Sullivan County, Kingsport | featured news

NASHVILLE — New Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton has named Rep. Gary Hicks, R-Rogersville, chairman of the powerful House Finance Subcommittee.
The 14-person subcommittee, also referred to as “the Black Hole,” is responsible for all measures related to taxes and the raising of revenue, the appropriation of state funds, as well as the approval of the general appropriations bill before it is moved to the full House Finance Committee.
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BLUFF CITY — Progress on the new Sullivan East Middle School, scheduled to open in January 2020, is to be marked at 2 p.m. Thursday with a brick-laying ceremony at the school.
The school is located at 4500 Weaver Pike, about a mile from Sullivan East High School.

JOHNSON CITY — Science Hill romped to wins in the first two sets and rallied in the third to sweep visiting Volunteer in District 1-AAA volleyball action Tuesday night.
Led by Loren Grindstaff’s eight kills and four blocks, the Lady ’Toppers won 25-12, 25-10, 25-23 over the Lady Falcons. Science Hill trailed most of the third set.
“I’m really pleased with the way we came out, our serving and the way we ran our offense,” Science Hill coach Laura Cook said. “We wanted to play quick and take care of business on our side.

KINGSPORT — A city resident who spotted his former girlfriend with another man has been arrested after allegedly ramming their car up to 10 times along Stone Drive, eventually disabling both vehicles.
Michael C. Helton, 28, of Lemay Drive, is charged with felony reckless endangerment and aggravated assault.

UPDATE: The Tennessee Highway Patrol confirmed Wednesday morning that both occupants of the 2005 Dodge Stratus are now deceased. The  driver was June Bruner, 85, of Mount Carmel, andher passenger was Clair Bruner, 62, Mount Carmel.
The driver and lone occupant of the truck, Andrew Gilreath, 54, Church Hill, was injured, and his condition wasn’t reported as of Tuesday evening although police said his injuries weren’t life-threatening.

JOHNSON CITY — There was a time when Appalachian State was East Tennessee State’s biggest football rival. For years, the teams were in the Southern Conference together and the drive over the mountain was an easy one for both fan bases.
These days, there’s a lot more than 60 miles separating the programs.
Billy Taylor, who went 0-4 against Appalachian State as a player at ETSU, was the Bucs’ defensive coordinator the last time they won in the series. It was 1997 and Appalachian State was ranked sixth in what was then NCAA Division I-AA.

KINGSPORT — As the old saying goes, baseball season is like a marathon.
The Appalachian League’s West Division race is in for a photo finish.
On Tuesday night at Hunter Wright Stadium, Johnson City needed a win against Kingsport to stay alive for a postseason berth. The Cardinals got the job done, beating the K-Mets 9-4.
The Cards and Mets play for the division crown Wednesday — and the loser is likely to miss the playoffs entirely.
PAYBACK
Johnson City did most of its damage over the opening three frames when it scored seven of its runs.

LEBANON — Union is a different team when Emili Brooks is on the floor — even when she’s not playing her regular role.
Brooks, the reigning Region 2D player of the year who did not play on the back line because she is still recovering from a hand injury, piled up 26 kills to lead the Lady Bears to a dramatic 3-2, come-from-behind win over Lebanon on Tuesday at Charles Long Gym.

KINGSPORT — It was a typical pitch battle between arguably the top two girls soccer programs in the area.
And although they will meet again, Science Hill walked away with the first belt notch. The Lady Hilltoppers overcame a big momentum swing prior to halftime and earned a 3-1 win over Dobyns-Bennett on Tuesday night at Indian Highland Park.
Sydney Jordan scored two of the Lady Hilltoppers’ goals.
View Todd Brase’s photos from the match
“It’s good to get out to an early win and put yourself in front,” said Science Hill coach David Strickland.

William N. "Bill" Durham, age 80, went to be with the Lord on August, 26, 2019. 
Family will receive friends Thursday, August 29 from 5-8 pm at Christian-Sells Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 8pm with Pastor Rip Noble officiating. Graveside service will be held at 10 am on Friday, August 30 at McKinney Cemetery.
Gentlemen serving as pallbearers will be, David Cupp, Mike Cupp, Alec Durham, Donnie Gillenwater, Eli Cupp, Seth Cupp, Darrell Miller, and Chad Russell. Honorary pallbearers will be, C.A. "Pete" Renfro, Bill Sharp, Danny Drinnon, Rick Russell, and Edwin Dugger.