☀️ Today’s Weather
Thursday, September 3, 2026 — Clear skies. High 93°F, Low 67°F. 4% chance of rain.
😄 Only in Johnson City
Science Hill plays a football game on Friday night and by Saturday morning there’s already a full post-game breakdown happening in the Walmart checkout line. Some cities have sports radio — we have the produce section.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: What is the name of Johnson City’s main public library?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
All Injured Milligan Cyclists Discharged from Hospital
All of the Milligan University cyclists who were hospitalized following a fatal crash in Carter County have been discharged from the hospital, according to Ballad Health. Last week, three of the seven injured cyclists remained hospitalized. Two cyclists, Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, were killed in the crash. John Benfield, 69, of Newland, NC, has been charged with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide and five counts of reckless aggravated assault by vehicle related to the crash.
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.)
Capone’s Files Lawsuit Against Johnson City Over ‘Last Call’ Ordinance
Downtown Johnson City bar Capone’s filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming city leaders orchestrated state legislation in order to pass the ‘last call’ ordinance, which plaintiffs say is prohibited by the Tennessee Constitution. The Johnson City Commission gave final approval on the ordinance in August 2025, and it prohibits on-premise alcohol sales after 1 a.m. The lawsuit states Capone’s has experienced “irreparable harm” as a result of the ordinance, and is only seeking to revoke it — no financial damages are expected to be filed or collected.
TDOT: No Lane Closures During Labor Day Weekend
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has announced there will be no lane closures during the Labor Day holiday weekend — welcome news for anyone traveling in and around the Tri-Cities region. Drivers are encouraged to plan accordingly and check TDOT’s SmartWay tool for any real-time updates during the holiday.
ETSU Defense Preps for Tusculum’s Unique Triple Option Offense
As the Buccaneers gear up for their home opener this Saturday against Tusculum, ETSU’s defense faces a distinctive challenge — preparing for the Pioneers’ triple option attack, a rarely-seen scheme in modern college football. Coaches and players have been working to adapt their defensive approach ahead of the matchup at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium.
📅 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.
🏈 ETSU Football vs. Tusculum — September 5, 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 5:30 PM
William B. Greene Jr. Stadium, Johnson City
The Buccaneers host the Tusculum Pioneers at home. The game also serves as Niswonger Children’s Hospital Day, a fundraising partnership between ETSU Athletics and Ballad Health.
Glioblastoma Fundraiser at Johnson City Brewing — September 5, 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Johnson City Brewing, 714 W Walnut St, Johnson City, TN
The event features DJ Sam Love, live music with Homecookn’ at 7 PM, a BBQ dinner, and a silent auction sponsored by local businesses plus local artists and vendors — all to support research and local families in the fight against glioblastoma.
More info at Visit Johnson City TN
Umoja Festival 2026 — September 12, 2026
Saturday, September 12, 2026 | All Day
King Commons Park, 125 W. King St, Johnson City, TN
The 2026 Umoja Festival is September 12th at King Commons Park in Johnson City, TN — a day of celebration and unity. The event’s purpose is to eliminate the barriers of race and cultures and pull together all peoples of the community.
More info at Visit Johnson City TN
Sorghum Festival and Breakfast — September 19, 2026
Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 8:00 AM
2620 S Roan St, Johnson City, TN 37601
The Sorghum Festival and Breakfast is happening on Saturday, September 19, 2026, beginning at 8:00 AM at 2620 S Roan St, Johnson City. Visit the link below for more details.
7th Annual Oktoberfest @ Boones Creek — September 26, 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Johnson City Brewing, Boones Creek location, Johnson City, TN
The 7th Annual Oktoberfest @ Boones Creek is happening on Saturday, September 26, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM at Johnson City Brewing. For full event details, visit the link below.
PokeKon-Fest — September 26, 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Holiday Inn Johnson City, Johnson City, TN
PokeKon is a Pokémon collectors’ trade show convention — striving to be the best and truest Pokémon convention featuring fandoms of multiple genres. The event takes place at the Holiday Inn Johnson City on September 26, 2026.
📜 Today in Johnson City History
Today in Johnson City History
A century ago today in 1926, two prisoners sawed their way out of the Johnson City jail on dope charges — one was recaptured before noon, but John Bryant remained on the loose, possibly wounded by a police officer’s gunshot as the pair fled. The jail’s bars, officers noted, had been welded back together by workers regularly employed just for that purpose.
For more details, subscribe to the Today in Johnson City History newsletter by Rebecca Henderson.
Trivia Answer: The Johnson City Public Library (also known as the Carver-Price Legacy Museum branch and the main Washington County Public Library system) — the main branch is the Johnson City Public Library.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
Johnson City Public Library, which serves residents with books, digital resources, programming, and community meeting space.