Are you a local artist with a passion for keeping the environment clean and healthy? Or are you a casual painter that loves animals? The City of Kingsport Stormwater Department, with the help of the Office of Cultural Arts and Engage Kingsport, is seeking local artists and creative minds to paint five storm drains in local neighborhoods to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our rivers, stream habitat, and aquatic wildlife.

To enter the contest:

• Send a color sketch of your proposed artwork around a storm drain.
• Artwork may include the street, sidewalk or both.
• Text is encouraged to convey the educational stormwater message.
• Be sure to include your name, phone and email.

The deadline to submit entries is August 1. The winners will be selected by August 16. The five winning artists will receive $100 and their chance to leave their artistic talents on the streets of local Kingsport neighborhoods.

Sponsors for this contest are all local businesses and include Bishop & Company, Bank of Tennessee, Kingsport Imaging, VIPSeen and Now or Never Tattoo Gallery.

The artists will each receive one quart of red, yellow, blue, white and black. Artists will start painting the first week of September. For complete rules and guidelines, please click here.

“The response we got last year from the downtown drain artwork was very positive,” said Amanda McMullen, stormwater quality control technician for Kingsport Public Works. “This year, we want to bring the art to the people by painting drains in various neighborhoods.”

What is Stormwater?

As Kingsport grew, the ground became covered with asphalt, concrete and buildings. Without realizing it, an important part of the water cycle was disturbed. Instead of rain naturally filtering into the ground, it flows over roofs, driveways and streets as stormwater. Stormwater can pick up pollutants and transport them into local waterways via the storm drain system. Pollutants include everyday items like pesticides or fertilizers in our yards, oil in our cars, and even soap. When introduced into the waterway, pollutants have a harmful effect on aquatic life and the health of our rivers.

For more information on the storm drain art contest and stormwater in Kingsport, please click here.

The Kingsport Area Transit Service (KATS) has been in the process of building a new comprehensive transit facility for the past five years. KATS is excited and proud to announce that Phase 1 of the new transit facility is now complete! This center will improve and support growth, accessibility and safety within the community as well as enhancing the eastside gateway appearance to the city. The opening of a new transit facility is a once in a lifetime event and we are excited to be a part of Kingsport’s growth and expansion.

“We have a come a long way to reach this major milestone,” said Assistant City Manager Chris McCartt. “When I came to the City in 1997, I remember attending meetings at Kingsport Tomorrow where we would strategize how to market this service. One of those strategies included neighborhood visits where we would literally go door-to-door delivering information regarding our service. During those early days, you wondered if the service would survive from one year to the next, look at us now. Individuals such as former Mayor Jeanette Blazier, Gary Taylor and Bill Albright are to be commended. Without their tireless dedication, we probably wouldn’t be where we are today.”

KATS is very pleased to invite you to their new transit facility at 900 East Main Street on Friday, June 14 for their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony.

Help KATS celebrate with all day festivities including free bus rides, discount opportunities, giveaways, special prizes and a free lunch catered by The Hot Dog Hut.

Attendees can register their name in a drawing to win the grand prize of a yearly bus pass valued at $240.00!

Make sure you take advantage of this deal, and tell your friends and family members. You can learn more about KATS at www.kingsporttransit.org. Thank you for choosing KATS!

WHAT: KATS GRAND OPENING AND RIBBON CUTTING

WHERE: 900 East Main Street

WHEN: Friday, June 14, 2019 (Tours start at 10:00am, remarks at 10:30am, lunch at 11:00am)

For more information, please visit www.kingsporttransit.org.

Kingsport Area Transit Service is very excited to announce that operations will begin from their new transit facility at 900 East Main Street on Monday, June 10.

All 6 routes have been improved, including the newest one, Route 6. Route 6 will now travel into Colonial Heights to serve additional riders and will stop at the Food City on Moreland Drive. Information about the new routes will be available online next week and new route books are currently available at the transit center.

Due to the “learning curve” for riders and drivers, KATS will offer free bus rides on all bus routes all day long from Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 28.

“We hope this encourages people to utilize Kingsport’s public transit service and learn the new routes at no cost to them,” said Chris Campbell, KATS public transportation manager.

KATS new transit facility grand opening and ribbon cutting will be Friday, June 14. Be watching for additional details to be released at the end of the week.

Make sure you take advantage of the free rides during June and tell your friends and family members. You can learn more about KATS at www.kingsporttransit.org. Thank you for choosing KATS!

WHAT:            KATS Begins Operations From New Transit Facility (Plus free bus rides the rest of the month!)

WHERE:         900 East Main Street

WHEN:           Monday June 10, 2019

For more information, please visit www.kingsporttransit.org.