Overton Summer Meals Program Is Open For Signups
Signups are open for the Overton County Schools Summer Meals program, providing free lunches to children in the community. School Nutrition Program Supervisor Debie Taylor said she plans to start having meals distributed immediately following Memorial Day. She said Overton County is home to many “latch-key” children who are home alone most days in the […]
UC Regional Airport Receives Wildlife Assessment Grant
With wildlife causing issues at the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport, a new grant will help assess the extent of the issue and possible solutions. Airport Director Dean Selby said the facility received a $17,000 grant from USDA. He said USDA crews will spend a year devising a plan for how to keep wildlife, including deer […]
UC Trying To Become New Federally Recognized Wine Region
Upper Cumberland Wineries have petitioned the federal government to make the Upper Cumberland its own American Viticultural Area (AVA). Appalachian Region Wine Producers Association President Rick Riddle said he expects progress on the proposal in the early summer. Riddle said a study from the University of Tennessee found that wine consumers place a high value […]
UCHRA Super Distribution To Serve Increased Volume Of Food In December
UCHRA is giving out some four times the normal amount of food during its December distributions. Community Services Program Manager Judy Sanchez said they have received extra food through the USDA Commodities Program. Sanchez said vegetables, nuts, beef, and salmon will be available for pickup during events. “All this extra food is going out into […]
Plant Hardiness Map Shifts UC, Putnam Specifically Into Warmer Zone
For the first time in a decade the USDA updated its Plant Hardiness Map and it shows most of the Upper Cumberland has warmed up. Putnam County in particular went from a 7a zone to a 7b zone. This means the county’s average lowest temperatures over the last 30 years has raised from a 0-5 […]
Fentress Gets $1.4 Million Grant To Study Water Supply
Fentress County has received a $1.4 million USDA grant to study the county’s water supply and how it could impact development. Industrial Development Board Member Dwight Dixon said the study will come at no cost to the county. He said USDA wants to help rural communities understand another important aspect of recruiting industry. “We don’t […]
Clay Nearing Bidding Process For Jail
Clay County Mayor Dale Reagan said the county is about “halfway” through the process of putting the jail project out to bid. Reagan said there had been setbacks due to the city needing to upgrade sewer lines. He said the most recent setback was the County having to resubmit the bid documents to USDA. “We […]
USDA Cites Cookeville Animal Auction On Multiple Findings Including Improper Care
A Cookeville exotic animal auction has been cited on 15 findings following a USDA inspection. The March inspection report released Tuesday found Wilson Horse & Mule Sale did not provide proper veterinary care to a hurt zebra. According to the report, a zebra broke its back after possibly falling in a stall. A veterinarian was […]
Algood Approves Bid For Old Walton Sewer Project
Algood City Council approved a $2.1 million bid for the Old Walton Sewer Project. Mayor Lisa Chapman-Fowler said that the project started in 2014 as just a sewer project. She said that she feels obligated to start this project. “When we annexed these folks in the Old Walton area, it was in their plan of […]
Monterey Aldermen Approve Local Bank Search For Wastewater Plant
Monterey will be gauging interest from local banks for loans to fund its new wastewater treatment plant. The Board of Aldermen approved the next step in the project Monday. Certified Municipal Finance Officer Ella Dishman said the town needs a line of credit of $6 million over a two-year term length. “At the end of […]
