FBI fugitive spotted in Bledsoe, captured in Rhea County
A fugitive wanted on charges by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) evaded local and federal agents before eventually being caught in Rhea County on Friday, September 6, according to Bledsoe County Sgt. George Hodge. Timothy (Tim) Edward Barnes, 52, of Jasper, Georgia, was spotted near 3-Way Market by federal agents before leading them on…
Read MoreBCHS volleyball undefeated in district play
The Lady Warriors continue the season undefeated in district play, 5-0, with a 7-1 overall season record. They will play Coalfield tomorrow night, September 5, at home at 5:30 p.m. For more see the September 5 issue of The Bledsonian Banner.
Read MoreNumber of trucks getting stuck on Lowes Gap increases
Local truck drivers know better than to navigate a heavy 18-wheeler up or down Lowes Gap Road because of its hairpin turns and switchbacks. Truck drivers passing through the area using their GPS (global positioning system) devices or GPS apps on cell phones could easily be routed to take the road as a shortcut if they…
Read MoreMountaineer Folk Festival is this weekend
The passing of Labor Day means it is time for the 41st annual Mountaineer Folk Festival at Fall Creek Falls State Park. The event is Friday, September 6 through Sunday, September 8, and offers a weekend of traditional bluegrass music, country cooking, pioneer skill demonstrations, and roughly 100 craft booths featuring a varied array of…
Read MoreCounty may privatize ambulance service
A presentation by Puckett Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be heard by the Bledsoe County Commission in a Special Called Meeting on Monday, September 16. Bledsoe County Mayor Gregg Ridley said the county commission will decide its next steps after hearing from Puckett, but an official contract proposal had not been written up. “It all…
Read MoreCourtroom named after the late Judge Edward H. Sapp
The upstairs courtroom of the Bledsoe County Courthouse was ceremonially named after the late Judge Edward H. Sapp by friends, family, and current county officials at a meeting on Monday, August 26. Commissioners voted to name the courtroom after Judge Sapp last October. A resolution commemorating Sapp was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and…
Read MoreWheeler Elementary is Reward School
Results of 2019 TNReady assessments were released last week by the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) and show improvements at some Bledsoe County schools and struggles in others. Being labeled as the only Reward School in the county for 2018-2019, Mary V. Wheeler Elementary saw achievement and growth for all students and student groups. “We…
Read MoreVirgil Swafford
Virgil Dwayne Swafford, 86, of Pikeville, Tennessee, died Thursday, August 22, 2019. He was a Southern Baptist preacher for over 60 years, and a U.S. Army Veteran. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy L. Swafford; daughter, Linda S. Smith; sisters, Lucille Wyatt and Gladys Hitchcox; brothers, Curtis Swafford and Harold Swafford. He…
Read MoreBill Sapp
William Franklin “Bill” Sapp, 60, of Davidson Road, Crossville, Tennessee, died peacefully at his home on Sunday afternoon, August 25, 2019, after a lengthy battle with renal failure. He exemplified true courage during many years of painful struggle. He was a partner in Valley Paving in Pikeville before working in the oil fields in Oklahoma.…
Read MoreDavid B. Mercer
David B. Mercer, 63, of Pikeville, Tennessee, died Wednesday, August 21, 2019. He was a member of Pikeville Church of Christ. He was retired from Bledsoe Telephone Cooperative. David loved working with wood, reading, crossword puzzles with his granddaughter, and helping others. He was a 1974 graduate of Bledsoe County High School, where he played…
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