Area News
Van Buren County man sentenced for farm equipment theft
The Agricultural Crime Unit (ACU) has recovered $60,000 in stolen farm equipment in Madison County, and the defendant has been sentenced to eight years. ACU Special Agent Cheshier Crihfield charged Darrell L. Hillis of Van Buren County, leading to his arrest in August 2025. Hillis pleaded guilty to theft of property valued between $60,000 –…
Read MoreOral rabies baits to be dropped
The USDA will be dropping hundreds of thousands of oral rabies vaccine baits across East Tennessee and North Georgia for the next couple of weeks. These are intended to slow the spread of rabies amongst wildlife, such as raccoons, coyotes, skunks, foxes, etc and are safe to be consumed by wildlife animals. Approximately 1.7 million…
Read MorePrimary to decide two major offices
Early voting has started, and with this May primary election two major offices will be determined in the primary. There are three Republicans seeking the offices of mayor and of county clerk, with no Democrats or Independent candidates seeking either office. Republicans Leland Burks, Kris Frady and Amanda Holland Pack are vying to become Bledsoe…
Read MoreGovernor appropriates funding for BluewaysTN
Governor Bill Lee has appropriated over $2 million for the BluewaysTN project that involves 15 rivers including the Sequatchie River, making it more accessible for kayaking, canoing, fishing and enjoying the waterways. “Tennessee’s outdoor heritage extends to our rivers, lakes, and streams. We are creating a blueway trail network to improve access to state waterways,…
Read MoreCustomers asked to complete Pikeville Natural Gas survey
Pikeville Natural Gas (PNG) is encouraging all customers to complete the Natural Gas Survey being sent out in an automated all-call beginning on April 20. Please be aware the survey may continue to be sent out after that date. The survey concerns natural gas safety and it will consist of roughly four to five questions,…
Read MoreLongtime county servant passes
Junior Lee Hankins, who served Bledsoe County for 44 years as a county commissioner, passed away Sunday, April 5. He served the residents of District 5 all those years and was completing his final term in August. Hankins not only made history as the longest-serving county commissioner in Bledsoe County, but he was among the…
Read MorePikeville welcomes tourism group to town
When tourists stop at Tennessee Welcome Centers, those staffing the centers will be able to share their first-hand experiences by visiting all areas of the state. Last week, a group of 25 representing all 16 Tennessee Welcome Centers visited Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea, and Polk counties. Dani Crear, Welcome Center coordinator with the Tennessee Department of…
Read MoreBryant case to be heard in Rhea Co.
A Dunlap man charged with making Threats of Mass Violence on School Property was scheduled to appear in Bledsoe County General Sessions Court on Monday, April 6. However, the case against Cole Bryant was moved to be heard in Rhea County General Sessions Court on Tuesday, April 28. According to the District Attorney’s office, due…
Read MoreEaster Hop-N-Shop Farmers Market
Hop on into the Pikeville Farmers Market on Saturday, April 4, for the Easter Hop-N-Shop popup market. Come check out the Easter goodies from decorations to homebaked items. Vendors will be set up from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The official Spring Opening of the Pikeville Farmers Market is set for Saturday, April 11 beginning at 10:00 a.m.…
Read MoreStudents saw need, put STEM into action
It all started with the school food drive and wanting to keep their community healthy. Students at Cecil B. Rigsby Elementary decided to take action proposing a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) project to help them achieve a goal to help their community. They brainstormed about the needs of the community and what they could…
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