Cookeville High School’s Kayla Woods has been selected as the Lite Rock 95.9/106-9 Kicks Country Dream Big Scholar for May.

The award honors outstanding work in the classroom, leadership in school groups, and organization, achievement in extracurricular activities as well as work in the community. One student from a high school across the Upper Cumberland wins the award each month.

Woods in heavily involved in many activities in Cookeville. She is a member of the Emerging Artist Club, Interact Club, and Flag Corp Captain for the Cookeville High School marching band. She is also a cheerleader, youth coach, and volunteer for Cookeville Youth Football and Cheer League.

While keeping up with those activities, Woods has accomplished receiving a 4.07 GPA as well as a 28 on her ACT. She is also graduating in the top 20% of her class with honors, distinction, Tennessee Scholars, and 15 college credit hours.

After graduation, Woods plans on attending the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga for Health and Human Performance Exercise Science and continue her schooling to obtain a doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy. Woods also wishes to continue being involved in band while at UTC.

Lite Rock 95.9 Morning Show Host Sheila Scruggs visited Cookeville High School and presented Woods with a plaque. Woods will join other Dream Big Scholars from the 2016-2017 academic year at a spring banquet where she could win a $1,500 college scholarship, or one of two smaller scholarships.

106-9 Kicks Country and Lite Rock 95.9 joined forces with The Tennessee Credit Union in 2014 to encourage rising seniors who want to Dream Big. Parents, teachers, and local residents nominate graduating seniors for the award.

The Tennessee Credit Union has offices in middle and east Tennessee, including 1281 South Walnut Avenue in Cookeville. For 65 years, The Tennessee Credit Union has been helping members achieve their financial goals with products and services designed to exceed their expectations. To nominate a student to become a Dream Big Scholar, visit 1069 Kicks Country Dot Com or Lite Rock 959 Dot Com.

A better workforce should keep more brain power in the Upper Cumberland. And it should help the area grow. Members of the Highlands Workforce Development Committee are working together to make sure theUpper Cumberland has the best workforce possible.

Public school officials, college administrators, community college leaders, employers, industry leaders, and government officials have spent the better part of ten years working together to affect the future. What successes do they count? Where does the work remain?

We continue our discussion with Dr. Myra West, Dr. Jerry Boyd and Lilian Hartgrove.

Today In The Upper Cumberland airs each weekend as a way to introduce you to interesting people and subjects of interest to our community. Catch the show each Saturday morning at 6 on Lite Rock 95.9, Rock 93-7, and 106-9 Kicks Country.

Sunday morning, the show airs at 7am on Rock 93-7. Catch the show Sunday night at 6pm on Lite Rock 95.9 and at 7pm on 106-9 Kicks Country. You can also catch Today in The Upper Cumberland Sunday mornings at 7am and Sundays at Noon on News Talk 94.1/AM 1600.

Local business leaders…educators…and government officials gathered together some ten years ago to look at how the Upper Cumberland could better help its workforce serve local employers.

Not only would that focus allow the area to grow through new industry and companies locating here, but the effort would help prepare employees better for existing jobs. That effort has continued…a collaboration between private and public entities…creating successful outcomes for the region.

How did the group come together and what’s being done to move the process along? We visit with Dr. Myra West of TCAT, Dr. Jerry Boyd of the Putnam County Schools and Lillian Hartgrove, Vice President of Workforce Development for the Highlands Chamber of Commerce. They are members of the steering committee of the Workforce Development Program.

Today In The Upper Cumberland airs each weekend as a way to introduce you to interesting people and subjects of interest to our community. Catch the show each Saturday morning at 6 on Lite Rock 95.9, Rock 93-7, and 106-9 Kicks Country.

Sunday morning, the show airs at 7am on Rock 93-7. Catch the show Sunday night at 6pm on Lite Rock 95.9 and at 7pm on 106-9 Kicks Country. You can also catch Today in The Upper Cumberland Sunday mornings at 7am and Sundays at Noon on News Talk 94.1/AM 1600.

The police chief of Algood facing scrutiny after audio and video recordings surfaced this week. An update of Friday’s events from News Talk 94.1’s The Upper Cumberland At 5.

The latest local news, weather, sports and obituaries, weekdays at 5 on News Talk 94.1/AM 1600.

The state of Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland region are dealing with a large addiction to opioids and pain killers. But it’s not just the lives of adult men and women being lost to this addiction.

Just like infants born addicted to illegal drugs, thousands of babies statewide are being born addicted to opioids. This can lead to lengthy hospital stays and babies that deal with withdrawal symptoms. But what are the long-term implications of these actions.

Today, the second of a two-part discussion on the topic…as we visit with Dr. Sam Barnes and Dr. James Gray. These two long-time Upper Cumberland doctors are focused on the issues surrounding opioids and how we can save the lives of these infants.

Today In The Upper Cumberland airs each weekend as a way to introduce you to interesting people and subjects of interest to our community. Catch the show each Saturday morning at 6 on Lite Rock 95.9, Rock 93-7, and 106-9 Kicks Country.

Sunday morning, the show airs at 7am on Rock 93-7. Catch the show Sunday night at 6pm on Lite Rock 95.9 and at 7pm on 106-9 Kicks Country. You can also catch Today in The Upper Cumberland Sunday mornings at 7am and Sundays at Noon on News Talk 94.1/AM 1600.

The state of Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland region are dealing with a large addiction to opioids and pain killers. But it’s not just the lives of adult men and women being lost to this addiction.

Just like infants born addicted to illegal drugs, thousands of babies statewide are being born addicted to opioids. This can lead to lengthy hospital stays and babies that deal with withdrawal symptoms. But what are the long-term implications of these actions.

Today, the first of a two-part discussion on the topic…as we visit with Dr. Sam Barnes and Dr. James Gray. These two long-time Upper Cumberland doctors are focused on the issues surrounding opioids and how we can save the lives of these infants.

Today In The Upper Cumberland airs each weekend as a way to introduce you to interesting people and subjects of interest to our community. Catch the show each Saturday morning at 6 on Lite Rock 95.9, Rock 93-7, and 106-9 Kicks Country.

Sunday morning, the show airs at 7am on Rock 93-7. Catch the show Sunday night at 6pm on Lite Rock 95.9 and at 7pm on 106-9 Kicks Country. You can also catch Today in The Upper Cumberland Sunday mornings at 7am and Sundays at Noon on News Talk 94.1/AM 1600.

Jackson County High School’s Tiffany Allen-Kirby has been selected as the Lite Rock 95.9/106-9 Kicks Country Dream Big Scholar for February.

The award honors outstanding work in the classroom, leadership in school groups, and organization, achievement in extracurricular activities as well as work in the community. One student from a high school across the Upper Cumberland wins the award each month.

Tiffany has been active in 4-H as well as softball. Tiffany is a part of Jackson County High School’s softball team, she is also in recreational and travel ball leagues.

While being a part of 4-H and softball, Tiffany has accomplished many thing. She has achieved being on the honor roll, being FCCLA president, and gaining 4-H honors and all star.

After she graduates from Jackson County High School, Tiffany plans on going to college to become an occupational therapist to help others the way that they have helped her sister.

Lite Rock 95.9 Morning Show Host Sheila Scruggs visited Jackson County High School and presented Allen-Kirby with a plaque. Allen-Kirby will join other Dream Big Scholars from the 2016-2017 academic year at a spring banquet where she could win a $1,500 college scholarship, or one of two smaller scholarships.

106-9 Kicks Country and Lite Rock 95.9 joined forces with The Tennessee Credit Union in 2014 to encourage rising seniors who want to Dream Big. Parents, teachers, and local residents nominate graduating seniors for the award.

The Tennessee Credit Union has offices in middle and east Tennessee, including 1281 South Walnut Avenue in Cookeville. For 65 years, The Tennessee Credit Union has been helping members achieve their financial goals with products and services designed to exceed their expectations. To nominate a student to become a Dream Big Scholar, visit 1069 Kicks Country Dot Com or Lite Rock 959 Dot Com.

Check out our Hometown High Five recipients!

Tell us the good news about your spouse, child, friend or neighbor by posting on Facebook/Twitter with #hometownhighfive or email Sheila Scruggs about the special person and their honor. Then listen mornings, as Sheila delivers a Hometown High Five to that special someone.

02-28-17

Logan Taylor was named one of McMinnville’s Influential 40 under 40. Congratulations to Logan!

02-27-17

Ryan Goke, A senior at Tennessee Tech, won the state debate championship! It’s TTU’s first ever debate championship.

02-24-17

Congratulations to Wren Saylors, Sycamore Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

02-23-17

Congratulations to Lexi Caldwell from Clarkrange for winning Miss Teen Upper Cumberland United States.

02-22-17

Linda Wilborn of Cookeville was recently honored for her 30 years of service at Middle Tennessee Federal Credit Union.

02-21-17

Congratulations Mrs. Whitney Brelje of Smithvillle Elementary for being named Teacher of the Year!

02-17-17

Lillian Upchurch spreads kindness to her classmates at Prescott South Elementary by giving those less fortunate a “Birthday Box”.

02-16-17

Vanessa Deaver of Granville recently completed her first season with the University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band.
She’s a graduate of Jackson County High School and earned a spot in the drum line as a cymbal player. In addition to playing in the band, she earned a spot on the Dean’s list for the fall semester.

02-09-17

Homestead Elementary in Crossville recently announced their teachers of the year. They are: Rachel Davis, kindergarten; and Brooke Scruggs, 6th grade science and social studies.

02-07-17

Congratulations to the Algood Middle School VITAL Students of the Month for January. Cade Boswell and Luke Leftwich are taking VITAL Dave Ramsey Personal Finance online and doing very well. Presenting them with their awards are AMS Asst. Principal Bubba Winningham and lab facilitator, Justin Brown.

02-06-17

Congratulations to Adam Brown for being Baxter Fire and Rescue – Firefighter of the Year 2016.

02-03-17

Terry Bryant of Cookeville was recently honored for his 20 years of service at IWC with their Transportation Department.

02-02-17

Cookeville Football player Blake Ashburn signs with MTSU. Congratulations Blake!

02-01-17

Peter Woolfolk has been elected chairman of Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Board of Directors for 2017-18.