More Landscaping Coming To Neal Street Corridor
Landscaping upgrades and beautification are on the way to Cookeville’s Neal Street corridor. Cookeville Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said the department is evaluating the existing trees in the median islands. She said a mixed bag of trees have been planted over the years, some of which are old or dead. She said Neal […]
Cookeville To Implement “Food Forest” At 2 Parks
Cookeville will join forces with the Cookeville Junior Women’s Club to create “Food Forests” and “Foraging Trails” at Cane Creek Park and West End Park. Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said the Women’s Club spearheaded the idea and secured a $250,000 grant. He said three to five acres of newly-purchased property at Cane Creek Park […]
North Smithville Tornado Labeled EF1; 100 Mile Winds
100-mile-per-hour winds blew through Smithville Monday evening as an EF-1 tornado left trees down and a handful of homes damaged. National Weather Service Lead Forecaster Sam Shamburger said tornadoes this size are fairly common in the Upper Cumberland. He said this one did not move very fast, traveling 3.3 miles in some 10 minutes. He […]
Tech Named Arboretum For Diverse Tree Population
The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council has named Tennessee Tech’s campus a level-two arboretum for its diverse tree population. Tennessee Tech Sustainability Manager DeLayne Miller said the 270-acre campus is home to some 1,200 trees of some 90 different species. Miller said even with new construction on campus, natural green spaces and environmental sustainability remain key […]
Cicadas To Emerge Next Month After 13-Year Absence
Broods of cicadas are expected to emerge throughout the Upper Cumberland next month after spending 13 years underground. Jackson County Agriculture Extension Agent Dill Hughes said the two separate broods operate on 13 and 17-year cycles respectively. He said due to the Upper Cumberland’s location and climate, we often see the emergence of both. He […]
Standing Stone Nature Rally Friday and Saturday
Standing Stone State Park will host its annual Nature Rally this weekend to educate visitors on the Upper Cumberland’s natural resources. Park Ranger Jonathan Williams said the rally will include presentations from nature experts and live animal shows. He said visitors can take to the trails for guided hikes or opt to stay indoors and […]
Strong Winds, Downed Trees, Power Outages Across Upper Cumberland
Strong winds from Monday night’s storms left trees down and power out in several communities across the Upper Cumberland. A survey of Emergency Service officials noted a tree down on a house on 20th Street in Cookeville. Putnam County residents also experienced power outages from Volunteer Energy, UCEMC, and Cookeville Electric. Overton County Schools are […]
End Of Winter Best Time To Prune Trees
Now is the time to prune back your trees according to Cookeville Electric Department. Forester Jeff Fitzpatrick said pruning trees can help keep power lines safe and prevent damage to the electric system. He said the best time of year is the end of winter. “During the fall of the year, as the sap goes […]
Cookeville Planning Approves Old Kentucky Commons PCD Plan Relative To Screening
Cookeville Planning Commission has approved an amendment to the Planned Commerical Development screening requirements at Old Kentucky Commons. Planning Director Jon Ward said when the city council approved the PCD for Food City in 2019, they also set forth screening requirements that would protect the privacy of Bilbrey Park residents. “The area in question contains […]
Putnam EMA Offering Assistance, Survey For Tornado Damages
Putnam County EMA is reaching out the community to assist with damages from Friday’s EF-0 tornado. The County EMA Facebook page has a survey posted for those affected. The survey is to help gather damage information and let the agency know who needs help cleaning up. Here is a link to get connected with the […]
