Area News

Authorities are investigating recent tagging incidents throughout Pikeville, reports Pikeville Police Chief Ronald Byrd. Numerous buildings, businesses, playground equipment, vehicles and more were spray painted by vandals over the past couple of weeks. Chief Byrd said he does have three suspects but would not release the names because two are juveniles and the third is…

In the early morning hours Friday, June 10, emergency personnel responded to the scene of an accident on Lowes Gap Road in Bledsoe County. A vehicle had plummeted off a 100-foot bluff and the woman inside had to be rescued, according to a report by Piney Volunteer Fire Department. For more see the June 16…

On the morning of May 27, global poultry breeding company Aviagen® hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its brand new feed processing facility (feed mill) in Pikeville. Joining in this momentous event were members of the Pikeville-Bledsoe County Chamber of Commerce, City Mayor Philip Cagle, County Mayor Gregg Ridley and Deputy Commissioner Jeff Aiken with the…

On May 30 and June 2, Piney and Dunlap volunteer fire departments assisted with rescues at Cane Creek Falls inside Fall Creek Falls State Park. Both incidents involved someone jumping off of Cane Creek Falls. The most recent happened when a 17-year-old male dove off of Cane Creek Falls approximately 85 feet into the swimming…

The University of Tennessee System is on a mission to paint the state orange with its “Everywhere You Look, UT” campaign, and U.S. Route 127 in Bledsoe County just became home to UT’s 28th mural. Former 4-H members and supporters of University of Tennessee Extension, Matt and Farrah Fields, didn’t think twice about volunteering the…

Pikeville Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) recently received a new piece of equipment courtesy of The Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF). The foundation formed by Actor Gary Sinise, a long-time advocate for troops and veterans, provides grants to first responder organizations like fire and police departments. The new Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) will be utilized for special…

Bledsoe County Mayor Gregg Ridley filed a criminal summons against Riley Frady on May 26 for threatening to shoot him. For more see the June 2 issue of The Bledsonian Banner.

Recently, Bridgett Loyd’s Environmental Science class at Bledsoe County High School left the classroom and waded into the Sequatchie River. They tested the water quality of the river at four locations, determining the river made the grade. Students worked in groups to perform chemical and physical tests of the water including pH, dissolved oxygen, carbon…

Tanner Everett, District 5 Pitcher of the Year, is taking his game to the next level. Tanner signed to play baseball for Bryan College last week. His abilities on the field speaks volumes as he struck out 114 batters, pitched 67.2 innings, 1.345 ERA, .514 batting average, 39 hits for 76 at bats, scored 39…

Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) recently announced Bledsoe County Middle School, was awarded a $100,000 Learning Environment grant through Tennessee Valley Authority’s School Uplift program.    Tight budgets and aging buildings leave many schools facing a difficult decision between funding learning programs and making needed facility upgrades. TVA’s $7.3 million School Uplift program is helping…