☀️ Today’s Weather
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 — Overcast. High 70°F, Low 40°F. 2% chance of rain.
😄 Joke of the Day
A tourist stopped a local in downtown Johnson City and asked, “What’s the fastest way to get to Bristol?” The local thought for a second and said, “Depends — are you driving, or just talking about it? Either way, you’ll pass three Dollywood billboards before you figure it out.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Johnson City’s Quillen College of Medicine achieved a historic milestone on Match Day 2026 — what was it, and how many students were involved?
Answer: Every member of the Class of 2026 — all 88 graduates — received a residency match, giving Quillen a 100% match rate. They were placed in programs across 29 states.
🔝 Top Stories
Washington County Commission Approves BWXT Rezoning in 10–5 Vote
In one of the region’s most closely watched votes in recent memory, the Washington County Commission approved a controversial rezoning request from BWX Technologies (BWXT) on Monday night, March 23.
The Washington County Commission approved the controversial rezoning request by BWX Technologies, with commissioners voting 10–5 — the exact threshold required to pass.
BWXT’s 55-acre rezoning request would allow the company to build new facilities to process high-purity depleted uranium at its Jonesborough plant, rezoning the land from A-1 (agricultural) to M-2 (high-impact use).
After months of debate and repeatedly postponed meetings, hundreds of locals showed up to pack multiple courtrooms at the county justice center, many of whom were opposed to the project.
BWXT’s Ron Dailey said the company will have to apply for permits and conduct environmental assessments for the new plant, and pledged to continue communicating with the community.
Residents and Commissioners Respond to BWXT Vote
The day after the BWXT rezoning vote, community members and commissioners weighed in on the outcome.
The Washington County Commission approved the rezoning request from BWX Technologies Monday night, and BWXT’s Ron Dailey, president of Tennessee Operations, said the process is not over.
Some residents decried the vote as a failure of the democratic process and vowed to take legal action.
Commissioner Jodi Jones, who voted against the rezoning, said she had spent significant time getting to know neighbors in the Telford area and felt that expanding the industrial footprint was a disruptive move for a community that had grown around rural and agricultural use.
BWXT’s Dailey said the company intends to work to mend community relationships and maintain honest communication with neighbors in Telford going forward.
ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine Celebrates 100% Match Rate on Match Day
East Tennessee State University’s medical school had a landmark moment last week.
Every member of the Class of 2026 at ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine successfully received a match on Match Day, with all 88 graduates placed in residency programs across 29 states.
“Match Day celebrates academic achievement, but it also celebrates resilience, teamwork and the calling to care for others,” said Dr. Bill Block, dean of the Quillen College of Medicine.
A breakdown of placements shows that 22 students will stay in Appalachia and the Southeast, and 5 students matched into residency programs through military service.
This is a remarkable achievement for the school and for the Johnson City community it serves.
$30.6 Million Sean Williams Settlement Receives Final Approval
A major legal chapter in Johnson City’s recent history has reached its conclusion.
Judge Travis McDonough of the U.S. District Court for Eastern Tennessee signed the order dismissing the Jane Doe v. Johnson City case, also approving a final settlement with a minor victim of Williams — the second underage victim with a separate approved settlement — bringing the total settlement amount paid by Johnson City to $30.6 million.
The settlement includes meaningful non-monetary provisions requiring the Johnson City Police Department to implement improved policies and procedures for handling reports of sexual assault — positive steps toward the city’s commitment to resident safety.
Johnson City still faces two other pending lawsuits related to Williams: one filed in 2022 by former U.S. Attorney Kat Dahl and one filed in 2024 by alleged victim Mikayla Evans; the city denies the allegations in each.
ETSU Overhauls Student Housing Assignment System
East Tennessee State University is making the process of securing on-campus housing easier and more personalized for students.
ETSU announced that students applying for on-campus housing will soon be able to personalize the experience, as changes in the software platform will make processes more student-centered.
Instead of the university hand-assigning students to rooms based on submitted preferences, students can now match with roommates online and then select their own room from a live marketplace.
The goal is to have all incoming first-year students assigned to a room with their room selected before they come to orientation, so they know where they’ll be living well in advance.
This is the latest effort by ETSU to address growing enrollment and improve the student experience on campus.
UT Volunteers’ NCAA Run Draws Big Crowds to Yee-Haw Brewing in Downtown Johnson City
March Madness hit Johnson City in a big way last week as Tennessee fans packed local venues to watch their Vols.
In their first game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, the Tennessee Volunteers advanced to the Round of 32 after defeating Miami of Ohio.
Yee-Haw Brewing in downtown Johnson City became a sea of orange and white as the Tri-Cities rooted for Tennessee, with the brewery hosting official watch parties at all four of its locations including Johnson City.
Fans watched the Big Orange dominate the court on the big screen as the team advanced in the tournament.
The energy in downtown was electric — a reminder of how deeply college basketball connects this community.
Boones Creek Publix Development Agreement Approved; Project on Track
Johnson City’s growing Boones Creek corridor is set to get a major retail anchor.
The Johnson City commissioners unanimously approved the Promenade Development Agreement for a shopping center at the northwest corner of Boones Creek Road and Christian Church Road, which will include a Publix grocery store and several outparcels for future businesses.
Per the agreement, the city is obligated to widen Christian Church and Boones Creek roads, obtain an entrance permit from TDOT, and provide traffic control as construction begins — bonding $3 million to fund the road widening.
Horne Properties representative John Baker told the city commission that the Boones Creek Publix will be larger than the existing Johnson City Publix, calling it “their biggest prototype.”
The project is expected to break ground in mid-March 2026, with completion projected for May 2027.
📅 Upcoming Events
Easter Eggstravaganza — Jonesborough
Date/Time: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: International Storytelling Center, 100 W. Main St., Jonesborough, TN 37659
A beloved annual springtime tradition organized by Main Street Jonesborough, the Easter Eggstravaganza brings family fun to historic downtown Jonesborough for an afternoon of seasonal festivities. A great outing for kids and families before the holiday weekend.
More info at jonesboroughtn.org
Northeast State 2026 Spring Career Fair
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Northeast State Community College – Ballad Health Center for the Performing Arts, 2425 Highway 75, Blountville, TN 37617
Employers from across the region will share information about available job openings and career opportunities. This event offers a wonderful opportunity for job seekers to network with employers representing a wide range of career fields — and it is free and open to job seekers from the public.
More info at northeaststate.edu
Paint Night: “Blue Ridge Mountains” — Jonesborough
Date/Time: Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Lincoln Park, 307 E. Main St., Jonesborough, TN 37659 (under the pavilion by the pickleball court)
Part of a monthly series for all ages, local artist Tania Dirks guides participants through a fun and creative outdoor painting experience. This session will focus on the Blue Ridge Mountains on an 11×14″ canvas, with all supplies included. Cost is $35 per person; pre-registration required.
More info at jonesboroughtn.org
Johnson City Jazz Festival 2026
Date/Time: April 16–19, 2026 (Multi-venue, multi-day)
Location: Capone’s (Downtown JC), ETSU Martin Center Powell Recital Hall, and Jackson Theatre (Jonesborough)
The festival kicks off with more than half a dozen regional ensembles performing in curated sets and improvisational jam sessions at Capone’s in Downtown Johnson City — free to attend, with tips for performers encouraged.
On Friday, April 17, festivities move to the ETSU Martin Center’s Powell Recital Hall, featuring Moon Unit, a sophisticated guitar trio from Durham, followed by acclaimed New York jazz vocalist Emma Hedrick and her Quintet.
The festival concludes Sunday, April 19 at the Jackson Theatre in Jonesborough, featuring the ETSU Jazz Ensemble and the Tri-Cities Jazz Orchestra led by Eddie Dalton.
More info at johnsoncityjazzfestival.com
Thirsty Orange Beer Festival 2026
Date/Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Founders Park, Downtown Johnson City, TN
The Thirsty Orange Beer Festival returns on Saturday, April 18, 2026 for a full day of sampling 150+ craft beers, ciders, and meads from breweries across the region — expect great drinks, food trucks, and a true beer-festival atmosphere in the heart of downtown.
This marks the 13th annual Thirsty Orange Brew Extravaganza. Tickets are available at thirstyorange.com.
More info at thirstyorange.com
Art·Struck Festival 2026
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: The Pavilion at Founders Park, 105 W. Main St., Downtown Johnson City
Art·Struck 2026 will be held Saturday, April 25, at The Pavilion at Founders Park in downtown Johnson City from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring arts demonstrations and dozens of local artists with their works available for sale.
The event is free and open to the public — no tickets required.
The Johnson City Public Art Committee selected 56 artists to exhibit at the 2026 festival after receiving over 100 applications.