Good morning, Cookeville.

The last June evenings hang on late, the calendar flips midweek, and the first scattered pops of the holiday stretch are starting to join the usual summer soundtrack. This is a compact three-day Scoop with one piece worth keeping: what Cookeville's July 1 water and sewer rate change means in actual dollars. We also have one way to move at Cane Creek each day, a Wednesday date-night deal, the Saturday Red White & BOOM schedule, and a neighborly reminder about when fireworks are allowed inside the city.

Let's get into it.

Make the Red White & BOOM plan (looking ahead). Saturday's celebration returns to the old Putnam County Fairgrounds at Jefferson and Walnut. Gates open at 4 PM, with Altitude at 5, John Cooper Albright at 6:15, Sons of Legion at 7:30, and fireworks at 9:15. Admission and parking are free, and the festival runs until 9:30 PM. See the full July 4 schedule.

Father Tom's Wednesday Date Night. On Wednesday, July 1, Father Tom's Pub offers a bottle of house wine for half price when you order two menu items. It works for a date, a friend night, or two people congratulating themselves for reaching the middle of the week. Father Tom's is at 32 N Cedar Avenue and is open Wednesday from 11 AM to 10:30 PM. Check the pub's details.

Starting Wednesday, Cookeville's next scheduled water and sewer rate step takes effect. For a residential customer inside the city limits using 5,000 gallons, the city's examples put the combined water and sewer bill at $91.75. That is $4.50 more than the previous $87.25 example.

The two sides of the bill move differently.

The inside-city water base charge rises by $1, from $11.10 to $12.10 per month. The water volume rate stays at $5.09 per 1,000 gallons, and the storage fee stays at 19 cents per 1,000 gallons. In other words, the city's water examples each rise by one dollar, whether usage is low, moderate, or high.

Sewer changes more with usage. Its base charge rises from $13.15 to $14.15, while the volume rate moves from $7.32 to $7.82 per 1,000 gallons.

Here is what that does to the city's combined residential examples:

These are not surprise numbers invented during a particularly lively Tuesday at City Hall. The City Council adopted the multi-year rate schedule in 2024, including this July 1, 2026 step.

The important fine print is location. These examples are for water and sewer service inside Cookeville's city limits. If your bill comes from another utility district, or you receive outside-city service, this table is not your table. Check the provider and usage line on your own bill before doing the kitchen-table math. See Cookeville's full rate table and read the adopted ordinance.

One verified option per day feels about right for this quiet turn-of-the-month calendar.

Social Line Dancing. Monday, June 29, from 12:30 to 3:30 PM at Cane Creek Recreation Center, 180 C C Camp Road. No experience is required, everyone is welcome, and the drop-in cost is $5. See the Leisure Services class lineup.

Ruck Fit at Cane Creek. Tuesday, June 30, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the recreation center. This $3 drop-in class uses sandbags and bodyweight movements, with exercises the city describes as scalable for different fitness levels. Read the class description.

Tai Chi Workshop. Wednesday, July 1, from 4 to 5 PM at Cane Creek Recreation Center. The all-ages, low-impact class is led by Teddy Spivey and costs $32 per four-week session. Check the dated July 1 listing.

Cookeville's summer fireworks window opens Wednesday, July 1, and runs through July 5. Inside the city limits, fireworks may be used from 9 AM to 10 PM, except July 4, when the cutoff moves to midnight.

The ordinance also says you need permission before using fireworks on someone else's property. It sets a 600-foot buffer around churches, hospitals, funeral homes, and schools. A little advance reading is cheaper than an awkward conversation over the fence. Read the city fireworks ordinance.

Check the usage line on your latest utility bill and reply with what you want explained next, whether it is a local bill, fee, or city service. Then forward this edition to the person coordinating your holiday weekend. Know about a local class, restaurant update, event, or neighborhood change we should catch? Send it my way. I read every tip.

Thanks for spending the June-to-July turn with the Scoop. Keep one eye on the bill, one on Saturday's sky, and maybe both ears on the neighborhood after 10 PM. 🧡

-- Travis