KINGSPORT – The Kingsport Police Department is hosting a Community Forum to discuss the alarming problem of synthetic drugs, more commonly referred to as synthetic marijuana and bath salts.‚  The agenda for this event will include a presentation covering what exactly synthetic drugs are, the problem with synthetic drugs in Kingsport, laws and ordinances concerning synthetic drugs, special guest speakers, a question and answer session with a panel of experts, and a synthetic drug display.‚  Please help us get the word out to everyone in the community. Only by working together can we overcome this epidemic of synthetic drugs.‚  The attached document is a full-color printable flyer advertising the event.‚  This event will also be advertised on Charter Government Access Channel 16 and the Kingsport Police Departments website and FaceBook page.‚  For additional information, contact the Kingsport Police Departments Community Relations and Crime Prevention Unit at 423-229-9433 or ThomasMPatton@KingsportTN.gov. Thank you.

Date: Monday Evening, December 5, 2011

Time: 6:00pm‚¬â€8:00pm

Location: Kingsport Center for Higher Education

In the Auditorium (Room 137)

300 West Market Street, Kingsport, TN

(Directly behind the Justice Center)

What are Synthetic Drugs?

The Problem with Synthetic Drugs in Kingsport

Laws and Ordinances Concerning Synthetic Drugs

Special Guest Speakers

Question and Answer Session with Panel of Experts

Synthetic Drug Display

For additional information, contact the Kingsport Police Departments Community Relations and Crime Prevention Unit at 423-229-9433 or ThomasMPatton@KingsportTN.gov

KINGSPORT ‚¬ The Thanksgiving Holiday will result in changes to regular garbage, trash and recycling schedules to allow Streets & Sanitation crews to enjoy the holiday with their families, while all City offices will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Sanitation collection changes include:

Residents whose garbage, trash and recycling are normally collected on Monday and Tuesday garbage should be prepared to have those items collected on Monday

Households with a Wednesday collection date should have their garbage, trash and recycling at the curb on Tuesday

And, residents with Thursday and Friday garbage, trash and recycling routes will be collected on Wednesday

In addition, the Demolition landfill will be closed Thursday and Friday, reopening on Saturday. Bays Mountain Park will be closed Thursday, but reopen Friday, while all other parks and public green spaces will be open to public use throughout the holiday.

The Kingsport Public Library will be closed Thursday and Friday, and reopen for regular business hours on Saturday.

The Kingsport Senior Center and all branch locations will be closed Thursday and Saturday, returning to normal hours the following Monday.

The Renaissance Center will be closed Thursday and Friday, but reopen on Saturday.

¯»¿KINGSPORT¯»¿ – Construction crews will be installing sewer lines on Blakley Drive near Hunters Crossing Subdivision this week beginning at 7:30 a.m. daily through 5 p.m. working through Thursday, November 17, 2011, as weather permits. Motorists are advised to proceed with caution in the work zone as flag persons will be present to direct traffic in the area.

KINGSPORT ‚¬ Kingsports Customer Service Center at City Hall will be open extended hours beginning Monday, November 14, 2011 through Wednesday, November 30. During these dates, the Service Center will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Extended hours are designed to meet an expected increase in customer walk-in traffic associated with the payment of City property taxes, which are due on or before Wednesday, November 30th

City Property Taxes become delinquent December 1st with a 2 percent penalty accruing on that date. Beginning January 1st, an additional 2 percent penalty is incurred. Unpaid taxes continue to incur an additional 1 percent penalty each month thereafter.

Payments may also be mailed to the Customer Service Center located at 225 West Center Street. Payments by mail must be postmarked on or before November 30th to avoid penalty.

In addition, customers may use one of three convenient Drop Boxes, located in the parking area directly behind the City Hall Building near Shelby Street, and two more located inside the building entrance areas of the Customer Service Center.

The City is also encouraging residents age 65 or greater, as well as those who are totally and permanently disabled, or veterans with a 100 percent service-related disability, to check on their eligibility for property tax relief on their 2011 property taxes.

For those aged 65 or greater or those who are totally and permanently disabled, qualifications for the program require an annual total income of $26,830 or less (including spousal income) based on calendar year 2010 income sources. Disabled veterans or spouses of a deceased disabled veteran also may be eligible for assistance on their 2011 property taxes, without having to provide income amounts.

To enroll in the Property Tax Relief program, applicants must bring their City property tax notice, proof of 2010 income, Social Security Card, Medicare Card, and deed information if they are new property owners.

New qualifying applicants must pay their property taxes in full and subsequently will receive a reimbursement from the State of Tennessee for the amount of their qualifying assistance.

If you have not received a tax statement, have any questions concerning your property tax bill or want to discuss property tax relief eligibility, please phone the Customer Service Center at (423) 229-9418.