News Staff Rachel Wells was appointed a public defender and pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.Her next court day is Oct. 7. Her bond remains at $1 million.Wells, 31, of Kingsport was arrested Wednesday at the scene of a shooting on Gaines Street in the Orebank community.Wells has been charged with first-degree murder, according to the release.SCSO … Read more
Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger who represents Kingsport has announced that she has teamed up with the United States Vietnam War Commemoration to honor Vietnam-era veterans and their families in Tennessee’s 1st District.“There are over 150,000 Vietnam-era veterans in Tennessee, and I want to honor those who call our 1st Congressional District home,” Harshbarger said.The Vietnam War … Read more
Julie Beale, the former finance director for a nonprofit that provides support to homeless citizens in Northeast Tennessee is facing a multi-count indictment after investigators discovered she stole at least $119,582.Tennessee Comptroller investigators along with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that Julie Beale, the former finance director for the Appalachian Regional … Read more
According to a press releasee, a Kingsport veterinary hospital has agreed to pay $70,000 in civil penalties after allegations that the hospital violated the Controlled Substances Act, according to the Department of Justice.A release from the DOJ states the Andes-Straley Veterinary Hospital and its owner, Gary C. Andes, agreed to pay the civil penalties in … Read more
Coming with much experience, Matt Austin is the new City of Bristol, Tennessee chief of police.According to a release from the city, Matt Austin was named the chief of the Bristol Tennessee Police Department.The release states Austin joined BTPD as an officer in 1991 and has served in multiple capacities. The release states Austin has … Read more
Two Tazewell County, Virginia parents are behind bars after their baby died of an apparent drug overdose.According to court documents, Kayla and Evan Stanford brought their 4-month-old son to the hospital in April who was later pronounced dead.A medical examiner found suboxone and methadone in the child’s system.
Tim Pharis was officially welcomed to the Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park manager position by Tennessee State Park personnel and park namesake former Sen. Lamar Alexander.Rocky Fork State Park was officially designated as a state park in 2012 and was opened in 2015. It became the Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park in 2019, … Read more
A veteran state legislator is urging Tennessee residents take advantage of the state’s new and traditional sales tax holidays.State Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, issued a statement on Wednesday reminding Tennesseans that the first state sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 30. The 16th annual tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and … Read more
There’s more to know about a now-deceased Roan Mountain man. Carter County Sheriff Dexter Lunceford has released a statement regarding the search and investigation of Thomas Hastings. According to Lunceford, authorities received a call on July 3 about the disappearance of Thomas Hastings from his home on Laurel Highlands Road in Carter County. According to … Read more
Ballad Heatlh the region’s largest hospital system is instituting a requirement for employees to wear color-coded badges indicating whether they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19.Ballad Health announced the policy change on July 6. Hospital officials of the Johnson City Health Center say It’s called the “badge buddies” program. Employees who’ve been vaccinated will have the color … Read more