Primary to decide two major offices
Early voting has started, and with this May primary election two major offices will be determined in the primary. There are three Republicans seeking the offices of mayor and of county clerk, with no Democrats or Independent candidates seeking either office. Republicans Leland Burks, Kris Frady and Amanda Holland Pack are vying to become Bledsoe…
Read MoreKenneth Robert “Robbie” Fugate
Kenneth Robert “Robbie” Fugate, 57, of Pikeville, Tennessee died Sunday, March 29, 2026, at his home. He was an outdoorsman and liked to hunt and fish. He enjoyed NASCAR and especially liked to go to Talladega with his brothers. He was a big TN Vols fan. He enjoyed a good game of poker and just…
Read MoreLayne Cordell Knowles
Layne Cordell Knowles Layne Cordell Knowles, age 74 of Pikeville, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026 with her loving family by her side. She was born in Pikeville, Tennessee on March 8, 1952. She married Earl Lee Knowles on June 20, 1969, who was her devoted husband of 54 years. They were blessed with…
Read MoreGovernor appropriates funding for BluewaysTN
Governor Bill Lee has appropriated over $2 million for the BluewaysTN project that involves 15 rivers including the Sequatchie River, making it more accessible for kayaking, canoing, fishing and enjoying the waterways. “Tennessee’s outdoor heritage extends to our rivers, lakes, and streams. We are creating a blueway trail network to improve access to state waterways,…
Read MoreCustomers asked to complete Pikeville Natural Gas survey
Pikeville Natural Gas (PNG) is encouraging all customers to complete the Natural Gas Survey being sent out in an automated all-call beginning on April 20. Please be aware the survey may continue to be sent out after that date. The survey concerns natural gas safety and it will consist of roughly four to five questions,…
Read MoreLongtime county servant passes
Junior Lee Hankins, who served Bledsoe County for 44 years as a county commissioner, passed away Sunday, April 5. He served the residents of District 5 all those years and was completing his final term in August. Hankins not only made history as the longest-serving county commissioner in Bledsoe County, but he was among the…
Read MorePikeville welcomes tourism group to town
When tourists stop at Tennessee Welcome Centers, those staffing the centers will be able to share their first-hand experiences by visiting all areas of the state. Last week, a group of 25 representing all 16 Tennessee Welcome Centers visited Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea, and Polk counties. Dani Crear, Welcome Center coordinator with the Tennessee Department of…
Read MoreBryant case to be heard in Rhea Co.
A Dunlap man charged with making Threats of Mass Violence on School Property was scheduled to appear in Bledsoe County General Sessions Court on Monday, April 6. However, the case against Cole Bryant was moved to be heard in Rhea County General Sessions Court on Tuesday, April 28. According to the District Attorney’s office, due…
Read MoreJunior Lee Hankins
Junior Lee Hankins Junior Lee Hankins passed away peacefully, at home surrounded by family, on Easter Sunday, April 5, at the age of 86. After a life marked by unwavering dedication to his faith, his family, and his community, he was welcomed into the arms of Jesus. While we grieve the loss of a man…
Read MoreLloyd E. Forsythe
Lloyd E. Forsythe Lloyd E. Forsythe, 78, of Pikeville, Tennessee died Tuesday, March 31, 2026. He was a member of Pikeville Church of Christ. He was a United States Army veteran, serving three tours in Vietnam. He served as a security guard at Bledsoe Regional Correctional Facility and as an officer at the Bledsoe County…
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