THE CITY OF JOHNSON CITY

Police Department

NEWS RELEASE

     On February 8, 2010, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Billy Lee Cole, 20 yr old w/m, 500 Robinson Dr., JC, and charged him with 2 counts of Aggravated Burglary, 2 counts of Theft of Property over $500, and 2 counts of Auto Burglary.  The arrest is the result of an investigation into two separate residential burglaries occurring in Johnson City.  Mr. Cole was charged with one count of aggravated burglary after a report was filed on January 25^th, 2010, alleging that Mr. Cole broke into a residence in the 1100 block of Carroll Creek Rd.  Mr. Cole was charged with the second count of aggravated burglary and two counts of auto burglary after he allegedly broke into a residence and two automobiles on February 7^th and 8^th, 2010, in the 3000 block of Newton Dr.  Mr. Cole is currently being held in the Washington County Detention Center under a $70,000 bond.  He is scheduled to appear for arraignment in Washington County General Sessions Court on 02-11-10, 9:00 am.

THE CITY OF JOHNSON CITY

Police Department

NEWS RELEASE

On February 8^th, 2010, officers of the Johnson City Police Department took David E. Schreck, 21 , of 1014 Katies Way, Johnson City, TN into custody at 2:53 pm for attempting to receive 120 Oxycodone tablets with the use of a fraudulent prescription, at a N. Roan St. Walgreens.  A search incident to arrest uncovered Schreck to be in possession of  Xanax’s, Oxycodone, Valium, a small amount of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.  Schreck is being held at the Washington County Detention Center on a $12,000 bond for attempting to obtain legend drugs by fraud, simple possession, and drug paraphernalia.  Schreck is scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on February 11^th, 2009 at 9:00am.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The famed Rat Pack - the "best show in Vegas" - thrilled and entertained more than 1,450 guests Friday night with classic Rat Pack hits at the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce 63^rd Annual Dinner at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center.

"Once again, the Kingsport Chamber Annual Dinner was another huge success and incredibly fun night," said Jack Dempsey, Kingsport Chamber 63^rd Annual Dinner chair and 11 Connects president and general manager.  "The team at 11 Connects was once again honored and elated to host this hugely popular evening - this now for our eleventh straight year as host sponsor."

In addition to the great entertainment, the Kingsport Chamber showcased and celebrated a number of accomplishments achieved in Kingsport in 2009.

"It was another perfect night to celebrate all of the many great things happening in Kingsport," said Julie Bennett, 2009 Kingsport Chamber chair and vice president and general counsel for Bristol Motor Speedway.  "Your Kingsport Chamber of Commerce remains in 2010 a strong and viable organization.  Our overall effectiveness, however, is enhanced because of partnerships with many other groups. 

"As Mayor Dennis Phillips is fond of saying, 'it's amazing what you can get done when you don't care who gets the credit.'  We are all part of TEAM Kingsport!" 

2010 Kingsport Chamber Chair Charlie Floyd, who serves as the vice president and mill manager for Domtar, said Kingsport must continue its emphasis on its successful educational endeavors.

"Where do we steer our ship now?," Floyd asked the crowd.  "Plain and simple - community education.  Not education in the pure sense, but a community awareness campaign that shows both students and parents the current and future available resources in education.  Not only do we need to show them what is available but, also, the rewards of obtaining higher education."

"Kingsport's Social Event of the Year," the Kingsport Chamber Annual Dinner continues to be the largest Chamber annual dinner in the nation.

Eastman Chemical Company served as title sponsor and 11 Connects as host sponsor.  Holston Valley Medical Center was the entertainment sponsor, Eastman Credit Union served as concert hall and stage sponsor, King College was the education sponsor and Oak Hill Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations served as reception sponsor.

"The Kingsport Chamber Annual Dinner continues to be the social event of the year and the perfect place to celebrate the tremendous momentum and excitement that is occurring in our community," Dempsey remarked.  "The future looks very bright for Kingsport."

"Not only are we surviving the economic downtown but, in fact, in many areas we have flourished," Bennett said.  "We have flourished in new retail development, business investments and in downtown development - just to name a few.

"Walk down almost any block in downtown Kingsport today and you will find new retail shops, new restaurants and new businesses.  This revitalization is due in large part to the Kingsport Academic Village." 

"Our school leadership tells us that we need to instill a learning culture in our region," Floyd added.  "I agree.  And I want your Chamber to be a motivating partner in cultivating a culture where higher education is expected because it is the norm."

As part of the celebration, the Kingsport Chamber showcased some of the many accomplishments achieved in Kingsport in 2009 and set the stage for continued growth and development in 2010. 

Some of the accomplishments included:

ü       For its superb efforts to promote and enhance higher education initiatives in the community, Kingsport won (out of only 16 finalists nationwide) the prestigious Innovations in American Government Award from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  The Kingsport Academic Village, which currently attracts more than 2,300 students and will pump more than $21 million into downtown, includes the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing, Regional Center for Health Professions, Regional Center for Applied Technology, Kingsport Higher Education Center and the Pal Barger School of Automotive Technology that will be built in 2010.  The Kingsport Academic Village will bring $7.4 million in student direct spending alone over a three year period, and a total economic impact of more than $30 million over three years.

ü       The cornerstone of the Kingsport Academic Village, the Kingsport Higher Education Center (KHEC) opened in 2009.  The KHEC offers selected four-year and advanced degrees from the University of Tennessee, King College, Carson-Newman College and Lincoln Memorial University.  Northeast State Community College manages the center.  The KHEC will have a total impact of $14 million on Kingsport in its first year of operation.

ü       The Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM) opened in 2009.  A $2.7 million facility that will anchor a broad-based approach for education and training in highly technical manufacturing skills to meet regional workforce needs, RCAM partners include Eastman Chemical Company, Domtar Paper Company, Tennessee Dept. of Economic & Community Development, city of Kingsport, Sullivan County, Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, Kingsport Economic Development Board and Northeast State Community College. 

ü       Eastman Chemical Company continued with its $1.3 billion Project Reinvest.  Eastman was also named one of the Greenest Companies in America by Newsweek magazine.

ü       Kingsport's Holston Valley Medical Center (Wellmont Health System) has been ranked Number One in the state of Tennessee for cardiology services and also ranked in the Top Ten Percent in the nation for cardiology care by HealthGrades, one of the nation's leading independent health care ratings organizations.  Holston Valley Medical Center continued making great progress with its $100 million Project Platinum initiative.

ü       A major medical development is coming to downtown Kingsport.  Mountain Region Family Medicine announced plans to build an $18.5 million facility on the former Quebecor property.  Expected to be a catalyst for future development at the site, the new medical complex will be called the Press Building and will occupy 300,000 square feet of the one-million square foot property and will welcome some 70,000 visits per year to downtown. 

ü       Kingsport's Greenbelt was showcased in Southern Living magazine.  New sections to Kingsport's prized biking and walking trail also opened this year.

ü       Leclerc Foods is currently finishing a major $6.5 million expansion to its headquarters in Kingsport's Northeast Tennessee Business Park, an investment that is nearly doubling the size of the company's headquarters to 175,500 square feet.

ü       Domtar's Ridgefields Converting & Distribution Center completed a multi-million dollar expansion. 

ü       Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium opened a $1.3 million, state-of-the-art planetarium.

ü       John Adams Elementary School opened in Rock Springs. 

ü       Eastman Credit Union opened a new $3.3 million branch across from Kingsport Pavilion.  Best Buy and Zaxby's also opened at Kingsport Pavilion.

ü       Indian Path Medical Center completed a nearly $1 million renovation project that included updated patient rooms and a new lab.

ü       TriSummit Bank made a significant financial investment in the preservation of a historic property in downtown Kingsport.  The building is the bank's Church Circle Financial Center and corporate offices.

ü       The United Way of Greater Kingsport once again surpassed its campaign goal, raising more than $3.7 million.

ü       The MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center, in partnership with Eastman Chemical Company and the city of Kingsport, continued with a major $30 million expansion and renovation, including the opening of 110 new guest rooms to the hotel and the groundbreaking of the resort's Executive Conference Wing. MeadowView makes an annual economic impact of more than $23 million on Kingsport.  That number is expected to soar once the expansion is complete.  Property values in the MeadowView area have skyrocketed from $2.7 million three years before MeadowView opened to more than $88.2 million a year ago.  MeadowView also garnered more global awards as it was named the Number One Marriott in the World for event satisfaction. 

ü       Your Kingsport Chamber's Move To Kingsport program announced 1,277 family households (approx. 2,809 new residents) from 39 states moved to Kingsport in 2009, making a $28 million economic impact on the community. 

ü       Kingsport's House Price Appreciation was ranked as the 12^th strongest in the nation.

ü       Your Kingsport Chamber hosted more than 20 grand openings and groundbreakings in 2009. 

ü       Your Kingsport Chamber's small business program, Kingsport Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), supported more than 270 small business clients (91 of which were startups), conducted more than 200 one-on-one counseling sessions, facilitated small business micro loans totaling more than $166,000, retained 19 jobs and created 91 new jobs for the Kingsport economy.

ü       Fun Fest celebrated a very successful 29^th festival with more than 100 popular events and a record number of restaurants in Taste of Tri-Cities.  Fun Fest once again was named a Top 20 July Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society and attracted attendees to Kingsport from 23 states and more than 100 Tennessee cities.

ü       The Kingsport Leadership program continued to graduate new community trustees from its Leadership Kingsport, S.H.O.U.T.!® Youth Leadership (Students Helping Others Understand Tomorrow) and ENCORE (Enrich and Nurture your Community; Offer your Resources and Experience) classes.

ü       Keep Kingsport Beautiful continued with its award-winning environmental protection and beautification efforts for Kingsport.

ü       Your Kingsport Chamber's legislative affairs committee reviewed more than 2,000 pieces of legislation that impacted business and hosted events with Governor Bredesen, Senator Corker, Congressman Roe, Tenn. Supreme Court Justice Wade, Comptroller Wilson, Treasurer Lillard, Secretary of State Hargett, Lt. Governor Ramsey, Speaker Williams, Majority Leader Mumpower, Senator Faulk, Senator Crowe, Representative Shipley, Representative Lundberg, Representative Ford, Representative Hawk and Representative Hill. 

ü       Your Kingsport Chamber's Tennessee/Virginia Scholars program graduated more than 500 students that represented 32 percent of the total graduating classes from the city of Kingsport, Sullivan County, Hawkins County and Scott County, Virginia, schools. 

ü       More than 20,000 people visited Kingsport for a record number of 24 sports tournaments and events brought to and hosted in Kingsport by the Kingsport Convention & Visitors Bureau.  These visitors poured more than $8.4 million into the local economy.

Floyd acknowledged Kingsport's successful efforts to promote and enhance higher education efforts and emphasized the importance of this community's continuing commitment to education at all levels.

"Education pays," Floyd remarked.  "It pays with higher paying jobs, financial stability, better quality of life.  Statistics bear out a direct link between higher education and all of these rewards.  For example, college graduates can expect to earn, on average, nearly one million dollars more over their lifetimes than high school graduates."

Floyd said according to the 2007 U.S. Census Bureau, an adult without a high school diploma is two times more likely to live in poverty than one with a high school diploma, and seven times more likely than a college graduate. 

The life expectancy of a college graduate is seven years longer than a high school graduate.

"Your Kingsport Chamber stands ready and willing to partner with the NETWORKS - Sullivan Partnership, regional educational institutions, and government and business leaders to drive home the importance of education to each and every student and adult leaner in this region." 

"Kingsport has had another incredible year with a number of exciting and progressive projects occurring, most notably the work with the Kingsport Academic Village," Kingsport Chamber President & CEO Miles Burdine said.  "And the Kingsport Chamber is fully prepared to continue its partnership with the city and the business community to continue to move this great place of Kingsport forward."

"There truly is a lot of great excitement occurring in Kingsport on so many levels right now and we're happy to be a part of that celebration," Dempsey added.  "The Kingsport Chamber Annual Dinner just continues to get bigger and better every year and we enjoy our strong partnership with the Kingsport Chamber on a truly first-class event."

"The Kingsport Chamber strongly applauds and congratulates its outstanding membership and the exceptional and visionary leadership of Kingsport Mayor Dennis Phillips, the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen, City Manager John Campbell and his outstanding team for these great accomplishments and for the city's continued and successful partnership with their Kingsport Chamber," Burdine added.

The Kingsport Chamber also presented its very prestigious Kingsport Chamber Lifetime Member Awards to Bill Bovender, who is an attorney with the law firm of Hunter, Smith & Davis and a past Kingsport Chamber president.

 

The accolade honors an individual for a lifetime of outstanding service to the Kingsport community. 

The event had more than 75 corporate sponsors.  These included: 

Title Sponsor:  Eastman Chemical Company.

Host Sponsor:  11 Connects.

Entertainment Sponsor:  Holston Valley Medical Center.

Concert Hall & Stage Sponsor:  Eastman Credit Union.

Education Sponsor:  King College.

Reception Sponsor:  Oak Hill Memorial Park, Funerals and Cremations.

Media Sponsors:   11 Connects; Charter Media; Citadel Broadcasting; Kingsport Times-News; and Times Digital Group.

Printing Sponsors:  Food City and Pepsi.

Hall of Fame Sponsors:  11 Connects; Bristol Motor Speedway; Charter Business; City of Kingsport; CSX Transportation; Domtar; Eastman Chemical Company; Eastman Credit Union; Food City; Holston Valley Medical Center; King College; MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center; Oak Hill Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations; and Pepsi.

Anniversary Sponsors:  BAE Systems.

Diamond Sponsors:  AGC Glass Company; AT&T; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz; Bank of Tennessee; First Tennessee Bank; J.A. Street & Associates; Pal's Sudden Service; Regions Bank; Symphony of the Mountains Orchestra; and University of Tennessee.

Platinum Sponsor:  IntelliThought and Tele-Optics.

Gold Sponsors:  Baysmont Asbury Place of Kingsport; Brock; Charter Media; Holston Medical Group; Hunter, Smith & Davis; Lincoln Memorial University; Tennessee Electric Company; and The Edinburgh Group.

Silver Sponsors:  Appalachian Power; Blackburn, Childers & Steagall; CenturyLink; Citizens Bank; Dent K. Burk Associates; DEX Publisher/CenturyLink Yellow Pages; Emory & Henry College; GreenBank; NETWORKS - Sullivan Partnership; Phil Bachman Honda; Price & Ramey; Rodefer Moss & Company; SunTrust Bank; TriSummit Bank; Urology Associates of Kingsport; Wilson Worley Moore Gamble & Stout; and WorkSpace Interiors.

Bronze Sponsors:  Alley's of Kingsport; A Team Real Estate Professionals; Branch Banking & Trust Company; Burk Consulting; Chef's Pizzeria; Dragonfly Digital; Dykes Trucking: Environmental Solutions & Associates; Family Dental Center; First Bank & Trust Company; Frontier Health; HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital; Heritage Title & Closing Services; Lawler Wood Housing; Northeast State Community College; Old Island Homes/TCI Group; and Tusculum College.

The Rat Pack is Back performs at The Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  For ticket information, call the box office at 702-386-2444 or for more information on The Rat Pack is Back, go to www.RatPackIsBack.com.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members.  The Kingsport Chamber's mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.

For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, go to www.KingsportChamber.org or call (423) 392-8800.  We're social too; follow us on our Facebook page, Your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, and on our Twitter account, @kptchamber.

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Bob Feagins
Executive Director of Communications, Public Relations & Member Relations
Kingsport Tennessee Area Chamber of Commerce
423-392-8800

"Kingsport is consistently ranked as one of Money Magazine's Best Places in the South to live!"

www.KingsportChamber.org

THE CITY OF JOHNSON CITY

Police Department

NEWS RELEASE

On 02/05/2010, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Justin E. Painter (W/M, 09/01/1986) of 116 Thurman Road #3, Jonesborough, Tennessee and Matthew Morrow (W/M, 06/21/1981) of 116 Thurman Road #2, Jonesborough, Tennessee for several residential burglaries that occurred in Johnson City over the past few months. After locating Painter and Morrow, officers recovered a large of amount of stolen property to include televisions, jewelry, and collectible coins that were taken from the city residences. Painter and Morrow are charged with fourteen counts of Aggravated Burglary and thirteen counts of Theft of Property over $1000. Painter and Morrow are currently being held in the Washington County Detention Center in lieu of a $420,000 bond. Both are scheduled for arraignment on 02/08/2010 in the Washington County General Sessions Court. This investigation is continuing. More information will be available at a later date.