Tradition Returns, WCTE Bidding Begins This Weekend
WCTE gearing up for its 43rd annual Great TV Auction to raise operational funds that support early childhood literacy programs and other programming. President and CEO Avery Hutchins said the fundraiser has evolved from an in-person event to an online auction and television showcase to reach a broader audience through changing technology. Hutchins said the […]
Cumberland Fire Shares Crucial Safety Knowledge Tuesday
The Cumberland County Fire Department will host a Fire Life Safety Preparedness presentation Tuesday to educate residents on emerging fire hazards. Cumberland County Fire Department Lieutenant Derek Carter said the event will address the proper installation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Carter said the presentation will also cover maintenance practices to protect homes from […]
Cookeville Unveils Tennessee’s Largest New Splash Pad
Cookeville officials officially opened the city’s new splash pad and companion playground at Cane Creek Park during a Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Leisure Services and Public Facilities Department Director Chad McDonald said the facility represents a significant investment in the local community and serves as a new hub for families. McDonald said the project required extensive […]
Highlands Residential Magnolia Ridge Awaits Tax Decision
Highlands Residential Services is awaiting a decision on a tax credit application submitted for the Magnolia Ridge housing development. Executive Director Chris Cassetty said the application was submitted to the Tennessee Housing Development Agency at the beginning of April. “We had an update on Magnolia Ridge, but it’s basically just that the tax credit application […]
Cookeville Prioritizes Expansion Of Traffic Signal Backups
Cookeville will prioritize the expansion of traffic signal battery backups to maintain full intersection functionality during power outages. Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said the city has identified 36 future locations for these backups along major corridors and thoroughfares. Elrod said the plan involves budgeting for approximately one-third of these intersections each year over […]
Putnam County Tax Rate Drops After Historic Reappraisals
Putnam County Commissioners Budget Committee got data on a significant drop in the local property tax rate Monday night. Putnam County Property Assessor Steve Pierce said the preliminary certified tax rate has been set at $1.61, down from $2.60 from the previous year. That follows the reappraisal just completed. “It’s dropped a $1.05, historically it’s […]
Livingston Advances Budget With Property Tax Increase
The Livingston Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Monday to move forward with a proposed five-cent property tax increase in the new fiscal year budget. Finance Officer Joel Parks said the property tax increase will help with increasing personnel costs and other budget items. “The 1,905,000 top line item property tax, that is assuming that […]
Early Intervention Key For Children Navigating Apraxia
Local residents trying to raise awareness about childhood apraxia of speech and the resources available to help children early who face communication challenges. Speech-language pathologist Maesa Chaffin said the disorder occurs when the brain’s motor plan for speech becomes scrambled before reaching the facial muscles, making it difficult for children to produce clear sounds. “We’re […]
Jackson Flags of Honor Revamps Veteran Flag Display
Jackson County’s Flags of Honor will be presented differently this year because of weather damage. Flags of Honor Committee Vice President Cherry Ramsey said the organization has spent three years managing the display but recently faced challenges with inclement winds and tattered flags. Ramsey said the committee is now purchasing new flags and will list […]
Dry Conditions Persist, Caution Urged For Outdoor Burning
Putnam County Fire Officials calling for residents to be very careful when burning outdoors as dry conditions and high winds increase the risk of brush fires. Fire Chief Jeff Hicks said the current lack of spring rainfall has created a dangerous environment where fires must be taken more seriously than usual. Even with humidity increasing […]
