Area News

Children who are victims of abuse in Bledsoe and Rhea Counties now have a centralized, safe, welcoming environment for authorities to handle a child’s case and interview them about alleged abuse. Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) provide a safe, child-friendly environment where law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, medical and mental health professionals can share information…

Exterior work and building construction at the site of the new Fall Creek Falls State Park Inn is nearing completion, with work on interior aspects ramping up, according to David Roberson, Tennessee Department of General Services Communications Director. For more see the April 22 issue of The Bledsonian Banner.

The Bledsoe County Commission voted Monday night, April 19, to appoint Gregory Heath Hudson as District 3, Part A commissioner to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former Commissioner Brent Griffith. Commissioners Matt Colvard, Robert Reece, Tanya Roberson, Ronald Swafford, Roger Simmons, Perry Swafford, Junior Hankins, Rooster Worthington, Johnny Mack Swafford, Ruth Burton…

Bledsoe County’s 35-bed, six bassinet County General Hospital, was opened for business on April 15, 1971. Now, in 2021, the facility celebrates 50 years of medical service as Erlanger Bledsoe. An article in The Bledsonian-Banner at the time called it “modern in every way” and a project that had been in the “pipe dream” stage…

A man who evaded law enforcement in a pursuit along U.S. Highway 127 in a stolen vehicle last August 31 was arrested in Sequatchie County and transferred to Bledsoe County according to Detective George Hodge with the Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department. Jesse Allen Johnson, 34, of Whitwell, was injured in the pursuit where he damaged…

Bledsoe County will benefit from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan of 2021 in the amount of approximately $2,947,632. Proposals for spending the funds are expected to be presented at the County Commission’s April 19 meeting. For more see the April 15 issue of The Bledsonian Banner.

Aviagen North America has hired Kasey Wilson as manager of the feed mill under construction off the U.S. 127 bypass in Pikeville. He will be responsible for overseeing the production, quality, cost and safety of the facility. For more see the April 8 issue of The Bledsonian Banner.

The Pikeville Farmers Market opened for the season on Saturday, April 3, with a large crowd and a full pavilion of vendors. The turnout was so great that a few vendors even sold out of their products, according to Market Manager Kaitlyn Case-Bruning. For more see the April 8 issue of The Bledsonian Banner.

Those 18 and older seeking to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Bledsoe County can now get their first dose without making an appointment, according to Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) Southeast Regional Director Glenn Czarnecki.  Czarnecki said anyone 18 and older can show up at the Bledsoe County Fairgrounds on Allen P. Deakins Road beginning…

On Tuesday afternoon, March 30, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) reduced a section of SR-30 East of Pikeville to one lane that will be controlled by a temporary traffic signal system, according to TDOT Region 2 Spokeswoman Jennifer Flynn. She said the road has shown signs of settlement past Wesley Chapel Road after recent…