You are here: / / / March
kingsport logo

Contractor mobilizes on State Route 126 Improvement Project

The Tennessee Department of Transportation is announcing a contractor is mobilizing equipment in preparation for work connected to the State Route 126 (Memorial Boulevard) improvement project.

Due to the size of this project, TDOT has split the project into three phases, with phase one running from East Center Street to east of Briarwood Road.

East Tennessee Turf & Landscape began mobilizing equipment last week and will be installing traffic control measures in the near future. Silt fencing, check dams and other erosion control measures will be installed later this month to help prevent soil from washing off site.

In early to mid-April, the contractor will then begin clearing operations such as the clearing of trees, brush and other vegetation and debris from the areas used for the new roadway alignment.

At this time, TDOT does not anticipate significant lane closures or traffic impacts for several more weeks.

The State Route 126 project calls for improvements along the 8.3-mile stretch of Memorial Boulevard, from East Center Street to Interstate 81. The project is being done to provide a safe, efficient route for local traffic between Kingsport and I-81.

Once complete, SR126 will include four travel lanes from East Center Street to Harbor Chapel; three lanes from Harbor Chapel to Old Stage Road; three lanes from Old Stage Road to Harr Town Road in the vicinity of East Lawn Cemetery and Yancey’s Tavern; and two lanes from Harr Town Road to I-81.

Additionally, bike lanes and sidewalks will be constructed along portions of the corridor.

For more information or to receive updates about the State Route 126 project, please visit https://bit.ly/4rqfIUZ.

Allandale Mansion to host annual Easter Egg Roll

The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce its annual Easter Egg Roll is returning to Allandale Mansion later this month. The free event will feature a variety of egg-citing activities along with a friendly visit from the Easter Bunny.

The event will take place on the front lawn of the mansion from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on March 29 and is open for children ages 10 and under. The event is being held in partnership with The Assembly at Kingsport.

Note – Allandale Mansion will not be open for tours during the Easter Egg Roll.

Family-friendly activities include an egg hunt on the lawn, arts and crafts tables and a variety of children’s games. Plus, the Easter Bunny will be on hand for photo opportunities.

“The Easter Egg Roll has become a tradition for many families in our region and is one of our more popular events,” said Program Coordinator Renee Ensor. “So, bring a basket or bag, join in on the fun and make some great springtime memories.”

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/4aUV22h. 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 “Easter Egg Roll” in the search bar.

For information about other events, activities and programs offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

Registration open for Spring Adult Softball Leagues

Kingsport Parks and Recreation is now accepting registrations for its Spring Adult Softball Leagues.

Registration is now open and runs through April 1. Teams can have a maximum of 20 players on their roster, and the leagues are open to men and women ages 18 and older. Divisions offered include Church-Industrial, Co-Ed and Men’s Open.

The entry fee is $400 per team with a $15 non-resident fee for all players who live outside the Kingsport city limits (max: $75). All games will be played at Brickyard Park, and the season will begin the week of April 13.

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/4sg6ECX. 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 “adult softball” in the search bar.

For information about other programs, activities and classes offered by Kingsport Parks and Recreation, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

bays mountain logo new

Bays Mountain Park breaks ground on new otter habitat

The City of Kingsport held a groundbreaking ceremony at Bays Mountain Park on Wednesday afternoon for the park’s new river otter habitat.

The roughly 2,300-square-foot habitat will be located east of the Nature Center, just below the bobcat habitat. The new habitat will be able to accommodate three river otters, is ADA accessible for guests and will feature a close-up underwater viewing area and modern filtration system.

River otters were first introduced at Bays Mountain Park in 1987 and over the years the playful animals became a fan-favorite attraction. Unfortunately, the park has been without any otters since June 2019, when Otto, the last otter, passed away.

Alderwoman Colette George said Wednesday’s groundbreaking represents years of planning, fundraising, design work and public input to bring river otters back to Bays Mountain Park.

“When our last otter died, it was a heartbreaking day in Kingsport. Since then, we’ve been on a path to do a whole new habitat and the right kind of habitat,” George said. “We are the luckiest people in the world to have this park. No other city has what we have and it’s just a blessing. This is going to be wonderful.”

Construction on the new otter habitat is scheduled to begin March 16 and take approximately 18 months to complete. During that time, Bays Mountain Park officials will begin the process of acquiring river otters for the new habitat.

The cost of the project is approximately $2.4 million and is funded in part by a grant from the State of Tennessee and a corporate sponsorship from Eastman Chemical Company. The architectural firm of Coyle & Caron designed the habitat, Collective Architecture designed the Life Saving System and BurWil Construction is the main contractor for the project.

“Otters have been a favorite attraction to everyone who came to Bays Mountain Park when they were first introduced and we’re pleased they’re coming home to a world class facility,” said Russ Brogden, chair of the Bays Mountain Park Commission.

The otter habitat groundbreaking is just the latest in a series of improvements and updates that’s taken place at Bays Mountain Park in recent years. Prior projects include a new planetarium entrance, renovated lobby and gift shop area, new Nature Center exhibits and the opening of the Fox Den playground.

For more information about Bays Mountain Park, please visit www.baysmountain.com.

cultural arts logo

Kingsport Cultural Arts announces return of Iron Pour event

Kingsport Cultural Arts is excited to announce the return of one of its most popular artistic events – the Iron Pour.

Sculpture artist Joe Bigley and a team of master sculptors will conduct the iron pour demonstration on April 18 (during this year’s Kingsport ARTS Festival). Preparations for the pour will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. with the actual pouring taking place at approximately 2 p.m. Your finished one-of-a-kind art will be ready to take home on April 27.

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 10 scratch mold workshops held during the month of March and April.

For those interested in participating in the iron pour will first need to register for one of workshops. Here, participants will scratch unique designs into a 5-inch sand mold which will then be cast with the molten iron to create a one-of-a-kind work of art.

The workshops will be held at the Inventor Center (118 Shelby Street in Kingsport) and cost $23 per person. 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.

The workshops will be held on the following dates:

  • March 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • March 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • March 28 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • April 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • April 4 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • April 4 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • April 4 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • April 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • April 11 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • April 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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.

SUBJECT: KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile

DATE:  March 12th, 2026

CASE #: 26-003198

GENERAL NARRATIVE

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 14-year-old Allisyn Stewart, who is believed to have left voluntarily from an address on New Beason Well Road. Allisyn is about 5 feet tall and weighs 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing black pants and a black shirt. Allisyn has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway juvenile.

 

If you have information that may help locate Allisyn, please 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 Allisyn Stewart

Age 14

Gender/Race Female/White

Hair/Eyes Blonde/Hazel

Residency Memphis, TN

Other Details Last seen wearing black pants and a black shirt.

Last Known Location New Beason Well Road, Kingsport, TN

 

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

bays mountain logo new

Kayak Stargazing program returns to Bays Mountain Park

Enjoy an evening under the stars, floating along the Bays Mountain Reservoir, safely from the comfort of your own kayak. It’ll be a cool and relaxing evening like no other.

Bays Mountain Park is pleased to bring back the kayak stargazing program this spring. The program is an astronomy class with a twist where you’ll learn about the constellations, the Moon and the viewable planets with the naked eye.

Kayak Stargazing programs will be held from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on April 14, 16 and 21, and from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on May 7, 12 and 14. The cost is $5 for park members and $10 for non-members. Each program is limited to 20 boats so be sure to sign up early.

Participants are required to bring their own kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard and paddling equipment, along with a Type III personal flotation device. You will also be allowed some time to paddle around the lake as you wait for the sky to darken.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/4scXg2N. 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 “kayak” in the search bar.

For more information about Bays Mountain Park visit www.baysmountain.com.

Registration open for Spring Miracle League of Kingsport

Registration is now open for the Miracle League of Kingsport – a baseball league that serves all athletes with disabilities and special needs.

The Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children and adults with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime.

Miracle League teams play on a custom-designed, rubberized turf that accommodates wheelchairs and other assertive devices while helping to prevent injuries. To help the athletes, the Miracle League uses a “buddy” system – pairing each player with an able-bodied peer. The result is a bond that cannot be described.

Athletes can register for two different divisions: ages 17 & under or ages 18 & older. Last year, more than 140 athletes participated in the league.

The Miracle League season will run from April 11 until May 16, and games will be played on Saturdays at 10 a.m. (ages 17 & under) and 11 a.m. (ages 18 & older). The games typically run two to three innings or about an hour in length and are played at Kingsport’s Miracle Complex (2017 Brickyard Park Drive).

Shirts are provided at no cost and there is no fee to participate in the league. Note – any late registration might not be guaranteed a shirt.

“The Miracle League of Kingsport is more than just playing a game of baseball. It’s about making new friends, building self-esteem and being treated like every other athlete,” said Program Coordinator Renee Ensor.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/4byQTjm. 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 “miracle league” in the search bar.

For information about other programs, activities and classes offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or call 423-229-9460.

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee