White County School Board Approves Snow Day Pay System
The White County Board of Education unanimously approved snow pay for part-time school employees at Thursday’s board meeting. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the new inclement weather wage assistance benefit is an effort to mitigate the financial impact on non-salaried employees during the winter months. Under the new procedure, Dronebarger said teachers assistants, school […]
Putnam Schools Avoided Major Maintenance Issues During Freeze
Putnam County Schools avoided major plumbing and electrical issues during the cold and ice by being proactive. Communications and Marketing Supervisor Buddy Pearson said coils burning out in an electrical unit at Cookeville High School and a sprinkler malfunction at Avery Trace Middle School have been the only issues over the break. He said the […]
Animal Leader: Pets Are Vulnerable to Frostbite In Current Conditions
Your animals can be victims of frostbite in the cold weather we are experiencing this week. Overton County Animal Awareness Association President Vicky Smith said failure to provide an animal with appropriate shelter and enough water is animal cruelty and can lead to legal charges. “If you’re letting your dog out and they come back […]
New DeKalb Shelter Open With Space For People Who Need Warmth
A new homeless shelter in DeKalb County has opened earlier than expected, with plenty of space left for people trying to stay out of the elements. The non-profit organization Live and Let Live started the shelter, opened ahead of schedule on Sunday. Vice President Lillie Johnson said there are over sixty homeless people in the […]
Slim Chance For An Upper Cumberland White Christmas This Year
Despite inclement weather forecasted for Christmas weekend this year, a white Christmas in the Upper Cumberland is not a common occurrence. National Weather Service Meteorologist Krissy Hurley said over the last 150 years, there have been just three. The last was in 2010. “We’re going to have the cold air around absolutely,” Hurley said. “But […]
Cookeville Public Works Preps For Winter Use Of Road De-Icing Salt
Cookeville’s Public Works Department is already prepping for winter storms by purchasing road de-icing salt. Director Greg Brown said that de-icing salt plays a key role in driving on icy roads. However, he said there can be a point where it becomes less effective. “The colder it is the less efficient the salt works,” Brown […]
Free Winter Clothes At Cookeville First United Methodist’s Angel’s Attic
The First United Methodist Church in Cookeville is holding its Angel’s Attic clothing distribution on Thursday. Servant Ministry Director Tamika Parker said they have clothes for anyone in need of staying warm this winter. Parker said the clock is ticking before temperatures take a big drop. “It does help give people confidence in themselves, that […]
Progress Made On Roads, But Crews Prepare For More Accumulation
While a peeking sun and a slight increase in temperature helped clear roads, crews are preparing for another evening of service Wednesday with a third round of winter weather on the way. Putnam County Road Supervisor Randy Jones said state and primary roads are in good shape for now, but secondary roads are still icy. […]
Groundhog Brings Weather Prediction, Headaches For Homeowners
Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of Winter but what about our own groundhogs right here in the Upper Cumberland? They don’t predict the weather. In fact, Overton County UT-Ag Extension Agent Jason Garrett said the groundhog is the biggest rodent in the Upper Cumberland. Garrett said that despite the groundhog’s fame in the United […]
Snow, Salt And Strategy. How Putnam Handles Road Conditions
With snow possibility on the Thursday night forecast, Putnam County road crews are prepared to keep conditions safe for drivers. With over 700 miles of road, Road Supervisor Randy Jones said covering them all is impossible. Jones said his crews prepare by strategically placing trucks in areas most affected. “We go east of Cookeville with […]
