You are here: / / / March
cultural arts logo

Popular Iron Pour event returns to Kingsport

Casting will take place during upcoming Kingsport Arts Festival

Kingsport Cultural Arts is bringing back one of the most popular artistic events to take place in the Model City.

The Iron Pour event is returning to the Inventor Center (118 Shelby Street) in April where participants will scratch unique designs into an 8-inch sand mold which will then be cast with molten iron to create a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Sculpture artist Tripp Jarvis and a team of master sculptors will conduct an iron pour demonstration, heating up 500 pounds of iron to 3,000 degrees. Then, when the iron is white hot, Jarvis and his team will pour it into molds made during one of the following eight scratch mold workshops.

  • April 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • April 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • April 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • April 6 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • April 6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • April 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • April 12 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • April 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • April 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • April 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The workshops will be held at the Inventor Center and the cost to participate is $20 per person. The event is for ages 18 and up. Children ages 6 to 17 are welcome to participate if accompanied by an adult. All materials will be provided.

Once all of the workshops have been held, the iron pour will take place during the upcoming Kingsport Arts Festival (on April 20 beginning at 1:30 p.m.) and your piece of iron will be cast.

For more information about this event, please call 423-392-8414 or visit www.artskingsport.org.

KPD e-News Release: KPD Investigating Death

SUBJECT:  KPD Investigating Death

DATE:  March 22nd, 2024 

CASE #: 24-004548

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On March 22, 2024, Kingsport Police Officers responded to the 600 block of Lovedale Drive in reference to a medical emergency. Arriving officers found, William Wilson, inside a home with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his chest. Officers and Sullivan County EMS provided care to Wilson on the scene prior to him being taken to a local hospital. Wilson was later pronounced dead.

 

This incident appears to be accidental, but it is still an active and ongoing investigation. Charges are pending this investigation.

 

This was an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the public.

VICTIM INFORMATION

Name:  William Wilson

Age: 20 

Gender/Race: Male/White 

Residency: Kingsport, TN 

Injuries: Apparent gunshot wound

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

 

Media Report 032224

This content has restricted access, please type the password below and get access.


kingsport logo

Highlighting Heroes: Erin Gray

,

Erin GrayFor the nearly four years, Erin Gray has served as the Homeless Outreach Worker for the Kingsport Police Department, serving as the initial contact when police respond to calls involving the homeless.

Her work involves assessing the needs of the homeless, working with local non-profit organizations such as the Salvation Army, Hope Haven and the Oasis, and then connecting folks with the appropriate resources, be it housing, medical, employment, therapy or transportation.

It’s an extremely challenging job and one that requires a considerable amount of patience.

“Honestly, the most challenging part is helping the older population and getting them in a safe place until a plan can be determined,” Gray said. “The program we have is holistic. We talked about medical, mental health, employment and job training. It’s very individualized for what a person is able to do.”

Gray, 44, is a life-long Tri-Cities native, she grew up in Gray and has lived in Kingsport for the past 20 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in social work from East Tennessee State University.

Prior to joining the Kingsport Police Department, Gray worked at the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services for more than 10 years, at Holston Valley Community Hospital as a case manager and at a nursing home for about a year. She and her two children – 11 year old son and 8 year old daughter – live in Kingsport.

In her day to day job with the city, Gray works hand in hand with Jonathan Anderson, the Homeless Services Liaison with the United Way of Greater Kingsport, and with Tracie Reece with Grace House.

“Erin has the perfect combination of compassion and accountability and a true desire to look beyond the immediate needs and focus on the long-term resources that will help break the cycles of homelessness,” Anderson said.

Gray’s job is to essentially perform case management for the homeless population, doing referrals and responding to emergencies by de-escalating and stabilizing the situation.

“I look at us as the homeless population’s emergency room, where we do triage and help get you stabilized and to a primary care provider,” Gray said. “We’re the group of people who doesn’t just look at the immediate needs. We’re looking long-term and try to get to the root of the problem for each individual.”

One of the most rewarding parts of her job is seeing people from the COVID-19 days of 2020 better themselves. Folks who entered recovery, are still in recovery or are moving forward with their lives.

“We can only connect the homeless with the services, so it’s their hard work that ultimately changes their lives,” Gray said. “It’s a good feeling when you see someone better themselves. That’s what keeps us going.”

 

Media Report 032124

This content has restricted access, please type the password below and get access.


cultural arts logo

Kingsport Cultural Arts announces new arts festival

The two-day event will showcase activities and demonstrations for the entire family

Kingsport Cultural Arts and Engage Kingsport are pleased to announce a new, two-day arts festival coming next month – one that aims to engage the entire community in the arts and encourage them to join in themselves.

The Kingsport Arts Festival will take place on April 19-20 in the vicinity of Market and Shelby streets in downtown Kingsport. The two-day festival kicks off on April 19 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a “Light up the Night” parade with giant puppets, paper lanterns and digital artwork projected onto downtown buildings.

Then on April 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the festival continues with a full day of family-friendly activities, including an iron pour, a glass blowing workshop, Raku firing, tie-dye making, an art gallery crawl and the launch of this year’s Sculpture Walk. Those who would like to participate in the iron pour, raku firing, and glassblowing can register at www.artskingsport.org.

Buskers will be performing along Market and Shelby streets during the festival on April 20. Suzuki Talent Education of Appalachia and the Kingsport Ballet will be performing, an art gallery crawl will take place along Market and Broad and children’s activities will be held throughout the day at Impressions Fine Art Gallery (246 Broad Street).

“We wanted to bring a different type of arts festival to downtown Kingsport this year, one that showcases creative techniques not typically found at other festivals,” said Kristie Leonard, special events and cultural arts manager. “We believe people will come away excited by what they saw demonstrated.”

The Kingsport Arts Festival is hosted by Kingsport Cultural Arts in partnership with Engage Kingsport. For more information about the festival or to volunteer during the event, please visit www.artskingsport.org. This project is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee, Tennessee Arts Commission.

Parks and Recreation Logo

Kingsport offers Intermediate & Advanced Skateboarding Lessons

Starting in April, the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department will be offering Intermediate and Advanced Skateboarding classes at the Scott Adams Memorial Skatepark (2016 Brickyard Park Drive).

The classes will take place every Monday from April 1 through April 29 at the following times:

  • Intermediate: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Advanced: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In this class, you will learn the advanced moves and tricks of skateboarding in a friendly, safe environment. Participants are encouraged to bring their own skateboard and parents are encouraged to remain onsite during the class. Water will be provided.

The cost for the lessons is $30 for city residents and $35 for non-city residents. The lessons are open for boys and girls ages 6 to 12. The maximum number of registrants is 10.

To register for the lessons, visit https://bit.ly/435njxq. 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 “skateboarding” in the search bar.

For information about other classes, programs and events from Kingsport Parks and Recreation, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

KPD e-News Release: KPD Captain Graduates FBI National Academy

SUBJECT:  KPD Captain Graduates From FBI National Academy

DATE:  March 20th, 2024 

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On March 15th, 2024, Captain Chris Tincher, along with one-hundred and ninety-six law enforcement officers, graduated today from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The 289th session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 47 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 23 countries, four military organizations, and five federal civilian organizations.

 

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

 

FBI Director Christopher Wray delivered remarks at the ceremony. Class spokesperson Heath Jackson, from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Brewton, Alabama, represented the graduating officers.

 

FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training; many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields. Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia, which accredits all the National Academy courses offered. 

 

A total of 54,985 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

Parks and Recreation Logo

Kingsport Parks and Recreation hosting Spring Break Camp

Kingsport’s Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations for its annual Spring Break Camp, where kids will have the opportunity to enjoy a week full of games and activities, arts and crafts, outside time, movie time and so much more.

The camp will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 25-28 at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street). Children ages 6 to 12 can register and the cost per child is $30 for city residents and $35 for non-city residents.

Camp participants will need to pack a lunch and a snack daily.

“If you’ve never participated in one of our camps before, know that it’ll be a fun-filled week for the kids with plenty of outdoor games and activities,” said Program Administrator Renee Ensor. “Our staff truly works hard all week to keep the kids active and engaged.”

To register, visit https://bit.ly/3Pifgrz. 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 “spring break camp” in the search bar.

For more information, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or call 423-224-2489.

Media Report

This content has restricted access, please type the password below and get access.


Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee