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Kingsport’s long-running and popular cooking series – Saturdays with the Chef – will return to the Kingsport Farmers Market on June 6. Discover how to take advantage of peak season produce with creative tips and new recipes from local chefs.
Saturdays with the Chef will take place every Saturday in June at the farmers market beginning at 9 a.m. This year’s chefs include:
- June 6 – Chef David Harley and Mamma Ana with Latin Love Kitchen
- June 13 – Lindsay Clarke with Mamma D’s
- June 20 – Tim Marshall, the Food City Pit Master
- June 27 – Nacho Nunez with Santa Fe Mexican Grill
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 demonstration.
“We’re excited to spring into the summer season with this popular and informative program,” said Cultural Services Superintendent 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.”
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.
For more information on the Kingsport Farmers Market, please visit kingsportfarmersmarket.org.
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SUBJECT: Battle of the Badges Blood Drive
DATE: May 27, 2026
GENERAL NARRATIVE
The Kingsport Police Department will take part in the annual “Battle of the Badges” blood drive on Tuesday, June 2, at the Kingsport Farmer’s Market at 308 Clinchfield Street. You can donate blood anytime between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and choose to support the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Sullivan County Emergency Medical Services, the Kingsport Fire Department, or the Kingsport Police Department. At the end of the day, we’ll see which group receives the most donations. Marsh Regional Blood Center is hosting the event, and everyone who donates will get a free T-shirt. If you’re able, please join us to support your favorite agency. Most importantly, your donation could help save a life. We hope to see you there!
RELEASING OFFICER
Corporal Brandon Arnold
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit
Office (423) 343-9866, Fax (423) 343-9749
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The Kingsport Aquatic Center will undergo $1.5 million in infrastructure upgrades and guest improvements later this year – a project aimed to secure the long-term future success of the facility.
Southern Watershapes Inc., will be performing the work for the city, which will include the following:
- Five pools will receive new plaster, updated tile, edge treatments, guttering improvements and new filtration components.
- Pump room upgrades will include replacement and updates to chlorine lines and related mechanical components.
- All main drains throughout the facility will receive new compliant drain covers.
- Indoor slide will receive a new gel coat finish and updated structural paint.
- Indoor splash pad spray features will receive updates and improvements.
- Outdoor leisure pool and play structure will receive updated paint and new plexiglass components.
“All of these improvements are designed to enhance the guest experience while also protecting and extending the life of the facility’s infrastructure,” said Aquatics Director Wendy Terrazas. “Our goal with this project is to minimize disruption to our users while continuing to uphold the high standards of our facility for years to come.”
Work will not begin until after September 8. The renovations will cause the facility to be temporarily closed during the course of the project. Closure dates and additional project updates will be released later this summer as the information becomes available.
For more information about the Kingsport Aquatic Center, please visit www.swimkingsport.com.
Black bears are native to our part of the country and at times can be found wandering through the neighborhoods near Bays Mountain, such as Ridgefields, Sullivan Gardens and Meadowview.
Most likely the bears come into those neighborhoods looking for food – garbage cans, bird feeders and pet dishes – anything that smells good to them, the bears are going to find a way to get a tasty meal.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has an entire website dedicated to black bears – www.bearwise.org. The site includes information about the animals, general advice for when you’re in the wild and safety tips if you were to encounter a black bear near your home.
“Leave them alone and don’t feed them,” said Megan Krager, manager of Bays Mountain Park. “One of the many reasons why black bears come into some of our neighborhoods is because they can smell the treats we have around our homes.”
According to the Bearwise website, when dealing with black bears be sure to:
- Never feed or approach a black bear.
- Secure food, garbage and recycling.
- Remove bird feeders when bears are active.
- Never leave pet food outdoors.
- Clean and store grills.
- Alert neighbors to bear activity.
Remember, the City of Kingsport does not come out and manage bears. Neither do Petworks Animal Services or the Kingsport Police Department. The best thing to do if you encounter a bear is leave it alone and give it plenty of space.
“If you happen to see bear cubs in the area, take a look around really quick or look up into a tree. Nine times out of 10, there’s going to be a mother nearby,” Krager said. “And you don’t want to get between a mother and her cubs.”
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Kingsport Parks and Recreation is offering Beginner Tennis Lessons next month for children and teens interested in learning this popular, fast-paced sport.
Two rounds of lessons will take place at the Borden Park tennis courts (901 Lamont Street), one for children ages 10 and under and another for children ages 11 and older. The lessons will be held on the following dates:
- June 1-4 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for ages 10 and under.
- June 1-4 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for ages 11 and older.
- June 22-25 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for ages 10 and under
- June 22-25 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for ages 11 and older
Students will learn the basics of tennis, including hand-eye coordination and motor skills. The cost of each session is $60 per person, and participants must bring their own tennis racket.
To register, visit https://bit.ly/4evHCMq. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or by going to www.kingsporttn.gov and clicking on the “CivicRec” link, then searching for “tennis” in the search bar.
For information about other events, activities and programs offered by Kingsport Parks and Recreation, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
City offices will be closed on Monday, May 25 in recognition of the Memorial Day holiday.
Kingsport will not be adjusting garbage or trash/yard waste routes for Memorial Day (May 25). Both the garbage routes and the trash/yard waste routes will run on a normal schedule.
The city’s demolition landfill and convenience center (300 Industry Drive) will be closed on Memorial Day and reopen on a regular schedule Tuesday (May 26).
For more information about garbage and trash/yard waste routes, please visit www.kingsporttn.gov.