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Kingsport Parks and Recreation offering Advanced Guitar Lessons

Kingsport Parks and Recreation is offering advanced guitar lessons next week for anyone interested in expanding their skill with the guitar.

The lessons will take place on Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex (Douglass Room) beginning October 8 and continuing through October 29. Open to anyone age 7 and older and the cost is $80 for city residents and $90 for non-city residents.

Local guitarist Terry McCoy will lead the lessons and help participants take their guitar playing skills to the next level. McCoy brings years of teaching and performing experience, offering personalized instruction on learning new songs, chords and tunes.

The goal is to develop confidence, musicality and a lifelong love for playing the guitar. Students will need to bring their own guitar.

“If you’re wanting to expand your skill and knowledge of the guitar, these lessons are the best next step for you,” said Program Leader Matthew Hensley.

To register for the lessons, visit https://bit.ly/3SaO42x. 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 “guitar” in the search bar.

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

Kingsport Fire Department Accreditation

Kingsport Fire Department Accreditation
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The Kingsport Fire Department has once again earned international accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International® (CFAI), achieving its sixth consecutive accreditation and reaffirming the department’s commitment to providing the highest level of fire and emergency services to the citizens of Kingsport and the surrounding region.
The announcement, made in August, during the 2026 CFAI Summer Hearings, where Kingsport Fire Department (KFD) was among the agencies recognized for successfully achieving accreditation or reaccreditation. CFAI recognized Kingsport as a sixth-time accredited agency, placing the department among an elite group of fire and emergency service organizations that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to professional excellence and continuous improvement. Kingsport’s Board of Mayor and Alderman recognized the KFD this week at their public meeting.
“Accreditation is much more than a designation or a plaque on the wall,” said Kingsport Fire Chief Jerry DeBerry. “It is a commitment to our community that we will continually evaluate what we do, identify opportunities for improvement, and hold ourselves accountable to nationally and internationally recognized best practices. This achievement belongs to every member of the Kingsport Fire Department who works every day to provide exceptional service to our citizens.”

Accreditation team at the BMA Meeting

Kingsport Fire Department first achieved CFAI accreditation in 2000, making it one of the first 40 fire departments in the world, and the first in Tennessee to earn the designation. The department has successfully maintained its internationally accredited status through subsequent accreditation cycles.

Accreditation Plaque

The CFAI accreditation process is a comprehensive evaluation of a fire and emergency service organization. It examines the department’s operations, management, community risk, emergency response capabilities, training, strategic planning, performance measurement and commitment to continuous organizational improvement.
Unlike an accreditation that simply evaluates whether an organization meets a minimum standard, the CFAI process challenges fire departments to examine how well they serve their specific community and how they can continually improve the services they provide.
“Achieving a sixth accreditation demonstrates that excellence isn’t something we pursue every five years—it is part of the culture of the Kingsport Fire Department,” said KFD Deputy Chief Terry Arnold, “Our firefighters and staff understand that the standards we establish today must continue to evolve as the needs of our community change.”
The reaccreditation process represents a significant commitment of time and effort by personnel throughout the organization. It requires extensive self-assessment, documentation, performance evaluation and preparation for an independent peer review.
Kingsport Fire Department currently operates eight engine companies and two ladder truck companies from eight fire stations, providing 24-hour emergency response to the community. The department responds to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues, motor vehicle crashes and other emergencies. KFD also provides community risk reduction services (fire and injury prevention, public education, fire investigations and fire code enforcement) designed to prevent emergencies before they occur.
The department also maintains an ISO Class 2 rating
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire organization,” KFD Accreditation Coordinator Assistant Chief Jessie Bishop added, “From the firefighters answering emergency calls, to our training, fire prevention, communications, administration and support personnel, everyone contributes to the quality of service we provide. Most importantly, this accreditation is about the people we serve. Our goal is simple: to be ready when our community needs us and to continually find ways to serve them better.”
The Kingsport Fire Department extends its appreciation to the City of Kingsport, elected officials, community partners and, most importantly, the men and women of the department whose dedication made this achievement possible.
Six accreditations. Twenty-five years of internationally recognized excellence. One commitment: serving Kingsport.
About Kingsport Fire Department
Established as a paid career fire department in 1917, the Kingsport Fire Department is dedicated to protecting lives and property through emergency response, fire prevention, public education, community risk reduction, hazardous materials response, emergency medical services and technical rescue. KFD remains committed to continual training, professional development and organizational improvement in order to provide the highest quality service possible to the citizens of Kingsport.
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Fall Break Camp offers week of games, crafts and more

Kingsport’s Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations for its annual Fall Break Camp. Kids will have the opportunity to enjoy games and activities with their fellow students, as well as outside time, movie time and a variety of arts and crafts.

The camp will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. October 12-16 at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street). Children ages 6 to 12 can register and the cost per child is $50 for city residents and $55 for non-city residents.

Camp participants will need to pack a lunch and a snack daily.

“Our staff works hard to make fall break a fun-filled week for the kids with plenty of activities, games and sports,” said Program Administrator Erin Larkin. “We promise to help keep your kids engaged, active and off the screens for a week.”

To register, visit https://bit.ly/4vSfmtc. 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 “fall break camp” in the search bar.

For more information, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or call 423-224-2489.

Kingsport Regional Planning Commission CALLED BUSINESS MEETING

PUBLIC NOTICE – City of Kingsport

Kingsport Regional Planning Commission CALLED BUSINESS MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all citizens of the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, to all persons interested and to the public at large, that the Kingsport Regional Planning Commission will conduct an open, public, called business meeting on Thursday, October 1, 2026 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in Conference Room 226 located on the second floor of City Hall, 415 Broad Street, Kingsport, Tennessee.

The purpose of the special called meeting is to consider approval for the Bancroft Hills Phase 1 Plat and associated guarantees.

All City of Kingsport public meetings are conducted in accessible locations.  If you require accommodations to participate in this meeting, please call (423) 229-9485 or email ADAContact@KingsportTN.gov at least 72 hours in advance. Copies of any documents used are available in accessible formats upon request.

City of Kingsport

Angie Marshall, City Clerk

PIT: 10/01/2026

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Bays Mountain Park offering Scenic Planetarium Yoga

Bays Mountain Park has partnered with a local yoga instructor to offer a Scenic Planetarium Yoga class to the community this Friday.

The 40-minute class will take place in the planetarium theater on October 2 beginning at 10 a.m. where participants will be surrounded by views of nature while moving through a series of yoga poses.

Concentric, eccentric and isometric contractions will be incorporated so participants can work to optimize both their strength and balance. The class concludes with a view of the starry night sky for a restorative ending.

The cost of the program is $12 per person, the class is limited to 10 participants, and you will need to bring your own mat. Feel free to bring water with a sealable lid. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time. Late arrivals cannot be admitted.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/4ALfs8W. 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 “yoga” in the search bar.

For more information about Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium, visit baysmountain.com or call 423-229-9447.

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Bulk leaf collection begins next month

The City of Kingsport will begin its annual bulk leaf collection beginning Monday, October 12. In order to make the collection process as efficient as possible, residents are being asked to:

  • Place leaves within 8 ft. of the edge of the street but not in the street.
  • Not block storm drains or neighbors’ driveways with piles of leaves.
  • Make sure leaf piles remain accessible by not parking vehicles on top or beside the leaves.
  • Take care not to include rocks, sticks or other debris in the pile. Such items could damage the large vacuums used for collection.

Please note, there are no set days or times for leaf collection. The city is divided into six zones with each street in the zone serviced once before moving on to the next zone. Leaves left on the curb after the collection truck has come down your street will be picked up during the next collection cycle.

Depending on the volume and availability of equipment, collection cycles can run as short as a week to as long as three weeks during peak leaf season.

Leaf collection will continue until January 15, 2027. If you bag your leaves, place them with your yard waste and they will be picked up on your regularly scheduled trash and yard waste collection day.

Normally, between 1,800 and 2,000 tons of leaves are collected each year. The leaves are taken to the city’s demolition landfill where they are composted and used for city projects throughout the year.

For more information on where the collection trucks are working each day, please call the Leaf Line at 423-224-2429 or visit www.kingsporttn.gov and search ‘leaf line’.

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Kingsport’s Circle Gallery Spotlight – Richard Currie

Kingsport Cultural Arts is pleased to announce the latest exhibiting artist at The Circle Gallery – Richard Currie.

Currie, a retired trial lawyer who specializes in nature and wildlife photography, is excited to share his works with the residents of the Model City.

The Circle Gallery is located on the first floor of Kingsport City Hall (415 Broad Street) and Currie’s exhibit will be on display through December 21. The Circle Gallery is brought to you by Kingsport Cultural Arts.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Currie practiced law with the Kingsport-based law firm of Wilson Worley for more than 45 years. He enjoys traveling and is an avid amateur photographer who pursues travel, landscape, wildlife, nature and event images.

“I’m particularly drawn to searching out and photographing all manner of wildflowers, which are featured in my city hall exhibit,” Currie said. “I hope everyone who comes into city hall enjoys the images I’ve managed to capture.”

To purchase any of the paintings in the Circle Gallery, contact Currie via email at rcurrietn@gmail.com.

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Kingsport offering Autumn Skate and Bike event

Kingsport Parks and Recreation and 21:12 Skateboarding is hosting a special afternoon of skating and biking at the Scott Adams Memorial Skatepark (2016 Brickyard Park Drive) next week.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, this event offers you the chance to enjoy the fresh autumn air with like-minded skaters and cyclists. Scooters and skates are more than welcome too!

Our Autumn Skateboarding and Pump Track event will take place on October 3 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy the fresh autumn air on your skateboard, bike, scooter or inline skates. The event will also feature a food truck, games, music and prizes.

The event is free and open to participants of all ages. You will need to bring your own helmet, safety equipment and ride.

Though the event is free, Kingsport Parks and Recreation officials are asking people to register to know approximately how many will be showing up.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/4cEUC0y. 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 “autumn skate” in the search bar.

For information about other classes, programs and events from Kingsport Parks and Recreation, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

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Report concerns with Kingsport’s free city app

One of the fastest and easiest ways to report issues to the City of Kingsport is by doing so through the ConnectKingsport app. Anything from a pothole to graffiti to roadside litter to abandoned vehicles, these issues and more can be reported quickly through the app.

Simply download the free app on the App Store or Google Play Store and click the “Report a Concern” link to let us know about any issues in the city.

Now in its fifth year of usage, the ConnectKingsport app allows residents to have a direct line of communication to the city to report a variety of non-emergency concerns in more than three dozen categories, including drainage issues, dead animal removal, graffiti, potholes, water leaks, renter complaints, high grass and sewer backups.

To date, more than 45,000 issues have been resolved.

In addition to reporting issues, the app also provides links to the city’s website, animal services, CivicRec, KATS, the city’s new utilities app and the building and planning department.

ConnectKingsport uses GPS to recognize your location and gives you a menu of common quality-of-life conditions to select from when submitting a request. The app allows you to upload pictures or videos to accompany your request. Residents can then track the status of reports they or other members of the community have submitted until the issue is resolved.

Back at the office, city staff will leverage powerful dashboards and reporting tools to identify hot spots, increase productivity, prioritize projects and spend tax dollars smarter.

This application not only allows citizens to report problems, but also to view, and vote to fix problems submitted by their neighbors. Citizens can even create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about the issues reported in their community, enabling them to follow the progress of all service requests—not just the ones they report.

“ConnectKingsport is the most efficient way to report issues you see within the city,” said Communications Specialist Sara Nowell. “Plus, you’ll get a notification when the issue is resolved so you’ll know the matter has been handled.”

To download the free app, go to the App Store or Google Play and search “ConnectKingsport” to find the app. You can also access the tool via kingsporttn.gov/city-services/public-works/connectkingsport/ or seeclickfix.com.

Download the free app today to be a part of making Kingsport a great place to live, work and play.

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Bays Mountain Park offering Evening Meditation Class

Bays Mountain Park has partnered with a local yoga instructor to offer an Evening Meditation class to the community this Saturday.

The 40-minute immersive breathwork and meditation program will take place in the planetarium theater on September 26 beginning at 5:30 p.m. – the same day as the park’s Campfire Tales event.

The planetarium will simulate a day’s journey, from dawn to dusk, while participants discuss the evidence-based benefits of meditation and diaphragmatic breathing. This class is designed for those who wish to learn about and/or become better at meditation and will conclude with a starry night guided meditation.

The cost of the program is $10 per person. Feel free to bring water with a sealable lid. No mat is required. Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start time. Late arrivals cannot be admitted.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/4y3eXoT. 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 “meditation” in the search bar.

For more information about Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium, visit baysmountain.com or call 423-229-9447.

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee