Podcasts about Putnam County

Judge rejected fraud claims in June A former Philipstown couple who claim they were victims of fraud is appealing a state judge's ruling upholding the foreclosure and sale of the Route 9 property where they lived and worked. An attorney for Sokhara Kim and Chakra Oeur last month filed a notice of their intent to appeal a June ruling by state Judge Gina Capone. Her decision denied the couple's attempt to regain 3154 Route 9, where they operated Nice & Neat Dry Cleaners and sold Cambodian food. The couple also rented a storefront in the building to the owner of a nail salon. Kim and Oeur, immigrants from Cambodia who also operated an art gallery at the property, were evicted on Dec. 9, 2025, ending a foreclosure process that began in August 2022 when Kim stopped making payments to MT&T Bank on a $570,000 mortgage. An MT&T subsidiary, Chesapeake Holding, paid $620,200 for the parcel at auction in May 2024. Capone rejected Kim and Oeur's main contention — that they were victims of Derek Keith Williams, who met the couple when his girlfriend, Mauny Bun, owned the nail salon. Williams, who is facing fraud and grand larceny charges, convinced Kim that he paid off the mortgage, according to court documents. Then, for the next few years, he hid the foreclosure by demanding that Kim "turn over any mail or paperwork relating to the property," said her attorney, Jacob Chen. In Capone's 31-page ruling, she said both Kim and Oeur were "wholly aware" of the foreclosure and the sale of the property well before they claimed to have learned of the eviction in November 2025. She cited appearances Kim made with Williams in Erie County Court when M&T filed a notice of default on the mortgage loan. She also said a handwritten complaint Kim filed in January 2025 against M&T with the Federal Reserve used the case number for the foreclosure. In addition, said Capone, the contention that Williams withheld mail about the foreclosure "is undermined by the fact that, according to Ms. Kim, Mr. Williams was not living at the subject premises, and present there on a day-to-day basis, until September 2023," a year after the bank initiated the proceeding. "Throughout these many proceedings, stretching across various jurisdictions and courts, one constant, according to the plaintiff, was that Ms. Kim and Mr. Williams acted in concert to prevent, hinder and interfere" with the bank's efforts to gain the property, said Capone. Williams, a self-described "sovereign citizen" who had been serving a six-month sentence in the Putnam County jail for driving an unregistered vehicle without a license, was charged in February with six felonies: four for grand larceny and two for filing a false instrument with the intent to defraud. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held in the Putnam jail on $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond. His next appearance in Putnam County Court is scheduled for Wednesday (Aug. 19) before Judge Anthony Mole.

Accused of payroll irregularities A police union president who alleges in a federal lawsuit that Putnam County has shortchanged Sheriff's Office deputies on overtime wages has been suspended without pay after being charged by the agency with payroll irregularities. Daniel Hunsberger, an investigator with the Sheriff's Office and president of the Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents deputies, was suspended following an internal probe into his "time-and-attendance and payroll records," according to a statement issued Monday (Aug. 10) by Undersheriff James Menton. A 20-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, Hunsberger faces disciplinary charges that could be referred to Putnam County prosecutors for a review into possible criminal charges, according to Menton. "The public's trust in this office depends on knowing that the time and the resources paid for by the taxpayers are honored," he said. "No member of this department, whatever their rank, assignment or position, is entitled to be paid for time they did not work or to misuse public funds." Hudson Valley Digger, a Substack published by former Journal News reporter David McKay Wilson, first reported on Hunsberger's removal from duty, which follows the suspension in February of Kevin Osika, a deputy and the union's vice president. Sheriff Brian Hess suspended Osika, who is married to Putnam Legislator Erin Crowley, after his Feb. 21 arrest by state troopers on misdemeanor assault and harassment charges following a domestic incident at his home. Menton said that any decision to prosecute Hunsberger would be up to Robert Tendy, the district attorney. According to Wilson, Tendy recused himself from the Osika case because of his office's dealings with the deputy and Crowley. Osika's case in Southeast Town Court is being handled by Dutchess County prosecutors. In May, Southeast Town Justice Louis Gasparini dismissed the harassment charge against Osika, according to Hudson Valley Digger. The deputy, who was on unpaid leave for 30 days and is now on paid leave, is still being prosecuted for third-degree assault. "We are committed to identifying and rooting out any form of misconduct or corruption within this department, and to doing so fairly, impartially and with full respect for the rights of every member," said Menton. "That is how the public's trust is earned and kept." The payroll-related charges against Hunsberger come six months after he joined with Osika and Sgt. Matthew Kraisky, the union treasurer, to sue Putnam in federal court over allegations that the county has for years miscalculated the overtime rate for more than 100 current and former other deputies. The officers accuse Putnam of dividing their annual salaries by the wrong number of working days — 261 instead of the 249 specified in their contract — to calculate their hourly rate. In one example, Hunsberger says his overtime rate for 2024, when he made $122,819 and accrued 138 overtime hours, should have been $92.11 per hour, not the $87.89 paid by the county. The officers accuse Putnam of dividing their annual salaries by the wrong number of working days — 261 instead of the 249 specified in their contract — to calculate their hourly rate. In one example, Hunsberger says his overtime rate for 2024, when he made $122,819 and accrued 138 overtime hours, should have been $92.11 per hour, not the $87.89 paid by the county. According to the complaint, county officials told Hunsberger in November 2024 that the extra 12 days represented holidays or training days. Hunsberger and the other deputies also allege that the county failed to pay them for 15-minute briefings at the beginning of shifts and has not compensated investigators for on-call duty, which requires them to report to headquarters or a dispatched location within 30 minutes. In addition to seeking back pay under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the deputies are demanding punitive damages equal to the amount of unpaid overtime and the re...

Join Kosta and his guest: Jaime Linder, Programming and Events Coordinator at Plenty Downtown Bookshop. In this episode: This will be the first episode to air after our local election, and I want to promise everyone we'll be returning to our normally scheduled programming. Our episode today is the perfect bridge from politics back to normal life. This fall, Plenty Bookshop, in partnership with the National Constitution Center, will host a book study with 250 participants here in the Upper Cumberland to learn about our United States Constitution. How did this all come together? The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. Why do so few of us understand it? You've already hosted an educational training with cohort leaders on the Constitution and what they can expect throughout this process. At the conclusion of this study, what's one takeaway you hope all participants have? It's the 250th anniversary of the United States, and by the end of this year, we'll have 250 community members who (hopefully) truly understand the mission and vision of our Constitution. How does this improve our community? What can the Constitution teach us here in Putnam County? Find out more about Plenty Downtown Bookshop: https://www.plentybookshop.org/Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Legislators also pass 'transparency' law Cornell Cooperative Extension and Second Chance Foods will receive $150,000 set aside last year by the Putnam County Legislature to aid programs to alleviate food insecurity. In approving the allocation on Tuesday (Aug. 5) of $100,000 to Cornell Cooperative and $50,000 to Second Chance, the Legislature required that at least $50,000 go to the Bountiful Meals program. The two agencies partner on the initiative, which distributes prepared meals to food pantries, libraries and senior centers like the Philipstown Friendship Center in Cold Spring. The organizations can also spend the funds on freezers, packaging and transportation. "Our neighbors who are struggling with hunger cannot afford to wait," said Martha Elder, executive director of the Brewster-based Second Chance. "We stand ready to begin." The $150,000 has been sitting in a contingency account since it was approved in November at the request of Legislature Chair Dan Birmingham. Since then, federal cuts have forced the shutdown of Meals on Main, a mobile food pantry that stopped at the Chestnut Ridge Apartments, Philipstown Friendship Center and the Brookside Senior Citizen Co-op in Philipstown. In addition, work requirements contained in the One Big Beautiful Bill signed last year by President Donald Trump are expected to cut the number of people receiving aid from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. "More is coming down the pike," said Nancy Montgomery, who represents Philipstown and part of Putnam Valley in the Legislature, of additional cuts. "We will see dire circumstances." At Montgomery's request, the Legislature removed from the resolution a "whereas" clause noting that the loss of the mobile food pantry in Philipstown "has created an additional gap in food access in the western portion of Putnam County." Legislator Erin Crowley said she was "hesitant" about the allocation because the clause "makes this sound inequitable." The funding should not focus on "specific parts of the county," said Crowley, but be "about making sure that we're covering everybody who is in need, whether it's age, race, religion, politics, color and creed." A law approved by the Legislature on Tuesday codifies the county's practice of livestreaming meetings while requiring that the public be notified when legislators of the same political party hold caucus meetings. Although Legislature meetings have for years been streamed on the county's YouTube channel, and their recordings archived, the Transparency Act enshrines the broadcasts in the county code. Its mandate covers monthly full-board and committee meetings, and public hearings by the county executive. The law also requires that legislators "be heard, seen and identified at all times" during meetings, except for closed-door executive sessions. In addition, it addresses closed-door political caucuses, which allow legislators from the same party to deliberate privately on proposed laws and resolutions. Public notice for "meetings of political committees, conferences and caucuses … at which deliberations of county legislative matters are to be discussed" will be required. A public record of the legislators attending the meeting, as well as a "synopsis of such items of county legislative matters discussed," is also mandated. The Legislature has eight Republicans and one Democrat (Montgomery). The surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty will be eligible for a 50 percent reduction in their county property taxes under another law approved on Tuesday. Legislator Jake D'Angelo proposed the exemption, which is authorized under a state law enacted by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December. Cities, towns, villages and school districts also can exempt spouses. D'Angelo said it "reflects Putnam County's continued commitment to honoring the service and sacrifice" of police officers and "providing meaningful, long-term support to their fa...

National group to aid challenger Lisa Kaul A national Democratic Party organization seeking to restore the New York Senate's veto-proof majority has made it a priority to oust Rob Rolison, the incumbent Republican whose district includes Philipstown and Beacon. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which formed in 1992 to elect party members to state legislatures, this month named the District 39 campaign as one of six races it will support before the November election. The group is chaired by Andrea Stewart-Cousins, majority leader of the New York Senate. Lisa Kaul, who represents part of the Town of Poughkeepsie on the Dutchess County Legislature, won a three-candidate primary in June to face Rolison, a former Poughkeepsie mayor who is seeking a third, 2-year term. Democrats outnumber Republicans 41 to 22 in the Senate, but one more seat would restore a two-thirds supermajority that the party lost in the 2024 election. Combined with the supermajority in the Assembly, where Democrats hold 103 of the 150 seats, the party could override gubernatorial vetoes without Republican support. As of July 15, the Kaul campaign said it had $37,511 on hand, while the Rolison campaign reported $8,847. Funding from the DLCC will help "reach more voters across the Hudson Valley, have more conversations about the issues that matter to people and share my vision for finding solutions and delivering results in Albany," Kaul said on Tuesday (Aug. 4). Rolison defeated Julie Shiroishi, then chief of staff to Assembly Member Jonathan Jacobson, with 53 percent of the vote in 2022. Two years later, his victory over Yvette Valdés Smith, a Dutchess legislator who represents parts of Beacon and Fishkill, was much closer, at 50.7 percent to 49.3 percent. The DLCC last contributed money to New York state candidates in 2020, when it spent a total of $53,100 on five Senate races, according to the state Board of Elections. The recipients included Stewart-Cousins and state Sen. Pete Harckham, whose district includes part of eastern Putnam County. Harckham is one of three Democratic incumbents named among the DLCC's six priority races in 2026. The two other candidates are, like Kaul, challenging incumbent Republicans. Heather Williams, the DLCC's president, said that supermajorities in both the Senate and Assembly "will help Democrats continue to go on offense on redistricting and keep delivering for families." The Rolison campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Kaul is a native of India and Rhodes Scholar who moved to the U.S. in 2004. She spent five years as an administrator at Vassar College and served on the Arlington school board before defeating Republican Marc Pfeifer in 2023 to win a seat in the Legislature. She ran unopposed in 2025 for a second term and chairs the Environment Committee. In June, Kaul easily won the Democratic primary, garnering 62 percent of the vote to defeat Evan Menist, a member of the Poughkeepsie Common Council (30 percent) and Gay Lee, a former City of Newburgh council member (7 percent). "A strong Democratic majority means progress on affordability, healthcare, housing, reproductive freedom and climate resilience," said Kaul, adding that being a member of that majority means she could "bring state resources home to improve public transportation, build housing our families can afford, invest in infrastructure to keep our water clean and lower utility costs."

A few moments with Appalachian hikers Daniel Farris and his wife, Raychel Pepperman, began hiking the Appalachian Trail on Feb. 22 at Springer Mountain in Georgia, the starting point. By the time they reached Philipstown two weeks ago, they had trekked 1,400 miles and resolved a marital dispute: Farris was walking too fast. "I understand that you're frustrated, but I can't go any faster," Pepperman said she told her husband. Farris slowed down. "The trail has been helpful for our communication skills," said Pepperman, a therapist in Chattanooga. "If one of us gets upset with the other, you have time to think about it while you're hiking, instead of just reacting." The couple is among the many hikers who stop this time of year at the Appalachian Market at Route 9 and Route 403, where they often occupy the picnic tables. About 10 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail meanders through Putnam County, much of it inside Fahnestock State Park. About 3,000 people each year attempt to hike the entire 2,197.9-mile route through 14 states to Mount Katahdin in Maine, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and about a third succeed. Millions of others hike segments. When they stopped at the Appalachian Market in late July, Farris and Pepperman hoped to cover the final 800 miles by mid-September to attend a wedding in Nashville. To fellow hikers, Pepperman, 29, is known as "Chapstick" because of the lip balm she needed on the trail in February. Farris, 31, who sells outdoor gear, goes by "Mossman" because he likes to photograph moss. The market was also a refueling stop for Diver, 26, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He declined to give his legal name but said his trail name was bestowed after he was seen dumpster diving near a shelter in Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia. He said he was retrieving his hiking cap, which had been thrown away, along with dozens of empty pizza boxes. Diver said he is hiking the trail because "I wanted to spend as much time outside as possible." He just completed five years in the U.S. Air Force sitting at a computer doing "logistics and stuff." He loves drinking from the springs he encounters. "It's the best water you'll ever get," he said. "It's so cold coming right out of the mountains." Also resting at the Appalachian Market was "Sidequest McMurphy," who said his "government name" is Seth Harper. He's a 23-year-old Eagle Scout who just graduated from the University of Tennessee. When he left Springer Mountain on March 9, Harper's trail name was McMurphy because, according to his former scoutmaster, he resembles the rebellious R.P. McMurphy in Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Harper added Sidequest because "I tend to get sucked into lots of sidequests," such as several days in the reading room at Elmer's Sunnybank Inn in Hot Springs, North Carolina. "Every room has a copy of Leaves of Grass and the Tao Te Ching," said Harper, who plans to attend graduate school and teach history. Harper said he is hiking for the same reason that Henry David Thoreau went to live by Walden Pond: "because I wanted to live deliberately." Hiking across Route 9 on his way to Fahnestock, he said he was listening to the audio version of Alexander Hamilton, by Ron Chernow, which runs 36 hours. Resting at a picnic table, Amanda Edwards, 21, said the last time she did any real travel was in eighth grade, when her class visited Washington, D.C. "Since we passed Maryland, every step I take is the furthest north I've ever been," she said. After graduating in December from Georgia Southern University, Edwards said, "I wanted to do something hard, something I wasn't sure I could finish." Her trail name, "Jukebox," comes from her singing. Climbing Kuwohi Mountain in the Smokies, she sang songs from Sweeney Todd. Also known as Clingmans Dome, the 6,644-foot peak is the highest point on the trail. A few miles before reaching the Appalachian Market, Edwards crossed the lowest point, the Bear Mountain Br...

Join Kosta and his guests: County Commission Candidates for District 3, Shayne Bilbrey and Brendan Laney. In this episode: You're both running as Democratic Candidates in a county and state where Republicans routinely win by wide margins. Beyond listening and transparency, can you give voters one specific policy position or commitment that your Republican opponent in District 3 likely wouldn't and explain why that difference might be worth crossing party lines for? District 3, as the kids would say, is built different. Whether we want to talk about voter population, voter demographics or District boundaries, there's no District like District 3. Why is this District so different? You've both been campaigning for well over six-months now. What's one thing you've learned about your neighbors in District 3 you didn't know this time last year?Find out more about Shayne Bilbrey for Putnam County Commissioner District 3: https://electshaynebilbrey.com/Find out more about Brendan Laney for Putnam County Commissioner District 3: https://votebrendanlaney2026.com/Important Putnam County Election dates and information:Putnam County General Elections will be held on August 6th with early voting from Friday, July 17th to Saturday, August 1st.All early voting takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:https://www.misssallies.com

When you move to a community, there are certain questions you naturally ask. Where are the best restaurants? What are the best schools? Where do I find a good mechanic? And perhaps one of the most important questions of all... "Tell me about your hospital." Because a community hospital says a great deal about a community itself. Today, we're going behind the scenes at Putnam General Hospital with its new CEO, Thomas "Tog" Goss. As you'll hear today, Tog brings more than experience. He brings a vision. A vision of a hospital that embraces innovation, invests in cutting-edge technology, empowers its employees, and continues to expand the quality of care available in Putnam County. It's a conversation about leadership... innovation... and taking care of a community. Guest: Thomas “Tog” Goss, CEO Address: 101 Lake Oconee Parkway, Eatonton, GA 30124 Phone: 706-485-2711 Website: https://www.putnamgeneral.com/ Sponsors: Tim Broyles State Farm Insurance https://mydowntownagency.com/ Lake Oconee Family Fitness & Fero Fit https://loffc.net/ Second Chance Boutique https://colinc.org/second-chance-boutique/

Putnam County would add on-demand service Cold Spring resident Carolyn Ricapito, who is 91 and relies on a walker, depends on her daughter and a home aide to get to medical appointments and shopping. She may have another option starting next year: Putnam Executive Kevin Byrne announced on Thursday (July 30) at the senior center in Cold Spring that his 2027 budget proposal will include funding to expand the county's on-demand transit service to Philipstown and Putnam Valley. Riders can book a ride the day before by app or telephone and be driven anywhere within their local zone. Fares are $2.50 for adults and $1.25 for seniors, students and disabled residents. The expansion was among the recommendations in a county-funded study of the $2.5 million Putnam Area Rapid Transit network, which includes fixed-route and paratransit services, a commuter shuttle and the Cold Spring trolley. Dan Hymowitz, director of partnerships for Via, which provides the "microtransit" service, said it should reach 20,000 rides next month in eastern Putnam. The study, conducted by a firm called LaBella, said the transit service in western Putnam should operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and connect via Route 9 to the Hudson Valley Towne Center, Walmart and other destinations in Fishkill, as well as Dutchess County's transit service. Putnam Valley would be included in a zone that would extend into parts of Philipstown and Mahopac. LaBella said it should operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Both services would cost about $250,000. "We've known for a long time that there's a gaping hole in service that exists for our residents on the western side of the county, and it needs to be addressed," Byrne said. If approved by the Legislature in the fall, the expansion will add to a nascent on-demand service introduced in May 2025 as a pilot serving Carmel, Patterson and Southeast. LaBella did not recommend any changes for the Cold Spring trolley, which provides service between Manitoga and the Cold Spring and Garrison Metro-North stations.

Federal lawsuit alleges he planted evidence A Putnam County sheriff's deputy who served as a lieutenant in the New Rochelle police department is accused in a federal lawsuit of framing a man charged in May 2024 with tossing a baggie of drugs while fleeing police. In a civil rights lawsuit filed July 13 in federal court in White Plains, Ivin Harper accuses Sean Kane, who joined the Putnam Sheriff's Office in March, of planting a baggie of cocaine and crack that led to his arrest. Two felony possession charges filed against Harper in July 2024 were dismissed a month later. Harper wants damages from Kane, two other New Rochelle officers — Timothy Adrian and Maria Vazquez — and Gregory Davis, who allegedly provided the drugs. The lawsuit also names the City of New Rochelle, which Harper says is complicit because it "perpetuated a culture of rewarding officers for their improper, illegal and unconstitutional conduct." Following an investigation by the Westchester County District Attorney's Office, a grand jury in December 2024 declined to indict Kane. But the New Rochelle Police Department said that during its investigation, the officer "admitted he did not see Harper throw the bag of drugs and that an informant (Davis) provided him with the bag of drugs," according to Harper's attorneys. That assertion was first reported by Robert Cox of Talk of the Sound, who obtained the report through a Freedom of Information Law request. The New Rochelle department demoted Kane by two ranks, to police officer, and required him to undergo training, according to a statement issued on March 18 by Neil Reynolds, the police commissioner. Putnam County hired Kane on March 30. In a statement on Tuesday (July 28), the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said it is aware of the lawsuit but declined comment because it is not named in the litigation. It noted that Kane was not charged with a crime. The Sheriff's Office also cited Kane's long career in law enforcement and said it has "confidence in Deputy Kane's ability to serve the residents of Putnam County with integrity and remain committed to ensuring the safety of our community." Harper, a fitness trainer and actor, said the incident began on May 29, 2024, after he parked his Cadillac SUV at an apartment complex in New Rochelle and Kane approached. Harper had earlier reported that a relative took the SUV without his consent but said he had updated the police department when he recovered the vehicle, according to the lawsuit. Allegedly fearful because Kane had previously vowed to "get" him or "plant drugs on him," Harper "left the parking lot and hurried away on foot" while the officer chased him into a parking garage. Returning to the vehicle, Kane allegedly told other officers to search and impound the SUV for "unauthorized use." According to the lawsuit, Kane then met with Davis, who allegedly gave the officer a bag of drugs. The lawsuit says that Kane's body camera was "inadvertently" turned on while the officer allegedly pretended to recover the baggie from under the left front tire of an SUV, with the feint captured on video. The Journal News reviewed the footage in 2024. According to the newspaper, it shows Kane "holding the baggie in his hand in his car" before "pulling up to a parked car, getting out, reaching under the front of the car and getting back into his patrol car." The lawsuit alleges that the bag Kane had when he returned to his squad car was the same one he had held before approaching the SUV.

Join Kosta and his guest: Cookeville City Council Candidates, Dee Prince and Sam Matson. In this episode: Cookeville is currently operating under its 2030 plan, a plan approved in 2010. For anyone who doesn't remember Cookeville in 2010, it was a different universe. If elected you will be tasked with developing and approving our next, 2050 plan. When you think about the last 20-years, and the next 20-years, what responsibility does this plan and the elected officials who create it have to serve Cookeville in the decades to come? If elected, you'll both be first time Council Members. As our listeners might know, there are five members on the Cookeville City Council, Mayor, Vice Mayor and three Council Members. Why do you believe you're the best candidate to fill one of these five seats, and what specifically can you bring to the Council no one else can? Traditionally, over 70% of registered voters in the City of Cookeville don't vote. You've both been working day and night to engage voters, and talk with constituents. So, I want to give a more direct example of local government at work. Let's pretend you knock on a neighbor's door and they ask what you can do for them as a voter. What would you say?Find out more about Sam Matson's Campaign for Cookeville City Council:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589752626838Find out more about Damon "Dee" Prince's Campaign for Cookeville City Council:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590039621071Register to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration:https://sos.tn.gov/govotetnImportant Putnam County Election dates and information:Putnam County General Elections will be held on August 6th with early voting from Friday, July 17th to Saturday, August 1st.All early voting takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Former employees want lower health costs Their incomes are fixed, but not the cost of health insurance. That was the message on July 16 when a group of retired Putnam County employees attended the Legislature's Personnel Committee meeting to beseech lawmakers to reduce the amount they and other retirees must contribute to their health insurance premiums. Jane Meunier-Gorman began working for Putnam County in 1985, when retirees paid a flat annual amount toward their health insurance and the county paid the rest. Annual premiums had risen to $200 [about $350 today] for individuals and $400 [$700] for families when the Legislature, citing the "burden on the taxpayers," in 2004 allowed the county to instead set rates based on each retiree's date of hire, age at retirement and length of service. Eleven years later, the Legislature approved pension-based contribution rates for six salary ranges, beginning at 8 percent for retirees whose annual pensions were $9,999 or less and rising to 30 percent for those paid $65,000 or more. (Lawmakers later added a seventh salary range by splitting the one covering pensions between $40,000 and $64,999.) "The feeling was that it was more equitable to look at pension amounts rather than just years of service," said Adriene Iasoni, a specialist with the Personnel Department, on July 16. "If you just look at years of service, you can have folks whose earnings are on the lower end, and they may be paying the same as somebody who's at a much higher annual salary." For the 2016 budget, the change raised the total amount pensioners would contribute to Putnam's estimated $4.7 million cost for insurance from $357,000 to $609,000. By 2025, retirees were paying $1.2 million of $7.9 million. This year, the county costs ballooned to $8.8 million, with Gorman and other retired employees paying $1.3 million. Their increases are "deeply troubling" and "place a significant and unexpected financial burden on individuals living on fixed incomes," said former county employees John Mulreany and Aileen Napolitano in a letter to the Legislature. Meunier-Gorman, who was president of the local Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) union when the Legislature adopted the contribution rates in 2015, said employees "were made promises. We were told that we would always have affordable health insurance through our employment with the county." Since retiring from the Health Department in 2024, Gorman said her annual pension is $50,000, and her bill for county health coverage is $10,000. "When I retired after 39 years, and I got my first bill, I couldn't even breathe," she said. "I was like, 'Oh my God, how am I going to afford this?' " Putnam recently created some breathing room for current employees. Legislators in December approved an agreement with Putnam's labor unions that lowered, from 30 percent to 17 percent, the share of health insurance premiums paid by new employees. County Executive Kevin Byrne forged the agreement with Putnam's four unions: the CSEA, the Putnam County Sheriff's Employee Association (jail guards and staff), the Putnam Management Association and the Sheriff's PBA (deputies). For CSEA employees, the share drops to 15 percent after 12 years and 10 percent after 15. Paul Eldridge, the county personnel officer, said the 30 percent rate was significantly higher than new employee contributions in Dutchess and Westchester (20 percent each) and Orange (16 percent) counties. He estimated that 225 employees would benefit, but the plan would add $865,000 to the $11.5 million Putnam allocates for health insurance premiums for current employees. Legislator Toni Addonizio, who chairs the Personnel Committee, voted against the pension-based contribution system established in 2015. She said Putnam "should consider how the other counties do the years of service" during continued discussions about retiree health benefits. "Many people have worked 25 years and still don't, in their retirement, receive $40,00...

State pilot focuses on 'forever' chemicals About 20 percent of private wells tested in Putnam County under a state pilot program exceed guidelines for a family of chemicals linked with cancers and other health problems, officials said on Wednesday (July 22). Public Health Director Rian Rodriguez and Brian Stevens, an associate public health sanitarian, told the Legislature's Health Committee that 540 well owners have applied to have their water tested for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under a $1.5 million, five-year program funded by the state. Of the 480 wells tested so far, just over 20 percent have PFAS levels that exceed the state guidelines of 10 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOs, the two most common versions of the chemicals. Those owners can each request up to $5,000 to install a filtration system on the main water line entering their home or business. The state will also subsidize up to $1,000 for filters installed on faucets or other outlets and up to $10,000 to connect a property to a public water system. Stevens said the county had just received its first rebate request and expects many more. "In the next week or so, the state will be providing additional training on how to process those payments and those applications," he said. Putnam and Dutchess are two of six counties selected by the state for a pilot program to address PFAS contamination in private wells. Known as "forever chemicals" because of their duration in the environment and the human body, PFAS have been used for decades in nonstick cookware, water-repellant clothing and other consumer products, as well as firefighting foams. Researchers have linked them to various health problems, including cancers, low birthweights and high cholesterol. Health concerns have led public health officials to close contaminated water sources serving the City of Newburgh and other municipalities, and supply filters to well owners in Mahopac, Putnam Valley and other parts of Putnam County. Rodriguez told the Health Committee in February that the state chose Dutchess, Putnam and four other counties — Orange, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester — for its pilot because they are "at higher risk" of PFAS contamination. Dozens of properties near the Mahopac Business District received water main filters after testing found about 100 wells had high PFAS levels. The state traced the pollution to dry-cleaning chemicals. New York State has allocated funds to Kent, two neighborhoods in Brewster and the Floradan Estates in Putnam Valley to address contamination. The Putnam Valley school district traced PFAS contamination at its elementary school to foams used by the Putnam Valley Fire Department. When asked by Legislator Nancy Montgomery, who chairs the committee and represents Philipstown and part of Putnam Valley, if testing has identified clusters, Stevens cautioned that the county needs to collect more data. By one estimate, as many as half of U.S. households have some level of PFAS in their water, whether supplied by well or tap. New York State and the federal Environmental Protection Agency regulate PFAS limits in public water supplies, such as the reservoirs that supply drinking water to Beacon and Cold Spring. But an estimated 1 million homes and businesses in the state, and 40 million people nationwide, rely on wells, which are not regulated.

Join Kosta and his guest: Ryan Dalton, candidate for Putnam County Mayor and Beth Anderson, Mom of Ryan Dalton, candidate for Putnam County Mayor.In this episode: It's 10 years from today. What's the best case scenario? What's the worst case scenario? You're both from Putnam County, and have family that goes back generations. You know this community to its core. Why does it feel like the newest members of our community seem to have the most vocal opinions on where Putnam County is going vs. where it's been? If you could guarantee one candidate would win this election who would you pick and why? This episode is airing in the midst of early voting, election day is August 6th. Less than 30% of the City of Cookeville votes, about 20% of Putnam County votes, what's your message to anyone listening on voting and why it matters?Find out more about Ryan Dalton for Putnam County Mayor:https://www.facebook.com/ryandaltonformayorhttps://www.instagram.com/ryandaltonforcountymayorhttps://putnamdemocrats.org/candidate/ryan-dalton/Important Putnam County Election dates and information:Putnam County General Elections will be held on August 6th with early voting from Friday, July 17th to Saturday, August 1st.All early voting takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:https://www.misssallies.com

Join Kosta and his guests: Cigi England, Candidate for Cookeville City Council and Morgan Franklin for Putnam County Commission District 1. In this episode: Since I have a candidate here for Cookeville City Council and Putnam County Commission, my first question is, how can each entity work better together and how will you work with the other to improve outcomes for everyone? Less than 30% of registered voters in the City of Cookeville vote. We talked about this in Chad Gilbert's episode, but as this episode will release the week early voting begins I'll ask it again now, how are you as a candidate working to ensure more than 30% of the voting electorate comes out to vote? It's 4 years from today, you're running for re-election and we're all here having the same, but very different conversation. What have you accomplished and what do you have to show constituents as your greatest accomplishments over the last four years?Find out more about Morgan Franklin for Putnam County Commission District 1:https://votemorgan.com/Find out more about Cigi England for Cookeville City Council: https://votecigi.com/Register to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration: https://sos.tn.gov/govotetnImportant Putnam County Election dates and information:Putnam County General Elections will be held on August 6th with early voting from Friday, July 17th to Saturday, August 1st.All early voting takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

On a moonlit dirt road in rural Florida, the summer air is hot and humid. Suddenly, you hear mumbling from the black water of a cypress pond. Something huge moves through the gator-infested waters without a splash... no legs visible. Then it stands. Tall. Hairy. Carrying a flickering lantern through the trees. Is it a man? A monster? Or Florida's own nightmare from the swamps? Today, Gary & GoldieAnn dive Within the Mists of Florida and the true tale of the Bardin Booger – the shaggy terror of Putnam County that's been spooking locals since the 1940s. Stick around... if you dare.Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/544933724571696Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withinthemistpodcast/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@withinthemistpodcast1977 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drew Herridge with the Marshall-Putnam County Fair Board joined Ken Peel on Wake Up Tri-Counties to give an update for the 2026 Marshall-Putnam Fair. The Marshall-Putnam County Fair is celebrating 105 years with a packed schedule in Henry, running July 15th through 19th, with pageant activities beginning July 12th. Drew Herridge, Director and Chairman of Events, says the fair remains free to enter with free parking every day. Highlights include Wednesday's kickoff dinner and wine tasting, Kids Fun Day on Thursday, the demolition derby on Friday, and America's PPL pull on Saturday. The biggest draw is Thursday night's concert featuring Scotty McCreery, with Taylor Bruninga and Cody Calkins opening. Fair details and tickets are available at marshallputnamfair.org and on Facebook. Scotty McCreery has been a household name for nearly half of his life, making history in 2011 as the first country artist and the youngest male artist of any genre to debut his first studio album, the Platinum-certified *Clear as Day*, at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. The 31-year-old has sold over 4 million albums and achieved 6 No. 1 hits: the recent “Cab in a Solo,” the RIAA Platinum-certified “Damn Strait,” the RIAA Gold-certified “You Time,” the RIAA Gold-certified “In Between,” the RIAA Platinum-certified “This is It,” and the RIAA Triple Platinum-certified “Five More Minutes.” His latest album is *Rise & Fall*, and his current EP is *Scooter & Friends*, which features the smash hit “Bottle Rockets” with Hootie & The Blowfish.

On a moonlit dirt road in rural Florida, the summer air is hot and humid. Suddenly, you hear mumbling from the black water of a cypress pond. Something huge moves through the gator-infested waters without a splash... no legs visible. Then it stands. Tall. Hairy. Carrying a flickering lantern through the trees. Is it a man? A monster? Or Florida's own nightmare from the swamps? Today, Gary & GoldieAnn dive Within the Mists of Florida and the true tale of the Bardin Booger – the shaggy terror of Putnam County that's been spooking locals since the 1940s. Stick around... if you dare.Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/544933724571696Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withinthemistpodcast/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@withinthemistpodcast1977 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Dick Morris and Doug Dipierro as they speak with Kevin Byrne about the patriotism in Putnam County and more on WABC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Local Matters podcast, Putnam County Board Of Education Representative Kim Cravens highlights some of the big changes in education as of late. She talks about the improvements made in limiting phone/technology usage in schools, as well as a shift from students favoring blue collar and trade routes opposed to a collegiate one. To end the show, Cravens shines a light on the future of Putnam County and what's in store for the next decade and beyond! Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1

Join Kosta and his guest: Mike Croley, Veteran, Former State Park Ranger, recent Federal Employee, and Candidate for TN Sixth Congressional District.In this episode: I want to start this episode with a simple question. So often in political episodes we get caught up in the details of campaigning, and strategy, and the greater national rhetoric, and we'll get to all that, but first I want to talk with you as my neighbor. Tennessean to Tennessean. What does Tennessee need right now? On August 6th you'll face off against Lore Bergman, Christopher Finley, Miriam Leibowitz and Chaney Mosley in the 6th District's Congressional Democratic Primary Election. Why do you believe you're the best option in this primary? Why do you believe you're the best candidate to face the Republican opponent who will come after the Primary? I'll say it if no one else will, the Tennessee Democratic Party is on thin ice. I haven't heard much, but nothing I've heard is good. Is the TNDP helping you or hurting you?Find out more about Mike Croley:https://croleyforcongress.com/Register to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration: https://sos.tn.gov/govotetnImportant Putnam County Election dates and information:Putnam County General Elections will be held on August 6th with early voting from July 17th to August 1st.All early voting takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:https://www.misssallies.com

Preparing students for their future is the number one goal of every school district. And on this episode of the Local Matters podcast, host Jeremy Wendt is joined by Adam West of Putnam County School Systems as they discuss school services offered for student advancement. They break down the Future Ready Program offered by Putnam County, highlighting the benefits they have seen from the program. In addition to this, they discuss the other side of education; that being the challenges teachers face on a daily basis. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1

Join Kosta and his guest: Chad Gilbert, Cookeville City Council Member and Candidate for Cookeville City Council.In this episode: Less than 30% of registered voters in the City of Cookeville vote. As a sitting City Council Member and Candidate, what's your message to the 70% of Cookevillians who don't see the purpose or benefit in voting? Why does local government matter? As we said in the introduction, you're a current member of the Cookeville City Council, you've served for the past 4 years, and are now hoping to serve another 4. What do you see as your greatest accomplishment and what's still left to be done? One of the loudest concerns I'm hearing from voters in this election cycle is about jobs. We're bringing in hundreds of new jobs with large retailers like Home Depot, Target and In-N-Out Burger, but these are the same low wage careers we've provided our workforce for decades. How do we bring high paid, skilled professions to Cookeville? Find out more about Chad's Campaign for Cookeville City Council:https://chadgilbertforcookeville.com/Register to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration: https://sos.tn.gov/govotetnImportant Putnam County Election dates and information:Putnam County General Elections will be held on August 6th with early voting from July 17th to August 1st.All early voting takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

“What's Buggin' You” segment for Monday 6-29-26

A decades-long true crime nightmare set in the shadowy woods of Putnam County, New York. Two wrongful convictions, a brutal predator hiding in plain sight, and a system that protected him for years-until a dogged pursuit uncovered the truth. Hosted by Rolling Stone's Paul Solotaroff and Lava for Good CEO Jason Flom, The Devil's Quarry dives into the terrifying story of Howard Gombert, his victims, and the justice that has yet to come. But with his potential release looming in 2026, the question remains: will he hunt again?Episodes available here:https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-hit-man-45764628/episode/introducing-bone-valley-season-5-the-devils-quarry-336437918 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

Join Kosta and his guest: Mack Lunn, Associate Director of iCube at Tennessee Technological University, Owner of Mack Lunn Enterprises, and Candidates for Putnam County Commission District 2. In this episode: Today's episode is special because you're not only my neighbor, you're also running for County Commission in my District, District 2. We've hosted candidates Stacye Choate and Sam Sandlin and it's a pleasure to have you on today. What's the greatest issue facing District 2 specifically and why are you the best County Commission candidate to best address it? Putnam County is changing everyday and whether we want it or not, the AI revolution is here. You're pursuing a PhdD focused on artificial intelligence and its role in higher education, how will that translate to the County Commission and Putnam County Government overall? On a scale of 1-10 how well would you say our County Commission performing their duties. If not 10 how would you personally advocate within the commission and our community to get to a 10? Find out more about Mack Lunn, Candidate for Putnam County Commission District 2: https://putnamdemocrats.org/candidate/mack-lunn/https://www.instagram.com/votemacklunn/Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

A decades-long true crime nightmare set in the shadowy woods of Putnam County, New York. Two wrongful convictions, a brutal predator hiding in plain sight, and a system that protected him for years—until a dogged pursuit uncovered the truth. Hosted by Rolling Stone’s Paul Solotaroff and Lava for Good CEO Jason Flom, The Devil You Know dives into the terrifying story of Howard Gombert, his victims, and the justice that has yet to come. But with his potential release looming in 2026, the question remains: will he hunt again? Listen to The Devil’s Quarry here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A decades-long true crime nightmare set in the shadowy woods of Putnam County, New York. Two wrongful convictions, a brutal predator hiding in plain sight, and a system that protected him for years—until a dogged pursuit uncovered the truth. Hosted by Rolling Stone’s Paul Solotaroff and Lava for Good CEO Jason Flom, The Devil You Know dives into the terrifying story of Howard Gombert, his victims, and the justice that has yet to come. But with his potential release looming in 2026, the question remains: will he hunt again? Listen to The Devil’s Quarry here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A decades-long true crime nightmare set in the shadowy woods of Putnam County, New York. Two wrongful convictions, a brutal predator hiding in plain sight, and a system that protected him for years—until a dogged pursuit uncovered the truth. Hosted by Rolling Stone’s Paul Solotaroff and Lava for Good CEO Jason Flom, The Devil You Know dives into the terrifying story of Howard Gombert, his victims, and the justice that has yet to come. But with his potential release looming in 2026, the question remains: will he hunt again? Listen to The Devil’s Quarry here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disclaimer: Gina tried to do something new with her audio set up and failed miserably. Please forgive her underwater sound this week. On February 10, 2009, five-year-old HaLeigh Ann-Marie Cummings vanished from her home in Satsuma, Florida — a small rural community along the St. Johns River in Putnam County. Her disappearance became one of the most heartbreaking and confounding missing child cases in Florida true crime history. In this episode of Weird True Crime, hosts Amber and Gina introduce us to HaLeigh: a curly-haired kindergartner at Browning Pearce Elementary School who loved nail polish, mac and cheese, and taking care of her baby brother. Her family called her "little mama." She was 39 pounds, five years old, and by every account, completely adored.We walk through the family background — the custody battle between her father Ronald Cummings and her mother Crystal Sheffield, the move to rural Satsuma, and the arrival of 17-year-old Misty Croslin, who had been living in the home and watching the children while Ronald worked second shift. On the night of February 9th into the early morning hours of February 10th, Ronald was at work. Misty was the only adult present. When Ronald came home at 3:25am, HaLeigh was gone. Within minutes, a 911 call went out — and within hours, investigators were already questioning whether the scene they found told the true story of what happened that night.This episode covers the initial search, the AMBER Alert, the FBI response, and the deeply troubling physical evidence: no forced entry, an undisturbed pile of laundry in front of the back door, HaLeigh's Hannah Montana shirt found in a place it shouldn't have been, and a crime scene that investigators would later describe as possibly staged. Misty Croslin's first account of the night begins to unravel almost immediately. If you're researching the HaLeigh Cummings case, Florida missing children cases, or true crime cold cases involving child disappearances, this is the episode to start with.

A decades-long true crime nightmare set in the shadowy woods of Putnam County, New York. Two wrongful convictions, a brutal predator hiding in plain sight, and a system that protected him for years—until a dogged pursuit uncovered the truth. Hosted by Rolling Stone’s Paul Solotaroff and Lava for Good CEO Jason Flom, The Devil You Know dives into the terrifying story of Howard Gombert, his victims, and the justice that has yet to come. But with his potential release looming in 2026, the question remains: will he hunt again? Listen to The Devil’s Quarry here or on the iHeartRadio app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Kosta and his guest: Taylor Hill, Assistant Treasurer for the Putnam County Fair Board, Owner of Taylor Creates and Candidate for Algood City Council. In this episode: It's safe to say there's no single event that brings Putnam County together like our County Fair. This year, the Putnam County Fair will celebrate its 100th anniversary. As a Fair Board Member, what does this centennial celebration mean to you? In 2019, Putnam County authorized 196 acres on Tennessee Avenue to build our next fairgrounds. In addition to the fairgrounds, we've completed and opened the Putnam County Convention Center, with the new Expo Center under construction. How do you see the new location impacting our fair's success for the next 100 years? For most of us we walk through the gate and have no idea what it takes to make that happen. As the Assistant Treasurer, you live in the budget. Without giving away secrets, what would surprise people most about the financial reality of producing this event every year?Find out more about the Putnam County Fair:https://putnamcountyfair.org/Find out more about Taylor Creates: https://www.taylorcreates.net/Find out more about Taylor Hill's Campaign for Algood City Council:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588433136653Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Matt reviews the 2026 Off-Broadway revival of ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Patreon: BroadwayRadiohttps://www.patreon.com/broadwayradio For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@broadwayradio.com and include the episode name. To purchase tickets to see the show, click here:https://spellingbeenyc.com/

Join Kosta and his guest: Kerry Ledbetter, District 6, Putnam County School Board Member, Manager for Community Homeowner Associations and Candidate for Putnam County Clerk. In this episode: No matter what happens in August, this election will bring forward a new era in local leadership for Putnam County. As we said, you're running for Putnam County Clerk and hope to pick up where outgoing County Clerk Wayne Nabors is leaving off. What do you see as your greatest opportunity in the office on day one? You've spent over twenty years in hotel and hospitality management. Needless to say, you understand service and what it means to be in service to others. How did your time in hospitality prepare you for the work of the Putnam County Clerk's office? Most of us only visit the County Clerk's office when we're getting new tags or registration. For listeners who've never really thought about it, walk us through what the office does day-to-day. More importantly, why should voters care who is doing this job? Find out more about Kerry Ledbetter's Campaign: https://www.kerryledbetter.comRegister to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration: https://sos.tn.gov/govotetnImportant Putnam County Election dates and information:Putnam County General Elections will be held on August 6th with early voting from July 17th to August 1st.All early voting takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:https://www.misssallies.com

Life's most defining moments often shape the stories we tell—and how we tell them. In this episode, George Halford sits down with Erin Hoover, professor at Tennessee Tech and the first Poet Laureate for Putnam County, to explore how her life experiences have influenced her work as a writer and educator. From growing up near the Three Mile Island Nuclear Incident to living in New York during the September 11 attacks, Erin reflects on how witnessing major events shaped her perspective and creative voice. She shares how poetry became a tool for processing life as a single parent, as seen in her collections Barn Burner and No Spare People, and how storytelling can help both writer and reader better understand themselves. This conversation also highlights her role in the local arts community, from teaching at Tennessee Tech to her work with the Cookeville Arts Council and the Sawmill Poetry Series—showing how poetry continues to connect, inspire, and bring people together. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! News Talk 94.1

These will be published with your show on Spotify, Apple, etc. exactly as written, please bear that in mind as you format them with emojis, bullets, etc. Today on Lure of the Lake, we're talking about one of those wonderful community traditions that proves some events are so much more than a date on the calendar. Every year, the Putnam County Dairy Festival brings people together in the heart of Eatonton for a day filled with family fun, local pride, food, vendors, entertainment, a parade, the Terrapin Trot, and plenty of reasons to remember why this community is so special. But the Dairy Festival is more than funnel cakes, festival shirts, and finding the best spot along the parade route, although, let's be honest, those are all noble pursuits. This festival is rooted in Putnam County's history and heritage. For generations, dairy farming helped shape this area, and the festival continues to celebrate that heritage while bringing families, businesses, volunteers, and visitors together for one of the most anticipated events of the year. And behind it all is the Pilot Club of Eatonton, a group of dedicated community servants who work year-round to help make this event happen. Festivals like this do not magically appear overnight. They are built by people who care, who serve, and who believe that traditions matter. Today, we'll talk with Glenda Ridley, the godmother of the Dairy Festival, about the history, what visitors can expect this year, what goes into planning an event of this size, and why this long-standing celebration continues to mean so much to the community and beyond. Guest: Glenda Ridley For more information on the 2026 Dairy Festival: Website: https://putnamcodairyfestival.com/ Sponsors: Tim Broyles State Farm Insurance https://mydowntownagency.com/ Lake Oconee Family Fitness & Fero Fit https://loffc.net/ Second Chance Boutique https://colinc.org/second-chance-boutique/

Jeremy Wendt sits down with Sheri Roberson, Putnam County Special Education Supervisor, to reflect on her 37-year career in education. Sheri shares how her path shifted from nursing to special education after discovering a passion for working with students through the Special Olympics. She discusses growing up in a family of educators, working under her father who was a principal, and eventually working alongside him early in her career. The conversation highlights the challenges of serving a large district and the support systems in place for students with special needs and their families. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1

Today's episode is a little different, and important... As we approach upcoming local elections, we wanted to create something that feels increasingly rare… a space for thoughtful, respectful conversation about the future of Putnam County. This is not a debate. There are no rebuttals. And you won't hear candidates speaking about one another. Instead, each candidate, in contested races for County Commissioner in District 3 & 4, and County Commission Chair, have been invited to share their own vision, their priorities, their plans, and what they believe the future of this community can look like. Our goal is simple: to give you, the listener, a clear and positive way to hear directly from those who are asking for your vote… so you can make an informed decision based on ideas, leadership, and vision. We'll hear briefly from each candidate individually, with the same format and a consistent set of questions. So whether you are on the lake, in the car, or at home, we're glad you're with us. Let's meet the candidates now! For more information on our Putnam County Candidates: District 3 Candidates: Erin Olson: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CMLzQXrMW/?mibextid=wwXIfr George Hooker: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588004236702 Bill Vargo: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551224158412 District 4 Candidates: Jennifer Ray: https://www.votejenniferray.com/ Paul Gardner: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572042872519 County Commission Chair Candidates Steve Hersey: https://www.votestevehersey.com/ Charles Gray: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551461069468 Podcast Sponsors: Tim Broyles State Farm Insurance https://mydowntownagency.com/ Lake Oconee Family Fitness & Fero Fit https://loffc.net/ Second Chance Boutique https://colinc.org/second-chance-boutique/

Join Kosta and his guest: Jonathan A.D. Williams, Putnam County Commissioner for District One, Owner of Veterans Barber Shop, former U.S. Marine, police officer, and candidate for Putnam County Commission District One. In this episode: Your first term on Putnam County Commission started in 2010. So, let's start there. What inspired you to run for Putnam County Commission and what's changed the most over the past sixteen years? We're recording this episode on the second week of early voting and our county vote totals have already surpassed the early vote total for 2022 and 2018. What's motivating voters to get out to the polls? Has the increased interest of this election cycle changed your campaigning strategy? If elected, this will be your fourth term on the County Commission. What do you see as your greatest accomplishments to date? What do you hope to add to those accomplishments over the next four years? Find out more about Veterans Barber Shop:https://www.veteransbarbershop.com/Find out more about Jonathan A.D. Williams for Putnam County Commissioner: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063633996867Register to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration: https://sos.tn.gov/govotetnImportant Putnam County Election dates and information:Putnam County General Elections will be held on August 6th with early voting from July 17th to August 1st.All early voting takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:https://www.misssallies.com

Today's episode is about leadership, community, and what can happen when a group of people decides that a real need deserves a real response. Recently, the 2026 Leadership Putnam Class celebrated graduation at Rock Eagle, marking the end of a program designed to help emerging and established leaders better understand our community, build lasting relationships, and discover new ways to serve. But this class did far more than simply complete the program. They left a lasting mark. As part of their class project, they took on a major need for Putnam General Hospital: replacing a commercial HVAC unit. Now, that may not sound glamorous at first, but in a hospital, reliable climate control is not a luxury. It is essential for patients, staff, equipment, and care. What began as a need turned into an extraordinary community effort. This Leadership Putnam class raised more than $140,000 to make that replacement possible. That is not just impressive. That is transformational. Joining me today are three of the class members behind that successful project: Jackson Embry, Amanda Taylor, and TJ McElhenney. We'll talk about their Leadership Putnam experience, what they learned, how this project came to be, how the class rallied the community, and why programs like Leadership Putnam matter so much to the future of Putnam County. This is a story about service, teamwork, and leadership in action; leadership as influence, not position. And in this case, that influence helped bring comfort, support, and critical infrastructure to one of our community's most important institutions. Guests: Amanda Taylor, Jackson Embry, TJ McElhenney For more information on Leadership Putnam: Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce Phone: 706-485-7701 Chamber of Commerce Website: https://eatonton.com/ Sponsors: Tim Broyles State Farm Insurance https://mydowntownagency.com/ Lake Oconee Family Fitness & Fero Fit https://loffc.net/ Second Chance Boutique https://colinc.org/second-chance-boutique/

Blaine and Zach talk about the Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini situation after the videos and photos surfaced of the two in Putnam County at the lake. They discuss how much worse this has gotten and if the NFL or Patriots could potentially get involved down the line. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if I told you that one of the most important stories ever told… isn't finished yet—and you're part of it? Right now, in Putnam County, something remarkable is happening. A traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution has made its first stop in Georgia—not in Atlanta, not in Savannah—but right here in our own backyard. It's called Voices and Votes: Democracy in America… and it's far more than a walk through history. This exhibit brings to life nearly 250 years of the American experiment—how a nation built on the idea of “of, by, and for the people” has been shaped, challenged, tested, and reimagined by every generation. But what makes this truly special… is that it doesn't just tell the national story. It tells our story. Alongside the national exhibit is a powerful look at the history of democracy right here in Putnam County—real people, real voices, and real moments that have helped shape this community in ways most of us have never fully seen or understood. And here's the thing—this isn't a passive experience. It's interactive. It's engaging. It might even challenge the way you think about your role in the ongoing story of this country. Because democracy isn't something that just happened. It's something that continues to happen—through action, through participation… and through people. Today, I'm joined by Chip Bell of the Georgia Writers Museum to talk about this incredible exhibit, why it matters right now, and why this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our community. So whether you're a history buff… a curious learner… or just someone who wants to better understand the story we're all living in— You're going to want to hear this. And more importantly… you're going to want to experience it. Guests: Chip Bell, Georgia Writers Museum Board of Directors For more information: Georgia Writers Museum Voices & Votes Website: https://www.georgiawritersmuseum.org/voices-and-votes/ GWM Website: https://www.georgiawritersmuseum.org/ Phone: 706-991-5119 Sponsors: Tim Broyles State Farm Insurance https://mydowntownagency.com/ Lake Oconee Family Fitness & Fero Fit https://loffc.net/ Second Chance Boutique https://colinc.org/second-chance-boutique/

Also: Family & Youth Intervention Center in Marion County Expands Hours... Blake Shelton Opening Entertainment Space in IndySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Kosta and his guest: Sara Kruszka, candidate for Democratic Executive Committeewoman for Tennessee District 15.In this episode: Like everyone listening to this episode, no matter how hard we try, we can't escape this election cycle. However, today's episode will be a bit different as we're talking about a part of the ballot you've probably never paid much attention to: State Executive Committee. You're running for Tennessee District 15 Democratic Executive Committeewoman, what is that? Why have we never heard of it before? Let's talk about our local party, and what candidates are bringing to this election. For several decades here in Putnam County we've had a dwindling to non-existent Democratic slate of candidates. This year, you're running 19 candidates across the county. From your perspective, as a group, what are the greatest strengths and weaknesses for this coalition over the next 4 months? You'll have a contested race on the August ballot, and although your campaign will look different than your peers, you'll still need to campaign. Why should voters pick you to be their voice for the state democratic party?Find out more about Sara Kruszka's Campaign: https://www.instagram.com/votesaratn/Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Miss Sallie's Market.Find out more about Miss Sallie's Market:https://www.misssallies.com

In a situation where every second counts, who's in charge of answering the call? Host Ben Rodgers sits down with Josh Womack, Assistant Director and Public Information Officer for Putnam County 911, to pull back the curtain on emergency response. From communication towers and rapid response times to the reality of power outages and limited funding, Womack shares what it takes to keep the system running smoothly. With over 82,000 calls answered in 2025 and an average pickup time of just 3.4 seconds, this episode highlights the training, teamwork, and pressure behind every call. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1

Join Kosta and his guest: Kelley McNeal, CPA, public servant, educator and candidate for Putnam County Trustee. In this episode: For 23 years you served as an auditor for the Tennessee Comptroller's Office. A critical part of that role was going to Trustee offices across Tennessee and examining how offices were (or weren't) properly executing their responsibilities. What did that experience teach you about what differentiates a well-run Trustee's office from a poorly run office? For our listeners meeting you for the first time, you grew up on a farm on the Putnam-Overton County line. You've lived and served our Upper Cumberland community for your entire life. Why did you decide to run for office this cycle? How did you decide to run for Trustee? As we've discussed in previous episodes, this election season, there are two primary races that have us on the edge of our seats. Putnam County Mayor, and Putnam County Trustee. We know all three of the candidates in this race have put their all into campaigning and that's part of what makes this election cycle so exciting for voters. What do you hope voters are thinking about when they go to cast their ballot in this election?Find out more about the Putnam County Trustee's Office: https://putnamcountytn.gov/trusteeFind out more about Kelley McNeal for Putnam County Trustee: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kelley-McNeal-for-Putnam-County-Trustee-61577288861722/Register to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration: https://sos.tn.gov/govotetnImportant Putnam County Election dates and information:Putnam County Primary Elections will be held on May 5, 2026, with early voting from April 15th to April 30th.Putnam County General Elections will be held on August 6th with early voting from July 17th to August 1st.All early voting takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Chris Lawrence marks the show's 32nd anniversary and welcomes Brent Null of Null Custom Calls from Red House in Putnam County for a full hour focused on spring gobbler season. Null shares how a late-in-life passion for turkey hunting — rekindled by taking his grandson out — led him to start crafting his own calls just over a year ago, beginning with a wingbone call made from a bird he harvested. Lawrence and Null work through an array of pot calls in the studio, covering materials including frosted glass, ceramic, slate, copper, titanium, and stoned aluminum, discussing how each affects pitch, rasp, and performance in wet conditions. Null also explains his unconventional use of AI to analyze his calls against real turkey vocalizations, and demonstrates a bamboo tube call and bamboo trumpet he built himself. The two close with turkey hunting strategy, scouting tips for Putnam County, and Null's goal of getting his 13-year-old grandson his first gobbler behind one of his handmade calls.

Join Kosta and his guest: Jamie Hunter, Chief Deputy Trustee for the Putnam County Trustee's Office and candidate for Putnam County Trustee.In this episode: You've spent 30 years in public service here in Putnam County. You've lived here your entire life and now, as we said in the introduction, you're running to serve as our next Putnam County Trustee. I want to start with your background, and what's at the heart of what you're trying to accomplish. As a lifelong member of our community, what does success in public service mean to you? Let's talk about the work of our County Trustee. Most listeners are well aware of property taxes, but after we pay, it's mostly a mystery. Can you walk us through what the Trustee's Office actually does with that money? Where does it go? Why does it matter? This is a contested primary with three Republican candidates. Other than County Mayor, this race will be the most closely watched election of the 2026 Primaries. What do you think is the single most important thing voters should be focused on when casting their vote for this office?Find out more about the Putnam County Trustee's Office: https://putnamcountytn.gov/trusteeRegister to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration: https://sos.tn.gov/govotetnImportant Putnam County Election dates and information: Putnam County Primary Elections will be held on May 5, 2026, with early voting from April 15th to April 30th. Putnam County General Elections will be held on August 6th with early voting from July 17th to August 1st.All early voting takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

Listen: Lauren Class Schneider talks to Matt Manuel, cast member in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at New World Stages. Matt Manuel headshot by Dirty Sugar Production photo by Phillippe Arroyo “Class Notes” actively covers New York's current theater season on, off, and off-off Broadway. For a transcript read more

[REBROADCAST FROM February 20, 2026] "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is back onstage in New York City for its 20th anniversary. Cast members join us to perform songs from the show live in our studio. Photo by Joan Marcus