Area News

The autopsy report of Chad Songer, who died while deputies from the Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department attempted to apprehend him at his home, has been returned by the Tennessee Office of the Medical Examiner. The incident occurred on January 31, 2021 at his residence in Brockdell and the autopsy was performed in Nashville on February…

The number of active cases in Bledsoe County as of Sunday, September 12, was 270, according to the latest data from the Tennessee Department of Health. The number of active cases as of Sunday reflect a drop of 75 active cases since the week prior on September 5. Of the active cases, Tennessee Department of…

The Bledsoe County High School Warriors will host Sweetwater Friday, September 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the James T. Warden Football Field. Friday night’s game will honor seniors before the game begins. Bledsoe was scheduled to play Grundy County on Friday, but Grundy postponed the game due to illness.

Bill Moore had a 50/50 chance of survival by the time he was hospitalized with COVID pneumonia in February, according to doctors at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga where he remained for 18 days. Moore, 82, of Pikeville, said he was told by his primary care doctor in December to get the COVID vaccine shots. For…

Christmas in downtown Pikeville is typically filled with lights and decorations thanks to the Pikeville Main Street Committee in addition to homeowners and businesses along the street who decorate for the season. A new group, formed by Jeff Henry and Lola Sells, called “Light Up the Town, Pikeville’s Holiday Lights” seeks to gather the community…

  For months people have been cutting or climbing the fence at the Bradley Wyatt Convenience Center, Bledsoe County Mayor Gregg Ridley said. For more see the September 2 issue of The Bledsonian Banner.

The Bledsonian-Banner was among 69 newspapers statewide recognized Friday, August 27 during the 2021 University of Tennessee (UT)-Tennessee Press Association (TPA) State Press Contests luncheon at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs Hotel. The local newspaper received a third place showing in the Local Features category, announced Publisher Sandy Dodson. The three featured articles included a…

Negotiations the past two weeks with Selina Sparkman to assume the role of Bledsoe County Director of Schools led to the Board of Education offering her a contract at a special called meeting on Tuesday, August 31.  Sparkman, attending via video conference, accepted the position and said she was honored. She will take office September…

Update from Bledsoe County Director of Schools James Ellis: Good afternoon everyone. The following information will be available on the Bledsoe County Schools’ website, Facebook page and by Email. On Monday, August 30, all Bledsoe County Schools will be closed with no extra curricular activities. Central office staff will report to work. Pending approval from…

Bledsoe County Schools will remain closed Thursday, August 26 and Friday, August 27 due to high COVID cases among students and staff, according to Director of Schools James Ellis. School was already cancelled Monday through Wednesday due to illness within the system.  Ellis noted 76 students and staff were tested for COVID on Wednesday at…