Good morning, Cookeville.

We did the homework. Now you can look like you knew.

Big week. The largest e-bike maker in the country is coming to Algood. TTU graduates 2,000+ Golden Eagles on Friday. Sunday is Mother's Day, and yes, we've got you covered.

Plus: 39 Depot hearing tonight, a kayaking duo just got named Tennessee Heroes, and the Cornbread Festival is creeping up next weekend.

Let's get into it.

The biggest economic development story in Putnam County since Korea Zinc landed across the line in Smith County.

RadLife EV / Life EV, billed as the largest electric bike manufacturer in the country, is coming to Algood, TN. The company plans to create 280 jobs over the next five years and invest $7 million in Putnam County.

That's 280 paychecks, 280 families, and a lot more money moving through local restaurants, shops, and neighborhoods.

For a town that's been in its growing-pains era (see: every "stop building apartments" comment on every Cookeville TikTok), this is the other side of the coin. 280 jobs is real money flowing through Putnam County for years.

We'll have more on this as it develops. For now: huge win for Algood, huge win for the Upper Cumberland.

The City of Cookeville is asking residents what they want done with the 39 Depot Project.

Monday, May 4 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at City Hall.

Three alternative options will be on display alongside the original concept. Show up, look at the plans, and tell them what you actually want. This is the kind of meeting that shapes downtown for the next decade.

If you can't make it in person, the city is also taking comments on their Facebook post and on their website.

Tennessee Tech Spring Commencement is Friday, May 8 at the Hooper Eblen Center.

Translation: Cookeville doubles in size for 48 hours.

Thousands of grads, families, and out-of-towners flooding restaurants, hotels, and South Jefferson all weekend. If you've got dinner plans, book them now.

One name to know: Harrison Simpson just won the Derryberry Award, TTU's highest student honor. Given to the graduating senior who best exemplifies scholarship, leadership, and citizenship. He's headed into a master's in cybersecurity next.

If you're celebrating a Golden Eagle this weekend, congrats. You earned the long drive home.

Sunday is Mother's Day. We did the legwork. Don't overthink it. Pick one and you're a hero.

Edison Hills Dried Floral Frames Craft May 7 to 9 at Edison Hills, 127 W. Broad Street.

Edison Hills provides gold floating frames, dried flowers, tweezers, and glue. You make the keepsake.

Materials available 3 to 6 PM Thursday and Friday, 10 AM to 12 PM Saturday. Tickets at edisonhills.com/collections/events.

The Cardinal pick. Downtown, hands-on, gives Mom something to keep.

Mother's Day Pop-Up Event Saturday, May 9 from 9 AM to 6 PM at 136 E Broad St.

Four local makers in one spot: The Pretty Pour, Poppy and Pearl, Get sparked, and Petal & Rake. See here - The Pretty Pour | Facebook

The Shaggy Cow Lounge & Cabanas Saturday, May 9 at 10 AM at The Cowabunga Camp.

Highland cows, retro bean bags, private cabanas with hot tubs, complimentary beverage and pastry. $29.50 per person, kids under 5 free. Reservations required.

3rd Annual Miles for Mom 5K + Kids Fun Run Saturday, May 9 at 8 AM, 235 W Main St. See here: Facebook

Two of our own just got statewide recognition.

Kayaking Adventures of Tennessee was named this month's Tennessee Heroes by WZTV FOX 17 Nashville. The story: two kayakers who turn every paddle into a cleanup mission.

If you've ever wondered what a small business doing genuinely good work in your backyard looks like, this is it.

A few things caught our eye this week.

🎣 Mississippi boater Skip Howell won the BFL Music City Division tournament on Center Hill last Sunday. Five bass, 18 lbs 6 oz, $2,890 payday.

🛒 Target watch: five months out and The Willows is still on track for an October opening. Target, Home Depot, and 350+ jobs at Exit 286.

📞 Save this number: 866-502-7411. That's Hometown Grid, Cookeville's new outage reporting system. Call or text to report a power outage and get updates back. Put it in your phone now, not when you're sitting in the dark.

👀 Cane Creek Rec Center is running Traditional Dance every first and third Friday for $1. One dollar. To dance.

Send your sightings, weird local moments, or "did you see that" stories. Best ones go in next week's issue. 📷 #CookevilleCardinal

Monday, May 4

Wednesday, May 6

Thursday, May 7 to Saturday, May 9

Friday, May 8

Saturday, May 9

💐 Sunday, May 10 · Mother's Day

P.S. Going classic with brunch on Sunday? Book today, not Saturday. Crawdaddy's, Midtown Social, and Fire & Vine are all good calls and take reservations.

Looking ahead

Jack, a fellow reader sent me wooden cardinals last week. Hand-carved.

I don't have great words for it. They're awesome.

That's your week, Cookeville.

To the mothers out there: thank you. Thank you for the rides, the late nights, the lunches packed when nobody noticed, and the quiet work that keeps everything running. We see you. We're glad you're here.

If you're a mom reading this, take Sunday. Earn it. Spend it however you want.

If you're not, do something for one. Even small. Especially small.

Have a great week!

-Noah