☀️ Today’s Weather
Light rain today with a high of 84°F and a low of 67°F — 39% chance of rain, so keep an umbrella handy.
😄 Only in Johnson City
Johnson City’s downtown is getting a new cocktail bar right around the same time ETSU students start rolling back in. Coincidence? Probably not. The hills didn’t plan it, but they approve.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: What colorful mural is associated with King Commons?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
New Cocktail Bar to Open in Johnson City
A new cocktail bar is set to open its doors in Johnson City this week. The addition is the latest in a string of new dining and nightlife options coming to the area, continuing the growth of Johnson City’s food and beverage scene.
Sponsored by
Frazier Plumbing
Got a leaky pipe, a water heater on its last legs, or a drain that’s given up? Frazier Plumbing has been solving plumbing problems for Tri-Cities homeowners since 1980 — family-owned, locally operated, and available 24/7 when things go wrong at the worst possible time. No runaround, no oversized crews. Just experienced local plumbers who show up and fix it right.
Johnson City Schools Approves Freedom Hall Pool Funds
The Johnson City Board of Education recently voted to approve the use of People’s Education Plan (PEP) funds to help cover the cost of repairs to the Freedom Hall Pool. The board considered a resolution allowing the People’s Education Plan funds to help pay for nearly $864,000 in repairs to the Freedom Hall Pool. The pool serves as the home pool and practice facility for the Science Hill High School swim team, the Johnson City Middle Schools swim team, and the Barracuda Swim Club.
Read more at Johnson City Press
Nurse of the Month: Autumn Davidson
WJHL is recognizing Autumn Davidson as its Nurse of the Month, highlighting her long nursing career that was inspired by family advice. The feature celebrates dedicated healthcare professionals serving the Tri-Cities community.
Brandon Worley Completes Historic Tri-Cities Amateur Tournament Sweep
Local golfer Brandon Worley made history by completing a sweep of Tri-Cities amateur golf tournaments, capping the run with a victory at the Tillinghast Invitational. The win marks four straight victories for Worley, a remarkable achievement in regional amateur golf.
📅 Upcoming Events
Scholastic Book Fair — Johnson City Public Library
Dates: Wednesday–Friday, August 5–7, 3–6 p.m.; Saturday, August 8, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Jones Meeting Center, Johnson City Public Library
The Library will host a Scholastic Book Fair in the Jones Meeting Center, open to the public so all families are invited to shop for new books, colorful school supplies, decorative posters, and more. Kids can also spend the Scholastic book bucks they earned during Summer Reading!
More info at Visit Johnson City
Now Now Live — Down Home
Date: August 9, 2026
Location: Down Home, Johnson City, TN
Indie pop act Now Now is set to perform in Johnson City. Visit the link below for tickets and full event details.
More info at Visit Johnson City
Walnut Street Music Series — Johnson City Brewing Company
Date: Saturdays through summer, 7–9 p.m.
Location: Johnson City Brewing Company – Walnut St, 714 W Walnut St
Free, live music is featured every Saturday from 7–9 p.m. Bring a chair, grab a brew, and listen to some good tunes.
More info at Visit Johnson City
Repticon Johnson City — Holiday Inn Johnson City
Dates: August 15–16, 2026
Location: Holiday Inn Johnson City
This show features live animals from around the world, where visitors can purchase pets and pet products direct from the experts, and learn more about reptiles and exotic animals.
More info at Visit Johnson City
Meet the Mountains Festival — Watauga Brewing Company
Date: August 14, 2026, starting at 4:00 p.m.
Location: Watauga Brewing Company, Johnson City, TN
The Meet the Mountains Festival takes place on August 14 at Watauga Brewing Company in Johnson City, TN. By participating, you’re helping support the region’s growing outdoor recreation economy.
More info at Visit Johnson City
The Oak Ridge Boys in Johnson City — ETSU Martin Center for the Arts
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Location: ETSU Martin Center for the Arts, Johnson City
The Oak Ridge Boys will perform in Johnson City on Friday, August 28, 2026 from 7:30 p.m. onwards at ETSU Martin Center for the Arts.
The Farmer & The Chef — Blackthorn Club at the Ridges
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026, 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Location: Blackthorn Club at the Ridges
Join regional chefs using locally grown fresh food to support the mission to end food insecurity in Northeast Tennessee at this signature culinary event.
More info at Northeast Tennessee Food Bank
📜 Today in Johnson City History
One hundred and twenty-five years ago today in 1901, the local social column reported that “Cupid” had been especially busy in Johnson City that week, with two couples married within a day of each other. A third young pair arrived from North Carolina, got their license, married on the spot in the recorder’s office, and boarded the train for Abingdon, Virginia, the same afternoon.
For more details, subscribe to the Today in Johnson City History newsletter by Rebecca Henderson.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
The Wildabout mural, a large and colorful public art installation that has become one of the most recognizable visual landmarks in downtown Johnson City.