Good morning, Cookeville.
It is Memorial Day, and summer just walked in the door.
Big stories this week: a black bear is wandering Algood, the new Cookeville VA Clinic just got a groundbreaking, and summer officially kicks off with the Community Band and Jake Hoot. Plus, a very good reason to lock up your trash.
Let's get into it.
🐻 TOP OF THE PERCH: THERE'S A BEAR IN ALGOOD
Algood Police put out a public safety notice this week, and it is not a drill.
A black bear has been spotted near Dogwood Lane and Phillips Cemetery Road, moving between neighborhoods and helping itself to unsecured trash cans. So far, it has not shown aggressive behavior.
Here's what officers are asking residents to do:
• Do not approach or interact with the bear
• Head indoors if it is in your immediate area
• Bring pets inside until it moves on
• Secure trash and anything that smells like a snack
A bear becomes dangerous when it feels cornered or finds an easy meal. The best move is to give it space and take away the buffet.
Translation: it's spring on the Plateau, and the wildlife is apparently house hunting.
Lock the trash. Keep the dog close. Enjoy the show from the window.
🦅HOMETOWN HEROES: NEW VA CLINIC BREAKS GROUND
On the week we set aside to remember those who served, Cookeville received some welcome news.
The VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System is breaking ground on a brand-new Cookeville VA Clinic at 1053 Neal Street.
Funded through the PACT Act, the facility is expected to open by 2029 and will bring primary care, mental health services, audiology, radiology, prosthetics, and other services closer to home for local veterans.
For many veterans who currently travel outside the Upper Cumberland for care, this will be a major improvement.
A long time coming, and a fitting announcement for Memorial Day week.
👀 BIRD SIGHTINGS
A few quick things worth knowing this week:
🏗️ Memorial Day means closures. City offices, the post office, and most banks are closed Monday. Trash and recycling schedules may shift, so check before rolling the cans to the curb.
☀️ Summer is officially open. The pool, splash pad, farmers market, and long evenings are all back on the menu.
🐻 Lock the trash. Yes, we're mentioning the bear again. He would like another snack.
🕷️ Tick season is here. If you're heading to Burgess Falls, Cummins Falls, Cane Creek, or one of the many local trails, check yourself, the kids, and the dog afterward. Late spring is prime tick season across the Plateau.
Got a weird local sighting? An interesting photo? A "did you see that?" moment?
Send it our way. The best ones might make next week's issue.
🛫 THE FLIGHT PLAN
⭐ Pick of the Week: An Evening with Jake Hoot at Trackside (Thursday)
Free. Outdoors. Hometown hero. Food trucks. Bring a chair.
Monday, May 25
🦅Cookeville Community Band Summer Series Kickoff · Dogwood Performance Pavilion · 7:30 PM (free)
Thursday, May 28
🎤 An Evening with Jake Hoot · Trackside, 172 W Broad St · 6 to 8 PM (free)
Andrew Buckner opens. Food trucks on site.
Saturday, May 30
🌽 Cookeville Farmers Market · 201 Mahler Ave · 6 AM to Noon
💦 Splash Pad at Cane Creek Park · Open daily (free)
📅 LOOKING AHEAD
🎬 After Dark Movies in the Park · Fridays in June · Dogwood Park
🍿 June 5 · Lilo & Stitch
🐉 June 12 · How to Train Your Dragon
🦊 June 19 · Zootopia 2
🎭 June 26 · Hamilton
🎺 Dogwood Community Band Festival · June 6 · Dogwood Pavilion (free)
🏓 Cookeville Open Pickleball Tournament · June 13–14 · Cane Creek Courts
🎶 Sounds of Summer Returns · June 18 · Dogwood Pavilion (free)
🍌 Tennessee Banana Festival · June 27 · Putnam County Fairgrounds
That's your week, Cookeville.
To the families firing up the grill, enjoy every minute.
To those with an empty seat at the table today, the ones who lost someone in uniform, we see you, and we remember them.
Memorial Day is not about the sales. It's about the names.
Somewhere between the cookout and the lake, take a quiet minute for the ones who did not come home.
Have a great week,
