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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law 35 years ago on July 26, 1990. This law protects people with disabilities against discrimination, requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for them and imposes accessibility requirements on public places.
The Kingsport Area Transit Service (KATS) is celebrating this historic law by offering half price Dial-A-Ride ticket books the week of July 21-25. These tickets can also be used with the KATS Connect program.
Many Kingsport residents use public transportation every day to visit family members, run errands, and commute to and from school and work.
KATS’ Dial-A-Ride service compliments the existing transit system by providing curb-to-curb, next day transportation service for Kingsport seniors age 65 or older, for residents with a permanent or temporary health-related condition, and qualifying residents with DAR Job Assist.
Please note, all of our vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Dial-A-Ride service operates within Kingsport’s boundaries. To get started, simply complete an application at www.kingsporttransit.org or call KATS at 423-224-2613.
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Leadership Tennessee, a collective with a mission to foster non-partisan dialogue on issues of state importance, has named Kingsport Mayor Paul W. Montgomery to its 2025–2026 Signature Program Class XII.
In Leadership Tennessee’s 12th Signature Program, 13 different Tennessee counties are represented with diverse professional experience in the business, government, education and nonprofit sectors.
Over the course of 10 months, the cohort will visit all corners of the state, analyzing challenges that Tennessee faces, and will work together to identify the best solutions and opportunities. The statewide study will result in concrete plans to continue dialogue and actions addressing the most serious issues uncovered.
“The opportunity to participate in this year’s Signature Program is one I do not take lightly,” said Kingsport Mayor Paul W. Montgomery. “I’m eager to involve myself in the complex challenges Tennessee faces, and I’m honored to be part of a group that is dedicated to making a positive impact on our state.”
The group was selected by an anonymous selection committee based on the following criteria: leadership experience, a history of addressing statewide issues in both a personal and professional capacity, and a strong understanding of what challenges Tennessee faces today.
“We take great pride in challenging our cohorts to think deeply and act boldly in advancing Tennessee,” said Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid II, president and CEO of Leadership Tennessee. “The 2025 class brings together a remarkable group of leaders, selected for their proven leadership and potential to influence the future of our state. Through this program, they gain the tools, relationships and perspective needed to drive meaningful change – and this group is sure to harness that power to make a lasting impact across Tennessee.”
Previous classes have facilitated numerous community engagement sessions across the state. Since Leadership Tennessee’s founding, 850 Tennessee residents have become class members of the Signature Program and Leadership Tennessee NEXT, which is dedicated to emerging leaders.
The cohort’s work will begin in August and run through June 2026.
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SUBJECT: KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile (Update: Found Safe)
DATE: July 11th, 2025
CASE #: 25-004324
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Update: Johnay Watson 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 14-year-old, Johnay Watson. Johnay is believed to have left voluntarily from an address on North Eastman Road. Johnay is a black female, last seen wearing a green “Boys in the Hood” long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans. Johnay’s hair is styled in long black and gold braids, and she has a heart tattoo on her right middle finger. Johnay has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway Juvenile.
Anyone with information on Johnay’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 Johnay Watson
Age 14
Gender/Race Female/Black
Hair/Eyes Black/Brown
Residency Somewhere in Kingsport TN
Other Description Last seen with hair styled in black and gold braids. Heart Tattoo on right middle finger.
Possible Clothing Green “Boys in the Hood” long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans
Last Known Location North Eastman Road
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Arnold
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749
SUBJECT: KPD Aware of Scam
DATE: July 11th, 2025
GENERAL NARRATIVE
The Kingsport Police Department is aware of a scam in which an individual(s) are calling citizens and claiming to represent local law enforcement. The caller claims to be with either Kingsport PD or Deputies with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. They claim to have an active warrant for the caller’s arrest and claim to be able to rectify the situation via either the transfer of money or by showing up at the Justice Center located at 200 Shelby Street after hours. THIS IS A SCAM! The KPD and SCSO do not conduct official business related to warrants, fines, etc. in this manner. We are also receiving information that voicemails are being left on citizen’s phones, requesting they call (423)389-2371. When calling this number, the voicemail indicates that it is a number that belongs to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. THIS is incorrect and an attempt to give the scammer a false appearance of legitimacy. We encourage citizens to verify that they are speaking with a law enforcement officer over the phone by calling our Dispatch. Remember, never give out personal or financial information via phone.
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Arnold
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749
SUBJECT: Felony Reckless Endangerment – Vehicle Collision @ Dollar General on East Stone Drive
DATE: July 11th, 2025
CASE #: 25-009684
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On Wednesday, July 9th, 2025, at approximately 19:30 hours, Kingsport police officers responded to the Dollar General store in the 1600 block of East Stone Drive about a vehicle that had crashed into the store. Once on scene, officers located a blue Subaru Forester partly inside the building. Two occupants of the Dollar General store, a sixty-seven (67) year old male patron, and a twenty-two (22) year old female cashier were injured. The patron sustained minor injuries that were treated on scene while the cashier was transported to a local hospital for further assessment and treatment of her injuries. The driver of the blue Subaru Forester, identified as forty-one (41) year-old Trista Clappes, was arrested for Reckless Endangerment and Driving Under the Influence.
SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name Trista Clappes
Gender/Race Female/White
Age 41
Charges Felony Reckless Endangerment x1, Driving Under the Influence x1
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Arnold
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749
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Kingsport Parks and Recreation is now accepting registrations for the 2025 Fall Youth Baseball and Softball Leagues.
The following is the list of leagues offered and when their respective season begins:
- T-Ball (5-6) – August 11
- Coach Pitch Baseball (7-8) – August 18
- Coach Pitch Softball (7-9) – August 18
- Machine Pitch Baseball (9-10) – August 18
- Junior Softball (10-12) – August 25
- Junior Baseball (11-12) – August 25
Note – All games will be played at Domtar Park.
Children must be of age as of August 15, 2025. The registration fee is $30 per player (excluding the price of a jersey and hat). After the deadline, a late fee of $15 will be assessed.
To register, please visit https://bit.ly/44udaLP. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on “CivicRec,” then search for “fall youth” in the search bar.
Participants must live inside the Kingsport city limits, attend Kingsport City Schools and/or own Kingsport city property to be eligible to participate.