Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev

Join Kosta and his guest: Ferran Kefauver, Executive Director of CityScape. In this episode: The crown jewel of Cookeville is our Historic Westside. There are countless shops, offices and enough restaurants to feed an army, but it wasn’t always this way. In fact, not too long ago, our downtown was mostly an afterthought. What changed and how has CityScape helped direct and support this rebirth? We’re a few weeks away from CityScape’s most anticipated event of the year: Taste of the Town. This year’s event will be at the original Putnam County Fairgrounds off East Veterans Drive. What can you tell us about this year’s event? What can we expect? I know I’ll get some heat if I don’t ask this, and I also understand it’s out of your hands, but we all want to know - is Wine on the Westside ever coming back?Find out more about CityScape:https://cookevillecityscape.com/Taste of the Town 2026 | The White Barn AffairSaturday, April 25, 2026Historic Putnam County FairgroundsMembership Options: https://cookevillecityscape.com/benefitsBetter 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 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

Join Kosta and his guest: Linda Vickers, Executive Director of Safe Haven Recovery Program and Deanna Jenkins, President of the Board for  Safe Haven Recovery Program.In this episode: Safe Haven was founded in 2023, but your work and service to those seeking to rebuild their lives started long before Safe Haven. Will you take us to the beginning of your story and tell us how you got here? Safe Haven is a 12-month program. A year is a serious commitment to ask of anyone, but especially of someone who might be coming straight from incarceration. What does the first week look like for a new resident, and how do you build the foundation to continue the process? While you’re addressing very practical barriers to returning to an independent life like employment and transportation, you’re also equally focused on spiritual healing. How do you balance the practical and the faith-based sides of recovery? Why is it important to have both? Find out more about Safe Haven Recovery Program: https://safehavenuc.orgFind out more about Run for a Reason 5K:📆 Date: May 9, 2026📍 Location: Dogwood Park | Cookeville, TN⏱️ Registration Time Begins: 8:30 AM | Race Begins: 9:30 AMFind Out More and Register: https://safehavenuc.org/participantsSponsor the Race: https://safehavenuc.org/sponsorshipBetter 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 guest: Sam Sandlin, CPA, Putnam County Commissioner for District 2 and Candidate for Putnam County Commission District 2. In this episode: It’s March of 2026, and unless you’re literally living under a rock in Putnam County you know we have local elections this year. Let’s start with some background, because while most of our listeners know there’s an election, they might not know why it matters. What is a County Commissioner? What does the County Commission do? You’ve served the 2nd District of Putnam County for eight years, two terms in office and you’re going for a third. What do you see as your greatest accomplishments so far and what do you still want to achieve? This term you’re running as an Independent. Why? How will this change your campaign strategy? When we’re talking about local government, particularly on the county level, what responsibility do you see our county government having in ensuring a quality of life to Putnam County residents that’s better than what they currently have?Find out more about the Putnam County Commission: https://putnamcountytn.gov/county-commissionRegister to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration: https://sos.tn.gov/govotetnBetter 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

Join Kosta and his guest: Cora Hageman, Owner and Founder of Wonderfill Refillery.In this episode: For most Cookeville shoppers, Wonderfill is their first experience with a zero-waste store. So, let’s start there. What is a zero-waste store? How does it work? What do we need to know before we go? How is garbage and waste from single use items like shampoo bottles and cleaning supplies really impacting our environment? If enough of us move to a zero-waste system how can we better our community in the Upper Cumberland and the world overall? Wonderfill is committed to a sustainable mission that includes: pricing, lifestyle adoption and use. How do you push back against the perception that sustainable living is only for people who can afford it or have the time and resources to implement it into their lifestyle? Find out more about Wonderfill Refillery:https://wonderfillrefillery.com/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