Toggle High Contrast Toggle Font size HOME RESIDENTS BUSINESSES CITY SERVICES NEWS JOBS GOVERNMENT You are here: Home / City News TRANSIT RIDERS GET READY: REAL-TIME KATS BUS INFO NOW AVAILABLE CITY NEWS Kingsport Area Transit System riders and the general public can now track the buses on all six routes. The application, called Ride Systems, has a number of great features from using global positioning system (GPS) technology, providing real-time information on bus locations and even approximate arrival times. This service provides customers with a route map featuring icons indicating the location, direction, and approximate bus capacity of each bus currently in operation. There is also an alarm feature that will alert riders when a bus is approaching their selected stop in addition to arrival times at bus stops. Available through Ride Systems, the KATS Ride Systems website is accessible from a computer or wireless device at the following web address: https://mobile.ridesystems.net/. The Ride Systems App is available for download to a smartphone through Google Play or the App Store. If the service does not automatically detect your location, simply find Kingsport Area Transit on the transit agency list. In addition to rider benefits, the data gathered through GPS technologies in the app provides service monitoring and management tools for KATS. The information gathered is used to better understand and evaluate performance, identify service problems, and assist in future route planning. For more information about KATS, please visit www.kingsporttransit.org. DECEMBER 3, 2021/BY ADRIENNE APPALACHIAN EXPRESS CHORUS ANNOUNCES 2021 HOLIDAY CONCERT CITY NEWS It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and the Appalachian Express Chorus is ready to celebrate with a night of festive fun and familiar holiday tunes. “We hope that everyone can come join us for a fun night celebrating the holiday season,” says Kingsport Parks and Recreation Assistant Manager Robin Dimona. Audience members will hear classic Christmas favorites performed with a barbershop twist as the men’s chorus weave their voices together in their signature four-part harmony style. Having originally formed in 1968, the group has brought holiday cheer to Kingsport each year for the last five decades. This year, they will be joined by another group of experienced singers as Knoxville’s own Smokeyland Sound Chorus comes to town to perform a mix of new school hits and holiday classics. The night will also include performances from some of the area’s best barbershop quartets. The holiday celebration begins at 7:00 p.m. on December 10th at the Kingsport Civic Auditorium. Admission is free and doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or call 423-229-9409. DECEMBER 2, 2021/BY ADRIENNE KINGSPORT CHRISTMAS PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING – ROAD CLOSURES CITY NEWS, NOTICES The Downtown Kingsport Association is hosting the annual nighttime Christmas Parade followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Kingsport Saturday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m. Individuals can expect closures on Clinchfield Street from West Center Street to Market Street, West Center Street from Clinchfield Street to Sullivan Street, and East Center Street from Sullivan Street to Clinchfield Street and other side streets within this area. All road closures and detours will be in place by 5:30 p.m. and will remain closed through the duration of the events Saturday evening. Center Street will be reopened at the conclusion of the parade. The parade route is attached. In addition to the parade route closures on Saturday, the 400 block of Broad Street will close at 10:00 a.m. for afternoon activities in the area and 300 block of Broad Street will close at 3:00 p.m. These closures will be lifted at the conclusion of the events. For more information regarding the parade and tree lighting, please go to www.downtownkingsport.org or call 423-246-6550. DECEMBER 2, 2021/BY ADRIENNE FREE CHRISTMAS CRAFTS AT THE LIBRARY CITY NEWS Celebrate the holiday season by attending a fun holiday series at the Kingsport Public Library – Lunchtime DIY! The first three Thursdays of December will feature time to make a fun Christmas craft at lunchtime. Join us on Thursday, December 2 at 12:00 p.m. to make a Cork Craft gift. This easy craft can be a gift for a friend or keep it for yourself! On December 9, the lunchtime DIY craft will be button maker ornaments and on December 16, the lunchtime DIY craft will be 3D paper snowflakes. These are free craft classes with supplies provided until they run out. For more information about events at the Library, please visit www.kingsportlibrary.org or call 423-229-9489. NOVEMBER 30, 2021/BY ADRIENNE LYNN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER TO HOST GLOW NERF BATTLE CITY NEWS It’s game on at Lynn View Community Center! On December 4, don’t miss a night for all kids who love fast-paced fun and action as Kingsport Parks and Recreation hosts its Glow Nerf Battle. Kids can lock and load and play through the night with glowing neon colors lighting their way. This event is free and open to all families who wish to participate. All participants must come prepared for battle with their own personal Nerf gun of choice, and everyone is encouraged to wear bright, colorful clothing to glow vividly in the neon arena. Nerf darts will be provided and are available to use for the duration of the game. “This free event is sure to bring a glowing smile to your face, so be sure to join us!” says Kingsport Parks and Recreation Administrator Travis Sensabaugh. All families interested in battling can come to Lynn View Community Center at 257 Walker St on December 4 at 7:00 p.m. No prior registration is required, and all battles should be finished by 9:00 p.m. For more information, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or call 423-343-9723. NOVEMBER 29, 2021/BY ADRIENNE ALLANDALE MANSION ANNOUNCES 2021 HOLIDAY TOURS SCHEDULE CITY NEWS Sleigh bells are ringing, there is frost in the air, and Allandale Mansion has been decorated with care. This year, in celebration of the holiday season, Allandale Mansion will be offering self-guided tours of the mansion and its adorned grounds. Visitors can make their way through the historic home and see all of its antebellum-style features decked out from floor to ceiling in Christmas cheer. Allandale Mansion partnered with local businesses sponsor Christmas trees to adorn each room of the home alongside garland, light features, and other decorative holiday delights. From 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m on Sunday, December 5, touring guests can be entertained by the cheerful sounds of the Harpstrings Studio Ensemble playing classic holiday tunes. Guests can also help someone else’s Christmas be a little bit merrier this year by donating clean, gently used coats to the Girl Scouts’ Coat Drive donation box available on site. Tours will run from 1:00 p.m through 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, and 1:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m Sunday, December 5. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 7 to 12, and children 6 and under are admitted free. For more information, please visit kingsportparksandrecreation.org or call 423-229-9422. NOVEMBER 24, 2021/BY ADRIENNE SEND YOUR LETTER TO SANTA! CITY NEWS Christmas time is almost here, and for those boys and girls who want to make sure they’re on the ‘nice list’ this year, Kingsport Parks and Recreation is helping letters get to Santa Claus. All parents have to do is address their kids’ letters to Kingsport Parks and Recreation, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport, TN 37660, and make sure to leave a return address. For those who would rather drop their letters off, there is a special drop-off box at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. complex located next to the gym. All those who send letters can expect a prompt response from Saint Nick himself in approximately one week. Letters are being accepted from now until December 14, so get yours in soon to have a jolly letter back from the North Pole by Christmas. For more information, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org or call 423-224-2489. NOVEMBER 23, 2021/BY ADRIENNE CITY HALL WINS PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD CITY NEWS The new Kingsport City Hall has been honored with the Mark Miller Tennessee Public Works Project of the Year Award. Regions Bank building is now home to Kingsport’s City Hall. The city purchased the Regions Bank building for $2.82 million to support operational effectiveness, better serve Kingsport residents and help provide more secured courtrooms for the city. Why move? “The most expensive option,” said Ryan McReynolds, Deputy City Manager, “was to do nothing.” The city had an opportunity to consolidate city services and improve efficiency as well as the overall customer service experience and it followed through. Long term, this is a financial savings to the city. “By repurposing a six story 70,000+ square foot building into Kingsport’s new City Hall we were able to achieve three primary objectives,” said City Manager Chris McCartt. “First, by repurposing a former bank building, located in our downtown, we were able to save the tax payers a tremendous amount of money versus new construction. Second, we have truly created a one-stop shop for our customers as a result of consolidating offices that were previously located in separate buildings. Third, as a result of the consolidation of offices for the first time in over three decades, we are seeing improved internal efficiencies for our operations. These three objectives will continue to have a profound impact on our operations and for our customers for decades to come. Additionally, this building will be a point of pride for our citizens.” The Project of the Year award, given by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Public Works Association (TCAPWA), recognizes a project within the state of Tennessee that emphasizes outstanding planning, construction and management. The entire process of the new Kingsport City Hall project, from design to construction and project management, made Kingsport’s success worthy of this statewide recognition. Earlier this year, the City of Kingsport also won the state Project of the Year award for Miracle Field, honoring Kingsport with the award twice in one year – a first in the state! To see the new City Hall, please stop by 415 Broad Street and check it out. For more information about the City of Kingsport, please visit www.kingsporttn.gov. NOVEMBER 19, 2021/BY ADRIENNE BAYS MOUNTAIN PARK’S TWO 50TH ANNIVERSARY BOOKS RECAP CITY NEWS Last night, November 16, the two books created for Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium’s 50th Anniversary were officially unveiled to a crowd of supporters and local media. The winner of the “I am Bays Mountain” stories contest was announced to be Norman Blue, who traveled from Atlanta for the special occasion. Previously released: Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium has celebrated 50 years with enthusiasm since 2021 began. Now, the people who made it all happen will get to take part of the celebration home with them. On November 16, Bays Mountain Park will be hosting a press conference at Kingsport Times News to officially unveil the two books published for the 50th anniversary, Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium: Celebrating 50 Years and Unalii’s Unexpected Adventure. Media is invited to attend the press conference at 5 p.m. with a VIP reception for invited guests to follow. The overall winner of the “I am Bays Mountain” stories contest will also be announced at the press conference, where the winner will receive the grand prize of a Lifetime Membership to Bays Mountain Park, valued at $1,000. “Reading the personal ‘I am Bays Mountain’ stories has been such a wonderful journey into the lives of those who have experienced Bays Mountain Park in such informative and influential ways over the first 50 years,” said Park Manager Rob Cole. “It absolutely confirms that the park’s mission as a nature preserve, a state designated natural area, and a regional educational and recreational hub is and always has been the correct choice, and one that has made impacts in our lives that run deep and are passed on from generation to generation. Reflecting its original purpose, may that always be true of Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium.” The guest list for the November 16 book unveiling event will include the numerous boards, commissions, committees and staff that came together to help see this project through. Former Mayor Jeanette Blazier will head off the evening, with comments made by Alan Rau, Mary Steadman, Susan Lodal and Darrell Dinsmore. The commemorative book, Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium: Celebrating 50 Years, is an 11” x 10 3/4” hardcover book that describes the thinking that led to the idea of the park and nature preserve, chronicles the history of its development and gives readers a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the park. “Eastman Credit Union is honored to be a sponsor of the Bays Mountain Commemorative Book and the Bays Mountain 50th Anniversary Celebration,” said ECU president and CEO Kelly Price. “We have a long history of supporting Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium as it is such an integral part of the area in which we live. This commemorative book not only captures and highlights the beauty of Bays Mountain but proceeds from the sale will support improvements at the park. ECU is proud to share the responsibility of making the communities in which we live, work, and play better, not only for today but also for tomorrow.” Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium: Celebrating 50 Years was written by Pam Cox and designed by Andy Barnes. Full of stunning photographs compiled by the photography consultant, Jay Huron, it is a celebration of Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium’s first 50 years that will become a keepsake for generations to come. The commemorative book project was coordinated by Mary Steadman, chair of the History Subcommittee for the BMP Celebration Committee, sponsored by Eastman Credit Union (ECU) and created in partnership with Kingsport Times News. “The Kingsport Times News is delighted to be a part of the 50th Anniversary celebration of iconic Bays Mountain Park,” said Kingsport Times News publisher Rick Thomason. “We extend our gratitude to the park Anniversary Committee for allowing us the privilege of partnering on the commemorative books and the promotions leading up to the actual park anniversary. We congratulate the park founders, stewards and staff on this milestone event. Though Bays Mountain Park is a one-of-a-kind treasure to be enjoyed by all, it is a natural treasure that is uniquely Kingsport. We look forward to the next amazing 50 years of Bays Mountain Park and encourage everyone to enjoy and support this beautiful city centerpiece.” The children’s book, Unalii’s Unexpected Adventure, is an 11” x 8.5” hardcover book packed with educational facts, full-color photography, and a glossary of terms. The book was written by Julie Nutter and Lize Bailey, with photographs by Jay Huron. Recommended for primary school-aged children, this story showcases the natural beauty, ecology, and history of the largest city-owned park in Tennessee and will be enjoyed for years to come. This project was coordinated by Susan Lodal, chair of the Education Subcommittee for the BMP Celebration Committee, and sponsored by Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network. All proceeds will benefit upcoming parks projects, including upgrades to the wolf habitat and construction of the Fox Den natural play space. “We are thrilled to be a part of this project that will ultimately help to put books in the hands of children across the Appalachian Highlands, and allow us to celebrate the natural beauty of Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium in its fiftieth year,” said Lisa Carter, chief executive officer of Ballad Health Niswonger Children’s Network and vice president of pediatric services at Ballad Health. “Literacy has been proven in studies to have an impact on long-term health, and we need to do all we can to help our children read at an appropriate level. What better way to help children do that than with a book that showcases some of our region’s most beautiful assets.” You can still order both books for the special discounted bundle price of $39 through November 30—the perfect holiday gift for any Bays lover. To order your copies, visit baysmountain.com/books. To learn more about Bays Mountain Park, visit baysmountain.com or call 423-229-9447. NOVEMBER 17, 2021/BY ADRIENNE COMMUNITY SURVEY NOW OPEN TO ALL CITY OF KINGSPORT RESIDENTS CITY NEWS The City of Kingsport community survey is now open to all residents to complete. The link to the online survey is posted on the city website and promoted across city social media channels. It will be open until December 3. Survey Link: https://polco.us/kingsport2021 The survey is designed to provide a baseline of how the Kingsport government is serving residents, to gauge perceptions of the city, and to make comparisons with peer communities. Kingsport contracted with Polco/National Research Center, Inc., an impartial third-party firm that provides municipal governments with a low-cost, high-quality method to conduct community research. The survey centers on community livability and includes questions about the quality of life in the community, local policies, demographics, rating of local government services, the emergency services departments and questions about how residents are getting city information. “We’re excited to have the survey now open to everyone to complete and we encourage everyone to please do so,” said Jessica Harmon, assistant to the city manager. From this survey, city leaders will have the ability to see where Kingsport aligns by benchmarking against over 600 communities across the county that have administered the National Community Survey. A random and scientific sample of 2,700 households received invitations to participate in the mail and their confidential responses will be weighted and analyzed. This data will be kept separate from the data collected from the open link. For more information, please visit www.kingsporttn.gov or call 423-229-9381. NOVEMBER 17, 2021/BY ADRIENNE Page 1 of 63 1 2 3 › » RECENT CITY NEWS Transit Riders Get Ready: Real-time KATS Bus Info Now Available December 3, 2021 Appalachian Express Chorus Announces 2021 Holiday Concert December 2, 2021 Kingsport Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting – Road Closures December 2, 2021 Free Christmas Crafts at the Library November 30, 2021 Lynn View Community Center to Host Glow Nerf Battle November 29, 2021 Allandale Mansion Announces 2021 Holiday Tours Schedule November 24, 2021 Send Your Letter to Santa! November 23, 2021 City Hall Wins Project of the Year Award November 19, 2021 UPCOMING CITY EVENTS « DECEMBER 2021 » S M T W T F S 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 KINGSPORTTN.GOV Accessibility Statement Web Accessibility ADA Compliance Privacy Statement Human Resources Contact Us QUICK LINKS Fraud, Waste & Abuse Job Opportunities Site Map Special Event Application Surplus Property Information Voting & Elections IMPORTANT NOTICES Notices & Outages Closing & Delays BMA Agendas & Minutes State of the City – Year in Review PARTNERS Visit Kingsport Move To Kingsport Downtown Kingsport Kingsport City Schools © 2021 The City of Kingsport, Tennessee. Built With love by The NET360 - Version 1.44