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Johnson City Scoop – August 21, 2026

☀️ Today’s Weather

Drizzle today with a high of 82°F and a low of 68°F — 48% chance of rain. Keep an umbrella handy.


😄 Only in Johnson City

Goodwill just opened the largest store in the Tri-Cities region here in Johnson City. Of course it did. We already had the most hills — might as well have the most donated cargo shorts, too.


🧠 Trivia Q&A

Question: Visitors to Tipton-Haynes can see more than just one old house. About how many historic buildings are on the site?

Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.


🔝 Top Stories

2 Milligan University Cyclists Killed, Others Hospitalized in Carter County Crash

Two Milligan University students — sophomores Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers — were killed after a vehicle struck the university’s cycling team during a morning training ride on Highway 19E near Hampton, Tennessee. Seven other students were transported to Johnson City Medical Center, including four who are in critical condition.

The driver now faces multiple charges, including vehicular homicide by recklessness. The crash has drawn widespread attention from the region and beyond, with local hospitals, universities, and community members expressing grief and support for those affected.

Read more at WJHL


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.)

ETSU President Offers Support to Milligan Community

In the wake of the deadly cycling team crash, ETSU’s president extended condolences and solidarity to Milligan University. ETSU President Brian Noland expressed condolences, stating: “The ETSU family joins our neighbors at Milligan University in mourning following the tragic accident involving members of the Milligan cycling team.”

The gesture reflects the close bonds among higher education institutions across the region during a period of profound loss for the Milligan community.

Read more at WJHL


Goodwill Opens Largest Store in Tri-Cities Region in Johnson City

Goodwill recently opened what is described as the largest Goodwill store in the Tri-Cities region, right here in Johnson City. The grand opening marks a significant expansion of the organization’s retail presence in the area.

For details on the location and hours, visit the link below.

Read more at WJHL


Johnson City Commissioner Jenny Brock Announces Reelection Bid

Johnson City Commissioner Jenny Brock has announced she will seek reelection. The announcement adds her name to what is shaping up to be an active local election cycle, with several candidates recently entering the race for seats on the City Commission.

For more details on the race and the filing deadline, visit the link below.

Read more at WJHL


Local Bike Shops and Cycling Community Speak About Road Safety

In the aftermath of the tragic Milligan University cycling team crash, local bike shops and members of Johnson City’s cycling community are speaking out about road safety for cyclists. The conversations reflect a broader concern about sharing roads safely in the region.

For more on what community members and shop owners had to say, visit the link below.

Read more at WJHL



📅 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.

🎵 Lawnstock — A Day of Music in Downtown Johnson City

Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Founders Park (Great Lawn), Johnson City

Lawnstock is Downtown Johnson City’s newest music festival. Spend the day on the Great Lawn at Founders Park enjoying live music, local food trucks, lawn games, cold drinks, local vendors, and the best way to say goodbye to summer. Admission is completely free. Lawnstock is an all-ages event. Lawnstock is a rain-or-shine event.

More info at Downtown Johnson City


🏈 ETSU Football vs. Campbell Fighting Camels

Friday, August 28, 2026 | 7:00 PM
William B. Greene Jr. Stadium, Johnson City

The ETSU Buccaneers host the Campbell Fighting Camels at home for a Friday night game at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium. For tickets and additional details, visit ETSU Athletics.

More info at ETSU Athletics


🌾 The Farmer & The Chef

Sunday, August 30, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Blackthorn Club at the Ridges, Johnson City

Join regional chefs using locally grown fresh food to support the mission to end food insecurity in Northeast Tennessee. The event benefits the Northeast Tennessee Food Bank. For more information, visit netfoodbank.org.

More info at Northeast TN Food Bank


🏈 ETSU Football vs. Tusculum — September 5, 2026

Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 5:30 PM
William B. Greene Jr. Stadium, Johnson City

The Buccaneers host the Tusculum Pioneers at home. The game also serves as Niswonger Children’s Hospital Day, a fundraising partnership between ETSU Athletics and Ballad Health.

More info at ETSU Athletics


🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Upper East Tennessee Celtic Festival and Games 2026

September 4–6, 2026
Johnson City area

The Upper East Tennessee Celtic Festival and Games runs from September 4 through September 6, with events beginning September 4 at 6:00 PM. For full schedule details and location, visit the link below.

More info at Visit Johnson City TN


🎪 Taco Trek — September Edition

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 | 6:30 PM
110 W Market St, Johnson City

Taco Trek takes place on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, starting at 6:30 PM at 110 W Market St, Johnson City. For more information, check local event listings.

More info at AllEvents.in



📜 Today in Johnson City History

Today in Johnson City History

A century ago today in 1926, Johnson City got the update it had been waiting weeks for: young Charles Landingham, unconscious for weeks after being struck by a car on the Elizabethton Pike, was awake and conversing intelligently following a cranial operation at Johns Hopkins. His father wired home that the boy was gaining weight and expected to make a full recovery.

For more details, subscribe to the Today in Johnson City History newsletter by Rebecca Henderson.



🤝 Community Partners

Community PartnerCommunity Partner


🧠 Trivia Answer

Eleven historic buildings, along with other features that help tell the story of frontier life in East Tennessee.

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