Monterey Aldermen Weighs Tax Hike For Trail Project
The Monterey Board of Aldermen will consider a property tax increase to cover the matching funds required for a long-standing trail project. Alderman Jamie Phillips said the town must find a way to pay for its portion of the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant, which is expected to cost approximately $220,000. Phillips said the current budget […]
Candidates Detail Mental Demands Of Seeking Office
Candidates will put in the final hours of work Election Day, but former candidates said the emotional fatigue of the final hours can be the hardest part of the campaign. Former Cookeville City Council member Jim Woodford said he views election day as more stressful than the months of campaigning because of the emotional weight […]
Cookeville Officials Lift Outdoor Burn Ban For Residents
Cookeville officials lifted the local outdoor burn ban following recent rainfall and the expectation of more precipitation throughout the week. Cookeville Fire Officials said burn permits will be issued as weather conditions allow. Officials said the previous ban on open burning was intended to help reduce the risk of wildfires. Officials said the rain of […]
Jackson Summer Camp Tackles Student Learning Gaps
Jackson County Schools will offer a free, four-week summer learning camp for students to combat academic learning losses in English and math. Pre-K-8th grade supervisor Caroline Woodason said the program is designed for students throughout the state of Tennessee who are at risk of falling behind academically. Woodason said the camp is scheduled to begin […]
Retirement And Vacancy Create Van Buren Jail Openings
Van Buren County looking to fill two correctional officer positions following a long-term retirement and a recent vacancy. Jail Administrator Jessica Grissom said the facility operates with specific staffing requirements for both day and night shifts. Grissom said maintaining a full roster is necessary to ensure the facility runs smoothly without setting off the established […]
White County Candidates Debate Economic Growth, Infrastructure
White County Executive candidates debated the future of local economic growth and infrastructure during TheUCNow.Com’s Candidate Forum. Incumbent White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said the county has successfully added approximately 1,200 jobs and over 100 new businesses during the last decade. Robinson said the county has sold all its available industrial property and must […]
Sparta Fire Offers Free In-Homes Smoke Alarm Inspections
Sparta fire crews launching a door-to-door campaign to check and install smoke alarms in high-risk neighborhoods to improve residential safety. Fire Chief Kevin Powers said the initiative involves a partnership with the state fire marshal’s office to identify areas that have not been visited in a long time. Powers said crews will visit homes to […]
Putnam Mayoral Candidates Discuss Growth And Infrastructure
Candidates for Putnam County Mayor discussed the challenges of rapid population growth and the resulting strain on local infrastructure during Wednesday night’s candidate forum. Incumbent Mayor Randy Porter said the county experienced an unexpected surge in residents following the 2020 tornado and the COVID-19 pandemic. Porter said while the county was growing at a steady […]
Cookeville Upgrades Downtown Look With Taller Poles
Cookeville will phase out the remaining 12-foot decorative street poles in its downtown area to complete a transition to taller 14-foot models to improve the cityscape. Cookeville Energy Department Director Carl Haney said the city started using decorative poles roughly 30 years ago before switching the standard height to 14 feet 10 years later. Haney […]
Robin Lane Sidewalks Deferred To Building Permit Phase
Sidewalk requirements for a new Robin Lane subdivision deferred until the building permit phase to assist a local resident with estate planning. Cookeville Community Development Director Jon Ward said the Arthur Dale Gunter subdivision consists of approximately 4.31 acres and is being divided into five lots. Ward said the new plat would meet all minimum […]
