Back in action: Daisy Duke still packs a punch
Have you ever tried to cuddle with an alligator? That’s what it’s like on the very rare occasions that Daisy Duke gets cuddly. Try petting her belly and she rolls around onto her back, thrashing her...
View ArticleLetters: Should Johnson City allow distilleries?
With Monday’s Question of the Week we asked if Johnson City should allow distilleries to operate within its boundaries. Here are some of the responses we received from our readers. Why stop businesses?...
View ArticleBallad's Swift: 'Mask wearing is simply a way that we can care for others'
Jamie Swift, Ballad Health’s corporate director of infection prevention, has heard the myths about mask-wearing, and wants people to know that wearing a mask is the safe, and considerate, thing to do....
View ArticleBefore they were legends: Rankin, Thompson met in Erwin
When Doug Cooper arrived at Gentry Stadium on Thanksgiving morning in 1985, he was already brimming with excitement and hope. Then he saw the football field, and his emotions increased. “Dew had laid...
View ArticleHigh test scores equal prosperity? The math isn't there
Before his death in 2009, Gerald Bracey was a voice of sanity in discussions about high stakes testing. As he once noted, there are many qualities standardized tests cannot assess, including...
View ArticleMilligan University team steps up during COVID-19 pandemic
The past four months have been some of the most challenging. We all have made many difficult decisions that change the way we go about day-to-day life. As Milligan made the decision in mid-March to...
View ArticleA toast to the graduates of Science Hill's High School's Class of 1911
On July 19, 2020, about 500 students graduated from the halls of Science Hill High School. This is in keeping with a tradition that dates back to the 1800s. In this “toast” from 1911, each member of...
View ArticleToday in Johnson City History: July 5
July 5, 1776: A bit of background for context: According to History of Johnson City and Its Environs, “In 1775 the people had formed a committee of safety, as Whigs or Patriots in the Revolution:...
View ArticleSquibb was a rare gift
Through it all, Don Squibb kept singing. The former longtime Washington County Circuit Court clerk was known as much for his considerable vocal talents — probably more so — as his government service....
View ArticleLeague of Women Voters pushes for voter registration
The League of Women Voters of Northeast Tennessee is reminding area residents that Tuesday is the deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 6. election. Joy Fulkerson, president of the local...
View ArticleETSU face shield production a regional effort
As the novel coronavirus pandemic bore down on the United States, Dale Claytore, Ballad Health’s chief supply chain officer, was worried he wouldn’t be able to secure the personal protective equipment...
View ArticleLocal group fights for historic preservation
Centuries ago, people lived and died by the sword. The stakes aren’t that high for the Scots-Irish Warrior Arts club, but members say learning about fighting techniques from a bygone era gives them a...
View ArticleBeulah Rozella Whitson
Born on Wednesday, March 31, 1943, Beulah Rozella Whitson went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, July 2, 2020. After having surgery to remove a brain mass on August 18th, 2019, which was later...
View ArticleBodie DeWayne Gwaltney
ELIZABETHTON - Bodie DeWayne Gwaltney, age 47, of Elizabethton, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2020, surrounded by his family, at the Johnson City Medical Center following a brief illness....
View ArticleAlexandra Michelle Ellis Goulds
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall...
View ArticleHedgecock lives up to high ranking with Volunteer victory
BULLS GAP — Cory Hedgecock was recently ranked one of the best Super Late Model drivers in the country by a top racing website. The 27-year-old Loudon driver showed what the hype was all about Saturday...
View ArticleDistrict 6: Van Huss warns against 'degeneration' of society
State Rep. Micah Van Huss, R-Jonesborough, was initially elected to the District 6 seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2012 after defeating three-term incumbent Dale Ford in the...
View ArticleDistrict 6: In primary challenge, Hicks pushes for 'fresh start'
Tim Hicks, CEO of custom home builder Hicks Construction in Gray, is challenging incumbent state House Rep. Micah Van Huss in this year’s Republican primary. About 18 years ago, Hicks struggled with a...
View Article10th straight day of 1,000-plus COVID-19 infections for Tennessee
Sunday marked 10 straight days of 1,000-plus daily COVID-19 case counts in Tennessee. According to the Tennessee Department of Health webpage (www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov), 1,291 new cases and 9...
View ArticleLonnie Harold Archer
KINGSPORT – Lonnie Harold Archer, 91, of Kingsport, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 3, 2020 at Holston Valley Medical Center. He was a lifelong resident of the Kingsport area. He was president...
View ArticleDave Delaney
FALL BRANCH - David W. “Dave” Delaney Sr., age 85, of Fall Branch, Tennessee went home to be with the Lord Thursday, July 2, 2020 at Life Care Center of Gray following a brief illness. Born in Newton,...
View ArticleLarry Dale Miller Sr.
JOHNSON CITY - Larry Dale Miller Sr., 63, of Johnson City, passed away, Saturday, July 4, 2020 at his residence, with his family by his side. Larry was a native of Johnson City and is a son of R.L....
View ArticleDistrict 6: Batt says healthcare is a top concern for voters
Brad Batt is a small business owner who founded an internet software company called BlueZebra Sports. He’s running as a Democrat for the District 6 seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives,...
View ArticleETSU Media and Communication Department first in nation to gain Digital...
East Tennessee State University, through its Department of Media and Communication, has become the first university in the United States to earn accreditation from the Digital Marketing Institute,...
View ArticleETSU announces Ethan S. Bain Environmental Health Foundation Scholarship
A new endowed scholarship in memory of East Tennessee State University alumnus Ethan S. Bain will assist students from the Bahamas and Caribbean who are interested in studying environmental health at...
View ArticleShould local leaders mandate masks?
Late last week, Gov. Bill Lee gave mayors in most of Tennessee’s counties the authority to require their residents to wear masks to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Several...
View ArticleVarmint Half provided insight on resuming road races safely
Summer road racing has been a pastime for the Tri-Cities for many years. One of the main events on the calendar is typically the Crazy 8s 8K in Kingsport, which was scheduled for July 11 on the streets...
View ArticleRecounting follies from the Reconstruction in Nashville
Growing up in North Carolina, I would sometimes hear a tall tale or two regarding the Civil War. I would later learn that more than a few of those stories had little foundation in actual history. Even...
View ArticleToday in Johnson City History: July 6
July 6, 1901: The Knoxville Sentinel carried news of plans for the Soldier’s home, now known as the Mountain Home VA Health Care Center. “Hon. W.P. Brownlow has received word that the plans have been...
View ArticleBurgeoning local startup seen as guide for other fledgling companies
One of Andy Clark’s latest projects started when he learned a co-worker was using lavender oil to temporarily relieve pain caused by his shingles. “He would put some lavender oil on the tip of his...
View ArticleETSU Social Work professor developing transitional living for at-risk young...
Inspired by her teaching, research and service in the Department of Social Work at East Tennessee State University, Dr. Donna Cherry is undertaking a project to help homeless young adults in Johnson...
View Article6 seek 3 Washington County school board seats
In the Aug. 6 election, Washington County voters will choose three Board of Education members in District 2, the west side of Johnson City, all of Jonesborough, Sulphur Springs, Fall Branch and the...
View ArticleBristol man struck, killed by train
A 70-year-old Bristol man was killed Saturday after being hit by a Norfolk Southern Railroad train near Weaver Pike and Vance Tank Road, according to the Bristol, Tenn. Police Department. Luther W....
View ArticleSpaghetti Western movie composer Ennio Morricone dead at 91
ROME (AP) — Ennio Morricone, the Oscar-winning Italian composer who created the coyote-howl theme for the iconic Spaghetti Western “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and often haunting soundtracks for...
View ArticleCountry rocker and fiddler Charlie Daniels dies at age 83
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music firebrand and fiddler Charlie Daniels, who had a hit with “Devil Went Down to Georgia,” has died at age 83. A statement from his publicist said the Country Music...
View ArticleDavid Wayne Ford
David Wayne Ford, 58, passed away May 16, 2020. He was preceded in death by his father, John Wayne Ford. David served in the United States Navy before retiring as a Chief Yeoman after 23 years. He...
View ArticleTennessee reports 724 new cases of COVID-19, 35 in NETN
Novel coronavirus in Tennessee by the numbers: — 724 new cases and 7 new deaths reported Tuesday. — 52,155 total cases since tracking began in March. 51,774 confirmed. 381 probable. — 653 total deaths....
View ArticleLonnie Harold Archer
KINGSPORT – Lonnie Harold Archer, 91, of Kingsport, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 3, 2020 at Holston Valley Medical Center. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 pm Tuesday, July 7,...
View ArticleDean Rambo
Dean Rambo, 81, of the Greenwood community of Washington County, stopped farming on Friday, July 3, 2020. Son of the late Leland and Verlin Decker Rambo. Dean grew up farming and playing ball. He was a...
View ArticleSandra Kay Tucker
GRAY - Sandra Kay Tucker, 72, Gray, TN, died on Sunday, July 5, 2020, at Johnson City Medical Center. Arrangements will be announced by Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport.
View ArticleWild West? TSSAA may turn teams loose to find football opponents
Hidden behind the scenes in the TSSAA’s late-start plan for football is a quandary that fits this currently chaotic world. If the Board of Control selects Option No. 1 or No. 2 during Wednesday’s...
View ArticleVideo of woman at Elizabethton rally making racist, homophobic remarks goes...
A video of a woman making racist and homophobic remarks Saturday during a protest in Elizabethton has gone viral with hundreds of thousands of views on various social media platforms. The...
View ArticleETSU union petitions to keep adjunct jobs
A recent East Tennessee State University petition is asking university leadership to “preserve instruction at ETSU” and commit to “no layoffs for adjunct faculty.” The July 1 petition, addressed to...
View ArticleDistrict 7: Hill says state has flourished under Republican leadership
State Rep. Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough, was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2004. Hill is a graduate of Northeast State Community College and East Tennessee State...
View ArticleDistrict 7: Alexander decries decline of rural communities, family farms
Rebecca Keefauver Alexander, who is challenging state Rep. Matthew Hill for the District 7 seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, comes from six generations of Washington County farmers. She...
View ArticleDining al fresco a delight at Vega's Fiesta
With our daily lives slowly returning to “the New Normal,” my dining partner and I have been patiently waiting and hoping for the return of dining-in at the “Vega’s Fiesta” Mexican restaurant in...
View ArticleCarter Landfill Committee votes to raise tipping fees
ELIZABETHTON — The price of garbage disposal at the Carter County Landfill should be going up in October. The Landfill Committee of the Carter County Commission voted 5 to 2 to raise the tipping fees...
View ArticleCarter County returns to electronic meetings as COVID-19 cases curve upward
ELIZABETHTON — With new authorizations from Gov. Bill Lee, the Carter County Commission is going back to holding remote electronic meetings in an effort to help prevent the spread of the novel...
View ArticleRhea to play in U.S. Amateur at Bandon Dunes
Say one thing for Jack Rhea. He knows how to pick golf courses. Rhea will be playing in his second U.S. Amateur next month and, like his first, it will be at an alluring venue. The U.S. Amateur will be...
View ArticleCongressional candidates take aim at socialism at GOP meeting
Bill Hagerty, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, joined other Republican congressional candidates speaking at a meeting of the Washington County Federated Republican Women on Monday in praising President...
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