Hawkins commission will tackle numerous complex issues in coming years

Over the next couple of months, the Hawkins County Commission will be asked to make some serious decisions affecting county finances for many years.

Rob Con comic book convention set for return to MeadowView

KINGSPORT — The largest toy and gaming convention in the Tri-Cities is taking place this weekend at the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center.

Learning our local history on a Kentucky hillside

One of the themes of the American Battlefield Trust’s conference I recently attended in Kentucky was Daniel Boone and the American Revolution. We rolled out early on a Friday morning and after a brief stop along the Kentucky River we were soon walking in a light sprinkle of rain along the trail to Fort Boonesborough.

June meetin' at Willis Chapel has generated lots of precious memories

Precious memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul ... precious father, loving mother, fly across the lonely years ... and old home scenes of my childhood, in fond memory appears. — “Precious Memories” - Lyrics by J.B.F. Wright

Author's Corner: Kingsport native writes historical fiction novel

Kingsport native Patricia Ledford will soon release her debut novel, “Strings – The Story of Hope,” set in the mountains of East Tennessee and western North Carolina. She will return to the Model City this Sunday for a book launch and signing.

Doing away with the Electoral College is a bad idea

Our country is not a democracy. A true democracy is mob rule, and the founders of our nation saw how bad that could be firsthand.

New ‘Hunger Games’ book is long overdue

More than a decade after the release of the first novel, a new “Hunger Games” book is on the way. Scholastic shared the news on social media on Monday.

Marriotts and chariots: a two-day journey to make a 10-hour trip

I won’t stop saying Marriott the way I’ve always said it.

Ahoy, Dolly! Pirates, mermaids, sea lions and more

Dolly Parton’s latest dinner show brings swashbuckling and a siren’s song to Pigeon Forge. Mom and I go for it hook, line and sinker.

Kentucky trip passes site of first death in battle

Some things old, some things new last weekend

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Memorial Day weekend usually syncs up with Decoration Day and the family reunion for Mom’s people. It did this year. So we started cooking for a picnic, and dinner on the ground, last Thursday.

Kingsport native a good soldier in war, a hero in peace

Jonathan Waverly Bachman was born in 1837 at “Roseland,” his father’s home just outside of Kingsport. Today, Roseland can be seen at the Exchange Place historic site on Orebank Road, where it was moved from the Bachman’s original property, located on what is now Shipp Street off Wilcox Drive.

WATU and the young ladies who sank Hitler’s U-boats

The anniversary of D-Day is approaching. But there would have been no invasion of France if the Battle of the Atlantic had not been going in our favor. That was thanks to England’s Capt. Gilbert Roberts and a group of very smart young ladies who made up the Western Approaches Tactical Unit, or WATU.

Please don't forget the reasons for Decoration Day and Memorial Day

Decoration Day, around our region, has for generations referred to the day we place flowers on the graves of family and friends — usually at a specific cemetery and perhaps in conjunction with a church’s annual service to honor members who’ve passed. Memorial Day is a national holiday meant to honor veteran’s who died in service to our country.

Book review: 'Everything, Everything' puts life in perspective

It’s funny how one short, simplistic book can change your perspective on life. I’m referring to “Everything, Everything,” the 2015 debut novel by young adult author Nicola Yoon. The book is what I like to refer to as a fast-paced beach read, but unlike many others of its kind, this one speaks a powerful message.