Cookeville 8Th Least Expensive City
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Thursday Herald-Citizen The Daily Newspaper of the Upper Cumberland 114th Year — No. 35 Cookeville, Tennessee, February 11, 2016 16 Pages — 2 Sections • 50¢ Weather Tonight Tomorrow Cookeville 8th least expensive city COOKEVILLE — It’s official: you get Cookeville is A Natural Fit!” more “bang for your buck” in Cookeville The Cost of Living Index measures re- than almost anywhere else in the country. “Cookeville has been consistently ranked gional differences in the cost of consumer According to the Center for Regional goods and services, excluding taxes and 23º 43º Economic Competitiveness Cost of Liv- as one of the least expensive places to live non-consumer expenditures, for profes- ing Index, Cookeville is ranked eighth in the nation for over two decades.” sional and managerial households in the Complete forecast, Page 2 least expensive urban area out of the 273 top income quintile. It is based on more areas that participated in the 2015 Cost of George Halford than 50,000 prices covering almost 60 Living Index. Halford Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce CEO different items for which prices are col- “Cookeville has been consistently lected three times a year by chambers of Sports ranked as one of the least expensive commerce. places to live in the nation for over two The composite index is based on six decades,” said George Halford, presi- low cost.” community with such affordability. Being components – housing, utilities, grocery dent/CEO of the Cookeville-Putnam Zach Ledbetter, manager of the Conven- named a most affordable community, in items, transportation, health care, and County Chamber of Commerce. “This tion & Visitors Bureau, added, “We’re addition to our natural, historical and cul- area offers such a high quality of life at a quite fortunate to live in this wonderful tural assets, continues to prove that See city, Page 2 Wednesday Fires PCHD offers Mauled Golden Eagles suffer worst loss of the free flu year at TSU /B1 shots Living COOKEVILLE — The Putnam County Health Department reminds everyone the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vac- cinated. Peak flu season is here, but you still have time to get vaccinated. Flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, and is especially important for infants, young children, pregnant women, adults over age 50 and for those with chronic medical conditions. Free flu vaccinations are now available at the Putnam County Health Department for both adults and children. “We want to vaccinate as many people in Dinner plate Putnam County as possible to protect the health of our community,” said Putnam See what Drucilla County Health Director Lisa Bumbalough. eats when she’s “Getting vaccinated is the best way to pro- snowed in /A8 tect your family, friends, coworkers and yourself from the flu, so we urge everyone who has not yet had a flu vaccine this season to get one as soon as possible.” Nation Delayed delivery of certain influenza vac- Ty Kernea | Herald-Citizen cine products means supplies are still avail- able at the Putnam County Health this cookeville firefighter inspects damage from a fire in a chestnut avenue apartment complex yes- Department. The clinic will provide flu vac- terday. it was one of two fires the department responded to yesterday. the other was in a sunroom on cinations at no cost to patients until vaccine a randy Drive home. supplies are depleted. Patients may walk in to request a flu vaccine any time during reg- ular clinic hours. House, apartment damaged in fires In addition to getting vaccinated, it’s im- portant to practice good hand washing and By tracey HacKett an apartment complex, and firefight- riod of time. other good health habits to prevent the HERALD-CITIZEN Staff ers say they were able to limit the “The longer an extension cord is spread of flu and other viruses that circulate Ferguson damage caused by the blaze to the plugged in, the more heat it generates, at this time of year. People who are sick COOKEVILLE — The Cookeville unit in which it broke out. and over time, that causes the materi- should take actions to stop spread of germs: U.S. Justice Department Fire Department responded to two “We evacuated the complex when als of the cord to break down,” he Stay home if you are sick, cover your nose sues Ferguson officials residential fires yesterday. we got on scene, and no one was at said. and mouth when coughing or sneezing, over civil rights /A10 The first happened just after noon on home at the time in the unit where the Fire officials warn against leaving wash hands thoroughly with soap and water Chestnut Avenue, and the other hap- fire originated,” Chief Roger Fuqua extension cords plugged in for ex- or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and pened around 10 p.m. on Randy said. tended periods, using one in closed avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Drive. He said the cause of that fire ap- areas where the cord cannot be fully For more information, call the Putnam Index No one was hurt in either blaze. peared to be an extension cord that County Health Department at 931-528-2531 The fire on Chestnut Avenue was in had been in use for an extended pe- See FireS, Page 2 for an appointment. Abby............................A8 Calendar......................A6 Crossword ...................A9 Obituaries ...................A5 Yolanda Pippin Gangster Gala Delana Smith Bennie Savage II tickets on sale now Bobbie Seybert William Regan By MeGaN trOtter “Initially we hosted it as a one- HERALD-CITIZEN Staff time event to raise money for Stephen Randolph the Heart of the City play- Ashley Sweat COOKEVILLE — The Gang- ground, but it was so popular we Lema Clouse ster Gala is back by popular de- figure why not bring it back? mand. Guests will be treated to And the chance to benefit an- Opinion.......................A4 a glimpse of life in the Roaring other non-profit is just a win- Sports ..........................B1 20s at this fundraiser to be held win.” from 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, This year, proceeds will go to Sudoku ........................A9 March 12, at The Saltbox Inn in benefit the Kiwanis Children’s Weather ......................A2 Cookeville. Museum in Cookeville. “Literally since the event last “The whole reason that we’re year, we’ve had someone just doing this is because our plans about every month request that are to grow the museum,” event Ty Kernea | Herald-Citizen we bring it back,” event board Getting ready for the Gangster Gala are, from left, committee members elizabeth Binkley, member Casey Overstreet said. See Gala, Page 2 abby Williams, casey Overstreet, amanda Wiegand and ashley McKee. A-2 — HERALD-CITIZEN, Cookeville, Tenn. — www.herald-citizen.com — Thursday, February 11, 2016 LOCAL/STATE READER Governor’s budget SERVICES includes Cummins Contact us: Falls visitor center Address: By LAURA MILITANA operate out of,” Ray Cutcher, 1300 Neal St. HERALD-CITIZEN Staff park manager and park ranger, Cookeville, Tenn. said. “Once the budget is COOKEVILLE — A popular passed, we’ll get into the plan- Mailing Address: Upper Cumberland state park ning stages of the project.” might get a visitors center if the Staffing is an issue as well. P.O. Box 2729 budget submitted to the state Right now, the park is managed Cookeville TN 38502 legislature is approved. by Cutcher and AmeriCorps Governor Bill Haslam, in his volunteers. state of the state address held The Tennessee Department of Phone: 931-526-9715 earlier this month, forwarded a Environment and Conservation Fax: 931-526-1209 budget that included $2.95 mil- submitted a request for an ad- lion for a park visitor center ditional position at the park, Email: and maintenance shed for but was not included in the News Cummins Falls. governor’s budget. [email protected] “We’re delighted that this Cummins Falls is Tennessee’s Sports item is budgeted,” Ginger 54th state park. It consists of [email protected] Ensor, Friends of Cummins 211 acres located in the Cordell Advertising Falls, said. Hull Watershed and is the [email protected] This is one big item that is state’s eighth largest waterfall Living The Highlands Fitness Challenge, a program that aims to help local businesses and or- needed, as right now, a little in volume of water and is 75 [email protected] ganizations cultivate a healthy and fit workforce, is gearing up for yet another great year cabin is utilized as a ranger sta- feet high. Circulation in 2016. Committee members include (from left) Toni Evans, American Bank and Trust of tion. It is located at the edge of [email protected] the Cumberlands; Sheree Wright, Flowserve Corporation; Mandy Perhay, Putnam County “It’s a temporary facility we Jackson County. Business News YMCA; and, Katie Woodard, Putnam County Health Department. [email protected] Church News [email protected] DUI driver with child charged School News [email protected] 2016 Highland Fitness with reckless endangerment Classified Ads [email protected] By TRACEY HACKETT for driving under the influence HERALD-CITIZEN Staff and was found to have in the Challenge kicks off vehicle with him a 2-year-old Letter Guidelines PUTNAM COUNTY — A child.” COOKEVILLE — The High- week during the three months of this program allows businesses 24-year-old Gainesboro man The report does not specify All letters to the editor must lands Fitness Challenge, a pro- the initiative. Prizes are awarded and organizations to promote who was reportedly driving the location within Putnam be signed and include the gram that aims to help local throughout the challenge, and healthy lifestyles while having under the influence was also ar- County where the offense oc- writer’s name, address and businesses and organizations cul- awards and recognition are given fun and generating friendly com- rested for reckless endanger- curred, nor does it specify the phone number.