Area News

The shelves and tables are stocked at the Bledsoe County Rescue Squad with fireworks sure to make your Fourth of July celebration a blast. They have sparklers, snap-pops, firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, and multiple big bang fi reworks to fill the nighttime sky. For more see the June 27 issue of The Bledsonian Banner.

Students are being encouraged to hone their reading skills over the summer months in lots of different ways, in addition to creating new readers. The Bledsoe County Public Library offers a summer reading program where children keep a tally of the number of books they read or have read to them now through July 18.…

Sara Alice Agee Goins, formerly of Bledsoe County, is looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday.  A Bledsoe County High School Alumnae who was valedictorian, local historian, former Sequatchie County Clerk and Master leads an active life. Goins has visited every state and multiple countries, but says the Sequatchie Valley will always hold a special…

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is inviting cyclists to experience Tennessee on 52 new curated road cycling routes that wind their way through the state’s picturesque landscapes. The new program, Bike Tennessee, launched today at BikeTN.com and allows cyclists to engage with the routes using the app Ride with GPS. For more see…

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn joined local officials in a tour of the Erlanger Bledsoe medical facility in Pikeville on May 31. “Senator Blackburn has been a great proponent for rural healthcare,” said Stephanie Boynton, Market President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Outreach for Erlanger. “We appreciate all she does for us.” For more see…

Owing nearly $700,000 in back property taxes, Whoriskey Inc. has been ordered to pay or the property can be sold for what is owed the City of Pikeville and Bledsoe County in taxes, plus Court fees and interest. As of May 31, 2024, Whoriskey, Inc. owes a total of $686,129.68 to the government entities in…

Bledsoe County High School’s Class of 2024 reached academic goals, amassing over $1.6 million in scholarships and grants to assist them as they pursue their dreams. Class Night, held Thursday, May 16, was a time to pay tribute to the graduating class. Graduation was held Friday evening, May 17, in the gymnasium due to the…

Watson charged with rape of inmate Special agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) have arrested and charged former deputy, Christopher Peyton Watson, of the Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department in connection to the sexual assault of an inmate in his custody. The alleged incident occurred during transport of an inmate on October 30, 2023,…

The 12th Judicial District has been made aware of an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office concerning the Luminary-Frostbite Volunteer Fire Department. The time period in question is from August 1, 2020 through November 31, 2022. During the review period, Bledsoe County used funds from the Governor’s Local Government Grant and a Community Development Block…

Bledsoe County High School senior Cyla Swafford with her speed, ability to be a power slapper, excellent base runner, and arm from the outfield have led her to sign with Roane State’s softball program. She started her love for softball at an early age but it grew when she started playing fast pitch. Cyla became…