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Public Works Day returns this week

If you ever wanted a first-hand look at some of the heavy equipment used throughout the City of Kingsport, you will soon have your chance.

The City of Kingsport is hosting its annual Public Works Day at the Farmer’s Market on May 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is being held during National Public Works Week (May 15-21) – a week-long celebration started by the American Public Works Association in 1960 to show the public the importance of public works on their daily lives.

In all, about 50 pieces of equipment will be on hand during Friday’s event, including automated garbage collection trucks, a trash grabber truck, mini street sweeper, leaf collection equipment, sewer camera vans, a directional drill machine, mowers, a back hoe and mini paver.

Folks will be able to take a short trip up in a bucket truck, try and pick up a tire with a grabber truck, hook a metal pin with a back hoe or attempt to drop a tennis ball into a bucket with a Gradall machine.

All divisions within public works will be represented and employees will be on hand to demonstrate the equipment and answer questions from the public. Several presentations explaining essential daily operations will take place throughout the event.

“We are blessed by an extraordinary group of employees who are dedicated to serving the citizens of Kingsport,” said Deputy City Manager Ryan McReynolds. “We very much appreciate the community taking a few minutes out of their day to visit with us at the Farmer’s Market, where we can personally explain the daily work of our public works employees.”

In addition to the heavy equipment, activity stations will be set up to allow children to paint sign replicas of manhole covers, look through microscopes to see bacteria and see how cameras go through sewer pipes. A large sandbox will also be set up to let the public view a replica of the city’s sewer and water lines.

Kingsport’s Public Works Department is the largest, non-school related, department in the city with approximately 315 employees. The department includes water and sewer, streets and sanitation, building maintenance, traffic, fleet maintenance, GIS, engineering, stormwater and the Metropolitan Transportation and Planning Organization.

“What we’re trying to showcase is the breadth and depth of services that are offered to the citizens, from snow removal to the street sweepers to the directional drills, to the guys who trim trees and put the asphalt down,” McReynolds said. “We’re doing this so the public has a good idea of the value they’re getting every day for living within the city limits.”

KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police and Local FOP Invite Public to Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service (Reminder)

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Kingsport Police Department

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department• www.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Kingsport Police and Local FOP Invite Public to Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service (Reminder)
DATE: May 13, 2022
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Reminder: The Law Enforcement Memorial Service will be held this afternoon, Friday, May 13, 2022 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. As always, 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 proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

This year, National Police Week will take place from May 15 through 21, 2022. 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 Friday, May 13, 2022 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. As always, 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.

Paul Gray (FOP Lodge President/FBI Special Agent (retired)) will serve as Master of Ceremonies, Chief of Police Dale Phipps of the Kingsport Police Department will deliver the keynote address, Commander Sean Chambers of the Kingsport Police Department will read the roll call of fallen officers, and Bobby Russell (Sullivan County Circuit Court Clerk/Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office (retired)) will offer the invocation and benediction.

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 inscription is 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:

http://www.PoliceWeek.org

http://www.NLEOMF.com

https://www.ODMP.org

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

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KPD e-News Release: Juvenile Arrested After Burglarizing Multiple Unlocked Vehicles in Kingsport Subdivision (Update)

,

Kingsport Police Department

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Juvenile Arrested After Burglarizing Multiple Unlocked Vehicles in Kingsport Subdivision (Update)
DATE: May 12, 2022
CASE #: Multiple
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Update: After further investigation, a second fourteen year old juvenile has been arrested in connection with an investigation into the burglary of multiple unlocked vehicles in a Kingsport subdivision.

During an interview, this second suspect whose identity cannot be released due to his minor age, independently confirmed, what Detectives already suspected, and what was already confirmed by the first suspect. None of the vehicles that the pair burglarized were forcibly entered. Every single one of them was unlocked. And like the first suspect, the second suspect also lives within easy walking (or bicycling) distance of where the crimes were committed.

The Kingsport Police Department continues to stress the following crime prevention strategies to help deter motor vehicle thefts and auto burglaries:

PREVENT: Don’t be a victim. Prevent these types of crimes from happening to you.

NEVER: Never leave your vehicle running while unattended.

TAKE: Always take your vehicle’s keys or fob with you when you leave.

LOCK: Remember to keep your vehicle’s doors locked at all times.

REMOVE: Remove everything of value from your vehicle before you leave it.

This matter remains under open and active investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division with the possibility of additional charges to come. As such, no further information is available for release at this time.

As previously released:

Kingsport Police Detectives have charged and arrested a fourteen year old juvenile in connection with an investigation into the burglary of multiple unlocked vehicles in a Kingsport subdivision.

This investigation began after four incidents were reported to K.P.D. on May 7 and 8, 2022. Four unlocked vehicles had been unlawfully entered with property taken out of three of those vehicles.

During an interview, the juvenile, whose identity cannot be released due to his minor age, confirmed what Detectives already suspected. None of the vehicles that he burglarized were forcibly entered. Every single one of them was unlocked. The suspect also lives within easy walking distance of where the crimes were committed.

The suspect admitted to burglarizing at least twenty (20) vehicles in the greater Fair Acres area, yet only four of these alleged incidents have actually been reported to the police. Some of the reported stolen property has been recovered; however, additional property, believed to have also been stolen but not yet reported, has also been recovered.

As such, Detectives are asking for anyone who believes that they may have been a victim of a recent auto burglary, and have not yet reported the incident to the police, to please do so immediately.

During the investigation, the juvenile suspect was also implicated and charged in a late April motor vehicle theft that occurred in the same general neighborhood. That vehicle has since been recovered. At the time it was stolen, the vehicle had been left unlocked and the keys had been left inside it.

Chief of Police Dale Phipps shared the following sentiments: “Make no mistake, the Kingsport Police Department is absolutely not in the business of blaming victims; however, it is incumbent upon all of us as law abiding citizens to make these types of crimes more difficult for criminals to commit. Taking some basic common sense security measures will significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim. We know for a fact that these steps work, so it is our duty to encourage citizens to follow them.”

The Kingsport Police Department has repeatedly stressed the following crime prevention strategies to help deter motor vehicle thefts and auto burglaries:

PREVENT: Don’t be a victim. Prevent these types of crimes from happening to you.

NEVER: Never leave your vehicle running while unattended.

TAKE: Always take your vehicle’s keys or fob with you when you leave.

LOCK: Remember to keep your vehicle’s doors locked at all times.

REMOVE: Remove everything of value from your vehicle before you leave it.

This matter remains under open and active investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division with the possibility of additional charges to come. As such, no further information is available for release at this time.
SUSPECT #1 INFORMATION
Name Not Released Due to Minor Age
Age 14 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/Mixed Race
Residency Kingsport, TN
Charge(s) 1) Motor Vehicle Theft over $10,000

2) Felony Evading Arrest

3) Felony Reckless Endangerment

4) Auto Burglary (3 counts)

5) Theft of Property under $1,000 (2 counts)

6) Theft of Property over $1,000 (1 count)

7) Criminal Trespassing
SUSPECT #2 INFORMATION
Name Not Released Due to Minor Age
Age 14 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/Black
Residency Kingsport, TN
Charge(s) 1) Auto Burglary (4 counts)

2) Theft of Property under $1,000 (4 counts)

3) Criminal Trespassing

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton
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Kingsport adding two recycling drop-off sites

The City of Kingsport is planning to re-establish a recycling drop-off site at the Kingsport Civic Auditorium later this year.

At the same time, the city plans to create a new full-service drop-off site on Industry Drive where not only recyclable materials would be accepted, but household and yard waste would be as well.

These steps are being taken to improve recycling services to the citizens of Kingsport, said Deputy City Manager Ryan McReynolds.

“When we paused our curbside recycling, it took away the convenience factor of recycling for our citizens,” McReynolds said. “Now, we want to focus on re-establishing a drop-off station at the civic and creating additional locations across town. If and when curbside recycling comes back, those new locations can hopefully remain.”

Kingsport paused its curbside recycling service two years ago after the market essentially dropped out on mixed paper, thus making it economically unfeasible to continue the service. However, recycling options still exist in our area.

Sullivan County manages a number of recycling drop-off sites across the county, including ones in Colonial Heights, Sullivan Gardens, on Industry Drive and on Brookside Drive. In the past, a drop-off site was located behind the Kingsport Civic Auditorium, but it was removed to accommodate the construction of the Dobyns-Bennett High School STEM building.

Now, Kingsport hopes to re-establish a drop-off site at the civic auditorium by this fall.

In addition, Kingsport plans to move the existing drop-off site on Industry Drive further down the road and expand it to be a full-service, fully-manned facility capable to accepting not only recyclable materials, but also yard waste, household waste and construction debris.

McReynolds said this site would have normal operating hours and only be for the citizens of Kingsport. Contractor waste would not be accepted. The city is in the process of purchasing the property for the drop-off site and hopes to have the facility up and running by this fall as well.

“Kingsport has a long history of being a leader in recycling so it goes without saying we want to do everything possible to offer this service to our residents, in the most affordable way possible,” McReynolds said.

parks and rec logo

Friday Fortnite & Open Gym

Whether you enjoy your games on a computer or in a gym, Kingsport’s Parks and Recreation Department is hooking you up this Friday at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr., Complex.

First, the department is offering “Friday Fortnite” – where you and your friends can come out and enjoy an evening of Fortnite, with a chance to win some V-Bucks! The event is for kids ages 6-12. For more information, contact Travis Sensabaugh at 423-343-9723.

And if you like your games a little more physical, the department is hosting an Open Gym to play basketball, ping-pong, dodgeball or pickleball. The event is for teens ages 13-18. For more information contact Renee Ensor at 423-224-2489.

Both events run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 13 at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr., Complex (301 Louis Street). For more information visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

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KPD e-News Release: Juvenile Arrested After Burglarizing Multiple Unlocked Vehicles in Kingsport Subdivision

,

Kingsport Police Department

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department• www.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Juvenile Arrested After Burglarizing Multiple Unlocked Vehicles in Kingsport Subdivision
DATE: May 11, 2022
CASE #: Multiple
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Kingsport Police Detectives have charged and arrested a fourteen year old juvenile in connection with an investigation into the burglary of multiple unlocked vehicles in a Kingsport subdivision.

This investigation began after four incidents were reported to K.P.D. on May 7 and 8, 2022. Four unlocked vehicles had been unlawfully entered with property taken out of three of those vehicles.

During an interview, the juvenile, whose identity cannot be released due to his minor age, confirmed what Detectives already suspected. None of the vehicles that he burglarized were forcibly entered. Every single one of them was unlocked. The suspect also lives within easy walking distance of where the crimes were committed.

The suspect admitted to burglarizing at least twenty (20) vehicles in the greater Fair Acres area, yet only four of these alleged incidents have actually been reported to the police. Some of the reported stolen property has been recovered; however, additional property, believed to have also been stolen but not yet reported, has also been recovered.

As such, Detectives are asking for anyone who believes that they may have been a victim of a recent auto burglary, and have not yet reported the incident to the police, to please do so immediately.

During the investigation, the juvenile suspect was also implicated and charged in a late April motor vehicle theft that occurred in the same general neighborhood. That vehicle has since been recovered. At the time it was stolen, the vehicle had been left unlocked and the keys had been left inside it.

Chief of Police Dale Phipps shared the following sentiments: “Make no mistake, the Kingsport Police Department is absolutely not in the business of blaming victims; however, it is incumbent upon all of us as law abiding citizens to make these types of crimes more difficult for criminals to commit. Taking some basic common sense security measures will significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim. We know for a fact that these steps work, so it is our duty to encourage citizens to follow them.”

The Kingsport Police Department has repeatedly stressed the following crime prevention strategies to help deter motor vehicle thefts and auto burglaries:

PREVENT: Don’t be a victim. Prevent these types of crimes from happening to you.

NEVER: Never leave your vehicle running while unattended.

TAKE: Always take your vehicle’s keys or fob with you when you leave.

LOCK: Remember to keep your vehicle’s doors locked at all times.

REMOVE: Remove everything of value from your vehicle before you leave it.

This matter remains under open and active investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division with the possibility of additional charges to come. As such, no further information is available for release at this time.
SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name Not Released Due to Minor Age
Age 14 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/Mixed Race
Residency Kingsport, TN
Charge(s) 1) Motor Vehicle Theft over $10,000

2) Felony Evading Arrest

3) Felony Reckless Endangerment

4) Auto Burglary (3 counts)

5) Theft of Property under $1,000 (2 counts)

6) Theft of Property over $1,000 (1 count)

7) Criminal Trespassing

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee