Hello Tri Cities! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Park expansion, wildlife photo winners, and sensory friendly screening + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A scenic win for conservation: Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy purchased 103-acre Smith Branch tract, Carter County, for future expansion of Roan Mountain State Park, protecting habitat and watershed while transfer to Tennessee State Parks planned -- explore the park expansion.
Veteran educator joins staff: Science Hill High named Tom Poisal assistant athletic director, after a three-decade career. Formerly at Rogersville Middle and West High, leaders say his experience will elevate Science Hill athletics -- meet the new assistant AD.
Winning nature snapshots: TWRA announced its 2026–27 wildlife calendar photo winners Monday, including Ryan Rice of Jonesborough and Harvey Sullivan of Morristown. Fourteen images were selected, with others retained for future publications -- see the full lineup.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Plant upgrade time: Evergreen of Johnson City is the local spot for robust indoor and outdoor finds, friendly advice that saves you guesswork, and landscape design if you want a pro in the dirt. Swing by this week and give your porch, beds, and brain a little green reset.
Flip out locally: Neon Moon packs over 60 pinball machines into a laid-back lounge that feels like the good part of the mall, minus the mall. Chase a high score, laugh off the tilt warnings, and call it the most satisfying screen time you’ve had all week.
Summer sanity saver: Rotary Park’s inclusive playground is a legit kid magnet, and the splash pad hits different on humid afternoons. This week, pack snacks, snag a shady spot, let the littles burn energy while you actually finish a podcast... or just stare at trees like a responsible adult.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🔥 Fire By Friction @ Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park (Elizabethton) | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – Lost your lighter again? Learn to rub sticks into flame, hear how the Cherokee and other local tribes chose wood and refined technique, then try it yourself. About 45 minutes, ages 7 and up, meet at the longhunter camp past Fort Watauga, weather permitting.
🤝 2nd Annual Hope in Action Community Event @ Kingsport Farmers Market | Thursday (6/25) at 2:00 PM – Skip the fluff and stop in for Hope in Action from Layla’s Hope, linking families, youth, and young adults with local support. From human trafficking awareness and missing-person resources to mental health, medical, and unhoused support, plus basic-needs help, it’s practical stuff you’ll actually use.
🚛 Rotella SuperRigs 2026 @ Bristol Motor Speedway | Thursday (6/25) – Whether you can spot a Cat by its purr, or you appreciate chrome you can shave in, SuperRigs is the truck beauty contest where drivers from all over show off rolling pride. A dog show for 18-wheelers, with tall tales, elbow grease, and serious shine.
🖼 All Ages Cyanotype Printing @ Sullivan Gardens Branch Library (Kingsport) | Friday (6/26) at 1:00 PM – At Sullivan Gardens Library, make art powered by actual sunshine. Try cyanotype printing with provided supplies, using flowers, leaves, toys, or whatever casts a decent shadow. Bring the kids, grandkids, or your inner botanist, and let science class nostalgia do the rest.
🚚 June – Final Food Truck Rally @ Downtown Kingsport Association | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – Final Friday means outsourcing dinner to the most democratic spot in town, the city lot at Cherokee and Cumberland, right by Bellafina Chocolates. A herd of food trucks will roll in, your willpower will roll out, and dessert is conveniently a few steps away.
🛍 Peppermint Farm Craft Fair and Farmer's Market @ Peppermint Farm (Johnson City) | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 AM – Peppermint Farm is buzzing with a craft fair and farmers market, pulling in Boones Creek’s makers, growers, and bakers. Expect handmade finds, fresh produce, baked goods, and food trucks. Cash friendly, tote worthy, and perilous for anyone resisting a third jar of jam.
🎥 Sensory Friendly Screening @ AMC Johnson City 14 | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Bring the crew for a calm movie night. AMC Johnson City 14 runs sensory friendly screenings with lower volume, brighter lights, and no shushing, so stims and wiggles are welcome. Great for autistic and sensory sensitive folks, and anyone who hates jump scares.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Tri Cities report Weather forecastToday — High: 81°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 86°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 0 to 5 mph. This house is wildThis spacious 3-4 bedroom home pairs mountain sunrise views with a flexible floor plan between Johnson City and Elizabethton. A big country kitchen anchors the main level, joined by a family room and roomy living room. Upstairs, the primary suite opens to a private deck, and the third floor adds bonus space. A privacy-fenced backyard with an in-ground pool seals the deal.
Take a peek inside → |
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