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Kingsport’s Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations from city residents for its annual summer camp program.
In this program, your elementary and middle school-aged kids will participate in games, crafts, movie time, outdoor activities, sports and swimming trips throughout the summer.
The summer camp program is open to children ages 6-12 and will be held at the V.O. Dobbins Sr., Center (301 Louis Street). Participants must have completed kindergarten and turned 6 by September 1. Non-city residents will be able to register on April 8.
Summer camp runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day and the cost and the dates for the sessions are as follows:
- Session 1: May 28 to June 14
- Session 2: June 17 to July 5
- Session 3: July 8 to July 26
- Cost per session, per child: $100 for city residents/$120 for non-city residents
Breakfast and lunch are provided through the month of June. Children will need to pack a lunch and snack each day for the month of July. V.O. Dobbins has a maximum registration limit and availability cannot be guaranteed. Participants are registered on a first come, first served basis.
You can register by going to V.O. Dobbins or by going to the following website at https://bit.ly/3TGHpv1. 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 “summer camp” in the search bar.
If you have any questions, contact Renee Ensor (423-224-2489) or Travis Sensabaugh (423-343-9723). For more information, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
As part of the permitting process, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation mandates the City of Kingsport offer educational and outreach activities regarding stormwater, the city’s various control measures and why those measures are important to the general public.
The following article discusses bioretention basins and how they use plants to filter out pollution.
A bioretention basin is a type of Stormwater Control Measure (SCM) that addresses both stormwater quantity and quality.
These basins are designed to hold water for 48 hours after a rain event, which helps prevent flooding. They also allow for stormwater infiltration and uptake by plants, thereby filtering out pollution.
Most bioretention basins have the same basic components to help them function properly, including:
- Inlets: pipes, channels or curb cuts that convey drainage into the basin from the surrounding area during a rain.
- Outlet Structure: Allows water to exit the basin in case the basin fills up.
- Pretreatment Areas: Typically consist of stones or grass to slow water entering the basin and thus catch trash, debris and sediment.
- The Main Basin: Consists of an engineered soil media to allow for infiltration, plants for stormwater uptake and an underdrain to convey excess water into the stormwater system.
- Cleanouts: Allow for maintenance of the underdrain.
Bioretention basins may be inspected by the local municipality to ensure they are functioning correctly. However, all maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner.
In order for the bioretention basin to work efficiently, vegetation needs to be kept healthy and watered in times of drought. All trash, debris and sediment should be removed from the basin at regular intervals. Any erosion should be repaired and mulched areas should be refreshed.
Excess sediment can clog the soil media and prevent the bioretention basin from functioning properly. The underdrain should be inspected for clogging and the basin should be observed during and after rain events to ensure it is functioning correctly.
If you have a concern about a specific bioretention basin in Kingsport, you may call Water Services at 423-229-9454 or email wsengineers@kingsporttn.gov. You can also report any possible issues with bioretention basins by using the ConnectKingsport app.
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SUBJECT: KPD Arrests Man For Indecent Exposure
DATE: April 2nd, 2024
CASE #: 24-004982
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On March 25, 2024, at approximately 1:07 pm, Kingsport Police Officers responded to Food City, located at 300 Clinchfield Street, after receiving a call of an indecent exposure. Arriving officers learned that white male driving a maroon Honda Accord with the license plate covered with a white cloth had exposed his genitals to a woman, and two children. The suspect fled the scene prior to officers arriving. Officers obtained pictures of the vehicle and began searching the area.
On March 30, 2024, at approximately 11:20 am, Kingsport Officers were notified that a maroon Honda Accord was circling the parking lot of Food City on Clinchfield Street. Officers located the Honda with a white cloth over the license plate and stopped the vehicle in the parking lot. They identified the driver as Michael Bellamy (66 year of age). Officers reviewed surveillance video of the area and observed Bellamy circling the parking lot for approximately twenty minutes.
Bellamy was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and display of registration. Officers were able to connect Bellamy to the previous indecent exposure that occurred on March 25, and obtained an arrest warrant for 3 counts of indecent exposure.
Bellamy was booked in the Kingsport City Jail for the charges.
SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name: Michael Bellamy
Age: 66
Gender/Race: Male/White
Residency: Kingsport, TN
Charges: Indecent Exposure x3, Disorderly Conduct, Display of Registration
SUSPECT VEHICLE INFORMATION
Make: Honda
Model: Accord
Year: 2015
Type: Sedan
Color: Maroon
License: # 624BHWD
Other Info: License plate covered with white cloth.
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Johnson
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749
BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov
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The City of Kingsport has unveiled its Park Improvement Plan for Bays Mountain Park – a plan that aims to complete the renovations of the Nature Center, improve the animal habitats and enhance the overall aesthetics of the park.
Over the past year, two architectural consultants – Coyle & Caron Landscape and Collective Architecture Company – worked for approximately one year on crafting the plan, which the Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved on March 19.
The 48-page plan focuses on the Nature Center, animal habitats and adjacent spaces, while providing a long-term framework for future improvements at Bays Mountain Park over the next 10 to 15 years.
“The plan not only gives us guidance for the long-term improvement of Bays Mountain Park, but it can also help us with securing grants, which will allow us to do even more things at the park,” said Park Manager Megan Krager.
Some of the key goals of the Park Improvement Plan include:
- Updating and modernizing the animal habitats.
- Improving the arrival sequence, wayfinding, trail access and connectivity.
- Enhancing the overall aesthetics of the park.
- Better understanding what park users want.
- Developing a cohesive and actionable plan.
Kingsport began its first phase of Nature Center improvements last fall with work expected to wrap up this spring. Crews installed new flooring and lighting throughout the main floor gallery, expanded the gift shop, renovated employee offices and created a new, more pronounced entrance to the planetarium.
The renovations were made possible through a generous donation of $1 million from the James and Laura Rogers Foundation during the 50th anniversary of Bays Mountain Park.
These dollars will also help Kingsport apply for an additional $2.8 million in state recreation grant funds. If secured, the grant will allow Kingsport to fund a new entry way to the Nature Center, a new event terrace area, additional interior renovations and a new otter habitat.
Sponsors for Phase 2 improvements include Eastman Credit Union, Knoxville TVA Credit Union and the Kingsport Community Foundation.
To view the entire Park Improvement Plan, please visit https://bit.ly/3TBfqvw.
SUBJECT: Kingsport Detectives Investigate ATM Theft
DATE: April 1st, 2024
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On April 1st, 2024, at approximately 2:30 am, Kingsport Police Officers responded to an ATM alarm at Bank of Tennessee, located at 1708 N. Eastman Road. Officers were also notified of debris in the roadway. Arriving officers found the Bank of Tennessee ATM in the roadway of N. Eastman. Officers determined that a red Chevrolet Silverado had hooked to the ATM and pulled it from the ground to steal it. After speaking with Bank of Tennessee employees, it was determined that $1.84 was missing from the ATM as a result of the incident.
A short time later, officers discovered the red Chevrolet Silverado used to pull the ATM parked in the 1700 block of Harris Street. Officers spoke with the registered owners who didn’t live on Harris Street, and determined the truck was stolen sometime earlier in the night.
This is still an active and ongoing investigation.
Detectives are asking that if anyone has any information about this incident to call (423) 229-9474 (assigned investigator Cpl. Det. Ben DeGreen).
Alternatively, if an individual who is able to provide 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
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Johnson
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749
BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov
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Kingsport Parks and Recreation is now accepting registrations for the 2024 Spring Youth Baseball and Softball Leagues.
Registration is now taking place until April 5 for Machine Pitch Softball (10-12), Fast Pitch Baseball (11-12), Fast Pitch Baseball (13-15) and Fast Pitch Softball (13-15).
Children must be of age as of August 15, 2023. The registration fee is $30 per player (excluding the price of a jersey and hat). Participants must live inside the Kingsport city limits, attend Kingsport City Schools and/or own Kingsport city property to be eligible to participate.
All games will be played at Brickyard Park, Domtar Park and Miracle Park.
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/3ukRKmw. 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 “youth baseball” 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.