Board of Aldermen Thursday night who was second in command at the Police Department if Chief Danny Holmes was unavailable. Allison said the issue was brought up to him by department members during Holmes’ recent sickness. He also brought up an MTAS audit of the department that made the […]
Baxter Aldermen Hear From Citizens After Halting Speed Bump Plans
The Baxter Board of Aldermen heard from citizens of the Deer Crest Subdivision Thursday after the city halted earlier plans to put speed bumps on Celeste Street. Residents worried about speeding asked the board for help at the November meeting. Mayor John Martin said the speed bumps were scrapped after MTAS discouraged their use in […]
Fry And New Staff Settling In To 13th District Judge Position
The 13th District’s new judge is settling in, with new support staff trying to get new protocols and procedures in place. Governor Bill Lee appointed Judge Shaun Fry to fill the new position earlier this fall. The Legislature added another position to deal with increasing caseloads. Putnam Circuit Court Clerk Jennifer Wilkerson said Fry has […]
Fry Named Newest Criminal Court Judge Serving 13th District
Shawn Fry has been appointed as the newest judge serving the 13th Judicial District Criminal Court. Governor Bill Lee made the appointment Thursday. The legislature granted the district an additional judgeship in May, 2023 to assist with workload. The 13th district covers Clay, Cumberland, Dekalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam and White counties. Fry currently serves as […]
Baxter To Update Building Permit Fees, In Line With Surrounding Areas
The City of Baxter adopted the first reading of a new ordinance updating its building permit fee codes. With considerable upcoming construction in Baxter, City Attorney Shawn Fry told the board of aldermen Thursday night that the current code is extremely outdated. That code was passed in 2012. “If you have a 2,000 square foot […]
Baxter Approves Food Truck Ordinance
The city of Baxter approved modeling its food truck policy off of Cookeville’s fee and rate structure Thursday night. City Attorney Shawn Fry said Cookeville’s mobile food unit policy could carry over to how Baxter allows food trucks to operate. Baxter Mayor John Martin said he talked to the board and they feel comfortable having […]
