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Christmas Happenings at the Kingsport Public Library

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.

Paper Garlands (December 5 at 4 p.m.) – Join the library staff and make your own, festive paper garlands for the holidays. For ages kindergarten through 5th grade.

Resin Coaster Workshop (December 5 at 6 p.m.) – In this workshop you’ll make your own drink coaster out of resin. Participants will have a choice to follow a provided pattern or be as creative as you like. All materials will be provided. Registration is required. For ages 18 and over.

Craft and Chat: Cookie Cutter Ornaments (December 7 at 12 p.m.) – Looking for an easy way to trim the tree? In this class you’ll create beautiful handmade Christmas ornaments out of cookie cutters and pretty paper. Feel free to bring a photograph you’d like to use or select paper from our supplies. For ages 18 and over.

Create Your Own Ornament (December 7 at 4 p.m.) – Help us celebrate the holiday season with some festive ornament making. Participants will use paint, markers and glue to make ornaments that are truly unique and special. All materials will be provided. For ages 13 to 18.

Christmas Cookies and Milk (December 9 at 11 a.m.) – Join the library staff to make your own Christmas cookie craft, along with Christmas ornaments. You can also enjoy a tasty cookie while you craft. For all ages.

For information about other events, activities and programs at the Kingsport Public Library, please visit www.kingsportlibrary.org.

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Tips to help prevent water pipes from freezing

Every winter as the temperature starts to drop, the pipes in and around your home are at risk of freezing and possibly even bursting. However, by following a few easy tips you can greatly reduce the chance of your pipes freezing and thus saving yourself a costly repair bill in the case of burst pipes.

According to the American Red Cross, the pipes most likely to freeze during the winter months are:

  • Pipes exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines and water sprinkler lines.
  • Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
  • Pipes running against exterior walls with little to no insulation.

To help keep these and other pipes from freezing, be sure to:

  • Disconnect all garden hoses and install covers on all outside faucets.
  • Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher.
  • Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the house to circulate.
  • Keep water moving through pipes by allowing a small trickle to run.
  • Wrap pipes near exterior walls and in crawl spaces with insulation or heating tape.
  • Heat your basement and consider weather-sealing your windows.
  • Shut off water supply values if away from home for an extended period.

“Repairing or replacing burst water pipes can be an expensive and stressful situation. By following these recommendations before the weather turns too cold, you could save yourself thousands of dollars in repairs,” said Assistant Utilities Director Chad Austin.

For more information on preventing and thawing frozen pipes, please visit the American Red Cross website at https://bit.ly/3GlQstI.

Media Report 11/30/2023

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Kingsport Community Members Rally in Support of Law Enforcement

In a heartfelt display of appreciation, the Kingsport community has launched several initiatives to show unwavering support for their local police force, ranging from providing snacks to creating supportive signage to establishing a unique “Prayer Warriors” program.

The movement began modestly, with residents recognizing that Kingsport police officers often miss meals due to their demanding schedules. To address this, a rotating roster of community members started supplying packaged snacks to the officers.

“These snacks are sometimes the only thing we manage to eat during our shifts,” shared Officer Mike Slater. “It’s more than just food. It’s a reminder that our community has our back.”

Building on this gesture, the community introduced yard signs and billboards bearing messages like “Our Heroes Kingsport Police” and “We Back the Blue.” These signs quickly became a common sight in Kingsport, symbolizing the town’s solidarity with its law enforcement.

The initiative’s impact soon echoed beyond Kingsport, inspiring neighboring cities like Johnson City, Bristol, Knoxville, Nashville, and even reaching as far as Texas and Oklahoma. Sign companies partnered with the movement, displaying large billboards with “A Big Thank You to Kingsport Police” across the city.

Perhaps the most personal touch in this wave of support is the Prayer Warriors program. Officers who choose to participate are paired with community members who commit to praying for their safety and well-being. These “warriors” also send encouraging notes and cards to the officers.

“Knowing someone is specifically praying for me and my colleagues is incredibly uplifting,” remarked Sergeant David Johnson.

This outpouring of support comes at a time when police forces nationwide often face challenging public perceptions. Kingsport’s initiatives serve as a reminder of the community’s gratitude and respect for those who serve and protect them.

“It’s about showing our officers that they are valued and respected,” said Terri Farthing, one of the movement’s organizers. “Our police are not just enforcers of the law. They are an integral part of our community.”

The Kingsport Police Department expressed its gratitude for these gestures, noting the positive impact on officer morale.

“It’s a tough job, and gestures like these remind us why we do what we do,” Lt. Justin McConnell stated.

As Kingsport continues to show its support, the community’s actions resonate as a powerful example of respect and appreciation for law enforcement, a model that other cities are now beginning to follow.

For more information, contact Mary Cowden at 423-246-9600 or marylcowden@yahoo.com.

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Road Closures for Kingsport Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting

Kingsport’s annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting event is this Saturday (December 2) in downtown Kingsport. The parade begins at 6 p.m. with the tree lighting taking place at 7:45 p.m.

Beginning at 2:30 p.m., expect road closures on Clinchfield Street (from West Center Street to Market Street), on West Center Street (from Clinchfield Street to Sullivan Street), and on East Center Street (from Sullivan Street to Clinchfield Street) and other side streets within this area.

All road closures and detours will be in place by 5:30 p.m. and will remain closed through the duration of the events Saturday evening. Center Street will be reopened at the conclusion of the parade.

Due to construction, Main Street is closed from Sullivan to Cherokee, so please use Market Street as a detour.

In addition to the parade route closures, the 400 block of Broad Street and New Street (from Shelby to Commerce) will be closed Saturday at 10 a.m. for afternoon activities in the area. These closures will be lifted at the conclusion of the events.

For more information about the parade, tree lighting, and other holiday events, visit www.christmasinkingsport.com.

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Where is Ryder the Elf Hiding?

The Kingsport Area Transit Service needs your help in finding Ryder the Christmas Elf. The elusive elf could be hiding on a bus, at a shelter or transit stop or he just might be hiding somewhere at the downtown transit station.

There’s no telling where Ryder might be. But if you do manage to find him, you’ll win a free January bus pass!

From December 1 until December 24, KATS is offering a special “Find Ryder the Christmas Elf” promotion. If you find Ryder, show him to your driver or bring him to the downtown transit station (900 E. Main Street) to receive a free January bus pass.

Be sure to check out the KATS’ website (www.kingsporttransit.org) or the Kingsport Alerts Facebook page each day to receive a clue to where Ryder might be hiding. Limit one free bus pass per customer.

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Over 20,000 issues resolved through Connect Kingsport app

The ConnectKingsport app recently reached a significant milestone in its two year history – over 20,000 issues have been resolved through the app.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to report concerns to the City of Kingsport is through the ConnectKingsport app. Just download the free app on the App Store or Google Play Store and click the “Report a Concern” link to let us know about any issues in the city.

The ConnectKingsport app allows residents to have a direct line of communication to the city to report a variety of non-emergency concerns in more than three dozen categories, including drainage issues, dead animal removal, graffiti, potholes, water leaks, high grass and sewer backups.

The app also provides links to the city’s website, the leaf line, animal services, CivicRec, KATS, an events calendar and the building and planning departments.

ConnectKingsport uses GPS to recognize your location and gives you a menu of common quality-of-life conditions to select from when submitting a request. The app allows you to upload pictures or videos to accompany your request. Residents can then track the status of reports they or other members of the community have submitted until the issue is resolved.

Back at the office, city staff will leverage powerful dashboards and reporting tools to identify hot spots, increase productivity, prioritize projects and spend tax dollars smarter.

This application not only allows citizens to report problems, but also to view, comment on, and vote to fix problems submitted by their neighbors. Citizens can even create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about the issues reported in their community, enabling them to follow the progress of all service requests—not just the ones they report.

“ConnectKingsport is the best way to report issues you see in the city,” said Administrative and Communications Coordinator, Sara Nowell. “Plus, it gives you a direct link to This Is Kingsport, the website that answers the question ‘What is there to do in Kingsport?’ by providing a comprehensive calendar full of events throughout the city.”

To download the free app, go to the App Store or Google Play and search “ConnectKingsport” to find the app. You can also access the tool via kingsporttn.gov/city-services/public-works/connectkingsport/ or seeclickfix.com. Download the free app today to be a part of making Kingsport a great place to live, work and play.

Media Report 11/29/2023

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Bays Mountain Park hosting Winter Solstice Yoga & Meditation Class

Bays Mountain Park is partnering with a local yoga instructor to offer residents a special winter solstice yoga and meditation program inside the planetarium theater.

The event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on December 8 in the planetarium theater at Bays Mountain Park.

This 40-minute immersive yoga and meditation program will simulate a day’s journey from dawn to dusk within the planetarium, while participants do standing yoga poses. Students will be encouraged to work briefly on their strength, flexibility and balance.

The remaining 20 minutes of the program will involve light stretching and guided meditation, while the planetarium transitions from twilight to night. This class is designed for people with lower mobility or those who simply enjoy more restful and reflective opportunities.

The cost is $10 per person and class size is limited to 20 people. Wear exercise clothing and bring water with a sealable lid. No mat is required.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/3Ly15wy. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on “CivicRec,” then search for “yoga” in the search bar.

For information about other events, activities and programs offered by Bays Mountain Park, visit www.baysmountain.com.

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City of Kingsport, Tennessee