☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies today with a high of 99°F and a low of 69°F — only an 11% chance of rain, so stay cool and hydrated out there, Johnson City.
😄 Only in Johnson City
It’s 99 degrees, there’s a heat advisory, and somehow someone is still going to show up to the Fridays After 5 concert in a flannel shirt because “the mountains usually cool things down by evening.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: The Blue Plum Festival was originally created to bring people back to what part of the city?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
Cooling Centers Open Across Johnson City During Dangerous Heat
With a heat advisory in effect and heat index values potentially reaching extreme levels this week, local churches and nonprofits have stepped up to offer cooling centers for community members who need relief. People who are unhoused or without air conditioning are being directed to these locations for essential help that could prevent dangerous heat-related illness.
Sponsored by
Frazier Plumbing
Got a leaky pipe, a water heater on its last legs, or a drain that’s given up? Frazier Plumbing has been solving plumbing problems for Tri-Cities homeowners since 1980 — family-owned, locally operated, and available 24/7 when things go wrong at the worst possible time. No runaround, no oversized crews. Just experienced local plumbers who show up and fix it right.
Former Ashe Street Courthouse Historical Marker Unveiled
A historical marker was recently unveiled at the site of the former Ashe Street Courthouse in Johnson City, commemorating the location’s significance in local history. The unveiling marks another effort to preserve and recognize the stories embedded in Johnson City’s built environment.
How the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center Came to Be
WJHL takes a look back at the history behind the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center in Mountain Home, exploring how the facility came to serve veterans across the region. The piece highlights the legacy of the center and its continued importance to the veteran community in Northeast Tennessee.
Johnson City Fire Department to Offer Free “Hands Only” CPR Class
The Johnson City Fire Department is offering a free “Hands Only” CPR class to the public, giving residents a chance to learn a potentially life-saving skill. Those interested in attending are encouraged to check the details at the link below for scheduling and registration information.
Hopper Road Property Annexed into City Amid Neighbors’ Safety Concerns
A property on Hopper Road has been annexed into the City of Johnson City, a move that drew safety-related concerns from nearby neighbors. The annexation signals continued growth on the city’s edges, though residents in the area raised questions about the process and its implications for the surrounding community.
Read more at Johnson City Press
📅 Upcoming Events
40th Annual Pepsi Independence Day Celebration — July 4, 2026
The 40th Annual Independence Day Fireworks Celebration returns to the grounds of Freedom Hall Civic Center on Saturday, July 4, 2026. This year’s event also marks the nation’s 250th anniversary. Early arrival is strongly encouraged, as several thousand people typically attend. Note that Kermit Tipton Stadium will be closed all day July 4, and several surrounding streets will have traffic restrictions in effect.
Read more at johnsoncitytn.org
Fridays After 5 Concert Series — Fridays through July 2026
Downtown Johnson City’s free Fridays After 5 summer concert series continues through July, held at King Commons, 112 N. Commerce St., every Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The series offers free, family-friendly live music for residents and visitors alike.
Read more at johnsoncitytn.org
Business After Hours at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards — July 10, 2026
The Johnson City Chamber of Commerce and regional Chamber partners will host a Business After Hours networking event at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards on Friday, July 10, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. All guests will receive one complimentary drink ticket. Registration is required — note this event has been listed as sold out, so check ahead for availability.
Read more at Johnson City Chamber
The Farmer & The Chef Culinary Fundraiser — August 30, 2026
The Farmer & The Chef is a signature culinary event bringing together regional chefs using locally grown food to support the mission of ending food insecurity in Northeast Tennessee. The event will be held at Blackthorn Club at the Ridges on Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Read more and register at netfoodbank.org
📜 Today in Johnson City History
One hundred and twenty-five years ago today in 1901, the Herald and Tribune reported that architect C.G. Mitchell had completed drawings for a major addition to Science Hill school — 96 by 80 feet, two stories high, to be built in front of the existing building. The paper described it as “an ornate structure.” Science Hill has been a fixture of Johnson City education ever since.
For more details, subscribe to the Today in Johnson City History newsletter by Rebecca Henderson.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
Downtown Johnson City, which the festival helped revitalize by drawing crowds to the historic core of the city each year.