Area News

It’s time to start planning your entries for the 25th annual Christmas Parade being held Saturday, November 27, beginning promptly at 5:00 p.m. This year’s theme is Silver Bells in honor of the Bledsoe County High School marching band and its performances of the song for many years under the direction of the late Bill…

Bledsoe County High School cheerleader Layla Sills will be packing her uniform and pom poms to cheer at Bryan College next year. Sills committed to cheering at Bryan recently alongside her parents and Bryan Coach Jan Perron. For more see the November 4 issue of The Bledsonian Banner.

A Minnesota company which manufactures skid steer attachments, Virnig Manufacturing, will establish a new 62,000-square-foot facility in Bledsoe County, company and state officials announced Monday, November 1. The family-owned company will invest $11.6 million as it expands its Midwest operations to Tennessee, creating around 74 new jobs in Bledsoe County. The facility is taking over…

Halloween is here and although this year’s festivities are on the calendar for Sunday, October 31, several local events will be held on Saturday, October 30. Pikeville Mayor Philip Cagle said officials would prefer people trick-or-treat on Saturday. One good reason for trick-or-treating on Saturday is not having kids all loaded up on candy on…

After posting notice of condemnation on a Birchwood Street property in July, the City of Pikeville is moving forward with enforcing old regulations on the books regarding properties deemed unfit for human habitation. The enforcement coincides with recent efforts to institute city zoning regulations. For more see the October 28 issue of The Bledsonian Banner.

The new Lodge at Fall Creek Falls, the replacement to the former Inn at Fall Creek Falls State Park, is entering the staffing phase as the construction is officially completed, according to Department of General Services Communications Director David Roberson. An opening date for the lodge has not been determined yet, according to Tennessee Department…

A new company is eyeing a piece of property in Pikeville near the U.S. 127 bypass and Cumberland Avenue, officials discussed at the City of Pikeville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen regular meeting on Tuesday, October 12. Realtor George Hamilton spoke to the city council regarding his client Gregg and Becky Ridley’s property on Railroad…

The Bledsonian-Banner recently was recognized with three awards in the Tennessee Press Association’s Advertising and Design Contest. Presentations were made during a virtual ceremony with the Bledsonian design team receiving a second place and two third place awards. The second place award came in the Best Special Section category for non-daily under 5,000 paid circulation…

Cecil B. Rigsby Elementary School will be led by Diane Hannah beginning November 1 after the retirement of current principal Chris Cagle, effective October 31. Hannah has worked in the system over the past 30 years as a teacher, instructional coach and assistant principal. She is currently assistant principal at Bledsoe County High School. For…

A Pikeville woman was charged with aggravated assault after pointing a handgun at Bledsoe County Sheriff Jimmy Morris last Tuesday, October 5. Sheriff Morris was on patrol on Water Tank Hill Road when he came to a stop and Michele Lee Crandall, 52, approached his vehicle, according to the arrest report by Deputy Matt Brock.…