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The 100-Mile Swim Club is continuing with its global theme next year, by taking its annual swimming challenge to one of the oldest and most historical places on Earth. If you’ve never participated in the past, now is the perfect time to dive in on this aquatic adventure.
The Kingsport Aquatic Center is pleased to announce its latest destination for the 100-Mile Swim Club – Egypt. The challenge calls for club members to work together by “traveling” on a 3,083-mile journey from the Library of Alexandria to Cairo Tower, with stops at noteworthy destinations along the way.
“The challenge is just a great way to work out, make new friends and learn something new about another country,” said Aquatic Shift Leader Olivia Carey. “I tried to pick a country where there’s a lot to see to keep the challenge interesting. I’m hoping we’re able to hit all the stops.”
The challenge is scheduled to run from January 1 through December 31, 2024. Registrations are now being accepted and the cost is $15 for Kingsport Aquatic Center and Kingsport Senior Center members and $25 for YMCA and non-members.
All participants will receive a 2024 100-Mile Swim Club t-shirt, and anyone can join at any time throughout the year.
To register, visit the front desk at the Kingsport Aquatic Center, call 423-343-9758 or visit www.kingsporttn.gov, click the “CivicRec” link and then select the “Aquatic Center” tab.
Formed in 2016, the 100-Mile Swim Club aims to build and strengthen the swimming community through group challenges while learning fun facts about landmarks along the way. Club members will swim at their own pace, KAC staff keeps track of individuals’ miles and the club’s collective progress, while a map in the lobby displays the entire route.
For information on other events, programs and classes at the Kingsport Aquatic Center, please visit www.swimkingsport.com.
The Kingsport Aquatic Center will host a special Candy Cane Forest Swim event on December 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The event will feature games, crafts, face-painting, balloon sculptures, a scavenger hunt and swimming (of course). The scavenger hunt will consist of more than 100 candy canes hidden throughout the facility. A special prize worth $50 will be given to the participants who find one of the 10 golden candy canes hidden within the Kingsport Aquatic Center.
Some friendly Candy Cane Forest friends may even stop by for a visit!
The cost for the event is $10 per person. You can pay at the door, or you can register by visiting https://bit.ly/3NGEr6v. You can also click on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on the “CivicRec” link, then search for “Candy Cane Forest Swim” in the search bar.
“We’re looking forward to hosting a great family friendly event for the holidays,” said Aquatics Program Coordinator Madison Gump. “We’ll have activities for all ages and for both the competitive type and leisure type people. We hope to see you there.”
For information on other events, programs and classes at the Kingsport Aquatic Center, please visit www.swimkingsport.com.
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The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a “Chasing Santa” bike ride this Saturday at the Kingsport Greenbelt.
This free holiday-themed event will take place on December 16 at 1 p.m. (for beginners) and 2 p.m. (for intermediate riders) at the Holston Valley Drive Trailhead.
Participants will need to bring their own helmet and bike and riders are encouraged to decorate their bikes with a Christmas theme. A helmet must be worn during the event.
After the ride, participants will get to enjoy hot chocolate and cookies and Santa himself will read “The Night Before Christmas” (to the beginners group).
Though the event is free, Kingsport Parks and Recreation officials are asking folks to register to know approximately how many people will be showing up.
To register, visit https://bit.ly/3Gv6P7u. You can also click on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on the “CivicRec” link, then search for “Chasing Santa” in the search bar.
For more information about other events and programs offered by Kingsport Parks and Recreation, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
SUBJECT: KPD Searching For Missing Adult (Update: Found Safe)
DATE: December 8th, 2023
CASE #: 23-023943
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Update: Kingsport Detectives reviewed surveillance video from Five Below and discovered that Shawna had left the store of her own volition. Kingsport detectives asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to assist in trying to locate Shawna’s whereabouts. Together, detectives and agents were able to locate Shawna safe and she is no longer considered a missing person.
As previously released: On December 5th, 2023, Shawna Lee was reported missing to the Kingsport Police Department by family members who were unsure of her whereabouts and concerned for her welfare. The family was told that she was last seen in the area of Five Below (2003 N. Eastman Rd.) She is known to frequent Minute Market (1108 E. Center Street).
Shawna is a 33-year-old white female with black hair and brown eyes. She is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 140 pounds.
Anyone who sees her, or may potentially know her current location, is asked to contact 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
MISSING PERSON INFORMATION
Name: Shawna Lee
Age: 33
Gender/Race: Female/White
Height/Weight: 5′ 8″/140
Hair/Eyes: Black/Brown
Residency: Kingsport, TN
Last Known Location: 2003 N. Eastman Road, Kingsport, TN (Five Below)
 |
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Johnson
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749
BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov
The City of Kingsport held a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony Thursday afternoon for the first phase of Riverbend Park – the city’s newest park located along the South Fork of the Holston River off Fort Henry Drive.
This first phase includes a floating fishing pier and a half-mile, granite walking trail beginning at Wesley Road and stretching along the banks of the river. King General Contractors performed the work for the city. The cost of phase one was approximately $1.1 million.
Riverbend Park will ultimately be a 22-acre park that stretches from Riverbend Drive to Wesley Road.
“This park has been in the works for quite some time, so we’re excited about its opening,” said Kitty Frazier, parks and recreation manager. “Riverbend is a new park we’re adding to our network, we now have book end parks along the Holston River, and we believe residents will embrace this new park.”
Riverbend Park was once part of a 100-acre farm previously owned by the Bradley Family. Jeff Bradley, who flew to Kingsport this week to celebrate the ribbon cutting and dedication event, said he was happy to see what Kingsport has done with the property.
“Six generations of my family have recreated on that property, for picnics and hikes and it makes me happy to know countless more generations will be able to enjoy the property and the river,” Bradley said. “It’s a wonderful park and a wonderful addition to Kingsport’s parks.”
Riverbend Park is a project that dates to 2015 when First Southeast Development – an Alabama developer who built Riverbend Villas apartments – donated 24 acres along the South Fork of the Holston River to the city. In return, Kingsport built a new road to the property and installed a traffic signal at the intersection with Fort Henry.
Kingsport has designed Riverbend Park to be a multi-phase project that can be developed over a 5 to 10 year period. Conceptual drawings show the park having roughly 2,646 feet of riverbank access with gateway entrances at both ends of the trail.
Drawings also show the park with various play areas, pavilions, restrooms, benches, scenic spots, and interpretive signs spaced at various locations along the river.
For more information on Kingsport’s parks, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
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The Kingsport Public Library is getting in the Christmas spirit by offering a variety of fun and festive activities throughout the month of December. So, be sure to mark your calendars, don your favorite Christmas sweater and head down to the library to enjoy these holiday programs.
Christmas Wrap and Craft (December 11 at 6 p.m.) – Come to the library, bring your gifts and use our wrapping supplies to learn how to make your own, unique one-of-a-kind gift bags for friends and family. Open for all ages.
Snowflake Free For All (December 12th at 4 p.m.) – Join us at the library to make decorative, paper snowflakes to hang in your home, your office or even your vehicle. Open to grade K-5.
Paint Café (December 12th at 6 p.m.) – Enjoy a stressless, fun, painting event using a tutorial by www.stepbysteppainting.net. All you do is paint on a pre-printed canvas to create a beautiful snow globe with a cabin. Registration is required and the event is for adults.
Craft and Chat: Cross Stitch Ornaments (December 14 at 12 p.m.) – Learn how to make cross-stitch ornaments during this one-hour class. The library will have all the materials you need as well as a variety of designs to choose from. While supplies last. Open to adults.
Polar Express Celebration (December 16 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) – The library is again hosting is Polar Express Celebration this year with a showing of the movie, with snacks and hot chocolate, while offering a photo opportunity with the famous conductor. Afterwards at 4 p.m., join us in Glen Bruce Park for Polar Express themed crafts and snow.
For information about other events, activities and programs at the Kingsport Public Library, please visit www.kingsportlibrary.org.
SUBJECT: KPD Searching For Missing Adult
DATE: December 7th, 2023
CASE #: 23-023943
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On December 5th, 2023, Shawna Lee was reported missing to the Kingsport Police Department by family members who were unsure of her whereabouts and concerned for her welfare. The family was told that she was last seen in the area of Five Below (2003 N. Eastman Rd.) She is known to frequent Minute Market (1108 E. Center Street).
Shawna is a 33-year-old white female with black hair and brown eyes. She is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 140 pounds.
Anyone who sees her, or may potentially know her current location, is asked to contact 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
MISSING PERSON INFORMATION
Name: Shawna Lee
Age: 33
Gender/Race: Female/White
Height/Weight: 5′ 8″/140
Hair/Eyes: Black/Brown
Residency: Kingsport, TN
Last Known Location: 2003 N. Eastman Road, Kingsport, TN (Five Below)
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Johnson
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749
BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov