Putnam Fire Officials Warn Caution With Home Fireworks
Fire officials advising residents to prioritize supervision and awareness when using fireworks during this weekend’s celebrations. Putnam County Fire Chief Jeff Hicks said adults should always supervise the use of fireworks and never allow children to handle them alone. Hicks said individuals should use lighting sticks to keep their hands at a safe distance from […]
Upper Cumberland Unites For Historic Declaration Readings
Upper Cumberland communities are preparing to join a nationwide celebration of America’s 250th birthday, but the part will not end Saturday night. Public readings of the Declaration of Independence will take place across the region Wednesday. UCDD Public Historian Mark Dudney said the regional initiative was inspired by th National Park Service as a way […]
Upper Cumberland Counties Secure Perkins CTE Grants
Nine school districts and institutions across the Upper Cumberland have secured a portion of more than $2.6 million in Perkins Reserve Grant funds to support Career and Technical Education for the 2026-2027 school year. Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds said the grant recipients submitted applications outlining action steps to support the FutureReadyTN state plan. Reynolds […]
TCAT Upper Cumberland Streamlines Skilled Trades Access
TCAT Upper Cumberland offering immediate enrollment opportunities for students to enter workforce training programs, streamlining access to skilled trades. TCAT Upper Cumberland President Cliff Wightman said immediate enrollment is available for every program except Surgical Tech and Nursing, which utilize cohort enrollment. Wightman said the institution serves as a primary provider of workforce training for […]
8 UC Professionals Hope To Gain Economic Future Thoughts
Eight professionals from across the Upper Cumberland selected for the inaugural PDI Fellows Academy, helping local leaders gain a statewide perspective on economic development. UCDD/UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said the new leadership course is being rolled out for the first time across Tennessee to focus specifically on economic growth. Farley said the program is […]
More UC Citizens Looking At Some Sort Of Zoning To Protect
Upper Cumberland citizens are increasingly calling on local county commissioners to consider zoning as a way to protect their property from industry and urban sprawl. UCDD Deputy Director Tommy Lee said Cannon, Macon, and Smith are the closest counties with countywide zoning. “None of the other counties in the region have zoning and I don’t […]
CRMC Leaders Share Importance Of 340B Program Nationally
Cookeville Regional reinvesting some $16.9 million in annual savings from a federal drug pricing program to maintain critical healthcare services. CEO Buffy Key said the 340B program requires drug manufacturers to provide discounted pricing to eligible public hospitals that serve uninsured and low-income populations. Key said the medical center provides approximately $34 million in uncompensated […]
Stephens Center Funding Loss Threatens Local Families
The Stephens Center is facing the loss of more than $1 million in state funding that will terminate services for approximately 200 families and 400 children across the Upper Cumberland. Stephens Center Executive Director Dawn Tidwell said the organization received an email notification last week stating all state funding is being cut due to a […]
Asian Ticks Trigger Upper Cumberland Livestock Losses
Invasive Asian Longhorned Ticks impacting livestock producers across the Upper Cumberland as the species establish a permanent presence. Fentress County UT Extension Director John Gunter said the tick species can produce up to 2,000 eggs at a time without a mate. Gunter said the ticks spread disease like a mosquito would, traveling from one animal […]
UC Energy Assistance Still Available; Now Digital Applications
UCHRA officials concerned that a transition to a digital application process has contributed to a decrease in enrollment for a regional energy assistance program. UCHRA Deputy Director LaNelle Godsey said the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, underwent a significant change this year that requires residents to apply online. Godsey said the […]
