Shirley Ann Reed Fann
Shirley Ann Reed Fann, 77, of Pikeville, died Friday, June 12, 2026. She was a member of Pikeville Church of God and served as the clerk at Bledsoe County Health Department until her retirement. She loved the arts and enjoyed creating, painting and crafting. She was also an animal lover. Preceding her in death were…
Read MoreMargie Deweese
Margie Deweese, 89, was called home on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Born and raised on Cagle Mountain, Margie and her husband lived briefly on Signal Mountain and Chattanooga before settling in Dunlap. An avid gardener, Margie enjoyed growing flowers, particularly day lilies and roses that brought her great joy. Birdwatching, especially blue birds, was a…
Read MoreSwafford runs for State House
Farmer, small business owner, Bledsoe County commissioner, and community leader Andy Swafford is announcing his candidacy for Tennessee House of Representatives in District 31. He is running in the Republican primary election August 6, with the general election scheduled for November 3. A lifelong resident of Bledsoe County, Swafford was raised on his family’s farm…
Read MoreShowers help rainfall totals, more needed
Usually, April is known as the month of rain showers that brings May flowers. However, this year, the rainfall waited to come in May. For the most part, the rainfall was slow and steady, just what was needed for the area crops, vegetable gardens and flower gardens. At times, there were brief heavy rains, but…
Read MoreBeware of cyclists on East Valley Road
This weekend, June 13-14, about 20 cyclists will be peddling on East Valley Road, from Sequatchie County to the head of the Sequatchie Valley in Bledsoe County. It is a 24-hour ultra endurance event known as Sequatchie 24. Motorists are asked to use caution and slow down on the entire stretch of East Valley Road…
Read MoreSchool nurse services to continue for Bledsoe County School System thanks to grant
From East Tennessee to West Tennessee, the Tennessee Rural Health Care Center of Excellence at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences is enabling providers to close health care gaps in rural communities statewide with $1.75 million in grants announced. Bledsoe County was named as a recipient of the grant to continue its school nurse services.…
Read MoreHands helping others
Love is crocheted into every loop of the yarn by Loretta Stephens. At 90, her hands continue to bless others. Just recently she helped WAGS (Where Animals Get Saved) of Bledsoe by raising $1,005 towards its dream of building an animal shelter in Bledsoe County. She crafted four different afghans – a dog and cat,…
Read MoreHughes family celebrates 202-year farming tradition
As communities across the nation prepare to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, one local family is marking a milestone of its own. The Hughes family of Flat Top Mountain Farm is celebrating 202 years of continuous family ownership and stewardship of the land they have called home since 1824. Today, ten generations later, the family continues…
Read MoreEverett Pendergrass, Sr.
Everett Pendergrass, Sr., age 82, of Knox County, Tennessee, died Sunday, June 7, 2026, at his home. He was a member of Maynardville Church of Christ. He was a shoe repairman for 65 years and owned Pendergrass Family Shoe Repair for 60 years. Preceding him in death were his son, Everett Pendergrass, Jr.; parents, John…
Read MoreElaine Bleasdale
Elaine Bleasdale, 99, died at her home in Spencer, Tennessee on May 29, 2026. She lived her representation of the American Dream as a stalwart of the Greatest Generation. Born in 1926, she came of age in the Great Depression. She recalled, into her final years, that on December 8, 1941 (the day after the…
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