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The City of Kingsport will end its annual bulk leaf collection service this week. January 10 will be the last day crews will be out collecting leaves.
For more information on where the trucks are working, call the Leaf Line at 423-224-2429 or visit www.kingsporttn.gov and search ‘leaf line’. There is also map individuals can use to find out what route they’re on – click here for that map.
As a reminder, residents can always bag leaves and place them with the yard waste, and they will be picked up on the regularly scheduled trash/yard waste collection day.
Kingsport has provided an annual leaf collection service for decades, with the city divided into six zones during the collection period with each zone serviced at least nine times from October until the middle of January.
Normally, between 1,800 and 2,000 tons of leaves are collected each year. The leaves are taken to the city’s demolition landfill where they are composted and used for city projects throughout the year.
The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is offering a special Parents Night Out event next week. Parents will be able to drop their children off at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex for a few hours and enjoy a quiet dinner, some shopping or time relaxing on the couch.
The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on January 10 at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street). The cost is $10 per child and children ages 6 to 12 can attend. The maximum number of registrants is 50.
Kids will be able to play a variety of games and sports, make crafts and decorate cookies.
To register for the event, visit https://bit.ly/3VmssyD. 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 “parents night out” in the search bar.
For information about other classes, programs and events from Kingsport Parks and Recreation, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
SUBJECT: KPD Investigating Shooting Deaths
DATE: January 2nd, 2025
CASE #: 24-019560
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On December 28th, 2024, at approximately 8:36 am, Kingsport Police Officers responded to 3100 block of Tiffany Court in reference to a disturbance. Prior to officers arriving, a third party entered the residence and discovered a female and male unresponsive in the floor. Officers arrived shortly after and both were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. Both suffered from what appeared to be gunshot wounds. A firearm was located inside the residence and was collected as potential evidence. The female has been identified as Mikayla Sandusky (age: 25 of Oak Ridge, TN) and the male identified as Dillion Prater (age: 27 of Johnson City, TN).
Their bodies will be sent to the William L. Jenkins Forensic Center of the E.T.S.U. James H. Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City for an autopsy.
The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation. This is believed to have been an isolated incident.
This is still an active and ongoing investigation, and more details will be released as they become available.
VICTIM INFORMATION
Name: Mikayla Sandusky
Age: 25
Gender/Race: Female/White
Residency: Oak Ridge, TN
Injuries: Apparent gunshot wound.
VICTIM INFORMATION
Name: Dillion Prater
Age: 27
Gender/Race: Male/White
Residency: Johnson City, 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
The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting Beginner Guitar lessons this winter at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex.
The lessons will take place every Thursday from January 9 through February 16 (6 p.m. to 7 p.m.) at V.O. Dobbins (301 Louis Street). Children ages 9 to 16 can register and the cost of the lessons is $100 per person.
No prior experience is necessary, but participants will need to bring their own guitar.
Whether your child is new to the guitar or has some experience, this class is designed to build foundational skills in a fun, engaging environment.
Instructor Terry McCoy brings years of teaching and performing experience, offering personalized instruction that covers basic chords, strumming patterns, and even simple songs.
“The goal of the program is for children to develop their confidence, learn a new skill and create a lifelong love for playing guitar,” said Program Leader Garrett Sherer. “So, if you’re looking to develop an exciting new hobby for the new year, these lessons might just be for you.”
To register, visit https://bit.ly/3ZR0kGs. 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 “guitar” in the search bar.
For information about other programs and classes offered by Kingsport Parks and Recreation, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.