City crews pave near the Renaissance Center in this file photo.

Editorial: Mayor working to fulfill paving promise

If newly sworn-in Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull has his plan come to fruition, some $5 million will be invested in city streets over just the next 12 months, making a significant difference in the city’s appearance and road conditions.

Jul 17, 2019 at 1:39 PM

Hawkins County Board of Education

Mom sees removal of 4th and 5th grades as 'nail in the coffin' for Keplar

“This is not to help the students. This is not for the performance of the students. This is not to improve their education or their environment. This is a financially motivated thing. It's the nail in the coffin for our school.” — Tammy Lyons

Jul 15, 2019 at 10:00 PM

Editorial: Jeff Fleming will be missed by many

Jeff Fleming, affectionately known as Mr. Kingsport, has ended a 35-year career with the city, the last five as city manager. But we have no doubt he’ll still be making waves for years to come because Fleming has always had a deep love for the city of his birth.

Jul 11, 2019 at 7:15 PM

Editorial: N.Y. bartender whining is not worth our time

The first thought? “This is a joke.” The second thought? “ Surely this is a joke.” But apparently the press release that flooded our email — an annoying number of times, we might add — early Monday morning from a group of disgruntled New York bartenders is to be taken seriously. At least that’s how they wish it to be taken.

Updated Jun 19, 2019 at 1:28 PM

Editorial: Can Kingsport claim a piece of the pie?

It’s been five years since the first stores opened at the region’s largest retail site, The Pinnacle at Bristol. Now, Johnson City is staking its claim to a potentially competing retail development. Where would that leave Kingsport?

Jun 13, 2019 at 12:45 PM

Editorial - Maybe Sullivan County wants to be sued over jail?

Commissioners, the overcrowded jail is not going way. Get your heads out of the sand and face this problem head on. Or give up your seats to people who have the intestinal fortitude to act.

May 31, 2019 at 11:00 AM

Editorial: What should our region be called?

We recently asked for letters to the editor with suggestions for a new name for this region, but now you can easily post your idea and reasons for it at a website, nameourregion.com, established through a regional rebranding effort.

May 21, 2019 at 12:02 PM

It’s time for Kingsport to develop its assets

With the Netherland Inn, Exchange Place and other historical assets, Kingsport could be the hub where visitors stay as they explore the rich history to be found in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. It would be a boon to the city and the region, potentially drawing in thousands of tourists.

May 2, 2019 at 1:37 PM

Editorial: A few hard facts about the Sullivan County Jail

There’s nothing like a hard dose of reality for county commissioners who may be complacent about county jail overcrowding. Sullivan County commissioners got it in spades recently from Dr. Martha Parker, who has worked under contract at the Sullivan County Jail for three years.

Apr 24, 2019 at 1:04 PM

Should Interstate 26 have six lanes?

If you’re an Interstate 26 daily commuter who especially dreads the Friday rush hour trip between Johnson City and Kingsport, now’s the time to speak your piece. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is engaged in the first study of I-26 since it became an interstate.

Apr 23, 2019 at 3:00 PM

Editorial: So what should we call ourselves?

The name given to a region — place branding — is what drives initial interest in attracting visitors, residents and businesses. Think The Big Easy for New Orleans or the Outer Banks of North Carolina. But what if you’re from Scott or Wise County in Virginia, or Sullivan and Hawkins County in Tennessee? Where do you say you’re from?

Apr 16, 2019 at 3:35 PM

Editorial: It’s no surprise — Sullivan County needs a new jail

The county has known for years that it was facing two major projects: new schools and a new jail. School expansion and renovation needs have been addressed with a $140 million project now underway. Next up is the jail.

Apr 10, 2019 at 2:30 PM

Editorial: Enough grandstanding over West Ridge

All they had to do was ask for a financial update. But Sullivan County Commissioners Hershel Glover, Dwight King and Joyce Crosswhite tied it to an empty threat to halt construction of West Ridge High School, needlessly stirring waters that had finally calmed after contracts for the new high school had at last been signed.

Apr 8, 2019 at 6:00 PM

Editorial: Should Tennessee firefighters be armed?

Sponsors say the bill would allow firefighters and EMS personnel to protect themselves when they respond to emergencies in rural areas where law enforcement response times are slower due to the distance required to arrive at a scene.

Apr 2, 2019 at 5:45 PM

In this file photo, Ketron Elementary School secretary Gail Bedford demonstrates the system.

Editorial: Every school should have a ‘Raptor’

Where previous visitors had only to sign in, the new system requires formal identification such as a driver’s license, which is scanned. The system then checks local and remote databases before issuing a printed visitor pass containing the visitor’s photo and location within the school that’s being visited.

Mar 28, 2019 at 12:46 PM

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