News Staff (CHURCH HILL) – Attorney General, Dan Armstrong tells reporters he will not prosecute Church Hill mayor, Dennis Deal…based on allegations that Deal threatened to shoot city employees during a staff meeting last month. Two of five city employees who participated in that May 25 meeting made statements to the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office…claiming Deal became … Read more
(TRI CITIES) – A Washington County judge dismisses a Cootie Brown’s Inc. lawsuit…against two women, who last year, accused the restaurant on social media of not adhering to COVID-19 precautions during the pandemic. Washington County Circuit Court Judge, Jean Stanley issued the ruling with prejudice, which means the issue is dead. The company sued Abigail … Read more
A Russell County woman is sentenced to nine years in prison. Leelynn Chytka will also pay $455 thousand dollars in restitution…for conspiring with others to defraud the government of 500 thousand dollars…mail fraud…identify theft and for distributing drugs into a prison facility. Chytka waived her right to be indicted in March…and pled guilty to the … Read more
Seven men are charged in an Erwin human trafficking operation…accused of seeking sex from minors. The TBI says the busts culminate a two-day undercover operation. Multiple agencies, including special agents with the TBI Human Trafficking Unit…Erwin Police…the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office…Washington County deputies and more took part in the case. Officials tell reporters…part of the … Read more
A Kingsport man is arrested after a high-speed chase. Officials tell reporters Robert Smith almost hit a deputy, head-on during the pursuit. The Hawkins County deputy is in his cruiser on Big Elm Drive…that’s when Smith narrowly misses him. The cop…hits the lights and siren and does a 180…the chase is on. Several times, Smith … Read more
In Abingdon… Jeffrey Curtis is charged…after a woman is found…bound with duct tape inside an Lee Highway apartment. Washington County deputies respond… a neighbor tell officers…about sounds coming from an apartment…he believes a woman is in danger. The cops…kick the door in…and find Curtis…with the victim…tied up, on the floor. Curtis is held without bond … Read more
History is being relived June 12 and 13 at Rocky Mount State Historic Site during the “Timeline and Heritage Festival.”The festival will feature re-enactments and displays relating to the region that draw all the way from the Revolutionary War up until today.Organizers of the Rocky Mount Timeline and Heritage Festival say visitors will enjoy military … Read more
After making hern first court appearance this week, a woman charged with murder in Sullivan County is out of jail on bond.Misty Magic James bonded out of the Sullivan County Jail.James was charged with murder and aggravated burglary after investigators say she admitted on a recording to shooting 60-year-old Trina Jones.Court documents also say James … Read more
Making improvements is what it’s all about for Ballad Health unveiling a new partnership Thursday with the STRONG Accountable Care Community.According to a media release from Ballad Health, the “partnership and coordinated care network” .‘The release states the partnership aims to “enhance community members’ health and well-being – even outside of hospital walls.”“Within Ballad Health, … Read more
The restrooms at Powell Square Park in the Tree Streets of Johnson City will be closed temporarily after a small fire occurred Thursday morning.According to a spokesperson from the City of Johnson City, the fire appears to have started in a wall of the pavilion bathrooms after a fan overheated.The fire was quickly extinguished, and … Read more