Area News

The Bledsoe County High School Archery Team has been awarded over $2700 from the NRA Foundation. This grant will provide replacement equipment including school bows, targets, and a new arrow curtain. Volunteer Coach Regina Ferrell-Hayne was instrumental in assisting coaches Kris and Jack Durham in the application process and the archery team is very excited…

One of Bledsoe County’s busiest roads is likely to see improvements after the Bledsoe County Commission approved entering into a State Industrial Access (SIA) Program with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) at a special called meeting on Monday, May 13. Bledsoe Road Superintendent Robby Roberson presented the Commission with his application to enter into…

The Bledsoe County High School Choir came back from their latest show on Saturday, May 4, with the Grand Champion title. Bledsoe was chosen as the winner after the Dollywood Music Showcase in Pigeon Forge, according to Choir Director and teacher Sam Duggins. For more see the May 9 issue of The Bledsonian Banner.

Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee, alongside former Governor Winfield Dunn and First Lady Betty Dunn held celebrations at Fall Creek Falls State Park for recently completed renovations to the Nature Center, named after First Lady Dunn, on Friday, May 3. Renovations include new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant pathways, a new ADA compliant overlook,…

Fall Creek Falls State Park will see a new visitor center soon, with work beginning on the $2.89 million project recently. “The visitor center would consolidate the business offices, rangers, and campground check-in into one facility,” said Eric Ward, Communications Director for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. For more, see the May 2…

UPDATE: Main Street Committee organizers say due to the chance of thunderstorms tomorrow First Saturday cruise-in and concert events have been cancelled. The Farmers Market time has changed—now being held from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Just before Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee State Parks head Brock Hill left their positions in state government, a groundbreaking for a new economic hub at Fall Creek Falls State Park was held. The groundbreaking for the new inn, restaurant and conference center, that was to cost $29 million at the time it closed last…

Brandon Colbaugh, 29, of Pikeville, has been pronounced brain dead after being hit by a vehicle on Thursday night, April 18, according to Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP). He was reportedly jogging along State Route 30 East when a vehicle hit him and left the scene. Colbaugh has been left on life support awaiting organ donation,…

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating the death of a man whose body was found on Sunday, April 21, at his home in Spring City, according to TBI spokesman Josh DeVine. John Thomas Williams, 45, had been reported missing on Thursday, DeVine said, and was found in his residence on Crawdad Lane on…

The City of Pikeville denies any violation of law in their answer to a lawsuit filed by Gregg Ridley and his wife, Becky, in December, and recently filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed in Bledsoe County Chancery Court, alleged violations of the Fifth Amendment, Tennessee Law, and the Open Meetings Act.…