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KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Investigating Fatal Interstate 81 Motorcycle Crash

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Kingsport Police Department

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Kingsport Police Investigating Fatal Interstate 81 Motorcycle Crash
DATE: May 10, 2017
CASE #: 17-010906
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On May 9, 2017 at approximately 11:00 PM, Kingsport Central Dispatch was notified of a motorcycle crash along southbound Interstate 81 at the 60.6 mile marker. Kingsport Police Patrol Officers and Crash Reconstructionists have responded to the scene to investigate.

The motorcycle operator was killed in the crash. The crash itself remains under investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit. Additional details will be released at the appropriate point in the investigation and pending notification of next of kin.
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Young Swimmers Can Join The New Junior Swim Team

Kingsport Barracudas Partner with Kingsport Aquatic Center

The Kingsport Aquatic Center is creating their own junior summer league swim team – the Junior Viperfish Swim Club! The Kingsport Aquatic Center has formed a new partnership with the Barracudas Swim Club to host a youth fun swim camp as well as swim and stroke clinics in the fall. Swimmers of all skill levels have the opportunity to participate in the swim camp, join the summer Junior Viperfish Swim Team, and take swim stroke classes in the fall.

“The partnership between the Barracudas Swim Club and the Kingsport Aquatic Center is a win-win as far as I can see,” said Chris Coraggio, head coach of the Barracudas Swim Club. “Through this partnership, the region benefits from the combined resources of two outstanding organizations, both of whom are committed to providing first-class programming for our community.”

The swim camp is June 1 to 3 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Kingsport Aquatic Center. Swimmers ages 6 to 14 will learn swim techniques, water safety, as well as play fun games. The cost of the swim camp is $25 per swimmer. All swimming abilities are welcome!

The Junior Viperfish Summer League Swim Team starts practicing after the swim camp. There are no tryouts – the team welcomes all swimmers ages 6 and up of any ability. The swim team will practice Monday, Wednesday & Thursday evenings from 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Swim meets occur on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.  Participation in meets is optional and most swim meets will take place at the Kingsport Aquatic Center. The cost is $80 per swimmer for Kingsport Aquatic Center or YMCA members and $100 per swimmer for nonmembers. There is a discount for siblings wanting to join.

In the fall, swim stroke clinics will be held as part of the partnership. These classes are not just for the swim team – all swimmer are welcome to participate!

“Our goal is to make the aquatic setting a positive one for all abilities,” said Chassy Smiley, Kingsport Aquatic Center assistant manager. “Swimming is a lifelong activity that can be enjoyed from infancy to senior age and participated in both competitively and recreationally. If we can introduce and promote swimming to those who are hesitant or uncomfortable in the water, we believe our team will encourage them to dive in.”

For more information, please visit www.swimkingsport.com or call 423-343-9758. For more information on the Barracuda Swim Club, please visit www.barracudaswimclub.org.

viperfish flyer
Niki Ensor

Highlighting Heroes: Water/Wastewater Facilities Manager for Kingsport Public Works

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Niki Ensor

Niki Ensor – Water/Wastewater Facilities Manager

Niki performs a life sustaining service – clean drinking water for our city.

Niki Ensor leads her team to provide clean and healthy drinking water for Kingsport residents – an essential service for any community.

Niki is the Water/Wastewater Facilities Manager for the City of Kingsport. Hired in 1998 as an operator in the water treatment plant, Niki eventually moved up to her current position. Her main responsibility is to make sure residents of Kingsport have the water they need to go about their daily lives.

“We are able to provide this service so that our community can live and thrive and build, and then they can have a great quality of life within our beautiful city,” she explained.

Her current project, the Raw Water Project, is nearing completion. The project replaces the current infrastructure and equipment that has reached the end of their usable life. The new infrastructure will change how water pumps in the plant for treatment. Using gravity, water will flow through a new tunnel and be pumped into the plant. The new infrastructure is more efficient and will provide Kingsport with clean drinking water for the next 100 years.

“What this does is provide us with more reliability, replace outdated infrastructures, and make water treatment more secure,” said Niki. “Now pumping operations will happen on-site at the water treatment plant, reducing the risk for single points of failure.  It’s really a tremendous project.”

Niki enjoys being involved in projects that go above and beyond the minimum requirements of water departments across the state. She and her team strive to better the quality of life for everyone in Kingsport. The water/wastewater team takes great pride in their department. They often receive recognitions for their efforts.

Recently, the water department won the Distribution Operational Excellence Award and the EPA Safe Drinking Water Partnership Award for the eighth year. The wastewater treatment plant has received several National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Peak Performance awards for their exceptional compliance record.

Niki Ensor is a Kingsport Hero because of the hard work and dedication she puts into providing the city with the clean and safe drinking water it needs to stay healthy and thrive.

Mayor Clark Announces GigKingsport

Partnership with Spectrum Enterprise serving businesses and entrepreneurs 

Mayor John Clark provided an infrastructure update regarding broadband service in Kingsport. Through the OneKingsport effort, the city has worked to achieve the goal of attracting and retaining new and current residents, businesses, visitors and developers. Kingsport has the capability up to 10 gigabytes and beyond – we’re GigKingsport!

GigKingsport is a partnership with Spectrum Enterprise, a national provider of scalable, fiber-based technology. Spectrum Enterprise has made a significant investment in Kingsport to provide better and faster services to the business community.

“Spectrum Enterprise declares it is the right network with the right solutions and the right partner for business. We agree,” said Mayor John Clark. “By providing multi-gig service, they definitely see the potential in Kingsport.”

The Mayor is encouraged by the substantial private investment as it will be a great recruiting tool for the city. Businesses will have immense growth potential if they choose to expand or relocate to Kingsport.

Spectrum Enterprise currently has nearly forty fiber projects scheduled, providing the broadband necessary for Kingsport’s continued growth and prosperity. Spectrum Enterprise Fiber Internet Access enables businesses to work faster, more securely and with fewer interruptions to enable business growth.

“Kingsport exemplifies a vibrant economy,” said Brad Patterson, Account Executive with Spectrum Enterprise, “with different businesses and industries taking advantage of broadband services available from Spectrum Enterprise. Spectrum Enterprise is currently the leader in Bandwidth Technology and we value each and every customer.”

For more information about GigKingsport, please visit www.GigKingsport.com. For more information about Spectrum Enterprise and services available, please go to www.enterprise.spectrum.com.

gigkingsport

KPD e-News Release: Public Invited to Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Kingsport Police Department (Reminder)

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Kingsport Police Department

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Public Invited to Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Kingsport Police Department (Reminder)
DATE: May 8, 2017
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Reminder: The Law Enforcement Memorial Service will be held today, Monday, May 8, 2017 at 4:00 PM at the Kingsport Police Department Law Enforcement Memorial and Eternal Flame, located on the corner of West Market and Clay Streets in Downtown Kingsport. The department extends an open invitation to anyone who would like to join us as we remember and honor our local fallen officers, as well as all fallen officers throughout the nation.

As previously released:

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as National Police Week. Traditionally, the local Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) Burgess-Mills Lodge #11 conducts a Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Kingsport Justice Center during National Police Week.

The service this year will be held this coming Monday, May 8, 2017 at 4:00 PM at the Kingsport Police Department Law Enforcement Memorial and Eternal Flame, located on the corner of West Market and Clay Streets in Downtown Kingsport. The department extends an open invitation to anyone who would like to join us as we remember and honor our local fallen officers, as well as all fallen officers throughout the nation.

The local Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) Burgess-Mills Lodge #11 is named in honor of two of the Kingsport Police Department’s Fallen Officers, Patrolman Ira H. Burgess and Patrolman John E. Mills, who were tragically shot and killed in the line of duty in 1950 and 1940 respectively. Information regarding these and all of K.P.D.’s Fallen Officers can be found in the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/police-department/our-fallen-officers/

The following excerpt is shared from the website of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund:

“Today, in the United States, some 900,000 law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others. They serve with valor and distinction – and with great success. Federal statistics show that violent and property crime rates in the United States are at historic lows, thanks in large measure to the dedicated service of the men and women of law enforcement.

That protection comes at a price, however. Each year, there are approximately 60,000 assaults on law enforcement officers, resulting in nearly 16,000 injuries. Sadly, over the last decade, an average of 150 officers a year have been killed in the line of duty. And throughout U.S. history, more than 20,000 law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The following two inscriptions are found on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C.

“This Memorial is dedicated to all Law Enforcement Officers in the United States of America. Inscribed on these walls are the names of those men and women who died in the line of duty.”

“It is not how these officers died that made them heroes. It is how they lived.”

Links to the National Police Week website, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website, and the Officer Down Memorial Page are provided below:

www.PoliceWeek.org

http://www.NLEOMF.com

www.ODMP.org

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

KPD e-News Release: Public Invited to Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Kingsport Police Department

,

Kingsport Police Department

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Public Invited to Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Kingsport Police Department
DATE: May 5, 2017
GENERAL NARRATIVE
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as National Police Week. Traditionally, the local Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) Burgess-Mills Lodge #11 conducts a Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Kingsport Justice Center during National Police Week.

The service this year will be held this coming Monday, May 8, 2017 at 4:00 PM at the Kingsport Police Department Law Enforcement Memorial and Eternal Flame, located on the corner of West Market and Clay Streets in Downtown Kingsport. The department extends an open invitation to anyone who would like to join us as we remember and honor our local fallen officers, as well as all fallen officers throughout the nation.

The local Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) Burgess-Mills Lodge #11 is named in honor of two of the Kingsport Police Department’s Fallen Officers, Patrolman Ira H. Burgess and Patrolman John E. Mills, who were tragically shot and killed in the line of duty in 1950 and 1940 respectively. Information regarding these and all of K.P.D.’s Fallen Officers can be found in the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/police-department/our-fallen-officers/

The following excerpt is shared from the website of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund:

“Today, in the United States, some 900,000 law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others. They serve with valor and distinction – and with great success. Federal statistics show that violent and property crime rates in the United States are at historic lows, thanks in large measure to the dedicated service of the men and women of law enforcement.

That protection comes at a price, however. Each year, there are approximately 60,000 assaults on law enforcement officers, resulting in nearly 16,000 injuries. Sadly, over the last decade, an average of 150 officers a year have been killed in the line of duty. And throughout U.S. history, more than 20,000 law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The following two inscriptions are found on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C.

“This Memorial is dedicated to all Law Enforcement Officers in the United States of America. Inscribed on these walls are the names of those men and women who died in the line of duty.”

“It is not how these officers died that made them heroes. It is how they lived.”

Links to the National Police Week website, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website, and the Officer Down Memorial Page are provided below:

www.PoliceWeek.org

http://www.NLEOMF.com

www.ODMP.org

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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book cover

Centennial Publication Receives Award

The East Tennessee Historical Society has selected City Archivist Brianne Wright’s book, On This Day in Kingsport History, for an Award of Distinction. The Award of Distinction is given in recognition of a special project, such as a book, building preservation or heritage event.

“It feels good to be recognized after all of the work that went into writing the book, said Wright. “I’ve been pleased with all the feedback from the book and how much readers are learning about Kingsport’s history. This award is just icing on the cake!”

Established in 1834, the East Tennessee Historical Society has 2,000 members across the United States. Its active publications include the biannual genealogy magazine Tennessee Ancestors, the annual Journal of East Tennessee History, and Newsline, as well as other books pertaining to the region’s history. The society also sponsors the Museum of East Tennessee History, East Tennessee National History Day, and the family heritage programs “First Families of Tennessee” and “Civil War Families of Tennessee.

Since 1982, the society has been recognizing individuals and organizations annually that have made significant contributions to the preservation, promotion, programming and interpretation of the regions history.

This is the second time Wright has received the Award of Distinction. In 2014, she was selected for her leadership role in the development of two successful projects to increase awareness of the city’s history – “Kingsport: A Walk Through Time” and “Rediscover Kingsport: Scavenger Hunt.”

She was also featured as our Highlighting Heroes for the month of March!!

Congrats Brianne!

Go Paperless & Go Green

Did you know you can enroll to have your water/utility bill emailed to you every month?

In response to residents requesting to go paperless for their monthly water/utility bill, the City of Kingsport is pleased to now offer residents this service. Not only is the paperless service more convenient for customers and environmentally friendly, it is also helping the city cut costs.

Each month, roughly 35,000 residents receive a paper bill costing the city $17,000.

If just 25% of city residents signed up for the paperless billing, it would save the tax payers over $52,500 a year.

If you’re interested in signing up for paperless billing for your water/utility bill, you can do so in three ways:

  1. Sign up through your ‘Click2Gov’ account.
  2. Sign up over the phone by calling the Customer Service Department at 423-343-9860.
  3. Sign up by visiting the Customer Service Department at City Hall, located at 225 West Center Street.

For more information on paperless billing for your water/utility bill, please call 423-343-9860.

National Water Safety Month

The month of May is dedicated to education about water safety, and Governor Haslam has supported this initiative with an official proclamation. It helps bring attention to the fact that drowning is the third leading cause of injury-related death among children 19 years and under. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, every day about 10 people die from unintentional drowning. The main factor that contributes to drowning is lack of swimming ability.

“Learning to swim at an early age is very important,” stated Aquatic Center Director Kari Matheney. “Children are much safer around water if they know water safety rules and the basics of swimming. It could save their life.”

The Aquatic Center staff will host water safety demonstrations and assist individuals and families with water safety issues on Monday, May 15 from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. Children can participate in mini swim lessons to help determine at which swim level they should participate.

Lifeguards will be available to answer questions and discuss pool etiquette and safety.

If you or your child are interested in swimming lessons, please call 423-343-9758 or visit www.swimkingsport.com.

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee