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KPD e-News Release: KPD Investigating Assault on Sequoyah Drive (Update)

SUBJECT:  KPD Investigating Assault on Sequoyah Drive (Update)

DATE:  March 6th, 2024 

CASE #: 24-003674

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Update: Two victims (adult male and adult female) were transported from the 300 block of Sequoyah Drive to a local hospital with possible life-threatening injuries. Detectives are still investigating the exact cause of the injuries.

A male suspect who fled the scene is now in custody. This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

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

More details will be released at a later time.

As previously released: Kingsport Police Officers are investigating an assault in the 300 Block of Sequoyah Drive. This is an active and ongoing crime scene. Further details will be released at a later time.

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

KPD e-News Release: KPD Investigating Assault on Sequoyah Drive

SUBJECT:  KPD Investigating Assault on Sequoyah Drive

DATE:  March 6th, 2024

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Kingsport Police Officers are investigating an assault in the 300 Block of Sequoyah Drive. This is an active and ongoing crime scene. Further details will be released at a later time.

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

 

Media Report 03/06/2024

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cultural arts logo

A Call for Artists: The Kingsport Arts Festival

Kingsport Cultural Arts is pleased to announce a new, two-day arts festival coming this spring, that aims to highlight the best artists, musicians, performers and dancers from across the Tri-Cities region.

The festival kicks off on April 19 (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.) with a “Light up the Night” parade with giant puppets, lanterns and projection artwork. Then on April 20 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) the festival continues with a full day of family-friendly activities, including an iron pour, glass blowing, Raku firing, tie-dye making and the launch of this year’s Sculpture Walk.

If you wish to be a part of this festival, KCA is sending out two calls for artists – one for digital artists and the other for buskers (musicians, performers and dancers). To apply for either role, please visit https://bit.ly/49Y6Tct.

Digital artists will create artwork that will be projected onto buildings in downtown Kingsport during the festival on April 19. The submission deadline for digital artists is March 15 and the selected artists will be notified by March 30. Buskers interested in participating in the festival on April 20 are also being asked to apply.

The Kingsport Arts Festival is hosted by Kingsport Cultural Arts in partnership with Engage Kingsport. For information about other classes, programs and activities of the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts, visit www.artskingsport.org.

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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Kingsport Dogwood Park

The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is inviting dog lovers of all types to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an afternoon of food and fun at Kingsport Dogwood Park.

St. Patty’s Day at the Dog Park will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on March 17 at the Kingsport Dogwood Park (800 Granby Road). The event is free and open to the public.

The two hour event will feature vendors, food trucks and plenty of dog treats. Membership to the dog park is not required, and prospective members are free to tour the dog park and get information on possibly joining.

For information about other programs, activities and classes offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or call 423-229-9460.

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Kingsport offers updates on capital improvement projects

Every year, the City of Kingsport funds a variety of capital projects for the betterment of the city and its citizens. Capital projects normally involve renovating or expanding existing facilities, new construction projects or infrastructure improvements.

Projects of these types are funded with bonds and are meant to improve the quality of life for residents, to attract visitors to our city and to last for several generations.

Kingsport currently has a number of high profile capital projects in the pipeline, including an expansion of the Justice Center, the Main Street rebuild, the renovation of the Kingsport Public Library and an upgrade to the Nature Center at Bays Mountain Park.

The Justice Center project involves expanding the footprint of the building into the existing parking lot, adding two new courtrooms and additional space for the Kingsport Police Department, while bringing all court functions under one roof.

Kingsport’s Sustainable Paving Program looks to focus on the Tellico Hills section of Fairacres this year, paving approximately 1.7 miles of roads within the neighborhood. All told, Kingsport plans to use $2.5 million in MTPO (Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization) funds and $3.6 million in city funds on street resurfacing this year.

The final design for the Kingsport Public Library renovation is scheduled to be wrapped up this spring. This project will double the size of the children’s area and provide dedicated children’s programming space, install a new elevator, create four additional study rooms, allocate space for history and genealogy and provide dedicated and expanded teen and makerspace.

Construction is scheduled to begin later this year and take approximately 14 to 18 months to complete.

Bays Mountain Park has several improvements in the works, including expanding the footprint of the gift shop, renovating and right-sizing employee offices, replacing the carpet in the lobby with vinyl flooring and creating a new, more pronounced entrance to the planetarium.

This first phase of the project should be done by the end of May. Other park improvements include the Fox Den playground (under design), the restoration of the Observation Tower (funding recently secured) and the construction of a new otter habitat (expected completion in 2026).

This information was presented to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen during a day-long, strategic planning session held February 23 at city hall. The BMA heard updates from staff on the city’s finances, economic development efforts and budget priorities and challenges for the coming year.

To view the presentations from the strategic planning session, visit www.kingsporttn.gov.

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Kingsport Home Show celebrates 50th anniversary & Special Announcement

The Home Builders Association of Greater Kingsport is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Kingsport Home Show this March. This year’s event will take place March 8-10 at the Meadowview Conference Resort and Convention Center.

Featured vendors for the anniversary show include roofers, construction companies, lawncare, banks, realtors, fencing businesses and pool and spa providers. A Kids Workshop – presented by Lowe’s West Stone Drive – will be a special new booth where kids can build their own toy and then take it home along with a hammer, pair of goggles and an apron.

Admission is $5 per person. The event hours are as follows:

  • March 8 – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Senior night – $1 off admission)
  • March 9 – 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Kids Workshop 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
  • March 10 – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“The Kingsport Home Show is a great opportunity to see all the new products, services and companies in our region associated with the home building industry,” said James Phillips, president of the HBA of Greater Kingsport. “Plus, we’re excited about it being our 50th anniversary show and the special announcement we plan to make at the opening ceremony.”

The HBA will be making a special announcement regarding a community project at the opening of the Kingsport Home Show on March 8 at 4 p.m. The media is encouraged to attend this announcement.

The Home Builders Association of Greater Kingsport is a trade association that was organized and chartered in 1970. The HBA is dedicated to providing quality-housing choices in a range of affordability for the consumer. Its purpose is to provide information exchange, communication and education for members; to interact with local, state and federal legislative bodies to foster a positive building climate; to provide a forum to implement policies that affect the building industry; and to promote professionalism among our members.

For more information about the HBA, please visit www.kingsporthomebuilders.com.

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Registrations open soon for Spring Adult Softball Leagues

Kingsport Parks and Recreation will soon begin accepting registrations for its Spring Adult Softball Leagues.

Teams can have a maximum of 20 players on their roster. Divisions offered include Church-Industrial, Co-Ed and Men’s Open. Registration will take place from March 18 through April 5.

The entry fee is $400 per team with a $15 non-resident fee for all players who live outside the Kingsport city limits (max: $75). All games will be played at Brickyard Park and the season will begin the week of April 22.

You can register by going to the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street) or by going to the following website at https://bit.ly/494ngUU. 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 “adult softball” in the search bar.

For information about other programs, activities and classes offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

Parks and Recreation Logo

Registration opens for Spring Miracle League of Kingsport

Registration is now open for local athletes wanting to participate in the Miracle League of Kingsport. This baseball league serves all athletes with disabilities and special needs.

Athletes can register for two different divisions: ages 17 & under or ages 18 & older. Last year, more than 140 athletes participated in the league.

The Miracle League season will run from April 6 until May 11 and games will be played on Saturdays at 10 a.m. (ages 17 & under) and 11 a.m. (ages 18 & older). The games typically run two to three innings or about an hour in length and are played at Kingsport’s Miracle Complex (2017 Brickyard Park Drive).

Jerseys are provided at no cost and there is no fee to participate in the league.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/3UJhpQz. 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 “miracle league” in the search bar.

For information about other programs, activities and classes offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or call 423-229-9460.

kingsport logo

Kingsport aims to strengthen its code enforcement efforts

The City of Kingsport is continuing to concentrate on code enforcement efforts by adding personnel to the department, addressing cases that can be handled quickly and focusing on several dilapidated commercial properties in the downtown area.

The enforcement of code violations is important to the city for a number of reasons – the health safety of residents and visitors, the protection of property values, to maintain a good quality of life and for public safety.

To accomplish these goals, Kingsport has strengthened the department by adding two property maintenance and housing inspectors. These two employees, along with the current code enforcement coordinator, are responsible for monitoring and enforcing city codes and ordinances.

“We’re looking to protect property values and to make sure issues – such as junk in the yard, high grass and dilapidated structures – don’t spread throughout a neighborhood,” said Assistant City Manager Jessica Harmon. “And our goal is always to get voluntary compliance, but sometimes that’s just not feasible and sometimes we have to take matters into the courts.”

Last fall, a corridor study of the Lynn Garden community revealed public safety is one of the top priorities of residents. In response, Kingsport intends to take a wholistic approach to this concern, with code enforcement playing a major role in bringing about improvements.

During the corridor study, code enforcement officials observed 130 various violations, including substandard structures, dilapidations, high grass, inoperable vehicles and junk on property. As a result of this inspection, 35 cases have been opened this year – 14 inoperable vehicles, 5 dilapidations, 10 junk on property and 6 substandard properties.

Citywide, Kingsport has 5 dilapidations ready to be bid out, 7 in the appeals process with 8 demolitions already taken place. In the downtown area, Kingsport has identified several commercial buildings in need of repair or demolition. These include 702 E. Center Street (the McAnnich Apartments), 609 Boone Street and 152 Broad Street.

City officials have said tearing down a dilapidated structure helps the neighborhood on a number of fronts – it improves the value of nearby properties, removes any squatters who may have taken up residence and curbs the spread of dilapidation.

The success to code enforcement is consistency,” said City Manager Chris McCartt. “If someone is living next to a violation or operates a business next to a violation, we as a city have a responsibility and we’re going to continue to stay on it.”

This information was presented to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen during a day-long, strategic planning session held February 23 at city hall. The BMA heard updates from staff on the city’s finances, economic development efforts and budget priorities and challenges for the coming year.

To view the presentations from the strategic planning session, visit www.kingsporttn.gov.

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee