Belt-tightening proposals could have far-reaching effects in arts programs across Southwest Virginia -
Belt-tightening proposals that include funding cuts of as much as 50 percent to the Virginia Commission for the Arts will lead to job losses and program reductions across Southwest Virginia, the Barter Theatre’s artistic director said Tuesday.
Bristol’s Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2010 lineup announced -
Doyle Lawson has played music around the world, but always looks forward to taking the stage in his adopted hometown.
Fourth person to serve and resign as Bluff City’s mayor in two years steps down -
If you’re looking for a job that involves running a community of 1,600 people and pays $900 a year, then the town of Bluff City is looking for you.
Keep your corned beef tender, more -
Q: I like corned beef and cabbage, and I thought I would make some this year for St. Patrick’s Day. But I have had other people’s corned beef and cabbage, and to be honest, it was tough. What do I need to do to make sure that it is tender?
– Fred R.,
Bristol, Va.
Doug Fleenor appointed to BVU board -
With little discussion and no executive session, the City Council filled an imminent vacancy on the Bristol Virginia Utilities board of directors.
Exercise can help with menopause symptoms -
Currently, it is 28 degrees outside and even the warmest room in our house is slightly cold.
I used to put on two to three layers of thermals followed by a sweatshirt and thick sweatpants.
Race weekend motorists could face challenges with changes -
Rock slides, daylight saving time and new traffic signals and speed cameras on U.S. Highway 11E might prove challenging for race weekend motorists later this month, city and race officials said Tuesday.
Mendota residents eager to get higher quality water, supervisor says -
Mendota might have a water line in its future.
Bristol Blotter 03-10-10 -
A woman called from her green convertible to say half a dozen drunken people in a maroon van were “threatening to kill her and saying they are going to kill her” just before 10 p.m. She told police that “she has a knife and she will kill somebody if they try to hurt her.”
Sullivan County to discuss Graybeal Road water project Wednesday -
Sullivan County Executive Committee will meet in a special session Wednesday to discuss possible misuse of county funds by the Highway Department.
A shooting at a Greeneville apartment complex has police searching high and low for answers -
Greeneville Police responded to a 911 call of a shooting at Hidden Oaks Apartments around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon.
ETSU participating in groundbreaking ALS communication study -
People who suffer from ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease often lose their ability to speak. Although the disease paralyzes their body, a new research project at East Tennessee State University could eventually bring a voice to those people.
Burglar gets stuck in field after crime -
A Carter County deputy didn’t have to look far to make an arrest in a weekend burglary.
Guard units from East Tennessee to deploy to Iraq -
A Tri-Cities Military Police unit will soon be deploying to Iraq.
STUDENT OF THE WEEK: Christian Potter -
Christian Potter is this week’s student of the week. She’s a senior at Happy Valley High School in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
An Elizabethton family reminds us that H1N1 hasn’t disappeared -
Numbers of the H1N1 flu have decreased nationwide, but it hasn’t disappeared. Local health departments don’t know what to expect this spring, and they say people shouldn’t drop their guards.
Church Hill man arrested after reportedly firing gun toward his mother 20 times -
Brian Dale Vleminckx reportedly fired about 20 shots at his mother, after arguing with his mother about a number of things, including his dog getting loose.
Bluegrass music’s royal family to headline Rhythm & Roots Reunion -
Members of bluegrass music’s unofficial royal family will headline this year’s Rhythm & Roots Reunion.
For parts of Center Street, Eastman Road, it’s out with the old and in with the new -
Road crews started a large milling and repaving project in Kingsport Monday night.
City releases traffic plans for Bristol race -
The city of Bristol, Tenn. along with other area agencies has developed the overall race traffic management plan for the spring race, coming up March 19-21 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Police investigating convenience store robbery -
The Greeneville Police Department is looking for a man they say robbed a convenience store Monday night.
Johnson City man arrested for alleged February assault -
A Johnson City man will appear in court today. Police say his arrest stems from an alleged assault last month.
Tenn. moves execution time up to 10 p.m. -
The Tennessee Department of Correction says its executions will now be carried out three hours earlier.
State police swarm Va. interstates -
The Virginia State Police stopped thousands of speeders and reckless drivers during a two-day enforcement effort on Interstates 81 and 95.
Smoky Mountain facilities reopening this weekend -
Some seasonal facilities in the Great Smoky Mountains will reopen this weekend.
11 Connects top morning headlines, March 9 -
Check out this morning’s top headlines from 11 Connects at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. by clicking on the video link.
Tri-Tube going out of business after 33 years -
Art Porter told his 75 employees Friday that his company, Tri-Tube, Inc., will close in late April or early May – as soon as the final orders have been filled.
Police call woman’s death a homicide, but remain tight-lipped -
Angela Statzer wrote her foster father a note last year for Father’s Day.
Tennessee considers 5-cent bottle deposit -
Tennessee’s proposed “bottle bill” gets its first hearing with state legislators today. The bill would place a 5-cent deposit on beverage containers.
Grounds for termination, or ‘fighting words?’ -
A federal judge Monday indicated that he would let stand all three counts in a $10.35 million lawsuit filed by a Smyth County woman against the company that fired her.
Bristol council will try again to fill BVU board slot -
City leaders will try again to fill an impending vacancy on the Bristol Virginia Utilities Board of Directors.
Snack Alliance met conditions for financial incentive money -
A snack food company won’t be asked to return any part of a financial incentive if it is acquired by another firm.
Bristol Blotter 03-09-10 -
Someone called in an Old Airport Road driver who “seems to be intoxicated” with two kids in his black Ford pickup at 12:20 p.m. When police arrived, they discovered he was “not intoxicated but suspended” and waited for someone to come pick them all up.
Tennessee looking at tax on complimentary hotel breakfast -
Breakfast is thought by many to be the most important meal of the day and when you stay in a hotel it may be even more so.
New veterans clinic opening in Vansant, VA -
A new VA clinic had its formal opening today in Buchanan County.
Key Club crafts gift baskets for chemotherapy patients -
The project, originally scheduled for February, was pushed back two weeks due to inclement weather.
Johnson City woman arrested for stealing items from hotel rooms -
A Johnson City woman has been arrested for allegedly stealing property from rooms at the Holiday Inn where she worked.
Keep Johnson City Beautiful calling on designers to create new logo -
Think you can help convey Johnson City’s dedication to the environment into an icon that represents our forward-thinking approach to all things green? Keep Johnson City Beautiful (KJCB) is calling on talented local designers to create its new logo.
State trying to tax hotels for `free’ breakfasts -
The so-called complimentary breakfasts at many hotels in Tennessee have stirred the appetite of state revenue officials.
Police: remains likely from ‘02 murder -
Police in Gatlinburg say they expect recently discovered remains to be the bodies of two murder victims who disappeared from Gatlinburg in 2002.
Cigarette ignites Johnson City apartment fire; multiple residents displaced -
Firefighters say an apartment fire started from a lit cigarette. They say tenants tried to extinguish the fire themselves, but the blaze spread until firefighters arrived.
11 Connects top morning headlines, March 8 -
Check out this morning’s top headlines from 11 Connects at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. by clicking on the video link.
Ditch digging kerfuffle: Confusion muddies the rules of the road -
A communications breakdown among government agencies is forcing the developers of a new subdivision to dig the same ditch twice – and raising questions about whether the first dig along Graybeal Road violated the law or Sullivan County ethics policies.
Despite lull, health officials urge residents to get H1N1 vaccination -
Though encouraged by the low number of current H1N1 flu cases across the region, area medical officials warn that it remains an unpredictable illness and they are urging residents to get the vaccine.
Gov. McDonnell expected to sign bill allowing creation of BVU authority -
To the delight of supporters and dismay of opponents, Gov. Bob McDonnell is today expected to sign legislation allowing the creation of a Bristol Virginia Utilities authority.
Math professor enters race for Bristol Virginia School Board -
Career educator John Iskra hadn’t planned to run for the city School Board, but now finds himself in a five-person race.
The Bristol Blotter - March 8 -
The Bristol Blotter
Bays Mountain Park announces spring StarWatch and SunWatch programs -
StarWatch is a free outdoor program allowing the public to enjoy the splendor of the night sky at the park’s observatories.
NAIA student athlete arrested after pulling fire alarm at Carnegie Hotel -
Zachary Ryan is charged with filing a false report after police say he set off a fire alarm at the Carnegie Hotel, causing them to evacuate all the occupants around 4 a.m. Sunday morning.
Bristol couple cheering for ‘Crazy Heart,‘ the little movie that could -
Jim and Loretta Cooper, who live in Bristol, are the proud parents of writer and director Scott Cooper, whose film version of Cobb’s book “Crazy Heart,” has been nominated for three Oscars, including Best Actor for Jeff Bridges’ portrayal of the film’s lead character, Bad Blake.
Gobco mining coal waste piles, turning gob into cash -
Back when Walt Crickmer was running Clinchfield Coal Co., he didn’t think much about gob piles.
Casket makers once did a booming business in Bristol -
The first death to occur in the new town of Bristol was that of Benjamin Frederick Zimmerman who died at his home in Bristol, Va., on Nov. 11, 1854.
Learn more about ‘uncommon’ Artic foxes -
“Uncommon Animals: Arctic Fox: Very Cool!” by Stephen Person, 2009, Bearport Publishing, Inc., $18.95, hardbound, 32 pages
‘Purse’ book looks at finances, more -
“A Purse of Your Own” by Deborah Owens, 2010, Fireside Books, $15/$19.99 Canada, 290 pages, includes index
Red-dog used in road projects until 1970s -
Besides water pollution, gob piles have another claim to fame: They’re the source of a road-surfacing material called “red dog” once used on mine roads, driveways and even public highways.
Classes calendar: Find an event -
CLASSES
A LIKELY YARN: Abingdon, 213 Pecan St., Various classes in March. Hours: Monday from noon to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and closed Sundays. For more information, call (276) 628-2143.
‘Penguin’ book showcases unique birds -
“Penguin” by Frans Lanting, 2008, Taschen, $7.99, hardbound, 190 pages
Bristol Blotter 03-07-10 -
A King Mill Pike woman told police she found footprints on her back patio at 7:50 a.m. that appeared to have been made by “large shoes.”
State Route 81 closed due to leaning power pole -
Tennessee State Route 81 South in Washington County will be closed at the intersection of Charlie Hoss Road for approximately 2 hours.
Lee County Sheriff’s Dept. opens second murder investigation in two days -
One man is dead, and his wife is recovering at an area hospital, after a confrontation with three men in rural Lee County Va. on Friday.
Ratepayers tell lawmakers: Enough is enough, utility costs are too high -
AEP customers expressed anger and frustration over soaring utility costs during a morning meeting in Abingdon, where state Delegate Ward L. Armstrong said he is encouraging the governor to call a special legislative session to address the problem.
Boucher’s $140,000 franked mail tab in 2009 was the seventh-highest in House -
Congressman calls the franking privilege an ‘invaluable communications tool.’
Egyptian students seek skills from Bristol Virginia Fire Department -
In Egypt, they are life savers. Here, in America, the two men are community college students perfecting their trade.
Students gather Pennies for Haiti -
“Water is plain to us. It’s silver and gold to them,” Hannah Moore said of the people she is trying to help in Haiti.
City native Randy Alvis seeking seat on Bristol Virginia School Board -
City native Randy Alvis paid close attention to the workings of the city School Board until 2009, and now is running for one of three available seats.
Bristol Blotter 03-06-10 -
A guy called from West Street at 4:45 a.m. to say “there is someone at his house that is refusing to leave.”
What can you do if you think the person pulling you over is not the real thing? -
A woman in Hawkins County was recently pulled over by what she thought was a legitimate police officer but when she questioned the man at her window he was proved to be a fake.
Angela Statzer’s death has another family reliving tragedy -
Jill Cunningham Pope’s six sisters laid their sister to rest one year ago after her decomposed body was found in Bristol. Her death remains a mystery and her sisters want answers.
Another Shooting in Lee County, VA -
Another shooting in Lee County, Virginia kills one and seriously injures another.
K-9 Officer Yoris laid to rest, D.A. awaiting T.B.I. findings -
“[Yoris] was a member of the family, and of course now I feel like we’ve lost a member of the family,“ Patrolman Shane Darling said.
Owners of Cool School For Dogs plead guilty to animal cruelty -
The owners of Cool School for Dogs in Johnson City pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty Friday.
Man gets 2 ½ years for assaulting officer -
BRISTOL, Va. – A man convicted of pulling a gun on a police officer last May will serve two-and-a-half years in prison, a circuit court judge ruled today.
Dead birds hang in Greeneville trees to contain public safety hazard -
11 Connects heard from a viewer this morning, who was repulsed by the sight of dead birds hanging on trees in a Greeneville neighborhood. We found that it was local law enforcement trying to contain a public safety hazard.
UPDATE: Man arrested in Lee County murder -
Charles Givens has been charged with the murder of his mother’s caregiver. He told police he had been planning her murder for some time after she refused to be his girlfriend.
Judge Brown recuses himself from Howard Hawk Willis trial -
More information on the continuing murder trial of Howard Hawk Willis, who was in court today in Washington County.
A year after death at New Beginnings, man indicted on reckless homicide charge -
The Washington County, Tennessee, Grand Jury indicted a man on reckless homicide charges this week.
Latest state jobless rate unchanged: 10.7 percent -
Tennessee’s unemployment rate for January was 10.7 percent, unchanged from December.
Car title lending bill headed to House floor -
Legislation to rein in car title lenders is advancing in the House.
Virginia Organizing Project wants Gov. McDonnell, state legislators to think ‘outside the tin’ -
Progress peanut butter cookies, budget brownies, and cash-colored sugar cookies were a few selections offered at Thursday’s budget bake sale in Abingdon.
11 Connects top morning headlines, March 5 -
Check out this morning’s top headlines from 11 Connects at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. by clicking on the video link.
‘Bake Sales for the Budget’ calls on lawmakers to do their part -
After a series of bake sales Thursday, including one held at the Kroger on Cummings Street, Virginia’s state budget shortfall is $921 smaller.
Two rural health clinics in Washington County to close -
Two rural health clinics in Washington County, Va., will close, probably within 90 days, Stone Mountain Health Services CEO Malcolm Perdue confirmed Thursday.
Authorities await autopsy results in death of Angela L. Statzer -
Chad Camper said he last saw his sister Monday. She was walking around the Lee Garden apartment complex, where he lives now and she used to. She was listening to hip hop music, as she often did, and stopped in to say hello.
Wise Recycling’s new facility in Bristol draws quite a crowd -
A long, steady line of cars and trucks packed with cans, cardboard and other items snaked around Thomas Road and Utah Street, in the Hairston Industrial Park, and streamed through an entrance on one side of the former Dillard Paper building.
Federal, state prosecutors join suit against Keystone Marion Youth Center -
Federal and state prosecutors have jumped on board a 2007 whistle-blower suit leveling Medicaid-fraud accusations against a Marion, Va., inpatient psychiatric counseling center for boys.
Randy White seeking another term on Bristol Virginia School Board -
“It’s [education] become more and more of a challenge. It’s much harder now than it ever was [because of] the money and the whole attitude toward education,” said Randy White, a career teacher. “I don’t want to just sit around and say it’s out of my hands or there’s nothing I can do about it. It was my career. It was my life.”
Bluff City Mayor Todd Malone resigns -
“I hate to do this, I really do,” Todd Malone said as he read from a prepared statement at the meeting. “It has been a great honor to serve the citizens of Bluff City.”
Bristol Blotter 03-05-10 -
Someone passing by a Grabble Road home spotted a man and woman “fighting in the yard” around 9 p.m.
Elizabethton Police memorialize fallen K9 officer -
Hundreds of mourners filed through Tetrick Funeral Home on Thursday night to pay their respects to K9 officer Sergeant Yoris.
Best electric toothbrush -
Consumer Reports tested 10 electric toothbrushes, brushing almost 2,000 times to find the best. The brushes ranged in price from $15 to $140.
Jonesborough considering bypass to ease traffic congestion -
Tennessee’s oldest town is looking to bypass its growing traffic congestion problem on Highway 11E by building a bypass.
Unexpected snow and ice caused dangerous roads -
South Johnson City experienced snow covered and slick roads. This has happened a lot recently, but this time, the road crews weren’t expecting the forecast, and started salting a little too late.
City aiming to be trial market for ultra-high speed broadband -
The City of Johnson City and the Johnson City Power Board (JCPB) are working together to try to bring ultra-high speed broadband to our area.
Business owner claims Johnson City man embezzled $148,501 -
The Johnson City Police report they’ve arrested a city man and charged him with several counts of identity theft, theft and forgery.
NC man arrested on sexual battery charges in Sullivan Co. -
A man from Lenoir, NC, wanted on sexual battery charges, has been arrested in Sullivan County today.
Two arrested after Smyth County woman is shot in the stomach -
Hospitalized in stable condition with a stomach wound, a Smyth County woman was shot following an incident on Teas Road. Authorities have arrested two men on criminal weapons charges in connection with the shooting.
Treacherous road conditions across the region -
Roads in a portion of the Tri-Cities region are treacherous and dangerous to travel on this morning. Roads are so slick dispatchers tell 11 Connects they’ve worked dozens of wrecks since daybreak. Here is a county-by-county list of road conditions.
UPDATE: Bristol body identified -
Bristol police identified the body found in a wooded area off East Valley Road Wednesday night as 22-year old Angela L. Statzer.
11 Connects top morning headlines, March 4 -
Check out this morning’s top headlines from 11 Connects at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. by clicking on the video link.
Exhibit takes a look the ‘U-2 Incident’ -
The memories from Pound, Va., go on and on about man whose plane was shot down during the Cold War in Russia.
That pilot’s name: Gary Francis Powers.
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