☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies today with a high of 87°F and a low of 62°F. No rain in the forecast — 0% chance of precipitation.
😄 Only in Johnson City
The ETSU students are back, the Umoja Festival is this weekend, and somehow traffic on State of Franklin is still surprising people. Johnson City residents have developed a sixth sense for it — you either leave 20 minutes early, or you just wave from the backup and call it community.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: One downtown park is beautiful on the surface, but it also serves a practical purpose by helping manage stormwater. Which park is it?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
Federal Judge Throws Out Kat Dahl Lawsuit Against Johnson City
A major lawsuit against Johnson City tied to the Sean Williams case has been dismissed. Federal District Judge Katherine Crytzer ruled that the firing of former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kateri “Kat” Dahl was not retaliatory, but performance-based. Dahl had alleged she was let go in retaliation for pushing for deeper investigations into sexual assault allegations surrounding Sean Williams — claims the city and its former officers denied.
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.)
Juvenile Shot in Downtown Johnson City Saturday Night
Johnson City Police Department is investigating a shooting that injured a juvenile in the downtown area late Saturday night. The incident follows a separate shots-fired report in the same area earlier in the weekend. Residents are encouraged to follow JCPD for updates as the investigation continues.
Umoja Festival Returns for 29th Year This Weekend
The Umoja “Unity in the Community” Festival is back for its 29th year, set to take place at Kings Common Park on September 12 with the opening ceremony starting at noon. The annual event, which grew from a community picnic that began in 1978, brings the Northeast Tennessee community together with a parade and interactive activities. Organizers say unity remains at the heart of the festival, which draws visitors from across the region.
Explosives Detection Dog Joins ETSU’s Police Department
East Tennessee State University’s Police Department has recently added an explosives detection dog to its team. The new K-9 addition is expected to enhance campus security capabilities. For full details on the dog and its role, visit the source link below.
Local Rolling Thunder Chapter to Host Ride for Wreaths This Saturday
A local Rolling Thunder chapter is organizing a Ride for Wreaths event this Saturday in the Johnson City area. The ride is aimed at supporting the Wreaths Across America initiative, which honors veterans at cemeteries nationwide. Visit the link below for event details and how to participate.
📅 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.
ISSA Senior Softball World Series
Dates: September 9–13, 2026
Location: Winged Deer Park, Johnson City
The ISSA Senior Softball World Series comes to Johnson City, bringing senior athletes from across the country to compete in one of the nation’s premier softball tournaments. Games will be played across multiple age and skill divisions. Admission is free.
More info at Visit Johnson City
29th Annual Umoja Festival
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: Opening ceremony at noon
Location: Kings Common Park, Downtown Johnson City
The Umoja “Unity in the Community” Festival celebrates its 29th year with a parade starting at Carver Recreation Center, live music, vendors, kids activities, and community resources. The festival is free and open to the public.
Iron Mountains Invitational Cross Country Meet
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Location: Winged Deer Park, Johnson City
The Iron Mountains Invitational returns to Winged Deer Park, bringing together hundreds of student runners from more than 60 elementary, middle, and high schools. This annual cross country event is free and open to the public.
More info at Visit Johnson City
Dread Pops – A Horror Anthology Screening
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: Doors 6 PM | Screening 7 PM
Location: Jackson Theatre, Johnson City
Join local filmmakers Jeffrey Payne and Dustin Miller for a special big-screen screening of the first four episodes of Dread Pops, an original horror anthology series. Each episode tells a different story set in a different time.
More info at Visit Johnson City
David Nevue – An Evening at the Piano
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Christ Community Church, Johnson City
Pianist David Nevue performs an intimate solo concert in Johnson City. Tickets and additional details are available at the link below.
More info at Visit Johnson City
The Black Jacket Symphony Presents Def Leppard’s “Hysteria”
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: ETSU Martin Center for the Arts, Johnson City
The Black Jacket Symphony performs Def Leppard’s classic album “Hysteria” live in its entirety. Tickets and details are available at the link below.
More info at Visit Johnson City
FREE Appalachian Fair Home Show
Dates: September 25–27, 2026
Location: Appalachian Fairgrounds, Johnson City
The Appalachian Fair Home Show returns with hands-on demonstrations, expert advice, and exclusive offers. Admission is free for all attendees.
More info at Visit Johnson City
📜 Today in Johnson City History
Seventy-five years ago today in 1951, Johnson City’s social calendar centered on the wedding of Miss Louise Goff Reece, daughter of Congressman B. Carroll Reece, to Lt. Col. George Walker Marthens at St. John’s Episcopal Church, followed by a reception for several hundred guests at the Johnson City Country Club — one of the more elaborate society weddings the paper covered that decade.
For more details, subscribe to the Today in Johnson City History newsletter by Rebecca Henderson.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
Founders Park, a 5-acre downtown green space completed in 2014 as part of a stormwater retention project to mitigate flooding along Brush Creek.