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Richard Blevins

EARL NEIKIRK

Northeast State Director of Aviation Richard Blevins gives Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Federal Co-Chair Gayle Conelly Manchin a tour of the new Northeast State Aviation Technology Center on Thursday.

David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier

Robert Sorrell

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. — Richard Blevins, director of the Aviation Technology Program at Northeast State Community College and a longtime local pilot, has been awarded the 2025 International Award of Merit from the Ninety-Nines, Inc., an international organization of women pilots.

A local ceremony honoring Blevins is scheduled for Aug. 30 at the Northeast State Aviation Center at Tri-Cities Airport, according to a news release. The event will run from 10 a.m. to noon and will feature a history

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