☀️ Today’s Weather
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 — Overcast skies over the Model City. High 79°F, Low 54°F. 5% chance of rain.
😄 Joke of the Day
A visitor pulled up to a gas station on Stone Drive and asked the attendant, “What’s the fastest way to get to Bays Mountain?” The attendant said, “Depends — are you coming from Church Circle or are you still trying to find parking at Walmart?”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Kingsport’s Eastman Chemical Company is a global powerhouse headquartered right here in the Model City — but in what year was Eastman Chemical spun off as an independent company, and what was the parent company it separated from?
Answer: Eastman Chemical Company was spun off from Eastman Kodak Company in 1994, establishing its headquarters in Kingsport, TN — where the company’s roots date back to the 1920s.
🔝 Top Stories
Kingsport Fire Marshal Conducts Food Truck Safety Inspections Ahead of Spring Season
Food trucks around the region are shaping up for part of their busiest time of year — which also means fire marshals are doing annual inspections to ensure the safety of these businesses. As food truck season approaches, the Kingsport Fire Marshal is conducting annual inspections to ensure the safety of these mobile businesses, working to educate food truck owners on fire safety regulations and best practices to prevent accidents and protect customers. The fire marshal is checking food trucks for proper fire extinguishers, ventilation systems, propane tank storage, and other key safety features. The local fire official is responsible for overseeing fire safety regulations and inspections for food trucks and other businesses in the Kingsport area. The fire marshal plans to continue these annual food truck inspections to ensure safety standards are met as the industry continues to grow, taking important steps to maintain public safety and prevent potential fire hazards as the mobile food industry expands.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
Federal Judge Denies Qualified Immunity to Sullivan County Officers in Wrongful Death Case
A federal judge in a federal civil rights wrongful death lawsuit has denied qualified immunity to a current and a former Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) officer involved in the April 2023 fatal shooting of a man outside a Bristol store. U.S. District Judge Clifton Corker’s ruling in Crowley v Sullivan County et al — a suit filed in 2024 by the widow of Casey Crowley — means that former SCSO officer Michael Nygaard and current SCSO officer Benjamin Beach remain as defendants in the lawsuit. Sullivan County Attorney Dan Street told News Channel 11 the county is leaning toward appealing Corker’s decision in the case of Beach, while noting such an appeal was unlikely in Nygaard’s case. Another officer, Tyler McCready — who did not fire shots but was named for failure to intervene — was granted qualified immunity and is no longer a defendant. A jury would ultimately decide the case against both the officers and the county if it is not dismissed or settled before reaching that stage.
Mount Carmel Leadership Discusses Budget Priorities for Upcoming Fiscal Year
Assistant Town Manager Tyler Williams ran through the Fiscal Year 2026–27 budget draft at a workshop on March 30. The budget presentation comes as the small Sullivan County community, located just outside Kingsport, continues planning for infrastructure and community services. After the town hires two patrol supervisors, the police department will be able to provide around-the-clock coverage. The budget process reflects a continued commitment to essential services and community investment for Mount Carmel residents heading into the new fiscal year.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
Bluegrass in the Blue Ridge 2026 Blue Country Getaway Wraps Up at MeadowView
Bluegrass bled into country for three nights, with some of the best bluegrass pickers and singers coming together at MeadowView Resort and Conference Center in Kingsport, Tennessee. That brought to a close the 2026 Bluegrass in the Blue Ridge, Blue Country Getaway. The Church Sisters were featured, showing off their beautiful sibling harmony, followed by singer/songwriter Larry Cordle, who performed many of the songs he has written that became hits in both the country and bluegrass worlds. The festival ran March 19–21, 2026, in Kingsport, featuring celebrated artists such as IBMA award-winner Donna Ulisse, who blends traditional bluegrass roots with rich storytelling.
Kingsport Fun Fest 2026 Dates Confirmed: July 17–25
Fun Fest 2026 is scheduled for July 17–25, and the organization is now accepting applications for food vendors and food trucks for this year’s events. Fun Fest was also honored at the 2026 Southeast Festivals and Events Association’s Kaleidoscope Awards, held in March. The festival will feature beloved returning events including the Sunset Concert Series, Kazoobie Kazoo Show, Trash Barrel Paint-In, Broad Street Boogie, Family Comedy Night, Handmade Market, Gospel Music Concert, and more. Residents interested in participating as food vendors or event organizers are encouraged to visit the Fun Fest website for more details.
📅 Upcoming Events
April Shop & Hop — Downtown Kingsport
Date/Time: Friday, April 3, 2026, 5:00–8:00 PM
Location: Downtown Kingsport
Join us for the April Shop & Hop, sponsored by First Horizon Bank, in Downtown Kingsport! Find one of the five yellow eggs hidden in downtown businesses during the Shop & Hop to be entered to win an Easter basket full of prizes! Strolling through Downtown, you’ll find shops open late, refreshments, special deals, and live music!
2nd Annual Spring Social — Kingsport Farmers Market
Date/Time: Saturday, April 4, 2026, 11:00 AM onwards
Location: Kingsport Farmers Market, 308 Clinchfield St, Kingsport, TN
The 2nd Annual Spring Social is happening on Saturday, April 4, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM at the Kingsport Farmers Market. This community gathering is a great opportunity to enjoy the spring season, connect with neighbors, and support local vendors at one of Kingsport’s most beloved community hubs.
Kingsport ARTS Festival 2026
Date/Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026, 12:00–5:00 PM
Location: 100 Shelby St, Downtown Kingsport, TN
The Kingsport Arts Festival returns to the Model City for its 3rd year on April 18. From glassblowing to music, to storytelling, and so much more, there’s something for everyone. The one-day festival will also feature more than a dozen local and regional vendors, a gallery crawl, and several demonstrations by local art groups. The Kingsport ARTS Festival will be presented by Engage Kingsport and Kingsport Cultural Arts Office on April 18th, 2026 in Downtown Kingsport.
More info at artskingsport.org
Exchange Place 40th Annual Spring Garden Fair
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sunday, April 26, 2026, 12:00–5:00 PM
Location: Exchange Place Living History Farm, 4812 Orebank Rd, Kingsport, TN 37664
Admission is $5, with those under 12 admitted free. Join us for the 40th annual Spring Garden Fair — the oldest garden fair in the region and a favorite among gardeners, featuring thousands of plants for sale including perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs, with an emphasis on herbs, natives and heirlooms, along with garden-related arts and crafts. Visitors will see heritage breeds of animals and spring activities on a mid-19th century farm, as volunteers shear the sheep, spin and weave the wool, make butter, and prepare the garden. Children’s activities abound as volunteers help children create garden crafts and learn gardening skills.
More info at exchangeplacetn.org
Tennessee Plant Show 2026 — Mother’s Day Weekend
Date/Time: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 8:00 AM onwards
Location: MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, 1901 Meadowview Pkwy, Kingsport, TN
The Tennessee Plant Show 2026 Mother’s Day Weekend Celebration is happening on Saturday, May 9, 2026, beginning at 8:00 AM at MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport. This popular annual event is a fantastic way to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with plant lovers of all ages, featuring a wide selection of plants, vendors, and gardening enthusiasts from across the region.
Kingsport Fun Fest 2026
Date/Time: July 17–25, 2026
Location: Various locations throughout Kingsport, TN
Fun Fest 2026 is scheduled for July 17–25, and the organization is now accepting applications for food vendors and food trucks for this year’s events. The festival will feature beloved returning events including the Sunset Concert Series, Kazoobie Kazoo Show, Trash Barrel Paint-In, Broad Street Boogie, Family Comedy Night, Handmade Market, Gospel Music Concert, block parties, the Fun Fest Parade, and the Downtown Street Fair.