Too cold to go outside? Want to learn a new hobby for the new year? Then come on down to the Kingsport Public Library at noon on Thursdays in January to learn a new comfy craft that is just perfect for the winter.
The first Comfy Craft session will take place this Thursday (Jan. 5) at 12 p.m. in the library’s auditorium where participants will make a crochet critter. Patterns and guidance will be provided, and some crochet experience is preferred.
“It gets dark early in January, so it’s the perfect time to make something comfy,” said Chris Markley, library manager.
Future Thursdays will provide opportunities to learn cross stitch, arm knitting, and nail binding. All the Comfy Craft sessions are free with supplies provided until they run out.
For more information about events at the library, please visit www.kingsportlibrary.org or call 423-229-9489.
https://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Library180x180.jpg180180adriennehttps://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/LOGO-KPT-COLOR.pngadrienne2023-01-03 10:50:542023-01-03 10:51:01Enjoy Comfy Crafts at the Library
The City of Kingsport recently renewed an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, which will allow the city to continue participating in the state’s Qualifying Local Program (QLP).
The QLP allows Kingsport to review, approve and permit a private developer’s stormwater pollution prevention plans. Once Kingsport approves such plans, developers do not have to submit their plans to TDEC for additional approval, thus saving time and money during the construction process.
Some of the most significant benefits of Kingsport being a QLP include:
A more streamlined and efficient process for managing stormwater plans by eliminating permit and review duplication at the local and state levels.
Eliminating additional effort at the state level for construction site operators by providing only one set of requirements to follow.
A more effective construction stormwater program resulting in greater water quality protection.
Kingsport has participated in the QLP program since 2016 and is one of seven systems across Tennessee acting as a QLP.
“Having this one-stop shop for permitting construction sites has been of great benefit to not only the city, but developers across the region,” said Chad Austin. “The program makes permitting quicker and saves developers some money as well.”
To achieve QLP status, Kingsport had to demonstrate its construction stormwater program met or exceeded the provisions of the state’s Construction General Permit (CGP).
https://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/K-180x180-1.jpg180180adriennehttps://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/LOGO-KPT-COLOR.pngadrienne2022-12-30 09:54:262022-12-30 09:54:32Kingsport renews participation in state Qualifying Local Program
The City of Kingsport has partnered with the Greater Kingsport Alliance for Development to create a corridor study for Lynn Garden Drive. GKAD is the non-profit arm of the Kingsport Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Kimley Horn, a Nashville-based consulting firm, will conduct the study. Work will include a site visit, market research and a review of the existing land use along both sides of Lynn Garden Drive. The study will include a list of parcels that are strong/stable, as well as those that are underutilized or susceptible to change.
Kimley Horn plans to investigate the baseline and historical conditions of Lynn Garden Drive, document several demographics in that area (household composition, income, education and tenure) and then analyze the short and long-term potential for the corridor.
The study will take approximately eight months to complete with a projected end date of June 2023. Once done, Kimley Horn will present the city with a final plan that will include land use and development options, key catalyst sites, renderings for select locations along the corridor and ideas for public sector improvement projects.
Workshops will be held with the community, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Kingsport Regional Planning Commission. Kingsport has created a phase one redevelopment district for Lynn Garden. Kimley Horn will work with the city in creating the boundaries for phase two and three.
“Lynn Garden is well-situated for redevelopment and serves as a gateway into the heart of the city,” said Assistant City Manager Jessica Harmon.
The study will cost $105,000 and was paid for with American Rescue Plan Act funds.
https://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/K-180x180-1.jpg180180adriennehttps://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/LOGO-KPT-COLOR.pngadrienne2022-12-29 10:22:252022-12-29 10:22:31Lynn Garden corridor study in development
Looking for a way to celebrate the New Year with your family without having to be up at midnight? Join the Kingsport Public Library on Saturday, December 31 at 11:30 a.m. for a Noonday Countdown Celebration!
This family-friendly event will host crafts and games, then an exciting countdown to 12 noon to celebrate the New Year!
“We really wanted a way to celebrate the New Year with the community” said Chris Markley, Library Manger. “We couldn’t stay open until midnight and we know that’s hard on kids as well, so a noonday countdown seemed like a great alternative.” This event was first held in 2019.
To find out more about the Kingsport Public Library, visit their website at www.kingsportlibrary.org or visit the Kingsport Public Library. You can also find them on Facebook to know about other upcoming events!
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Time to test your free-throw skills with Kingsport’s Parks and Recreation Department. Whether it’s “nothing but net” or a dreaded air ball, you’re bound to have an evening of fun at the V.O. Dobbins Sr Complex competing against your fellow ballers.
The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Free Throw Contest from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on December 29 in the gymnasiums at V.O. Dobbins (301 Louis Street). Groups includes ages 5 to 6; ages 7 to 9; and ages 10 to 12 and the goal height will be adjusted for each age group.
The event is free, and prizes will be awarded to the winner of each age division.
For more information about the event, please call 423-343-9723.
https://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/parks-and-rec180.jpg200200adriennehttps://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/LOGO-KPT-COLOR.pngadrienne2022-12-22 11:11:472022-12-22 11:11:53Free Throw Contest at V.O. Dobbins
After a 29-year career with the Kingsport Police Department, Captain Randall Gore is on the cusp of retirement and about to begin a new chapter in his life.
A chapter filled with scissors, clippers, combs and a fancy chair.
Following his retirement next month, Gore plans to open Top Notch Cuts Barbershop at 143 E. Jackson Street in downtown Gate City. It’s been an ambition of Gore’s for the past two years.
“Within the last couple of years, I realized I wouldn’t be a policeman forever and I wanted something to do that I could enjoy and be my own boss,” Gore said. “I just couldn’t go home and sit around.”
Gore said he always paid close attention when people would cut his hair and when his barber retired years ago, he started cutting his own hair.
“I saw what my barber did, and I said, ‘I think I could do that.’ (My ambition) just developed from there,” he explained. “People are always going to need haircuts and there’s no barbers in Gate City.”
For the past 15 months, Gore attended the Crown Cutz Academy in Bristol, Va., to earn his barber license, all the while still working full-time as a captain at the Kingsport Police Department. The program involved 1,100 hours of hands-on work, as well as a written and practical skills test.
Gore recently completed both tests and has sent off his application to the State of Virginia, which will then issue him an official barber license – hopefully by the end of January.
“I’m more excited than nervous,” Gore said. “Twenty-nine years is enough for police work. I’m ready to start something new and I’m looking forward to it.”
Gore, 51, has spent his entire 29-year career with the Kingsport Police Department, starting off as a patrolman, then being promoted to corporal, sergeant (accreditation manager), lieutenant (records division) and finally captain about six years ago.
He and his wife Marci have been married for 28 years, and they have one son, Caleb, age 25.
“I’m so excited he can retire at this age and still be “young” enough to get to do something like this,” Marci said. “And I’m proud of all the work he’s done to get here. It was a lot of long days for him.”
https://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/police-180x180-1.jpg180180adriennehttps://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/LOGO-KPT-COLOR.pngadrienne2022-12-21 11:07:072022-12-21 11:07:13Highlighting Heroes: Randall Gore
Kingsport is pleased to announce a new arts & crafts festival debuting next spring – The Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) Festival: A Celebration of the Arts. The three-day festival will be held April 21-23 at the Kingsport Farmers Market.
The festival is a partnership between the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts, Engage Kingsport, the Kingsport Art Guild, Create Appalachia and the Inventor Center. Expect to see fine art and craft vendors at the three-day festival, including a gala, demonstrations, public art programs and more.
“We really want to make this the ‘greatest of all time’ festival that is truly a celebration of the art and talent that we find in our area,” said Hannah Powell, program coordinator for the KOCA. “We hope the best talents come out to join us and be a part of this celebration.”
If you would like to participate in this festival, applications are being accepted at https://bit.ly/3XS4fja. There is no cost to apply, and the deadline is January 13, 2023.
All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and acceptance is by invitation only. If invited, the cost for each 10’ by 10’ booth is $115.
“Create Appalachia is really excited to be part of a festival that will bring the community together and showcase the creativity of regional artists, which is what we’re all about. It’s going to be a wonderful event,” says Katie Hoffman, Director of Create Appalachia.
For more information about the festival contact the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts at 423-392-8416 or visit arts.kingsporttn.gov.
https://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Cultural-Arts-180.jpg180180adriennehttps://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/LOGO-KPT-COLOR.pngadrienne2022-12-20 15:57:332022-12-20 15:57:38A Call for Vendors for the G.O.A.T. Festival
Christmas in Kingsport wraps up this week with an evening of snow in Glen Bruce Park and a special awards ceremony for the most creative, most outrageous and overall best Christmas trees found in downtown Kingsport.
This is Kingsport partnered with the Downtown Kingsport Association and Visit Kingsport to bring you the best in holiday events throughout the month of December. And what a month it has been.
Folks have enjoyed the Christmas parade and tree lighting, snow and decorated trees in Glen Bruce and Centennial Park and an afternoon of fun and games at the Kingsport Carousel and Kingsport Public Library.
Wrapping up this month-long celebration will be snow once again in Glen Bruce Park from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec 21. In addition, awards will be given to the decorators of the Christmas trees in Glen Bruce Park and Centennial Park.
Awards for the most creative, most outrageous, best topper and overall best Christmas tree will be awarded beginning at 6 p.m. on Dec. 21 in Glen Bruce Park. You can cast your vote in these categories by visiting https://bit.ly/3uVi5Ev.
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The City of Kingsport will not be adjusting garbage or trash/yard waste routes due to the Christmas or New Year’s holiday.
Both the garbage routes and the trash/yard waste routes will run on a normal schedule.
However, there will be changes to the city’s demolition landfill schedule.
The landfill will be closed to the public on Friday, December 23 and Saturday, December 24. The landfill will reopen on Monday, December 26. The landfill will also be closed on Saturday, December 31.
City offices will also be closed the following days during the holiday season – December 23, December 26 and January 2.
During the week of December 26, Kingsport will pick up additional holiday garbage (boxes and bags) placed outside the cart. Garbage must be placed in bags or boxed.
For more information about garbage and trash/yard waste routes, visit www.kingsporttn.gov.
https://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/K-180x180-1.jpg180180adriennehttps://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/LOGO-KPT-COLOR.pngadrienne2022-12-19 09:37:572022-12-19 09:38:02Christmas holiday changes in Kingsport
The collective churches of Church Circle will present their annual Come to Bethlehem: A Living Nativity event in Downtown Kingsport on December 18 from 6 pm – 8 pm.
Please note the attached route and road closures for the event. The event is a drive-through event with a pedestrian path offered.
The only vehicle entrance will be East Sullivan Street from the intersection of East Sullivan and Center Streets.
All streets feeding into the event line-up route will be closed. There will be a right hand only turn exiting Church Circle and all vehicles must exit on Clinchfield Street. Parking is available at any of the Church Circle churches for those utilizing the pedestrian path. The path entrance will be on East Sullivan Street.
All road closures and traffic detours will be in place by 4:30 pm and will remain closed through the duration of the event. Directional signage for the event entrance will also be in place.
For more information regarding the event please contact First Baptist Church at 423-247-4122.
https://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/K-180x180-1.jpg180180adriennehttps://www.kingsporttn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/LOGO-KPT-COLOR.pngadrienne2022-12-16 09:45:352022-12-16 09:45:40Road Closures for the Living Nativity event
Paying your utility, miscellaneous receivables bill or building permits payment has never been easier! Click the link below to be directed to Click2Gov, the online payment system that allows users to view their account and pay with a credit or debit card through the secure website.
Pay your red light citation bill online by clicking the button below. You will be redirected to the payment page.
To report a non-emergency, please use the new ConnectKingsport app.
ConnectKingsport is the app for everything Kingsport! From potholes and damaged street signs to other local issues that need attention, ConnectKingsport makes reporting an issue easier than ever. This app uses GPS to recognize your location and gives you a menu of common quality-of-life conditions to select from. The app also allows you to upload pictures or videos to accompany your request. Residents can track the status of reports they or other members of the community have submitted until the issue is resolved.
You can also use the app to find information about the City of Kingsport with links to the city website, animal services, ongoing events and more. Download the free app today to be a part of making Kingsport a great place to live, work and play!
To download the free app, please search for it on the Apple App Store or on Google Play. You can also use the online portal below.
Please note that the use of ConnectKingsport is intended for the reporting of non-emergency issues only. If you need immediate Police or Fire response, please call 911.
