☀️ Today’s Weather
Thunderstorms today with a high of 89°F and a low of 69°F — 12% chance of rain. Keep an umbrella handy, but don’t cancel your plans just yet.
😄 Only in Johnson City
Johnson City is one of the few places where you can walk into a downtown coffee shop, run into your old high school teacher, your dentist, and a guy in an ETSU hoodie who definitely went there fifteen years ago but never quite left — all before 9 a.m.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: About how long is the Tweetsie Trail?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
Weekend Events: Hamilton in the Park & Patriot’s Day Celebrations in the Tri-Cities
A roundup of weekend happenings highlights some great options for Johnson City and Tri-Cities residents to enjoy before the Fourth of July holiday. Events include outdoor performances and patriotic festivities across the region this weekend.
Sponsored by
Frazier Plumbing
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Phoebe and Buddy Need a Home — Tails and Paws Feature
Two animals, Phoebe and Buddy, are looking for loving homes in the Johnson City area. The Washington County–Johnson City Animal Shelter regularly highlights pets in need of adoption, and this week’s featured animals are in need of families. Visit the shelter or follow the link below to learn more about adopting.
Washington County Posts 2026 Budget Resolutions
Washington County has published its 2026 budget resolutions, providing residents with a formal look at how local government funds are being allocated for the upcoming fiscal year. The documents are available for public review on the county’s official website.
Read more at WashingtonCountyTN.org
📅 Upcoming Events
40th Annual Pepsi Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks
Date/Time: Saturday, July 4, 2026 — festivities begin at 3:00 PM; fireworks (“Declaration in the Sky”) at 10:05 PM
Location: Freedom Hall Civic Center, Johnson City, TN
The 40th Annual Pepsi Independence Day Celebration returns to Freedom Hall with food trucks, kids’ activities, a Touch-A-Truck event, live music from Noah Spencer, Carson Peters & Iron Mountain, and Shenandoah, plus the Great American Giveaway by Food City and the headline pyro-musical fireworks experience “Declaration in the Sky.” A sensory-friendly calm-down space will be available on site. For more information, call Parks & Recreation at 423-283-5815.
Read more at JohnsonCityTN.org
Fridays After 5 — Free Summer Concert Series
Date/Time: Every Friday evening, 6:30–8:30 PM, through July 2026
Location: King Commons, 112 N. Commerce St., Downtown Johnson City
Downtown Johnson City’s Main Street Program hosts the Fridays After 5 free summer concert series, bringing live music and family-friendly fun to the heart of downtown each Friday evening. For lineup details and updates, visit downtownjctn.com or follow @DowntownJohnsonCity on Facebook.
Read more at JohnsonCityTN.org
The Farmer & The Chef Culinary Event
Date/Time: Sunday, August 30, 2026, 4:00–7:00 PM
Location: Blackthorn Club at the Ridges, Johnson City, TN
This signature culinary event features regional chefs preparing dishes with locally grown food in support of the mission to end food insecurity in Northeast Tennessee. For tickets and information, contact Lee Walker at lwalker@netfoodbank.org or visit netfoodbank.org.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
About 9.5 to 9.6 miles, making it one of the longer rail trails in the region and a favorite for walkers, runners, and cyclists.