Roe: 'Literally the shutdown to me makes no sense at all'

U.S. Rep. Phil Roe called the partial government shutdown on Thursday a political game that needs to stop and could be solved in five minutes. Roe also disclosed he has signed a letter refusing his Congressional paycheck as long as the shutdown goes on.

Yesterday at 5:30 PM

Hawkins County Mayor Jim Lee told county commissioners Wednesday he didn't see how he can justify renewing the county's $175,000 contract with Hawkins County Central Dispatch.

Hawkins County Public Safety Committee

Hawkins mayor questions if county should continue funding Central Dispatch

Hawkins County Mayor Jim Lee told county commissioners Wednesday he didn't see how he can justify renewing the county's $175,000 contract with Central Dispatch. But, there are far reaching consequences of not renewing that mutual aid contract.

Yesterday at 10:58 AM

lottery

Tennessee Lottery marks 15 years of supporting education

Since the first awards were given in the fall of 2004, Tennessee Lottery-funded programs have grown to include not only HOPE Scholarships, Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, but multiple scholarships and grants, after-school programs, and an energy-efficient schools program.

Yesterday at 9:15 AM

Evelyn Rafalowski

Sullivan superintendent announces retirement after four-plus decades with system

“I don’t know that I ever thought it (being director of schools) would last more than four years,” Rafalowski said.

Jan 16, 2019 at 8:00 PM

Citing promises made and kept, Wise sheriff says he will not run again

Ronnie Oakes’ career spans 26 years as a Virginia State Police trooper, starting in 1969. He retired as a master trooper in 1995, a retirement that lasted just long enough to be elected Wise County sheriff to begin his first term in office in 1996. With subsequent re-elections, he has become the longest serving sheriff in Wise County history.

Jan 16, 2019 at 2:45 PM

Left to right, Nashville attorney Chuck Cagle and Sullivan County school board attorney Pat Hull before they met with the school board in an executive session Tuesday. A potential lawsuit over $1 million for a sewer line for the new Sullivan East High School was the topic.

Sullivan County schools

Sullivan board approves $740K more for rock blasting at West Ridge

The seven-member Board of Education also went into an hour and 45 minute executive session with board attorney Pat Hull and Nashville attorney Chuck Cagle to discuss a potential lawsuit against the County Commission for not allowing the board to spend $1 million in restricted reserves on a sewer line project for Sullivan East Middle School.

Jan 16, 2019 at 1:52 PM

Bonnie Macdonald stands by one of her favorite carousel animals Tuesday afternoon at a retirement party held for her by the city. The horse - Black Beauty - was sponsored by the late Eudora Anderson and carved by Wynn and Joe Herbert.

Cultural Arts

Work of arts: Bonnie Macdonald retiring after 14 years of bringing the arts into Kingsport

Bonnie Macdonald has spearheaded the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts, where she and her colleagues have worked to invigorate and connect the local creative community, bringing art more into the public sphere throughout the Model City.

Jan 16, 2019 at 11:17 AM

Civics 101

Civics 101: What's a filibuster and how can one be broken?

Many Americans might be familiar with the filibuster conducted by Jimmy Stewart, playing Sen. Jefferson Smith in Frank Capra’s classic film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” but there have been some famous filibusters in the real-life Senate as well.

Jan 14, 2019 at 2:21 PM

Calvin Sneed pulls the protective sheeting off of the street sign.

Kingsport to honor MLK with new street designation

Lincoln Street, from Wilcox Drive to John B. Dennis Bypass, will soon be designated the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Parkway. “It’s the appropriate way to recognize someone who made such a difference in the lives of not just African-Americans, but everybody in America and particularly Kingsport,” said City Manager Jeff Fleming.

Jan 14, 2019 at 11:27 AM

Finance

Kingsport's audit receives 'highest opinion'

For the 19th year, Kingsport’s finances received a clean opinion – the highest opinion offered – and for the 18th straight year the city received a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting.

Jan 13, 2019 at 3:00 PM

Kingsport

Clark not seeking third term as Kingsport's mayor

Mayor John Clark, who has served on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen since 2012, including two terms as the city’s mayor, will not be running for re-election in the upcoming May election.

Jan 13, 2019 at 2:00 PM

Dr. Jeff McCord, shown here inside the lobby of the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing, says one of his opportunities will be to work on close to a half million Tennesseans who don't have a high school diploma.

Tennessee government

Meet the new 'Dr. Commissioner'

Jeff McCord, Governor-elect Bill Lee’s pick to be the next commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, suggested Lee was “purposeful” about going outside the Nashville bubble of leaders to fill his Cabinet.

Jan 13, 2019 at 10:30 AM

2019 Regional Legislative Breakfast

New year, new governor, new lawmakers

That was the main message from a 2019 Regional Legislative Breakfast held Friday morning at the MeadowView Marriott and hosted by Tri-Cities chambers of commerce and the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Jan 12, 2019 at 7:30 AM

We mostly agree with Kingsport’s legislative requests

Because the cities are the engines of economic development, without which the state and its regions would stagnate, we generally look with favor upon the requests of Tri-Cities municipalities, but not entirely, this year at least.

Jan 11, 2019 at 8:00 PM

Rogersville water superintendent Bill Pearson, far left, explained to the BMA Tuesday that the water department's billing company got this month's bills out about a week late.

Rogersville Water Department

Tardy Rogersville water bills result in late fee deadline extension

"It has happened before, and we've extended the late fee deadline that time. We more or less set a precedent that we're going to have to extend the late fee (deadline)." — Alderman Mark DeWitte

Jan 11, 2019 at 9:30 AM