Area News

Water line and water pressure issues facing the Fall Creek Falls Utility District has prompted its board of directors to not accept any new water customers. They met last week, agreeing to cease all new hookups until the department can find and repair all water leaks in current lines, reports Monica Blankenship, office manager. For…

The Tennessee Press Association (TPA) announced the 2025 Ideas Contest awards on Friday, October 17, during the TPA Revenue Summit in Chattanooga. The Bledsonian-Banner and The Dunlap Tribune, published by Valley Publishing Company, Inc. in Pikeville, received a total of 15 advertising awards during the ceremony. The 2025 Ideas Contest Best of Show was awarded…

The Bledsoe County Health Department of the Tennessee Department of Health is providing free flu shots, from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, October 21, at the Bledsoe County Health Department, 334 Frazier Street, Pikeville. The department is participating in the statewide 2025 Fight Flu prevention effort. For more see the October 16 issue of…

Erlanger Primary Care – Bledsoe welcomes Melissa Ashman-Brown, MD and pediatrician Kyle Maxwell, MD to its expanding team of providers. Dr. Ashman-Brown brings to the community a wide range of specialties in family medicine, including lifestyle medicine and women’s health. Dr. Maxwell is a pediatrician who offers a variety of pediatric specialties, from regular well-child…

Hendon and Newman arrested on drug-related charges Timothy Brett Hendon and Erica Newman were arrested after a search warrant was executed at an apartment in the Pikeville Townhouses’ complex on Thursday, October 9, according to Bledsoe County Sheriff Jimmy Morris. This was part of an ongoing investigation by his department. During the search, detectives recovered…

Agriculture in Bledsoe County is one of its main industries and to prepare students for futures in farming, the Bledsoe County School System has been awarded a $500,000 ThreeStar Grant, announced Governor Bill Lee. Bledsoe’s system received one of 34 grants totaling $9.6 million. The grant will be used at Bledsoe County High School to…

James Condra was re-elected and Billy Joe Brown was elected to serve three-year terms on the BTC Fiber board of directors. One of the highest membership attendances and voter turnout was recorded with 577 members present and 575 members voting. Condra faced no opposition for the 548B Class 3 post and received 279 complimentary votes.…

A search warrant at a Brockelll community residence in Bledsoe County was executed by the Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department Tuesday, September 30. Authorities found approximately 75 grams of methamphetamine; 75 grams of marijuana; oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone; assorted drug paraphernalia; cash and a vehicle. Arrested was Loretta Dockery. She is charged with: •Maintaining a dwelling…

Earlier this year, the Veterans of Foreign War VFW Post 5033 lost its charter, and efforts are currently underway to have it reinstated. On September 18, Veterans met at the Veterans Hall to elect officers to the reestablishing Post. The meeting included 12 Veterans along with 3rd District Commander Vicki Patterson, and VSO for Sequatchie…

Born and raised on Brockdell Mountain in Bledsoe County, Jeanette Austin grew up immersed in agriculture. Her parents, Otis and Daisy Prater, raised 11 children, nine girls and two boys on their family farm where dairy cows and other livestock were part of everyday life. That strong foundation in farming laid the groundwork for her…