You are here: / / / February

ETSU finds continuing job growth in the region, Kingsport leads the way

City_News_50

KINGSPORT – Tri-Cities area job markets have fully recovered all jobs lost during the recession, with Kingsport leading the way again in the fourth quarter for job creation, according to Dr. Steb Hipple with the East Tennessee State University Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

The pace of job creation picked up during the fall months, marking the sixth quarter in a row of strong improvement in regional labor market conditions, Hipple said in his fourth quarter labor market report. Employment increased by 2.1 percent to 233,109, for a gain of 4,680 jobs over the same period in 2010. It should be noted that this job level matches the pre-recession high points in 2008. Driven by job gains -¦ the unemployment rate for the Tri-Cities area was 7.4%, compared to 8.2% a year earlier.

In particular, job growth was led by education, health services, and professional & business services. Smaller employment gains were reported in manufacturing, transport and utilities, other services, leisure & hospitality, information services, finance, and wholesale trade. Job losses occurred in the government sector. Employment was unchanged in construction and retail trade.

Hipple also noted that on a city-by-city basis, unemployment fell in all three cities, with the jobless rate at 7.2 percent in Kingsport, 7.3 percent in Johnson City, and 7.8 percent in Bristol. In fact, employment levels have consistently for the last 18 months. Kingsport added 1,138 jobs in the quarter. Bristol added 687 to its employment levels, while Johnson City added 629 jobs compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.

In summary, the national economy plunged into recession in 2008 and has remained there – especially in labor market conditions. The Tri-Cities entered the recession a year later in 2009, was in a recession for only six quarters, and since mid-2010 has regained the jobs that had been lost. Our continuing risk is that the struggling national economy will at some point impact local business conditions.

For the complete report, please visit http://faculty.etsu.edu/hipples/LF11q4.htm

Rotary Club to hold Valentine’s Day Dance/Dinner to raise funds for Polio Plus

MeadowView_News_1

KINGSPORT – The Rotary Club of Kingsport will be holding a Valentine’s Day Dance/Dinner to raise funds for Polio Plus at the MeadowView Conference Center on Saturday, February 18 @ 6pm.  Please invite your friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate Valentine’s Day MeadowView style. Music will be provided by “The Has Beens”.  Tickets are $50/person. Please RSVP as many tickets as you would like to purchase and/or sell.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact:

Judy Fischer: fischerjp@charter.net, 288-6580

Susan LaGuardia : susanlaguardia@cs.com, 245-4439

Kingsport Parks and Recreation Athletics Youth Baseball/Softball Registratlon

Youth_Baseball_Registration_0

KINGSPORT – Kingsport Parks and Recreation Athletics Youth Baseball/Softball are now accepting registratlons. ‚ Registration forms are available online at www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org and in the Athletic Office at the Civic Auditorium. All participants must submit completed forms by the registration deadline or your child’s name will be dropped from our team rosters.

No forms will be mailed and all forms must be turned in to the Athletic Office.

Deadlines:
Minor T-Ball (5-6) March 9, 5:30Pm
Major Machine Pitch (7-8) March 9, 5:30pm
Midget (9-10) March 9, 5:30Pm
Junior (11-12) March 9, 5:30Pm
Babe Ruth (13-15) March 30, 5:30Pm
Junior Girls Coach Pitch (7-9) March 9, 5:30pm
Jun‚¡or Girls Fast Pitch (10-13) March 9, 5:30pm
Senior Girls Fast Pitch (14-17) March 3O, 5:3opm

Draft Date/Field:
Midget (9-10) April 10, 6pm (Domtar #1)
Junior (11-12) April 10, 6pm (Domtar #2)
Babe Ruth (13-15) April L2,6pm (Domtar #5)
Jr Girls Fast Pitch (10-13) April 10, 6pm (Domtar #4)
Sr Girls Fast Pitch (14-17) Apil a2,6pm (Domtar #4)

For more information:
Call: (423) 229-9459 /(423)229-9460
Email: Gregwalker@KingsportTn.gov
JasonWilburn@KingsportTn.gov
AndySigwalt@KingsportTn.gov

Cultural Arts Division Announces First Annual Carousel Arts and Crafts Show March 24 and 25

Public_Art_News_0

KINGSPORT – Cultural Arts Division of Kingsport Parks and Recreation announces the first annual Carousel Arts and Craft Show on Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25 at the Civic Auditorium on Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport, Tennessee.‚  The show will be free and open to the public and feature the carousel animals currently being hand carved by volunteers for a working 1956 Herschell Carousel to be installed next year.‚  40 of the finest local and regional vendors will have their woodworking and handmade items available for purchase ‚¬ many with a carousel theme.

The Carousel Project is a volunteer-led effort to establish a working carousel in Kingsport.‚  The project came together 2.5 years ago under the leadership of Reggie Martin, Ted Heilig, George Gibson and Milton Nelson.‚  Since then over 18 local volunteers have joined the effort carving buffalo, frog prince, tiger, lynx, rabbit and of course horses.‚  The animals are being painted by lead-artist Suzanne Justis and a team of volunteer painters.‚  The 1956 Herschell frame is a gift to the City of Kingsport from the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, Connecticut.‚  The frame will be fully restored and painted before it is assembled in a new carousel building that will be constructed near the newly restored Farmers Market building on Clinchfield Street in downtown Kingsport.

The Carousel Arts and Craft Show will feature vendors specializing in handmade unique items especially woodworking.‚  The show will have a carousel theme.‚  Hours for the show are Saturday, March 24 10 AM ‚¬ 6 PM and Sunday, March 25 Noon ‚¬ 5 PM.‚  The Civic Auditorium is located at 1550 Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport, Tennessee.‚  For more information call 423-392-8416.

Kingsport Theatre needs you for upcoming performances

KTG_News_1

Auditions, Blueprint, February Love Letters

Director Spotlight

Jessica Davis has been selected to direct Jack and the Beanstalk
for Kingsport Theatre Guild. Jess has had tremendous success especially with young community actors. She is always positive and motivating. We are so fortunate to have the pleasure to work with her this season.

Music Spotlight
Serina Marshall
& Scott Elliott
Serina&Scott


invite you to join Kingsport Theatre’s

musical theatre group Blueprint. The next meeting is on Feb 7 at 7PM at the Renaissance Center. Open to the public, no charge and no audition. Just come sing and have fun!

Find Us
Follow us on TwitterView our videos on YouTube
Like us on Facebook
Director Spotlight
Kenn
Kenn Neagele is back with us this season to direct How to Eat Like A Child. Kenn has directed numerous public school drama productions with John Sevier Middle School. Kingsport Theatre had the pleasure of working with Kenn during The Big Read studying Tom Sawyer. We are all looking forward to his return.

Auditions
Community actors call for Kingsport Theatre Guild’s
Jack and the Beanstalk &
How To Eat Like A Child!
Various ages and abilities needed. Boys and girls 6+. Adult Roles as well. Please be prepared to sing for How to Eat

February 6 & 7
From 6 – 8 PM
RenCtr, Kingsport, TN
Drop in either day

Tickets On Sale Now

423-392-8427
Love Letters
Feb 11 – 14
for details on show times and pricing please visit:
www.kingsporttheatre.org

KCS Board of Education Reminder of Upcoming Brown Bag Lunch

School-News_26

KINGSPORT – The Kingsport Board of Education will continue its series of Brown Bag events designed to facilitate communication between Board members and the community.

In 2011-12, Brown Bag events will be held every other month at varying schools. The sessions are designed to encourage an informal discussion among attendees, Board members, and school administrators on relevant topics.

Brown Bag Lunch sessions will be held on:

  • February 8, 2012 at 12:00 noon – Washington Elementary School
  • April 11, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. – Lincoln Elementary

For more information, contact Kingsport City Schools Administrative Coordinator Andy True at (423) 378-2130.

-KCS-

Two Free Small Business Certification Classes this Month

KOSBE_News_25_0

Kingsport Chamber honors Keith Wilson with distinguished Lifetime Member Award

Chamber_News_9

KINGSPORT ‚¬The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce honored longtime Kingsport resident, community leader and Kingsport Times-News Publisher and Northeast Tennessee Media Group President Keith Wilson with its prestigious 23rd Lifetime Member Award during its 65th Annual Dinner Friday night at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center.

It is with immense pride and great pleasure your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce presents its most distinguished award to absolutely one of the greatest leaders our community has ever known ‚¬ Keith Wilson, said Olan Jones, 2011 Kingsport Chamber chair and president and CEO of Eastman Credit Union.‚  Keiths influence and leadership on so many successful Kingsport projects and endeavors ‚¬ most notably the Kingsport Academic Village and Educate and Grow, which was his idea ‚¬ will sustain this community for many years into our future.

Keith Wilson is the ultimate leader and this community holds him in such high regard and owes him so much for his incredible leadership, said Miles Burdine, Kingsport Chamber president and CEO.‚  Keiths unyielding commitment to education and the enormous and lasting impact hes had on our community will be felt for generations to come.

The Kingsport Chamber Lifetime Member Award goes to an individual who has made an enormous contribution to the Kingsport Chamber and the community throughout his or her lifetime.

With the award, Wilson receives complimentary membership to the Kingsport Chamber for life.

A native of Princeton, Ind., Wilson received his bachelors degree in political science from Indiana University in 1971.‚  Upon graduation, Wilson worked for his alma mater as the general manager of the Indiana Daily Student until 1979.

From 1980 to 1986, Wilson held various positions with newspapers in Indiana and Kentucky.

He moved to Kingsport in 1986 when he joined the Kingsport Times-News as advertising director.‚  He was named publisher in 1993 and was most recently named president of the Northeast Tennessee Media Group.

Wilson has been enormously influential in the community and has given an immense amount of his time, talents and leadership to a number of organizations.

He has served as chair or president for the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce; Kingsport Tomorrow Board of Directors; Kingsport Regional Education Association Steering Committee; Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association; Renewal! The Spirit Campaign; Northeast State Community College Foundation Executive Committee; and the Kingsport Chambers Communications program, Education program, Fun Fest program andLeadership Kingsport program.

He has also served as a board member for the Kingsport Youth Soccer Association and the Tennessee Press Association Foundation, among other organizations.

Wilson currently serves as the chair of theNETWORKS ‚¬ Sullivan Partnership, chair of the Tennessee Press Association Journalism Education Committee, and a member of the Kingsport Higher Education Advisory Board, Tennessee Press Association Personnel Committee and the Kingsport Economic Development Board.

Wilson and his wife, Pam, live in Kingsport and have three children and two grandsons.

Wilson has received several awards including being named a Junior Achievement Tri-Cities TN/VA Business Hall of Fame laureate, a recipient of the Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellors Award for Excellence in Philanthropy and the Downtown Kingsport Association Visionary Award.

For all his noteworthy accomplishments and community endeavors, Wilson is perhaps best known for his stellar commitment to education.

He created the idea for the highly successful Educate & Grow program and has been an ardent supporter for the Kingsport Academic Village.‚  The Regional Center for Applied Technology building is named for Wilson and for former Kingsport mayor Jeanette Blazier.

Keith Wilson is not only a great leader but just a great individual, Jones said.‚  He truly is greatly admired and enormously respected by all who know him.

Other Kingsport Chamber Lifetime Member recipients include Wallace Alley, William C. Bovender, John W. Andersen, Sam H. Anderson, Jr., E. B. Blankenbeckler, Jeanette D. Blazier, Frank B. Brewer, Frank Brogden, A.B. Coleman, John Douglas, C.B. Boots Duke, IV, Eleanor Eason, Rodney D. Irvin, Farris Jackson, J. Lane Latimer III, Dr. William W. Locke, Ken Maness, Ron McMasters, Bob Miller, Charles Edward Moore, Mike O. ONeilland Darrell Rice.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members.‚  The Kingsport Chambers mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.

For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, go to KingsportChamber.org or call (423) 392-8800.‚  Sign up for Kingsport Chamber text alerts at www.Kingsport.com.‚  Were social too; follow us on our Facebook page, Your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, and on ourTwitter account, @kptchamber.

Water service to be disrupted Monday in Gibson Mill Road area

Water_Work_0

KINGSPORT – Construction on Gibson Mill Road will impact water service Monday for businesses and residents along that route. Residents are reminded that they should shut off their water heater Monday morning to protect from potential damage. In addition, motorists are reminded that Gibson Mill Road is closed to through-traffic until construction is completed in November, with Ravine Road being the designated detour route. Local traffic will be allowed on Gibson Mill Road to Robertson Street for residents in that area and as well as providing access to Holston Florist Shop.

Project: Drug Drop Zone has successful first week

KPD_News_0

KINGSPORT – The Kingsport Police Departments Community Relations and Crime Prevention Unit is pleased to announce that Project: Drug Drop Zone has had an extremely successful first week in operation.  The goals of this medication take-back initiative are to keep drugs off the street, prevent overdoses and accidental poisonings, and avoid environmental contamination.  This program consists of a secure prescription drug collection drop-off box, located in the lobby of the Kingsport Police Department – Justice Center located at 200 Shelby Street in Kingsport.  The box was installed one week ago on Friday, January 27, 2012.  During just the first week, 50 pounds of medication were deposited into the box.  A photograph of this medication is attached to this press release.  The drop box is accessible to the public 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.  Citizens may drop off any leftover, unwanted, or expired medication, which will then be properly disposed of by the Kingsport Police Department.  Items that can be placed in the drug drop box include non-narcotics, narcotics, over the counter (OTC), herbals, and veterinary medications.  Items that should not be placed in the box include needles or sharps, biohazard materials, and illegal drugs.  For additional information or questions concerning Project: Drug Drop Zone, please contact the Kingsport Police Departments Community Relations and Crime Prevention Unit at (423) 229-9433 or ThomasMPatton@KingsportTN.gov.

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee