New Law Honors Allons Man, Prorates Tag Refunds

New legislation requires the Tennessee Department of Revenue to offer registration fee refunds to families of deceased freight vehicle operators. District 41 State Representative Ed Butler said he worked to pass the Ethan Wade Walls Act after working with the Allons-based family. He said Walls and his brother borrowed money in April, 2023 to pursue […]
National Aviation Month Showcases Airport Local Value

It’s National Aviation Month. The aviation industry contributes some $40 billion annually to Tennessee’s economy, but the Upper Cumberland impact reaches far beyond economics. Upper Cumberland Regional Airport Director Dean Selby said military, medical, and police operations rely on regional airports. He said the airport is the front door of the community. When new businesses […]
Knox Agency Launches New Mobile Health Care For Crossville

A new Healthcare on Wheels program took to the streets of Crossville Tuesday, offering free mammograms and flu vaccinations. Saint Mary’s Legacy Clinic Executive Director Martin Vargas said the organization is partnering with Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church to expand its service to Crossville. He said the organization is celebrating ten years of offering free healthcare […]
Tech College of Education Teacher Prep Meets Expectations

The Tennessee Tech College of Education scored in the “meets expectations” category on this year’s State Educator Preparation Report Card. 10 of the 42 Teacher Preparation Programs included in the state study received an “exceeds expectations” classification. Dean of the College of Education Lisa Zagumny said it is harder for a program as large as […]
Roadsides Showing Off First Signs Of Spring, Daffodils

Roadsides through the Upper Cumberland are showing off the first sings of spring as daffodils among the first flowers to bloom. Warren County Agriculture Extension Agent Heath Nokes said the annual warm-season wildflowers have unique life cycle. He said like tulips and buttercups, daffodils are grown from bulbs. He said once the soil temperature reaches […]
Robinson: Annual Railroad Funding Needed From State

No railroad funding in the new state budget a concern to White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson. Robinson chairs the Tri-County Railroad Authority. He said funding for railroad maintenance has become hard to come by. Robinson said Governor Bill Lee gave $85 million for railroads in 2019, but that funding is set to run out […]
Cookeville NAACP Working With Caucus On Legislative Agenda

School vouchers, juvenile justice, and maternal health, among the issues that the Black Caucus and the Cookeville Putnam NAACP focused on the legislature begins its second month of work. NAACP Branch President Tom Savage said keeping the public informed about state legislation is key to helping the Congressional Black Caucus. He said the Cookeville NAACP […]
New Voting Machines On Display At Putnam Elections Office

Putnam County residents can test out the new Microvote machines at the Putnam County Elections Office Monday and Tuesday. The office updated all of its voting machines in accordance with Tennessee State Law that now requires machines to leave a paper audit. Election Administrator Michele Honeycutt said the county opted for the simplest option for […]
Pickett Schools Begin Free Lunch Pilot Program, Hopeful Long-Term

Pickett County Schools will provide free meals for all students district-wide through the end of the school year. School Nutrition Supervisor Rebecca Wallin said this year, Tennessee made Medicaid-eligible students certified to receive free lunch, almost doubling the number of eligible students in Pickett County. She said the increase finally made this a fiscal possibility. […]
Composting Can Help Region Divert 25% Of Waste From Landfill

The state wants to see how much you are composting. UCDD Solid Waste Planner Lisa Luck said a new state report seeks to find if counties have kept at least a quarter of solid waste out of class-one landfills. She said if residents track their composting, they can help the accuracy of the report. “The […]