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If you’d like to make a difference in your hometown, the City of Kingsport is in need of volunteers to serve on the Kingsport Regional Planning Commission.
The Kingsport Regional Planning Commission serves as an advisory body to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen by reviewing and providing recommendations on land use regulations, community development plans, zoning matters, subdivision proposals, and other facets of the community’s growth and development.
The commission actively engages the public by holding hearings and gathering citizen input to guide its decisions.
Members serve a four-year term, and the commission consists of nine members – one from the BMA (excluding the mayor), one residing from outside Kingsport’s city limits and the remaining seven being at-large seats (residing anywhere within the city limits).
Commission meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Kingsport City Hall (415 Broad Street) with a worksession held the Monday prior to the meeting.
For more information about the commission, please contact Kingsport’s Planning and Zoning Manager Ken Weems at 423-229-9485.
To apply for this board (or any other city boards and commissions), simply visit ServeKingsport (www.servekingsport.com) and answer the short questionnaire. Here you will be asked why you wish to volunteer, your previous volunteering experience and which boards and commissions interest you.
Completing the survey does not guarantee an appointment. However, the city loves hearing from citizens and strives to help them find a board or commission that matches their skills and interests.
To take the ServeKingsport survey, visit www.servekingsport.com.
SUBJECT: KPD Searching for Runaway Juveniles (Update: One of Two Found Safe)
DATE: May 5th, 2025
CASE #: 25-005035
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Update: Page Ballard has been found safe and is no longer missing. The Kingsport Police Department would like to thank the public for your assistance. Skyla Cheng is still missing and entered in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway juvenile.
As previously released:
The Kingsport Police Department is searching for two runaway juveniles. The pair are Page Ballard, aged 15, and Skyla Cheng, aged 16. Page Ballard is a white female, with green eyes and brown hair, 5’3″ tall, and 145 lbs. She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt with a pink logo on the front. Skyla Cheng is a white/Asian female, with brown eyes and brown hair, 5’6″ tall, 110 lbs., with an unknown clothing description. Both left without being seen from an address on New Beason Well Road, where they were in the care and custody of the Department of Child Services. Both Page and Skyla have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as runaway Juveniles.
Anyone with information on either Page Ballard’s or Skyla Cheng’s whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.
Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any 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
MISSING PERSON INFORMATION
Name Skyla Cheng
Age 16
Gender/Race Female/White
Height/Weight 5’6″/110 Lbs.
Hair/Eyes Brown/Brown
Residency Kingsport TN
Possible Clothing Unknown Clothing Description
Last Known Location New Beason Well Road
MISSING PERSON INFORMATION
Name Page Ballard
Age 15
Gender/Race Female/White
Height/Weight 5’3″/145 Lbs.
Hair/Eyes Brown/Green
Residency Kingsport TN
Possible Clothing Black sweatshirt with pink logo on the front
Last Known Location New Beason Well Road
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Arnold
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749
SUBJECT: KPD Recognizes Correctional Employees During National Corrections Officers Week
DATE: May 5th, 2025
GENERAL NARRATIVE
The Kingsport Police Department proudly recognizes and honors its Corrections Officers during National Corrections Officers Week, observed May 4–11, 2025. This annual event shines a much-deserved spotlight on the dedicated men and women who serve behind the walls, ensuring the safety, security, and order of the Kingsport City Jail. Corrections Officers play a vital, often unseen role in public safety. Their work demands professionalism, integrity, and resilience as they manage complex situations and uphold the law in a secure environment. These officers are responsible for the custody and care of inmates and maintaining a safe working environment within the Kingsport City Jail.
National Correctional Officers and Employees Week is celebrated annually in the first full week of May. It is a week that honors the dedication and professionalism of correctional officers and correctional staff to acknowledge their vital role in maintaining safety and security within correctional facilities. National Correctional Officer’s Week was established by Presidential Proclamation in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan.
The Kingsport City Jail employs 8 full time Corrections Officer and 1 full time Jail Administrator. The jail is staffed 24/7 and is certified to hold inmates for up to 72 hours before being transferred to county facilities. The Kingsport Police Department invites the community to join in thanking these professionals for their vital service to the City of Kingsport.
RELEASING OFFICER
Lieutenant Justin McConnell
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 229-9499, Fax (423) 343-9749
JustinMcConnell@KingsportTN.gov
SUBJECT: KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile
DATE: May 5th, 2025
CASE #: 25-006016
GENERAL NARRATIVE
The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 13-year-old, Brayden Horne. Brayden is believed to have left voluntarily from an address on West Sullivan Street. Brayden is a white male and has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway Juvenile.
Anyone with information on Brayden’s whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.
Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any 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
MISSING PERSON INFORMATION
Name Brayden Horne
Age 13
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency West Sullivan Street in Kingsport TN
Last Known Location West Sullivan Street
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Arnold
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749
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Kingsport Cultural Arts is thrilled to unveil the Carousel Horse Brigade – a special community art project to celebrate the 10th birthday of the Kingsport Carousel.
The Carousel Horse Brigade, which debuted during last Saturday’s Kingsport Arts Festival, consists of six painted fiberglass carousel horses sponsored by local businesses and organizations. The project was similar to the 10 fiberglass goats painted and decorated during the 2023 GOAT Festival.
These colorful and unique equine creations will be on display along Broad Street, at the Kingsport Carousel and be used during this summer’s birthday celebration.
Details of the Carousel Horse Brigade:
- Kelpie – Artist: Michelle Hamilton (Gallery Petite); Sponsor: Engage Kingsport
- Prosperity – Artist: Chris Hobbs; Sponsor: Northeast State Community College
- Booyah – Artist: Jessica Odum; Sponsor: Southern Dwellings
- Buc – Artist: Jason Flack; Sponsor: East Tennessee State University
- Kitty-Up – Artist: Madr Paints Murals; Sponsor: Boops and Beans Cat Café
- Spirit – Artist: Mercedes Brown of Mercy Berry Art: Sponsor: Leadership Kingsport
“The fiberglass goats were a huge success and are still a popular form of public art throughout the city. People still comment to me about seeing the goats on display,” said Special Events and Cultural Arts Manager Kristie Leonard. “This year, we’ve gone bigger with carousel horses and believe the community will be excited to see the results.”
Sponsorship funds will be used for future carousel projects to maintain and improve this beloved community space.
For more information about the Kingsport Carousel, please visit www.artskingsport.org.
SUBJECT: Kingsport Police Department Accepting Applications for Police Officers
DATE: May 5th, 2025
GENERAL NARRATIVE
The Kingsport Police Department is now taking applications for Police Officers. Starting pay with no experience is $22.09 an hour. New hires will also receive 40 vacation hours at initial hiring and earn 80 hours throughout the first year. Employees will be enrolled in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System and be eligible to receive a comprehensive health insurance package that includes dental and eye insurance. Applicants must be 21 or older and pass a pre-employment background check. Individuals interested in the position can go to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kingsport and click on the Police Officer link to apply and view the full benefits offered by the City of Kingsport.
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Arnold
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749
BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov
The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with the Sullivan County Animal Shelter to host a Bark and Belong event later this month at Dogwood Park.
The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on May 17 at Dogwood Park (800 Granby Road). Shelter staff will be on hand with several adoptable dogs, along with information on how to adopt.
Rescue dogs hold a special place in the hearts of many people and can make a difference in people’s lives in a variety of ways. When you adopt a rescue dog, you are most likely saving the dog’s life.
Rescue dogs come in all shapes and sizes, ages and breeds and to a certain extent are often already trained. In addition, adoption fees are much lower than purchasing a dog from a breeder.
“If you’re ready to adopt a dog or just thinking about adoption, this is the perfect opportunity to come out to Dogwood Park, talk to shelter staff and maybe go home with a new best friend,” said Program Administrator Laura Williams.
Though the event is free, Kingsport Parks and Recreation officials are asking folks to register to know approximately how many people will be showing up.
To register, visit https://bit.ly/4jc3X10. 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 “bark & belong” in the search bar.
For information about other classes, programs and events from Kingsport Parks and Recreation, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
Bays Mountain Park is pleased to announce its latest planetarium show – Beyond the Sun – a thrilling adventure about the search for exoplanets within our universe.
“Beyond the Sun” is now showing in the Planetarium Theater through August 31. The 35-minute program is being shown Tuesday through Friday at 4 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Beyond the Sun is a wonderful, animated program for the whole family, telling the story of one girl’s search for exoplanets.
We start our adventure when Celeste is fighting off sleep by reading a book on astronomy when, through her bedroom window, she receives a visit from Moon and his mischievous helpers.
With the aid of his helpers, Moon leads Celeste on a journey through the Universe to discover what an exoplanet is and how it can be detected. Together they observe rogue planets, oceanic worlds and super-Earths. Moon tells her about exoplanet hunters and how they observe the sky in search of a planet like Earth.
“Boasting beautiful animation, Beyond the Sun is a fun-filled adventure suitable for the whole family,” said Planetarium Director Adam Thanz.
The alternate planetarium feature showing Saturdays and Sunday at 2 p.m. through August 31 will be “Appalachian Skies.”
“Appalachian Skies” takes visitors on a majestic tour of the current evening sky using the Zeiss optical star projector instrument. This live presentation is enhanced with additional content from our VELVET LED projectors for a wonderful, immersive experience.
Due to the live nature of the program, and the natural progression of the changing night sky throughout the seasons, each presentation will be unique. Learn what fascinating mythological constellations, from Ancient Greece and other cultures, will be easily visible. Find out what planets are easily seen as well. Visitors will take this knowledge home and be able to locate these celestial sights for themselves.
For more information about Bays Mountain Park and its programs, events and activities, visit www.baysmountain.com.