☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies today with a high of 86°F and a low of 64°F. There’s a 30% chance of rain, so keep an umbrella handy.
😄 Only in Johnson City
ETSU fall camp is open, the Doughboys are still playing, and the first day of school is right around the corner — which means Johnson City is currently operating in three seasons simultaneously.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Just down the road from Johnson City is Tennessee’s oldest town. What is it?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
Quillen College of Medicine Welcomes Its Largest-Ever Class
ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine recently held a white coat ceremony marking the arrival of its largest incoming class. The white coat ceremony is a time-honored medical school tradition welcoming new students into the profession. Congratulations to the new class of future physicians joining our community!
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Frazier Plumbing
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3 Charged with Aggravated Robbery in Johnson City
Johnson City Police responded early Thursday morning to a reported armed robbery at a business in the 100 block of South Broadway Street. An employee told officers three individuals stole merchandise and, when confronted, showed a knife and ran from the store. Two juveniles and Matthew George, 19, of Erwin, were charged with aggravated robbery, theft under $1,000, underage possession of alcohol, and underage possession of tobacco.
Red Roof Inn in Johnson City Faces Closure
The Red Roof Inn in Johnson City is facing closure, leaving staff with unanswered questions about their employment. Details about the timeline and circumstances of the closure have not been fully disclosed publicly. Employees say they have been left in the dark about what comes next.
Data Center Survey Results: Impacts and Site Location Top Local Concerns
Results from a recent public survey on potential data center development in Johnson City are in, with impacts and site location emerging as top concerns among respondents. The city has been gathering community input on the topic to help guide future decisions. Visit the link below for the full breakdown of survey findings.
Read more at Johnson City Press
First Days of School: What to Know Across the Region
With August upon us, local school districts are gearing up for the first day of classes. A regional list outlines when students in various districts — including Johnson City Schools — will head back to the classroom. Check the link below for the full schedule.
📅 Upcoming Events
National Night Out — JCPD at Founders Park
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 4:00–8:00 PM
Location: Pavilion at Founders Park, Johnson City
The Johnson City Police Department is inviting the community to come together for an evening of fun, food, and activities during National Night Out. This free, family-friendly event is designed to bring together the community, law enforcement, and local partners to strengthen relationships and promote safety in Johnson City. There will be something for all ages, including games, giveaways, food, driving simulators, public safety displays, and hands-on activities. Some JCPD School Resource Officers are prepared to take their spots in the dunk tank, and the community will also have the opportunity to interact with K-9 Buck, climb inside emergency vehicles, and meet local first responders.
Read more at JohnsonCityTN.org
Appalachian Fair 5K — The Goose Chase
Date/Time: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 7:00 PM
Location: 3211 People’s St., Johnson City, TN
Celebrate 100 years of Appalachian Fair magic with the Appalachian Fair 5K — race through the glowing lights of the Fair in this once-in-a-century event!
Read more at TheGooseChase.org
Meet the Mountains Festival 2026
Date/Time: August 14–16, 2026
Location: Winged Deer Park, Johnson City, Tennessee
This free festival takes place in August at Winged Deer Park in Johnson City, TN. The festival serves as a showcase of Northeast Tennessee’s outdoor recreation assets, providing a one-stop shop to explore the region’s outdoor opportunities.
The Oak Ridge Boys in Johnson City
Date/Time: Friday, August 28, 2026, 7:30 PM
Location: ETSU Martin Center for the Arts, Johnson City
The Oak Ridge Boys in Johnson City is happening on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 7:30 PM onwards at ETSU Martin Center for the Arts. For tickets and more information, visit the link below.
The Farmer & The Chef Culinary Benefit
Date/Time: Sunday, August 30, 2026, 4:00–7:00 PM
Location: Blackthorn Club at the Ridges, Johnson City
Join regional chefs using locally grown fresh food at this signature culinary event to support the mission to end food insecurity in Northeast Tennessee. The event runs from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Blackthorn Club at the Ridges.
📜 Today in Johnson City History
One hundred and twenty-five years ago today in 1901, The Comet noted that local resident T.E. Matson had presented the newspaper with a topographical map of the Soldiers’ Home reservation, the sprawling veterans’ campus then under construction just outside town. That reservation grew into the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, still serving veterans in Johnson City today.
For more details, subscribe to the Today in Johnson City History newsletter by Rebecca Henderson.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
Jonesborough, founded in 1779 and recognized as the oldest town in Tennessee, located just a short drive from Johnson City in Washington County.