Area News

Plans for upgrades and additional facilities at the softball field located between Bledsoe County Middle School and High School were discussed by the Board of Education at its first meeting of 2022 on January 10. Athletic Director Jason Reel and Facilities Supervisor Brian Turner passed along a few recommendations to the Board. Reel said in…

Where trains used to rumble and passengers flowed through Gate 11 at Chattanooga’s Terminal Station, now known as the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Pikeville native William (Bill) Lee, and wife Wanda, are sharing their talents through a distillery and bar at the historic spot. Lee, 70, worked as a chemical engineer which took him all over…

Pikeville native, Dr. Kailey Thomas Boynton is now seeing patients at the Eye Centers of Tennessee’s (ECOTN) new location on Main Street in Pikeville. “What truly makes Pikeville special to me are the people in the community,” Dr. Boynton said. “One of the things I’m most looking forward to Eye Centers opening this location in…

A team of Tech cybersecurity students has secured a wildcard slot allowing them to take part in the Global Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition International Finals in Rochester, New York, from January 6-9, 2022. This year’s team from Tech consists of Jesse Holland from Pikeville, alongside team captain Kaitlyn Carroll, Austin Brown, Austin Tice, Jacob Sweeten…

Nearly four years after the old inn and conference center at Fall Creek Falls State Park closed, a new $40.4 million, 85-room modern hotel, restaurant and conference space was opened on Tuesday, January 4. A grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting for the Lodge at Fall Creek Falls with Governor Bill Lee and other state…

Bledsoe County authorities responded to a home on Shut In Gap Road on December 30 as part of a theft investigation led by Detective Drake Brown. While on the scene, authorities discovered a 2001 Ford RV/Van reported stolen out of Cleveland in addition to an equipment trailer believed to have been stolen, according to a…

Bledsoe County Schools was recently awarded a $10,000 grant by the Tennessee Department of Education for middle school Career and Technical Education (CTE) start-up and expansion. Bledsoe County CTE Principal Steve Reel said the introduction of CTE into middle school will begin with robotics. Reel said the grant will allow the district to invest in…

After 48 years of banking and 40 as president, Phil Crawford is leaving a legacy of expansion and people-centered banking at First Farmers and Commercial Bank, formerly First National Bank. “You always gotta remember in this business, you’re dealing with other people’s money,” Crawford said. “There’s three things in your life you keep in your…

Pikeville shone bright for the 2021 holiday season, with lights and joy spread throughout town. The owners of 13 different homes in the city entered their Christmas ensembles in the The Bledsonian-Banner’s 41st annual Christmas Decorating Contest, making this year’s judging quite difficult. The winner of this year’s contest is Steve and Cynde Perry at…

The Christmas issue of The Bledsonian-Banner is now on stands. You can pick up your copy, complete with Letters to Santa from area children, at the Bledsonian office along with the following locations: Stephens Pharmacy Standefers DrugCenter Elite Market Piggly Wiggly Pikeville Tobacco Sunoco Exxon – Daily Stop Save A Lot