☀️ Today’s Weather
Clear skies. High 93°F, Low 67°F. 3% chance of rain — a beautiful late-summer Tuesday in Kingsport.
😄 Only in Kingsport
Kingsport canceled a beloved barbecue festival and announced a new group home for men in mental health recovery — all in the same news cycle. The Model City contains multitudes.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Eastman originally had ties to what famous photography company?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
Racks by the Tracks Festival Canceled for Good
Kingsport’s popular Racks by the Tracks barbecue festival will not return, organizers have confirmed. The event had been a fixture in the local entertainment calendar, drawing crowds to enjoy food and community festivities. No reason for the permanent cancellation was provided by organizers.
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.)
TBI Investigating Two Unrelated Inmate Deaths at Sullivan County Jail
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating two inmates’ deaths at the Sullivan County Jail that are believed to be unrelated. The first death occurred on Saturday morning, with the individual identified as Dennie R. Dockery. The second individual, who reportedly died Sunday morning, was identified as Wayne Elliot Davidson. The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office said the deaths appeared to be medical emergencies and that “no foul play is suspected,” and the bodies of both men were sent for autopsy.
New Group Home for Men in Need Nearly Finished in Kingsport
The Kingsport Housing and Redevelopment Authority (KHRA) is working on creating a new group home for men in the Tri-Cities, designed for men struggling with mental illness. The home will offer an independent living model where residents can take their recovery into their own hands, with a safety net of case management to help them adjust across income, employment, and health matters. Financial assistance for residents will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on each individual’s needs and circumstances.
Second Harvest Launches ‘Play Your Part’ for Hunger Action Month
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee has announced its theme for Hunger Action Month in September: “Play Your Part.” The campaign calls on community members to get involved in the fight against local hunger during the awareness month. Residents are encouraged to find ways to contribute, whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading the word.
NewEarth Project Plans Church Campus, Not Residential Development
The director of the NewEarth Project recently clarified that the site will be developed as a church campus rather than a residential community. The announcement comes after prior public discussion about potential housing at the location. Residents and local officials had raised questions about the site’s intended use in the community.
📅 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.
Scenic Planetarium Yoga – Bays Mountain Park
Scenic Planetarium Yoga is happening on Friday, September 4, 2026 from 10:00 AM onwards at 853 Bays Mountain Park Rd, Kingsport, TN.
🇺🇸 9/11 Never Forget — Flags Across the State Line
This community remembrance event is happening on Friday, September 11, 2026 from 6:15 PM onwards at 2626 E Stone Dr, Kingsport, TN 37660.
The Pink Bride Wedding and Women’s Expo – Tri-Cities
The Pink Bride Wedding and Women’s Expo – Tri-Cities is happening on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 12:00 PM onwards at MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, Kingsport.
UNSPOKEN Concert
The UNSPOKEN Concert is happening on Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 7:00 PM onwards at 140 Broad St, Kingsport, TN.
Tri Cities Card Show
The Tri Cities Card Show is happening on Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 9:00 AM onwards at MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, Kingsport.
Hidden Gems – Downtown Kingsport Photo Hunt
Hidden Gems – Downtown Kingsport Photo Hunt is happening on Friday, September 25, 2026 from 10:00 AM onwards at Downtown Kingsport.
Tennessee Lit Con 2026
Tennessee Lit Con is a two-day event on Friday and Saturday, September 25th & 26th, 2026, at MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, Kingsport, TN, featuring 100 authors, 20 vendors, 5 narrators, and more.
Exchange Place Fall Folk Arts Festival 2026
Exchange Place Fall Folk Arts Festival, 2026 is happening on Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 10:00 AM onwards at Exchange Place Kingsport TN 1850s Farm.
Folkfest Fall Shindig
Folkfest Fall Shindig is happening on Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 10:00 AM onwards at 140 Broad Street, Kingsport, TN.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
Eastman Kodak, which founded Tennessee Eastman as a subsidiary to produce chemicals used in its photographic products before the Kingsport operation grew into an independent industrial giant.