☀️ Today’s Weather
Mainly clear skies for Wednesday, August 19 — High of 85°F, Low of 66°F, with just a 3% chance of rain. A great day to get outside!
😄 Only in Johnson City
ETSU students have been back on campus for exactly one week, and already half of Gray Station Road has been renamed “a shortcut to Walmart.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Just outside Johnson City, a road project uncovered one of the region’s most important fossil sites. What is it called?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
Waterline Break Affects Homes in Gray
A 6-inch waterline break on Gray Station Road near Patrick Lane disrupted water service for some Gray community residents on Tuesday morning. Affected streets included Gray Station Road, Patrick Lane, Molton Circle, Rolling Acres Drive, and Pine Hill Drive. The City of Johnson City’s Water and Sewer Services department worked to repair the break, with water service expected to be restored within four to eight hours.
Know a Local Business That Should Be Here?
If you send us a business that becomes a sponsor, we’ll pay you $50 for it. No cap, no catch. Just hit reply with their name and we’ll take it from there. (We still make the final call on fit, same as any other pitch.)
Victim Identified in Fatal Gray Parking Lot Shooting
The Johnson City Police Department has identified the man killed in last Friday’s shooting in Gray as Dalton Spaulding, 24, of Jonesborough. According to investigators, a verbal argument over a parking spot at a Gray business escalated into a physical confrontation during which Spaulding was shot. As of Monday, the investigation remains ongoing and no charges have been filed.
Black Heritage Trail in Downtown Johnson City Highlighted in “Amazing America 250” Feature
Johnson City’s Black Heritage Trail is receiving regional recognition as part of a special “Amazing America 250” feature on WCYB. The trail highlights significant locations and stories connected to Black history in downtown Johnson City. The feature ties in with the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations and shines a light on the city’s local historical efforts.
9th Annual “Call to Arms” Event Preview
The 9th annual Call to Arms event is coming up in the Tri-Cities area, and organizers recently previewed what attendees can look forward to this year. The event, which benefits local veterans and military families, is a longstanding community tradition in the region. Visit the link below for full details on dates, times, and how to participate.
Washington County Schools Sets Superintendent Salary, Forms Property Task Force
Washington County Schools recently took action on two significant administrative matters, setting the salary for the district’s superintendent and establishing a property task force. The moves reflect ongoing efforts by the school board to address operational and facilities planning for the district. Full details on the decisions are available at the Johnson City Press.
Read more at Johnson City Press
📅 Upcoming Events
Event details are pulled from public listings and can change. Please confirm dates and times on the official event page before making plans.
Chamber Membership Breakfast with ETSU — TODAY
The Johnson City/Washington County Chamber of Commerce is hosting its quarterly membership breakfast featuring ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland and newly appointed Vice President of ETSU Advancement Howard Reddy. Doors and breakfast open at 7:00 AM, with the program beginning at 7:30 AM.
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Location: ETSU Martin Center for the Arts, 1320 W State of Franklin Rd, Johnson City, TN 37614
More info at the Chamber of Commerce
Lawnstock | A Day of Music in Downtown Johnson City
Lawnstock returns to Founders Park for an end-of-summer outdoor music festival in the heart of downtown Johnson City.
Date/Time: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Founders Park, Johnson City
More info at Visit Johnson City TN
Stand-Up Comedy Night at Off Leash Social
Off Leash Social is hosting a stand-up comedy night for a fun late-August evening out.
Date/Time: Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 8:00 PM
Location: Off Leash Social – Eat. Drink. Pet Dogs, Johnson City
ETSU Buccaneers vs. Campbell Fighting Camels — Season Opener
The ETSU Buccaneers kick off their 2026 football season at home against the Campbell Fighting Camels at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium.
Date/Time: Friday, August 28, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Location: William B. Greene Jr. Stadium, Johnson City
Taco Trek | September Edition
The popular Taco Trek food crawl returns for its September edition in downtown Johnson City.
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 1, 2026 | 6:30 PM
Location: 110 W Market St, Johnson City
Upper East Tennessee Celtic Festival and Games 2026
The Upper East Tennessee Celtic Festival and Games returns for a night of Celtic culture and competition.
Date/Time: Friday, September 4, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM
More info at Visit Johnson City TN
Appalachian Fair Home Show — Free Admission
The Appalachian Fair Home Show offers free admission and features hands-on demonstrations, expert advice, and exclusive offers for homeowners.
Dates: September 25–27, 2026
Location: Appalachian Fairgrounds, Johnson City
More info at the Chamber of Commerce
📜 Today in Johnson City History
A century ago today in 1926, state highway officials confirmed that a hard-surfaced road directly connecting Johnson City and Kingsport was finally coming, calling it an important link in the larger Appalachian Way running from the Great Lakes to the Gulf. Work was already underway on the Johnson City–Erwin highway, with the Bluff City link nearing completion and the Jonesboro–Kingsport road already passable.
For more details, subscribe to the Today in Johnson City History newsletter by Rebecca Henderson.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
The Gray Fossil Site, discovered accidentally during a highway project and now recognized as one of the most significant paleontological sites in the eastern United States.