FRIDAY DECEMBER 20

JC COMMISSION APPROVES SALE OF BUFFALO VALLEY GOLF COURSE

THE JOHNSON CITY COMMISSION APPROVED ON THIRD AND FINAL READING LAST NIGHT, THE SALE OF THE FORMER BUFFALO VALLEY GOLF COURSE. THE 124 ACRE PROPERTY IS IN UNICOI COUNTY, BUT IS OWNED BY JOHNSON CITY. THE SALE OF ALL PARCELS OF LAND IS EXPECTED TO BE CLOSED NEXT MONTH.

VOUCHER 2.0 SUPPORT THIN AMONG NE TN LAWMAKERS

TENNESSEE GOVERNOR BILL LEE HAS TWEAKED HIS SIGNATURE STATEWIDE EDUCATION VOUCHER PROPOSAL, TO TRY AND ASSUAGE SKEPTICS’ CONCERNS OVER LAST YEARS FAILED BILL, BUT THE JURY IS STILL OUT FOR SEVERAL NORTHEAST TENNESSEE LAWMAKERS. LEE SAYS IT’S ABOUT LETTING PARENTS MAKE THE CHOICE OF WHAT’S BEST FOR THEIR CHILDREN.HOWEVER IN NORTHEAST TENNESSEE, REPRESENTATIVES REBECCA ALEXANDER AND DAVID HAWK BOTH SAY THEY’RE OPPOSED TO THE NEW BILL, WITH GARY HICKS LEANING OPPOSED. TIM HICKS SAYS HE’S IN FAVOR OF THE GOVERNORS NEW VOUCHER PROPOSAL, ALONG WITH BUD HULSEY AND RENA JONES. BOBBY HARSHBARGER, WHO DEFEATED SENATE SPONSOR OF THE BILL JON LUNDBERG HAS REMAINED NON-COMMITTAL ON THE BILL.

FIRE BURNS VI CAMPUS MAIN HALL

FIRE FIGHTERS WERE ON THE SCENE OF A LARGE FIRE ON THE FORMER VIRGINIA INTERMONT CAMPUS EARLY THIS MORNING. BRISTOL VIRGINIA POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTERS RESPONDED AROUND 1:20 AM. THE FIRE COULD BE SEEN BURNING THE MAIN BUILDING ON CAMPUS, AND SHORTLY AFTER 2 AM THE BUILDING COULD BE SEEN COLLAPSING.  BRISTOL VIRGINIA CITY COUNCILMAN NEAL OSBORNE WAS QUOTED AS SAYING THIS WAS A TRAGEDY FOR THE CITY. HE SAID ATTEMPTS BY THE CITY TO PUSH THE OWNERS OF THE VI PROPERTY TO CARE FOR IT HAVE FALLEN ON DEAF EARS. MULTIPLE FIRES HAVE OCCURRED AT THE CAMPUS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, INCLUDING ONE AT THE FORMER LIBRARY BUILDING IN NOVEMBER.

2 PEOPLE CHARGED WITH BEING IN MOB, MALICIOUS WOUNDING

THE WASHINGTON COUNTY VIRGINIA SHERIFF’S OFFICE ARRESTED A MAN AND A 16 YEAR OLD JUVENILE SUNDAY, AFTER ANOTHER MAN SUFFERED SERIOUS, LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES. ACCORDING TO A RELEASE FROM THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE, OFFICERS ARRIVED AT A DISTURBANCE CALL IN THE AREA OF HILLMAN HIGHWAY AND GLENBROOK AVENUE SATURDAY, AND DISCOVERED AN ADULT MALE VICTIM. HIS FIREARM HAD ALSO ALLEGEDLY BEEN STOLEN. THE SUSPECTS REPORTEDLY FLED THE SCENE. AFTER AN INVESTIGATION, 27 YEAR OLD NICHOLAS THOMPSON OF CHILHOWIE AND THE JUVENILE SUSPECT WERE IDENTIFIED AS SUSPECTS. DEPUTIES WITH THE SMYTH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ARRESTED KANE ON SUNDAY. THE JUVENILE WAS FOUND LATER THAT EVENING. KANE AND THE JUVENILE WERE EACH CHARGED WITH BEING A PERSON IN A MOB MALICIOUSLY MAIM, DISABLE, DISFIGURE OR KILL. KANE WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH USE OR DISPLAY OF A FIREARM WHILE COMMITTING MALICIOUS WOUNDING AND STEALING A FIREARM. THE JUVENILE WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH CAUSING BODILY INJURY, AND CONSPIRING TO CAUSE BODILY HARM.

TELFORD BUST NETS HALF POUND OF FENTANYL, OTHER DRUGS

A TELFORD MAN WAS ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE FELONY DRUG CHARGES WEDNESDAY. ACCORDING TO A RELEASE FROM THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, DEPUTIES ARRESTED 55 YEAR OLD ROBERT CLINE NEAR HIS RESIDENCE ON OLD STAGECOACH ROAD. THE ARREST IS THE RESULT OF A SIX MONTH INVESTIGATION. CLINE WAS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF SCHEDULE I DRUG VIOLATION FOR RESALE, THREE COUNTS OF SCHEDULE II DRUG VIOLATION FOR RESALE, ONE COUNT OF SCHEDULE II DRUG VIOLATION, ONE COUNT OF POSSESSION OF METH, MAINTAINING A SWELLING FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, SEVEN COUNTS OF UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A WEAPON, AND ONE COUNT OF UNLAWFUL DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.. HE SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN COURT TODAY.

NO INJURIES AFTER JOHNSON CITY FIRE

THE JOHNSON CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A STRUCTURE FIRE NEAR EAST WATAUGA AVENUE THURSDAY EVENING. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, NO OCCUPANTS WERE INSIDE THE STRUCTURE OR INJURED IN THE FIRE. CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

CARTER CO COMMISSIONER RESPONDS TO EMA DIRECTORS TERMINATION

ONE CARTER COUNTY COMMISSIONER IS QUESTIONING WHETHER ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN TERMINATED, AFTER THE FIRING OF COUNTY EMA DIRECTOR BILLY HARRELL. COMMISSIONER ANGIE ODOM SAYS SHE BELIEVES HARRELL WAS NOT SOLEY RESPONSIBLE  DURING HELENE, AND QUESTIONS MAYOR PATTY WOODBY’S DECISION FOR THE TERMINATION, SAYING TWO INDIVIDUALS WERE EMPLOYED, WHY IS ONLY ONE BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE EMERGENCY PLAN. ODOM SAID THE TWO WORKED HAND IN HAND AND TOGETHER, SO SHE’S A LITTLE CONCERNED, IF HARRELL IS RESPONSIBLE, WHY ISN’T THE OTHER PERSON BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE. MAYOR PATTY WOODBY ANNOUNCED THE FIRING OF HARRELL AT WEDNESDAY’S COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING.

LETTER GRADES RELEASED FOR NORTHEAST TN SCHOOLS

LETTER GRADES WERE RELEASED FOR EACH SCHOOL IN NORTHEAST TENNESSEE FOR THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR THURSDAY. LETTER GRADES ARE CALCULATED BASED ON ACHIEVEMENT, GROWTH, SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH THE HIGHEST NEEDS, AND READINESS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREERS. GRADES ARE DETERMINED BY EXAM SCORES. AMONG HIGH SCHOOLS IN OUR REGION, DOBYNS-BENNETT, SCIENCE HILL, ELIZABETHTON HIGH SCHOOL, GREENEVILLE, SOUTH GREENE, TENNESSEE HIGH, AND DANIEL BOONE ALL RECEIVED A LETTER GRADE OF A. UNICOI COUNTY, WEST RIDGE, WEST GREENE, CHUCKY DOAK, NORTH GREENE, DAVID CROCKETT, CLOUDLAND, AND HAPPY VALLEY AL RECEIVED A LETTER GRADE OF B.

BALLAD HEALTH, CIGNA REACH AGREEMENT FOR IN-NETWORK ACCESS

AN AGREEMENT ENSURING IN-NETWORK ACCESS FOR CIGNA HEALTHCARE CUSTOMERS AT ALL BALLAD HEALTH HOSPITALS, FACILITIES AND PHYSICIANS WAS ANNOUNCED THURSDAY. THE AGREEMENT APPLIES TO CIGNA COMMERCIAL PLANS, BOTH EMPLOYER AND INDIVIDUAL COVERAGE, CIGNA CONNECT, AND EVERNORTH. ANY CARE CURRENTLY BEING PROVIDED AND SCHEDULED WILL BE KNOWN AS IN-NETWORK WITHOUT DISRUPTION. THE NEGOTIATION WITH CIGNA CONCLUDES ALL BALLAD HEALTH AGREEMENTS WITH MAJOR INSURERS, INCLUDING BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF TENNESSEE, ANTHEM/ELEVANCE, UNITED HEALTHCARE, AND HUMANA.

I-40 REPAIRS IN PIGEON RIVE GORGE SHOW PROGRESS, BUT NO REOPENING DATE SET

A 9 MILE STRETCH OF INTERSTATE 40 IN HAYWOOD COUNTY IN NORTH CAROLINA REMAINS CLOSED IN THE PIGEON RIVER GORGE NEARLY THREE MONTHS AFTER HELENE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE MAJOR ROADWAY. A NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VIDEO SHOWS CREWS SPRAYING CONCRETE ALONG THE SECTION WHERE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS DOING REPAIRS. WHILE THE WORK CONTINUES, IT COULD COMPLICATE HOLIDAY TRAVEL, WITH I-40 CLOSED THROUGH THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ANTICIPATES RESTORING ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC IN EACH DIRECTION SOON, BUT COULD NOT SHARE A DATE FOR WHEN THAT MIGHT OCCUR.

I-81 CRASH REROUTES TRAFFIC

AN OVERNIGHT CRASH REROUTED SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC NEAR MILE MARKER 10 IN HAMBLEN COUNTY EARLY THURSDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL, A FREIGHTLINER TRACTOR TRAILER WAS TRAVELING NORTH IN THE INSIDE LANE, WHEN IT LEFT THE ROADWAY, DROVE INTO A DITCH, CROSSED THE MEDIAN, AND OVERTURNED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST ON ITS ROOF, PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE INSIDE SOUTHBOUND LANE OF I-81, CAUSING A TRAFFIC BACKUP. THE THP SAID THE LONE OCCUPANT, THE DRIVER 57 YEAR OLD ERIC CURTIS OF GEORGIA WAS INJURED, BUT HIS CONDITION WAS NOT LISTED IN THE REPORT.

WOMAN ARRESTED IN GREENE CO ON WARRANT FROM WASHINGTON CO VA

A WOMAN WANTED ON FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE C

TWO JUVENILES INJURED IN ELIZABETHTON CRASH

A MAN AND TWO JUVENILES WERE INJURED IN A CRASH SUNDAY IN ELIZABETHTON. ACCORDING TO A CRASH REPORT FROM THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL, THE CRASH HAPPENED SUNDAY AFTERNOON ON STATE ROUTE 91 NEAR HODGE BRANCH ROAD IN ELIZABETHTON. THE THP REPORTED THAT A VEHICLE TURNING LEFT ONTO THE HIGHWAY COLLIDED WITH A NORTH BOUND VEHICLE. A MAN AND TWO JUVENILES WERE INJURED. ALL THREE WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS.

SMYTH CO SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER KILLED IN OVERNIGHT CRASH ON I-81

VIRGINIA STATE POLICE REPORTED THAT A SMYTH COUNTY SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER DIED FOLLOWING A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH THAT TOOK PLACE EARLY SATURDAY MORNING ON INTERSTATE 81. A RELEASE FROM THE VSP SAID A PICKUP TRUCK WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON I-81 NEAR MILE MARKER 45 AROUND 3:06 AM, WHEN IT WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD, INTO THE MEDIAN, AND DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT. THE VSP SAID THE TRUCK THEN OVERTURNED, AND CAME TO REST ON THE SOUTHBOUND SIDE OF THE MEDIAN. THE DRIVER 60 YEAR OLD EARNEST ATWELL JR OF ATKINS, DIED FROM HIS INJURIES. ATWELL WAS AN SRO WITH THE SMYTH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE. THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

GOV LEE GRANTS EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY TO 43 INDIVIDUALS

TENNESSEE GOVERNOR BILL LEE ANNOUNCED EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY DECISIONS FOR 43 INDIVIDUALS FRIDAY. LEE SAID EACH INDIVIDUAL CASE IS UNIQUE AND WARRANTED CONSIDERATION. EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY DECISIONS ARE MADE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF PAROLE, WHICH ISSUES NON-BINDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EACH CASE. FRIDAY THE GOVERNOR ISSUED ONE TYPE OF CLEMENCY, PARDON, WHICH IS AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF FORGIVENESS. PARDONS ARE GRANTED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR SENTENCES, AND HAVE BEEN LIVING FREELY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS. ADDITIONAL FORMS OF EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY ARE EXONERATION AND COMMUTATION, WHICH H THE GOVERNOR WILL NOT GRANT IN THIS ROUND OF DECISIONS.

BRIGHTRIDGE EARNS 34^TH CLEAN AUDIT, POSTS STRONG CUSTOMER GROWTH

BRIGHTRIDGE HAS RECEIVED AN UNQUALIFIED, CLEAN AUDIT OPINION FROM INDEPENDENT AUDITORS BLACKBURN, CHILDERS AND STEAGALL FOR THE 34^TH YEAR RUNNING. THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 AUDIT, COVERING THROUGH JUNE 30^TH, FOUND NO MATERIAL WEAKNESSES OR SIGNIFICANT REPORTING DEFICIENCIES IN BRIGHTEIDGE’S FINANCIAL REPORTING. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, BRIGHTRIDGE CONTINUED A RECENT TREND OF ABOVE AVERAGE GROWTH IN ITS ELECTRIC CUSTOMER BASE ADDING 1077 NEW CUSTOMERS. BROADBAND SERVICE SAW SALES INCREASE BY 3.89 MILLION DOLLARS.

MAN DEAD AFTER OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING

A MAN HAS DIED FOLLOWING AN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING EARLY SATURDAY MORNING IN ERWIN. THE TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION IS INVESTIGATING THE SHOOTING. ACCORDING TO A RELEASE FROM ERWIN POLICE CHIEF REGAN TILSON, OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A NOISE COMPLAINT IN THE 600 BLOCK OF MAPLE AVENUE AROUND 2:30 AM. ACCORDING TO A TBI RELEASE, WHEN OFFICERS APPROACHED THE FRONT DOOR AND KNOCKED, THEY REPORTED HEARING A SHOTGUN RACK BEFORE THE DOOR OPENED. TILSON’S RELEASE STATED THE INDIVIDUAL RACKED THE SHOTGUN AND ANNOUNCED TO THE OFFICERS WHO HAD CLEARLY IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES AS POLICE OFFICERS, THAT HE HAD SOMETHING FOR THEM. POLICE DIRECTED THE MAN TO DROP THE GUN BUT HE POINTED IT AT OFFICERS. THE TBI SAID AT LEASE TWO OFFICERS FIRED UPON THE SUBJECT. NO OFFICERS WERE INJURED. THE MAN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT JOHNSON CITY MEDICAL CENTER.

ORGANIZATION BUYS FORMER MOTEL TO HELP DISPLACED HELENE VICTIMS

THE BUFFALO DISASTER RELIEF HAS PURCHASED THE FORMER BUDGET INN MOTEL IN UNICOI TO TEMPORAROLY HOUSE DISPLACED INDIVIDUALS FROM HELENE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER, SHAWN MILLER, WANTED TO TURN THE MOTEL INTO LOWER INCOME APARTMENTS. HOWEVER, AFTER A FAILED REZONING REQUEST AND PUSHBACK FROM NEIGHBORS, HE DECIDED TO SELL IN APRIL. AFTER HELENE HE WANTED THE PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR DISPLACED RESIDENTS. SINCE BUFFALO DISASTER RELIEF PLANS TO KEEP THE BUILDING A MOTEL, NO REZONING WILL BE REQUIRED. MELANIE KLUMP, CEO AND DIRECTOR OF BUFFALO DISASTER RELIEF SAID THE MOTEL WILL HELP TRANSITION DISPLACED INDIVIDUALS UNTIL THEY FIND A PERMANENT RESIDENCE. THE BUILDING STILL NEEDS STRUCTURAL AND COSMETIC REPAIRS.

NO INJURIES REPORTED AFTER STRUCTURE FIRE IN GRAY

NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED FOLLOWING A STRUCTURE FIRE IN THE GRAY COMMUNITY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY TENNESSEE SUNDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN TREVOR MARTIN OF THE GRAY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, A TRAILER AT THE INTERSECTION OF GRAY STATION ROAD AND MAPLE COURT BECAME FULLY INVOLVED AROUND 10 AM. CREWS WERE ABLE TO KEEP THE FIRE FROM SPREADING TO NEARBY HOMES. MARTIN SAID ONE NEIGHBORING TRAILER DID SUSTAIN HEAT DAMAGE TO SOME OF ITS SIDING. CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

KINGSPORT WOMAN TRIED TO IMPROPERLY VOTE

A KINGSPORT WOMAN WAS INDICTED AFTER SHE ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPTED TO VOTE IN RECENT ELECTIONS AFTER BEING TOLD BY OFFICIALS SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO. ACCORDING TO THE TENNESSEE  BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, AGENTS BEGAN INVESTIGATING 62 YEAR OLD JO ANN MORRISON IN THE FALL. ACCORDING TO TBI REPORTS, MORRISON WHO IS A CONVICTED FELON, HAD TRIED TO VOTE ON TWO OCCASIONS IN RECENT ELECTIONS, AFTER BEING INFORMED BY ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS SHE WAS INELIGIBLE TO DO SO. A SULLIVAN COUNTY GRAND JURY RETURNED INDICTMENTS ON DECEMBER 11^TH, CHARGING MORRISON WITH TWO COUNTS OF IMPROPER REGISTRATION OR VOTING, AND TWO COUNTS OF PERJURY.

CRIMINAL TRESPASSES REPORTED OVER THE WEEKEND

GREENEVILLE POLICE WORKED A COUPLE OF CRIMINAL TRESPASSING REPORTS SATURDAY AFTERNOON. AROUND 4:10 PM, SOMEONE REPORTED A SIVER VAN PARKED NEAR THE WOODS ON DIANE LANE NEXT TO A VACANT APARTMENT BUILDING. OFFICERS KNOCKED ON ONE OF THE UPSTAIRS APARTMENTS, AND A WOMAN IDENTIFIED AS APRIL FOX ANSWERED. FOX SAID SHE WAS MOVING THINGS INTO THE APARTMENT BECAUSE HER VAN WAS STUCK IN MUD. CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE APARTMENT’S PROPERTY MANAGER, WHO STATED NO ONE HAD PERMISSION TO BE INSIDE THE BUILDING. FOX WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOR CRIMINAL TRESPASSING. AT 4:40 PM, GREENEVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL CALLED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, REPORTING A WOMAN ALLEGEDLY SCREAMING ON THE 4^TH FLOOR, AND REFUSING TO LEAVE THE PREMISES. OFFICERS ARRIVED AND IDENTIFIED THE WOMAN AS DEBORAH GILBERT. IT WAS REPORTED GILBERT HAD TOL STAFF SHE WASN’T LEAVING, AND WHEN ADVISED THAT SHE WOULD GO TO JAIL IF SHE DIDN’T LEAVE, SHE RESPONDED SHE WOULD GO TO JAIL.

TENNESSEE REACHES HIGHEST USAGE OF SEAT BELT RATE ON RECORD

FOR THE 2^ND YEAR IN A ROW, TENNESSEE HAS REACHED THE HIGHEST RECORD OF SEAT BELT USAGE. THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE RELEASED RESULTS FROM THEIR ANNUAL OBSERVATIONAL SURVEY THAT DETERMINES THE STATE’S AVERAGE SEAT BELT USAGE RATE. THE STATEWIDE SEAT BELT USAGE HAS INCREASED .2 PERCENT SINCE TENNESSEE’S 2023 SURVEY, WHICH WAS AT 92 PERCENT. THE 2024 SURVEY IS TENNESSEE’S HIGHEST ANNUAL SEAT BELT USAGE RATE TO DATE. THE HIGHEST USAGE RATE WAS OBSERVED AMONG OCCUPANTS OF SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AT 96.3 PERCENT. THE LOWEST USAGE RATE WAS OBSERVED AMONG OCCUPANTS IN PICKUP TRUCKS AR 84.6 PERCENT. FEMALE OCCUPANTS WERE OBSERVED TO HAVE A HIGHER USAGE RATE THAN MALES, 96.2 PERCENT TO 89. 2 PERCENT.