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Kingsport Cultural Arts announces date for Iron Pour event

Kingsport Cultural Arts is pleased to announce the date of this year’s Iron Pour event – an event postponed earlier this year due to unforeseen circumstances.

Sculpture artist Joe Bigley and a team of master sculptors will conduct the iron pour demonstration on June 28. Preparations for the pour will begin around 12 p.m. with the actual pouring taking place at 2 p.m.

The public is invited to watch the iron pour demonstration free of charge.

Bigley and his team will heat up 500 pounds of iron to 3,000 degrees and then when the iron is white hot, pour it into molds made during one of the scratch mold workshops held earlier this year.

Because the iron pour had to be postponed, KCA is holding four additional scratch mold workshops for folks who wish to participate. These new workshops cost $23 per person and will be held at the Inventor Center (118 Shelby Street) on the following dates:

  • June 13 and June 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • June 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Participants will scratch unique designs into an 8-inch sand mold which will then be cast with the molten iron to create a one-of-a-kind work of art. 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.

To register for a workshop, please visit https://bit.ly/43M8guT. You can also register by going to www.eventbrite.com and searching for “scratch mold workshop.”

For more information about the Iron Pour, please call 423-392-8416 or visit www.artskingsport.org.

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KPD e-News Release: DMV Scam Alert

SUBJECT:  DMV Scam Alert 

DATE:  June 5th, 2025 

GENERAL NARRATIVE

The Kingsport Police Department is aware of a scam where citizens are receiving text messages from individuals who are representing themselves as the Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In these messages, an example of which is included below, the scammers are indicating that you, the contacted person, have an outstanding traffic ticket that has not been paid. The message states that vehicle registrations and driving privileges will be suspended if payment is not received, and them they provide a website link where you can remit payment. DO NOT CLICK THE LINK. The Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles does not communicate in this fashion and will always send out information in the form of emails that end with @tn.gov. Also, citizens are encouraged to always call any government agency to double check that any communication they have received is from the corresponding agency.

 

Several legitimate phone numbers for the Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles can be found at https://www.tn.gov/safety/contact.html. We here at the Kingsport Police Department encourage our citizens to be careful in clicking any suspicious links, especially ones that do not end with a .gov web address.

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

 

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Enjoy a free ride during KATS’ “Dump the Pump” Day

The Kingsport Area Transit Service (KATS) will offer free rides on all bus routes on June 17 to celebrate National “Dump the Pump” Day.

“Dump The Pump Day” aims to encourage people to use public transportation instead of driving. When the economy is tight and gas prices are high, using public transportation is a great alternative, providing people with an excellent way of saving money.

Many Kingsport residents use public transportation every day to visit family members, run errands, and commute to and from school and work.

“Using public transportation is not only a great way to save money on fuel, but it also provides a way to avoid costly vehicle ownership,” said Transit Director Chris Campbell. “Dump the Pump Day is the perfect time to re-think the way you travel on a daily basis.”

Dump the Pump Day first started in June of 2006, and its purpose has been to present public transportation as a convenient travel option that helps people save money.

For more information about KATS’ services, call 423-224-2613 or visit www.kingsporttransit.org.

 

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City of Kingsport Hires New Police Chief

The City of Kingsport is pleased to announce the hiring of Jason Bellamy as its next Chief of the Kingsport Police Department. Bellamy will succeed Dale Phipps, who retires later this month after nearly 37 years with the City of Kingsport.

Bellamy will become the 16th Chief of Police for the City of Kingsport effective June 29, 2025.

“Jason has served in various leadership capacities, most recently as Deputy Police Chief, where he, along with Chief Phipps, played a key role in advancing department initiatives, fostering strong community relationships, and supporting the growth and development of our officers,” said City Manager Chris McCartt. “As chief, Jason will continue to lead with integrity and a vision for enhancing public safety, strengthening community trust, and supporting a culture of accountability and excellence within the department.”

Bellamy joined the Kingsport Police Department in 1998 and during his tenure has served as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Corporal, Training Sergeant, Watch Commander, Captain of Operations, and Commander. He has also served in several specialized assignments including Honor Guard, Hostage Negotiator, and FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Officer.

Bellamy was promoted to Deputy Chief in April 2021, and currently serves as second in command, overseeing the day-to-day operation of the department.

“I’ve had the distinct pleasure of serving alongside the wonderful men and women of this department for the past 27 years and I am confident that we are equipped with some of the finest officers the profession has to offer,” Bellamy said. “I look forward to a seamless transition in leadership and I plan to continue to build upon the culture of excellence established by Chief Phipps.”

Raised in Hawkins County, Bellamy has lived in Kingsport since 2012. He and his wife Angie have been married for nearly 27 years and have two adult children. Bellamy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education from ETSU and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico and the National Forensic Academy in Knoxville.

Bellamy said it is an honor and privilege to be selected as Kingsport’s next chief of police.

“I am grateful for the opportunity City Manager McCartt has afforded me, and I will work diligently to ensure that we provide the professional police services that our citizens expect and deserve,” Bellamy added.

KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile

DATE:  June 4th, 2025 

CASE #: 25-007733

GENERAL NARRATIVE

 

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 17-year-old, Aryanna Stovall. Aryanna is believed to have left voluntarily from an address on New Beason Well Road. Aryanna is a white female, with a height of approximately 4’11” and weight of roughly 120 pounds. Aryanna was last seen wearing a pair of black leggings and a black sweatshirt. Aryanna has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway Juvenile.

 

Anyone with information on Aryanna’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 Aryanna Stovall 

Age 17

Gender/Race Female/White

Height/Weight 4’11″/120lbs

Last Known Location New Beason Well Road

Clothing Description Black Leggings/Black Sweatshirt

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile (Update: Found Safe)

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile (Update: Found Safe)

DATE:  June 4th, 2025 

CASE #: 25-007652

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Update: Maddison Herring has been found safe and is no longer missing. The Kingsport Police Department would like to thank the public for their assistance.

 

As previously released:

 

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 15-year-old, Maddison Herring. Maddison is believed to have left voluntarily from an address on Cambridge Circle. Maddison is a white female, with a height of approximately 5’00” and weight of roughly 110 pounds. Maddison has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway Juvenile.

 

Anyone with information on Maddison’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 Maddison Herring 

Age 15

Gender/Race Female/White

Height/Weight 5’00″/110lbs

Residency Cambridge Circle in Kingsport TN 

Last Known Location Cambridge Circle

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

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Saturdays with the Chef returns to Kingsport Farmers Market

Popular cooking series highlights the skills and talents of local chefs

Kingsport’s long-running cooking series – Saturdays with the Chef – will return to the Kingsport Farmers Market on June 7. Discover how to take advantage of those peak season produce items with creative tips and new recipes from local chefs.

“We’re excited to bring in the summer season with this popular and informative program,” said Market Manager Kristie Leonard. “The Kingsport Farmers Market is a great place to shop, but we also strive to be a place where people can learn something new too.”

Saturdays with the Chef is a free cooking demonstration series showcasing local chefs and their recipes using produce available at the Kingsport Farmers Market. Free samples of the recipes will be available at each demo.

The series takes place every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. in June at the Kingsport Farmers Market.

Come down to the market and sample cooking from featured chefs from local businesses, then buy the ingredients to make it at home while you’re at the market. Purchasing from local farmers not only boosts the local economy but is also a great way to provide healthy and fresh food for you and your family.

The series is sponsored by Food City, Healthy Kingsport and the City of Kingsport.

For more information on the Kingsport Farmers Market, please visit kingsportfarmersmarket.org.

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee