☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies today with a high of 84°F and a low of 67°F. 20% chance of rain — keep an umbrella handy just in case.
😄 Only in Johnson City
ETSU fall camp starts, the Doughboys are still playing, school just started, and there’s a brand new cocktail bar downtown — Johnson City somehow fits four different seasons of “what’s happening tonight” into a single week in August.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: The Quillen College of Medicine is named after which Tennessee congressman?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
Johnson City Teen Pleads Guilty in AI-Generated Porn Case Involving Classmates
A Johnson City teenager recently pleaded guilty in connection with a case involving AI-generated pornographic images of classmates. The case drew widespread attention as one of the first locally prosecuted examples of artificial intelligence being used to create illegal images targeting minors. For full details on the charges and outcome, visit the link below.
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.)
2nd Annual Jeeps Invade Freedom Hall Doubles in Participation
The second annual Jeeps Invade Freedom Hall event recently took place and saw participation double compared to its inaugural year. The event brought together Jeep enthusiasts from the region for a showcase at Freedom Hall. According to a related report from the Johnson City Press, the event also supported a local youth organization.
Coalition for Kids Receives $20K Donation
Johnson City’s Coalition for Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to the academic, spiritual, and physical development of at-risk children, recently received a $20,000 donation. The organization has served the community for over 20 years and operates across multiple locations in the region. Visit the link below for details on the donor and how the funds will be used.
New Cocktail Bar to Open in Johnson City
A new cocktail bar is set to open in Johnson City, adding another option to the city’s growing downtown dining and nightlife scene. The opening was announced recently, with doors set to open on a Wednesday. Head to the link below for more details on the name, location, and what to expect.
Farmer’s Market Friday: Johnson City
The Johnson City Farmer’s Market was highlighted this week, showcasing the local farmers, bakers, artisans, and more who make up the weekly market. The market continues to be a popular destination for residents looking to support local vendors. Check the link below for a full video feature on this week’s market highlights.
📅 Upcoming Events
Meet the Mountains Festival
The Meet the Mountains Festival is coming to Winged Deer Park in Johnson City. The event is scheduled for August 14–16, 2026, with hours of 4:00 PM–8:00 PM on Friday, August 14, and 10:00 AM–8:00 PM on Saturday, August 15.
Read more at Visit Johnson City TN
DR. ENUF presents Old Line Skiffle at Yee-Haw Brewing Company
Old Line Skiffle performs at Yee-Haw Brewing Company, 126 Buffalo St, Johnson City, on Friday, August 11, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The event is presented by DR. ENUF.
Read more at Visit Johnson City TN
Evil Dead Screening at The Hideaway
A screening event is taking place at The Hideaway, 235 E Main St, Johnson City, on Thursday, August 10, 2026, from 8:00 PM through midnight. Check the link below for full details.
Read more at Visit Johnson City TN
Kids Canvas Class: Flower Power
A kids canvas art class themed “Flower Power” is scheduled for Saturday, August 12, 2026, from 10:00 AM to noon. The class is open to children ages 5 and up, and costs $20 per child. To-go canvas kits are also available.
Read more at Visit Johnson City TN
Chamber Membership Breakfast with ETSU
The Johnson City Chamber of Commerce hosts its quarterly membership breakfast with East Tennessee State University on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM at the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts, 1320 W State of Franklin Rd. Doors and breakfast open at 7:00 AM; the program begins at 7:30 AM. Registration is required.
Read more at Johnson City Chamber of Commerce
100th Annual Appalachian Fair
The 100th Annual Appalachian Fair runs August 22–29, 2026, at the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Gray, TN. The centennial celebration includes special guests — the Golden Knights and the iconic Clydesdale horses — and also features the Appalachian Fair 2.62 Miles Race on the evening of August 21 to kick off fair week.
Read more at Visit Johnson City TN
The Oak Ridge Boys at ETSU Martin Center for the Arts
The Oak Ridge Boys will perform at the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts in Johnson City on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 7:30 PM. Visit the link below for ticket information.
Read more at Visit Johnson City TN
📜 Today in Johnson City History
A century ago today in 1926, a shooting near Doe Valley in Johnson County left neighbor Edward Roberts dead and a father and son held on $5,000 bond each. Accounts of exactly how the gun discharged during the struggle conflicted, but the tragedy shook the small rural community, where Roberts left behind a widow and a large family.
For more details, subscribe to the Today in Johnson City History newsletter by Rebecca Henderson.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
James H. “Jimmy” Quillen, who represented Northeast Tennessee in Congress for decades and was instrumental in bringing the medical school to the region.