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From New Orleans, The Zulu Connection stilt walkers featuring Shaka Zulu and the Wato-to Dancers will perform at the 2017 Umoja Festival.
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Umoja Festival

With new events scheduled, the 2017 Umoja Festival set for Sept. 29-30

The Umoja Festival, which will take place in downtown Johnson City on Sept. 29 and 30, will feature a large lineup of entertainment, all with the aim of turning the downtown district into a melting pot over the weekend.

Updated Sep 19, 2017 at 4:25 PM
On Monday, dozens of students and community activists gathered at East Tennessee State University to call on Congress to oppose the end of the DACA program.
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Immigration

'Like a punch to the gut:' ETSU Dreamers reveal deportation fears at solidarity rally

On Monday, dozens of students and community activists gathered at East Tennessee State University to call on congress to act and oppose the directive issued by Jeff Sessions following Trump’s announcement, which stated that no new DACA applications will be accepted.

Updated Sep 19, 2017 at 9:24 AM
Attendees at Monday's Taste of Johnson City got a chance to try out a number of new dishes from the Blackthorn Club.
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Local events

Johnson City Chamber hosts 35th annual Taste of Johnson City

On Monday, hundreds gathered at the Johnson City Country Club to get a unique chance to sample food from 26 different local restaurants and breweries at the 35th annual Taste of Johnson City.

Updated Sep 18, 2017 at 9:37 PM
Since starting Sam's SnoBall Paradise in 2011 out of a truck, Samantha Lopez opened up shop on South Roan Street Street this past year. The young business owner has hopes to expand her business into Knoxville and Kingsport.
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Business

Young entrepreneur starts making big moves locally

Samantha Lopez, 24, started her business in 2011 after graduating high school.

Sep 17, 2017 at 5:32 PM
Maria LaBarbera received a grant From the Johnson City Public Schools Foundation to purchase new construction materials for student 3D printer projects in the library.
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Johnson City Schools

Johnson City Public Schools Foundation surprises teachers with grants

When Rebecca White, Lemy Dao and Amy Stover arrived for a surprise visit to Lake Ridge Elementary to present teachers with their grants Friday, they were greeted with hugs and smiles from staff and students.

Sep 16, 2017 at 11:08 PM
The East Tennessee State Counseling Center has hired a new mental health professional – a certified therapy dog named Guinevere.
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mental health

ETSU Counseling Center introduces Guinevere the therapy dog

The East Tennessee State Counseling Center has hired a new mental health professional – a poodle named Guinevere.

Updated Sep 14, 2017 at 11:55 AM
A staple in Taste of Johnson City, the Johnson City Country Club decided to shake things up a bit by preparing Mexican cuisine for at their 33rd Annual event. Over the past two years, they have invited new vendors and restaurants to show attendees what Johnson City local businesses have to offer when it comes to cuisine.
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Food & Drink

35th Annual Taste of Johnson City set for Sept. 18

There are a lot of local restaurants throughout the Tri-Cities to try. On Monday, many of them will all be in one place.

Updated Sep 13, 2017 at 5:19 PM
Milligan College has been named one of the top colleges in the South and in Tennessee by U.S. News & World Report.
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Milligan College

U.S. News ranks Milligan among top universities

It’s official. Milligan College is one of the best schools in Tennessee.

Updated Sep 13, 2017 at 9:05 AM
Johnson City citizen Kenneth Bonner gives a speech in Founders Park in front of a crowd of Black Lives Matter supporters in 2015.
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politics

Annual People's Unification Rally to be held Sept. 16

On Sept. 16, local NAACP member and CAUSE leader Kenneth Bonner will bring local social justice organizations together in Founders Park to rally for social justice and discuss ways to combine the efforts of local activists.

Updated Sep 12, 2017 at 6:48 PM
Jonesborough officials briefly mentioned some future personnel changes at Monday's Town Hall meeting.
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Jonesborough

Jonesborough officials discuss personnel changes

At Monday’s Jonesborough Town Hall meeting, Mayor Kelly Wolfe briefly mentioned some personnel changes.

Sep 11, 2017 at 11:04 PM
Situated in downtown Johnson City in the former county municipal building, Northeast State Community College's downtown campus serves more than 300 enrolled students. (Nathan Baker/Johnson City Press)
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education

Northeast State deals with budget issues, students raise concerns

Students and faculty returning to Northeast State Community College for the 2017-18 school year have raised concerns about the effect of $5 million in budget cuts made earlier this year by the school’s administration.

Sep 10, 2017 at 11:09 PM
Carlos Esteban, 31, of Woodbridge, Va., a nursing student and recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA, rallies with others in support of DACA outside of the White House, in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. President Donald Trump began dismantling the government program protecting hundreds of thousands of young immigrants who were brought into the country illegally as children. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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DACA

Community members respond to DACA decision

“I've always felt more American than Mexican. I'm American in heart, soul and every way but one — on paper. I have a spotless record and graduated with good grades. I'm studying to one day be a physician.”

Updated Sep 10, 2017 at 8:40 AM
From left to right, Doreen Travise, Bette Mullersman, Anita Smythe and Carolyn Walsh of the Old Town Quilt Guild show off the "Stars Over Jonesborough" quilt, which guild members made to sell for charity.
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Community

Jonesborough guild makes quilt for charity

The stars aligned for the women of the Old Town Quilt Guild, looking for a group project for their fabric talents. Last year, the guild’s 50-plus members decided to make and sell a quilt for a local charity.

Sep 10, 2017 at 8:00 AM
Priscilla Ramsey and Gwen Hunter were setting up for this year's Tree Streets Yard Sale Thursday morning, getting set for early sales on Friday. Both of them have been helping organize the community event for years now, which many groups have used for an opportunity to raise funds for various philanthropic endeavors.
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Johnson City

Tree Streets Yard Sale set for yet another big year

On Thursday morning, organizers of the Tree Streets Yard Sale began setting up their booths to get ready for early sales on Friday, Sept. 8. 

Updated Sep 7, 2017 at 5:49 PM
Students and parents gathered at Governors Hall last as new students moved into the residential halls for the first time during the first week of classes. ETSU student organizations volunteered to assist many of the new students as they moved into their dorms and got familiar with the facility. Housing on campus is now at 99 percent capacity, according to Director Bonnie Burchett.
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ETSU

ETSU campus housing full, some students stayed at Carnegie waiting for rooms

According to East Tennessee State university Director of Housing Bonnie Burchett, the residence halls on campus have been a bit crowded since the 2017-18 school year began.

Sep 7, 2017 at 8:00 AM