alert Times News Blog: Latest on local impact of COVID-19

Robert Kell Sullivan South’s Brody Ratliff (8) and Sullivan East’s Mason Hayworth (6) battle for the ball during their October 2019 game in Kingsport. Under the TSSAA Board of Control’s Option 2 for football season scheduling, teams might need to seek non-region games amongst their region opponents. For example, Sullivan South and Sullivan East could play twice in 2020, with only the TSSAA-designated region game counting for playoff seeding purposes.

TSSAA may turn teams loose to find football opponents

Reference Librarian Karen Castle stands behind a kiosk in the lobby of the Kingsport Public Library Monday afternoon, ready to answer any questions about the library and its policies regarding COVID-19. After being closed to the public the last four months, the library reopened on Monday, allowing folks to come through the doors and check out its latest books. The hours of operation will be limited to Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. to allow for the sanitizing of the public spaces. In addition, the number of patrons in the building will be reduced to allow for appropriate social distancing.

No mask mandates locally, yet

Dobyns-Bennett Alumni Hall of Fame inductees announced

Any county that is below the ratio of 10 new cases per 100,000 of population over a 14 day period — such as Hawkins County, is in the “Green zone”. Schools within green zone counties can open as usual, although social distancing and health precautions are recommended.

Hawkins schools opening Aug. 4 if new COVID-19 cases don't surpass threshold

Kingsport City Schools students studied and learned from home from mid-March through the end of the 2019-20 school year in May.

What went well, what did not during virtual learning in Kingsport?

Alexis Carson led the Southwest Virginia Community College volleyball team to a 7-4 finish in its first season of competition. The Flying Eagles had a 4-3 mark in Region 10 play and a third-place finish in the six-team region.

SW Virginia CC nixes fall sports because of virus

Of One Accord ministry director Sheldon Livesay told the Times News earlier this week that mechanical failures on both Lunch Box program school buses had but a financial strain on the program which is already operating on a shoestring budget. The program is feeding about 300 children per day this summer.

Lunch Box bus breakdowns deplete funds for ministry's child feeding program

Updated: This year's Bristol Rhythm & Roots has been canceled

If your church, business or organization has community announcements related to COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, please email us at news@timesnews.net.

Times News Blog: Latest on local impact of COVID-19

Gas Prices

Gasoline demand dips due to increase in COVID-19 cases

Tennessee average of $1.94 is about a penny less than a week ago, AAA reported. The national gas price average increased just 1 cent to $2.18 on the week, despite a dip in U.S. demand for gasoline and gasoline stocks increasing by 1 million barrels.

Today at 3:00 PM

Danny Good

TSSAA may turn teams loose to find football opponents

If the TSSAA Board of Control selects football season Option No. 1 or No. 2 on Wednesday, it could produce a Wild West scenario of teams scrambling to secure non-region games that benefit their programs financially.

Today at 1:30 PM

Face masks

No mask mandates locally, yet

Last week, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee made it possible for county mayors across the state to decide whether face masks will be mandated for use in each particular county.

Today at 12:00 PM

The Times News has teamed up with area clergy to share "Words of Comfort" daily on the front page of our print edition and here online at TimesNews.Net. Any member of the clergy who'd like to get involved can contact Carmen Musick at cmusick@timesnews.net.

Kingsport

God is our refuge and strength

As we head through stormy and rough seas in life, we can draw strength from God, which will help us to survive the moment as well as build confidence to face the next troubling time.

Today at 11:00 AM

cycling

Upcoming Events as of July 6

To submit an event, email [email protected], fax listing information to (423) 392-1385 or contact the Sports Department after 6 p.m. at (423) 392-1323 or 1-800-251-0328, ext. 4323.

Today at 10:00 AM

Dobyns-Bennett Alumni Association

Dobyns-Bennett Alumni Hall of Fame inductees announced

Six Dobyns-Bennett High School graduates will be added to the Hall of Fame in a ceremony Oct. 17, including a former football coach, former city manager and former Eastman Chemical Company official.

Today at 9:00 AM

Hawkins County schools

Hawkins schools opening Aug. 4 if new COVID-19 cases don't surpass threshold

Any county that is below the ratio of 10 new cases per 100,000 of population over a 14-day period, such as Hawkins County, is in the “Green zone.” Schools within green zone counties can open as usual, although social distancing and health precautions are recommended.

Today at 8:00 AM

Opinion

Editorial: New laws in effect in Tennessee and Virginia

A new law that took effect July 1 allows children to operate lemonade stands in Tennessee. In Virginia, a new law limits the fine for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana to $25. Those are just two of a handful of new laws you should know about.

Jul 6, 2020 at 10:30 PM

KETRON, JUSTIN LUKE Charges: DOMESTIC ASSAULT

WOLFE, JOSHUA LEE Charges: Driving Under The Influence Resisting Stop- Arrest Schedule I-VII Drug Violations VIOLATION IMPLIED CONSENT

BREHM, JACOB DANIEL Charges: Burglary DOMESTIC ASSAULT

LOVELL, ZACHARY STEVEN Charges: Possession Of A Handgun While Under The Influence Reckless Endangerment Serious Injury or Use of a Deadly Weap

Arrested

Arrested: Sullivan County mugshots (July 2-5)

Individuals booked into the Sullivan County Jail from July 2 through July 5. All persons shown are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Jul 6, 2020 at 10:15 PM

ETSU’s’ Jack Rhea made the U.S. Am thanks his spot on the World Amateur Golf Rankings list.

USGA

Rhea to play in U.S. Amateur at Bandon Dunes

Say one thing for rising ETSU senior Jack Rhea: He knows how to pick golf courses.

Jul 6, 2020 at 9:45 PM

KIDS COUNT 2020

KIDS COUNT: Tennessee education gains offset by losses in other areas

Tennessee ranks 39th nationwide in the annual Data Book released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, while neighboring Virginia ranked 14th.

Jul 6, 2020 at 9:00 PM

Hawkins County Sheriff's Office

Hawkins Police Blotter: Man allegedly attacked deputy twice with broken glass

A Hawkins County man who allegedly attacked a sheriff's deputy twice with broken glass early Sunday morning is facing charges including aggravated assault, assault on an officer and resisting arrest.

Jul 6, 2020 at 7:30 PM

Kingsport City Schools

What went well, what did not during virtual learning in Kingsport?

Kingsport City Schools is using survey feedback to determine a path forward.

Jul 6, 2020 at 6:00 PM

Mountain Region Speech and Hearing Center's Dancing, Dining & Ducks event has been transformed into a virtual duck race of sorts, with ducks available for purchase online through mid-day July 22. The winning ducks will be drawn on Facebook Live on the evening of July 22.

Sunday Stories

Time to get your ducks in a row

The big day is Wednesday, July 22, and community members have until noon that day to visit the website at www.kingsportducks.org to sponsor their ducks. The drawing will be a Facebook Live event.

Jul 6, 2020 at 5:00 PM