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Softball & Volleyball Fun Fest Tournaments

Earn your bragging rights in the upcoming tournaments for Fun Fest, hosted by Kingsport Parks & Recreation. Enter the One-Pitch Softball Tournament or the Outdoor Volleyball Tournament with your team today!

One-Pitch Softball Tournament:
  • Divisions: Men’s Open Competitive, Men’s Open Recreational, Women’s Open & Coed
  • Dates: Men’s Open Competitive, Men’s Open Recreational, Women’s Open – July 14-15 (July 13 if necessary); Co-Ed – July 17-18 at Brickyard Park
  • Fee: $100/team
  • Deadline to Register: Wednesday, July 12 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Questions: Matthew Elkins – 423-229-9458 or matthewelkins@kingsporttn.gov
Outdoor Volleyball Tournament:
  • Divisions: Men’s Doubles, Women’s Triples, Co-Ed, Quads
  • Dates: July 14-15 at Eastman Park at Horse Creek Park
  • Fee: Men’s Doubles $30/team; Women’s Triples $45/team; Co-Ed $30/team; Quads $60/team
  • Deadline to Register: Friday, July 13 @ 5:00 p.m.
  • Questions: Jason Wilburn – 423-229-9459 or jasonwilburn@kingsporttn.gov

Action Athletics is a sponsor of both of these events.

All registration will take place Monday through Friday at the Civic Auditorium, located at 1550 Fort Henry Drive, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

Free KATS Rides on National ‘Dump the Pump Day’

Kingsport Area Transit Service (KATS) is offering free rides for all bus passengers all day long on June 21st to celebrate ‘Dump the Pump Day!’

American Public Transportation Association (APTA) first started national ‘Dump the Pump Day’ in June 2006 when gas prices had reached $3 per gallon, causing the demand for public transportation to grow.

According to the January 2018 APTA Transit Savings Report, on the average, an individual in a two-person household can save $9,700 a year when he or she downsizes by one car and takes public transit instead. National ‘Dump the Pump Day’ highlights the many benefits that public transportation brings to individuals and communities. Besides individual financial savings, public transportation spurs economic growth for towns and cities, and also improves the environment and reduces our nation’s energy consumption.

Make sure you take advantage of this special promotion, and tell your friends and family members! To learn more about KATS, visit www.kingsporttransit.org.

Electric 94.9’s Summer Splash featuring The Vamps at Kingsport Aquatic Center

The Kingsport Aquatic Center is partnering with Electric 94.9 to bring a free pop-up concert to the outdoor water park this month. The concert will feature popular British band, The Vamps.

The electrifying event will be held Wednesday, June 27, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Vamps will perform a special acoustic set at noon, and a short Q&A will follow the performance. Free admission to the outdoor water park will be given during event times, and music and free prizes from 94.9 will be given out.

The Vamps

Called the hardest-working young band in Britain, The Vamps’ debut album, 2014’s Meet The Vamps, as well as their follow-up album, Wake Up, have been worldwide successes. The band has sold out London’s 20,000-capacity O2 four times, touts collaborations with singer Demi Lovato, and contributed voice talent to the movie Kung Fu Panda 3.

The concert will be held at the Kingsport Aquatic Center, 1820 Meadowview Parkway, Kingsport TN 37660.

For more information on The Vamps, visit http://www.thevamps.net, and follow them at http://instagram.com/wearethevamps and https://twitter.com/thevampsband.

For more information on the Summer Splash Concert, visit http://www.electric949.com/.

Casual Word Creative Writing Class

Does typing on a typewriter and expanding your creative writing skills sound like something you would enjoy? Join Langley Shazor for an afternoon of learning about poetry, prose, and typewriters in one of the two sessions of The Casual Word – Creative Writing Class.

Published writer, Langley Shazor will be teaching a fun class about how to break past the common obstacles that plague young writers including peer review, in writing revision, vocabulary, perfectionism and more. Participants will work with Langley to tap into their creative capacity instead of focusing on technical writing. The class is sponsored by The Casual Word, H.O.P.E and Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts.

Langley is a Bristol, VA native who has been published in The Loafer Magazine, Inner Child Magazine, SocialJusticePoetry.com and more. An advocate for the performing arts and education, Langley is the founder of the Virginia Middle School Writing Club, where students use typewriters to express themselves creatively with poetry and short stories.

Offered June 19th, the class will start at 4:00 p.m. and finish at 6:00 p.m. The cost of the class is $10 and spots can be reserved online at www.engagekingsport.com. All supplies are provided. Students keep all written work and have the opportunity to be featured on www.casualword.com’s poet of the week column. The class will take place in room 239 of the Kingsport Renaissance Arts Center, located at 1200 E. Center St.

Pre-registration is required to participate. To register for the class, please email Stella Robinette at stella@hopetricities.com or call 423-276-6541.

For more information, please visit EngageKingsport.com, the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts Facebook page or call 423-392-8414.

Find Your Summer Adventure At Bays Mountain Park

Get into the outdoors and find your adventure at Bays Mountain this summer. From guided hikes to nature crafts, there are a variety of activities to pick from for an afternoon of fun on the mountain.

HIKING ACTIVITIES

Find your next adventure with a guided hike to points of interest within the park. Bays Mountain is offering both day and night guided hikes. Day hikes will go to the fire tower, cell tower point, and Bays Ridge Trail. Summer is filled with wildflowers, join us for a guided wildflower hike and see some fascinating plants. During our night hikes, you will take a stroll along a hiking trail through the woods to hear and see night time activity. Tickets are $3 per person and can be purchased on the day of hike at the Nature Center Gift Shop.

The days and times for these activities are as follows:

  • Guided Day Hikes: 10:00 a.m.
    • July 11 (Bays Ridge) and August 8 (Cell Tower Point)
  • Guided Night Hikes: 7:00 p.m.
    • June 14, July 26 and August 16
  • Summer Wildflower Hike: 3:00 p.m.
    • June 19, July 10, July 23 and August 5
ART ACTIVITIES

Discover how to turn natural items into great crafts while learning about nature during our Nature Crafts program. This program is open to all ages, and tickets are $3 per person and can be purchased at Nature Center Gift Shop day of activity.

  • Nature Crafts – 10:30 a.m.
    • June 19, June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31, August 7, August 14, August 21 and August 28
LAKE ACTIVITIES

Visitors can also catch a ride on the barge and explore the 44 acre lake. Observe water lilies, deer, raccoons, ducks, geese, turtles, great blue herons, beaver lodges and sometimes beavers and black bear. Your naturalist will discuss park history as well as the sights and sounds encountered on your trip creating a unique experience. Barge rides lasts approximately 45-minutes and may be cancelled due to weather. Tickets for barge rides are $5 per person and free for park members. To reserve your spot for daily barge rides, please visit the Nature Center before the scheduled barge ride. Bays Mountain only accepts barge ride reservations in advance for parties of 15 or more.

Specialty programs including the twilight barge ride and the canoe/kayak tour are back this year. Spend a relaxing evening on the lake enjoying the beautiful lakeside scenery from the comfort of the barge or your personal canoe or kayak. The twilight barge rides are $5 per person and free for park members. For the month of June, the canoe/kayak tour is $3 per person and free for park members. Beginning July 1, non-member fee is $10.00 per person. The canoe/kayak tour is limited to 20 watercrafts, and participants must provide their own canoe/kayak and a coast guard approved personal flotation device. To reserve a spot for the canoe/kayak tour or twilight barge rides, please call the Nature Center at 423-229-9447.

The days and times for these activities are as follows:

  • Barge Rides – Daily rides at 1:00, 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. Additional rides on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m.
  • Canoe/Kayak Tours: 6:00 p.m.
    • June 20, July 18 and August 15
  • Twilight Barge Rides: 7:00 p.m.
    • June 27, July 25 and August 22

For more information on Bays Mountain Park please call 423-229-9447 or visit http://www.baysmountain.com/.

Limited Number of Special Edition Carousel Book Available

Do you ever wonder what happens at the Carousel after all the doors have been locked and the riders go home? Do the animals come to life? Do they have their own party till everyone returns the next day? Read about the carousel animals’ adventures when no one is looking in this special, limited edition story, Ups and Downs of the Merry-Go-Round.

Ups and Downs of the Merry-Go-Round, is written by BB Joyner and illustrated by Joe Pilkenton. This children’s book is not only a great story, but also doubles as a coloring book, making it a great gift for any child. The books are available for pre-order at the Carousel Gift Shop or at www.EngageKingsport.com until June 22nd. The books are $25 and checks can be made payable to Engage Kingsport.

All books be available for pick up at the Kingsport Carousel’s Birthday Bash on July 7th, and both the author and illustrator will be at the event to sign copies of the book. These books will only be available via pre-order and will each have an authentication number that will be inserted and marked by the author and illustrator.

For more information, please visit EngageKingsport.com, or call 423-392-8414.

Relax & Recharge this Summer at the Kingsport Aquatic Center

The Kingsport Aquatic Center is kicking off the summer with your favorite exercise classes. Enjoy your summer mornings or afternoons by taking a Lazy River or Poolside Yoga class.

There are many benefits of working out in water. Not only is it easier to stay cooler in a pool, but the workout itself has both mental and physical health perks. The average thirty minute pool workout burns approximately 300 calories. It takes the elimination of 3500 calories to burn off a pound of body fat. A minimum three to four times per week pool workout is recommended, so a mere three to four weeks will result in measurable weight loss.

The Lazy River class will take place outside in the Lazy River and is open to all fitness levels. Participants will perform exercises while moving against or with the current of the river. Modifications will be provided by the instructor when necessary, and participants do not have to know how to swim to take the class, as the water is only 3 ft. deep.

For those who like to stay on dry land, the Poolside Yoga class is a great option. The gentle practice will invite strength and flexibility to the entire body through yoga postures and movements. Poolside Yoga is a class that will release stress while building core muscles as you practice in the lovely outdoors with beautiful, Bays Mountain in the background. Participants must provide their own yoga mat.

Lazy River Class: June and July
  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m.  – 9:50 a.m.
  • Tuesday and Thursday: 7:40 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Poolside Yoga: June and July
  • Monday and Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

Water Aerobics classes are $5 for KAC/YMCA members, $4 for members of the Kingsport Senior Center and $7 for non-members. Monthly passes are also available for water aerobics classes. KAC and YMCA members can purchase an unlimited monthly pass for $40, Kingsport Senior Center members for $32 and non-members for $45. Classes do not require pre-registration. Participants can sign up and pay for classes on the day of the class.

For more information, please call 423-343-9758 or visit www.swimkingsport.com.

KPD e-News Release: K.P.D. Detectives Seeking Suspect in Counterfeit Check Cashing Cases

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: K.P.D. Detectives Seeking Suspect in Counterfeit Check Cashing Cases
DATE: June 8, 2018
CASE #: 18-013334 (First Community Bank)

18-015369 (Citizens Bank Downtown)

18-015383 (Citizens Bank Colonial Heights)
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Over the past few weeks, the same white male suspect has feloniously cashed three counterfeit checks, fraudulently obtaining over $5,000, from three Kingsport bank locations.

Each of the checks was written out to a different name; however, the suspect used what is believed to be three separate fake North Carolina driver licenses to identify himself as the person to whom each check was written. This same suspect is also being investigated in a similar counterfeit check cashing case in a neighboring jurisdiction.

An array of photos of this individual, taken from surveillance video footage, has been included in this release. Anyone who recognizes him, or who may have any additional information which could help solve this case, is asked to contact Detectives in the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Investigating Car Dealership Burglary/Stolen Vehicle

,
Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com
NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Kingsport Police Investigating Car Dealership Burglary/Stolen Vehicle
DATE: June 8, 2018
CASE #: 18-016515
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On June 3, 2018, shortly after midnight, two white female suspects burglarized the Chantz Scott Kia dealership, located at 929 East Stone Drive in Kingsport. The suspects broke into the building through an office window. Once inside, the suspects took a set of keys and then stole a black 2018 Kia Stinger 4-door sedan in which they fled the scene.

The suspects are also believed to have stolen a temporary drive-out license tag # C964844 which could potentially be displayed on the stolen Kia. A stock photo of a similar black 2018 Kia Stinger has been included in this release. As of the time this news release was issued, the vehicle has not yet been recovered.

An array of photos of the suspects, taken from surveillance video, has also been included in this release. A clip of the actual footage has been made available for viewing on the K.P.D. YouTube channel via the link below:

https://youtu.be/Zc-N2jyOIbw

Anyone who recognizes either of them, or who may have any additional information which could help solve this case, is asked to contact Detectives in the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

KPD e-News Release: K.P.D. Lieutenant Recognized for Recent Accomplishment

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: K.P.D. Lieutenant Recognized for Recent Accomplishment
DATE: June 8, 2018
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Kingsport Police Department Lieutenant Steve Hammonds was recognized for a significant recent accomplishment at a meeting of the City of Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen earlier this week.

On March 16, 2018 Lt. Hammonds graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s esteemed National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia. The 271st Session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 48 states. Also included in the class were members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, 18 international countries, five military organizations, and five federal civilian organizations.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the FBI Academy, offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and typically return to their respective agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

Lt. Hammonds now joins multiple fellow Kingsport Police Officers who are also National Academy graduates. They include Chief of Police David Quillin, Deputy Chief Dale Phipps, Commander Jason Bellamy, Captain Randall Gore, Lieutenant David Moore, Lieutenant Frank Light, Lieutenant Justin Quillin, and several former officers who have since retired.

Lt. Hammonds received his Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Tusculum University. He initially joined the Kingsport Police Department in 1994 as a Corrections Officer, and he was sworn in as a Police Officer the following year. Throughout his career at the Kingsport Police Department he has served in Patrol, Community Police, Community Relations, Training, and Criminal Investigations.

He has fulfilled a wide variety of specialized roles including Accreditation Manager, Domestic Violence Investigator, D.A.R.E. Instructor, and S.W.A.T. Operator. He has also served as an Agent assigned to the 2nd Judicial District Drug Task Force. He was promoted to Lieutenant in April of 2016 and currently serves as Executive Director of Kingsport 9-1-1, overseeing the Kingsport Emergency Communications Center.

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton
Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee