FATHER, SON PLEAD GUILTY TO MURDER IN 2023 JC CONVENIENCE STORE KILLING
A JOHNSON CITY FATHER AND SON WHO SHOT AND KILLED A CONVENIENCE STORE CLERK DURING A JUNE 2023 ROBBERY WILL EACH SPEND LIFE IN PRISON WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE. PROSECUTORS AND ATTORNEYS FOR MARK SEXTON JR AND 20-YEAR-OLD MARK SEXTON III REACHED A PLEA AGREEMENT. BOTH MEN WERE CHARGED WITH 1ST DEGREE MURDER AND ESPECIALLY AGGRAVATED ROBBERY. UNDER THE PLEA AGREEMENT, BOTH SEXTONS HAD THEIR ESPECIALLY AGGRAVATED ROBBERY CHARGES DISMISSED. IN-STORE CAMERAS AT THE ROADRUNNER MARKET ON BROADWAY SHOWED THE PAIR ROBBING THE STORE, AND SEXTON III TURNING AND FIRING A SHOT AT TAVA WOODARD AS THEY WERE LEAVING THE STORE.
TWO ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES
ABOUT 8:35 PM MONDAY, OFFICERS WITH THE JOHNSON CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT OBSERVED A PASSENGERS IN A PARKED VEHICLE KNOWN TO HAVE AN ACTIVE WARRANT FOR HIS ARRESTED. AFTER TAKING THE PASSENGER INTO CUSTODY, OFFICERS ASKED THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE IF THERE WERE ANY ILLEGAL ITEMS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED A GLASS PIPE. A SUBSEQUENT PROBABLE CAUSE SEARCH OF THE VEHICLE RESULTED IN THE DISCOVERY OF 105.5 GRAMS OF A SUBSTANCE CONSISTENT WITH FENTANYL, SEVERAL ITEMS OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, 389 DOLLARS IN CASH AND AN UNIDENTIFIED POWDERY SUBSTANCE. 22-YEAR-OLD DAYTON HARTSOOK AND 23-YEAR-OLD ANGEL VEATCH WERE EACH CHARGED WITH SCHEDULE II DRUG VIOLATIONS AND POSSESSION OF UNLAWFUL DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.
WOMAN SENTENCED AFTER BEING FOUND WITH FENTANYL
A WOMAN WAS SENTENCED ON FENTANYL CHARGES AFTER BRISTOL VIRGINIA POLICE FOUND THE NARCOTIC IN HER VEHICLE DURING A TRAFFIC STOP IN MARCH 2025. ACCORDING TO A NEW RELEASE FROM THE BRISTOL VIRGINIA POLICE DEPARTMENT KRISTI NICHOLE SHEFFLER WAS ARRESTED ON MARCH 14TH 2025, AFTER INVESTIGATORS FOUND ABOUT 4.5 OUNCES OF FENTANYL DURING A TRAFFIC STOP. SHEFFLER WAS SENTENCED FRIDAY IN BRISTOL VIRGINIA CIRCUIT COURT AFTER SHE WAS CONVICTED OF POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE FENTANYL, AND TRANSPORTATION OF ONE OUNCE OR MORE OF A SCHEDULE I OR II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE INTO THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA. SHEFFLER WAS SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS IN PRISON AND A 5,000 DOLLAR FINE.
MARION POLICE ARREST MAN AFTER ALLEGED KNIFE ATTACK
A MAN WAS ARRESTED IN MARION VIRGINIA TUESDAY AFTER AN ALLEGED STABBING. ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TOWN OF MARION POLICE DEPARTMENT, OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL TUESDAY TO SPEAK WITH A MAN WHO HAD SUSTAINED KNIFE-RELATED INJURIES. THE VICTIM TOLD POLICE HE HAD BEEN AT A HOME IN THE 300 BLOCK OF SOUTH PARK STREET. WHILE HE WAS AT THE HOME, 49-YEAR-OLD KERMIT LONG JR ALLEGEDLY CONFRONTED THE VICTIM AND STARTED SWINGING A KNIFE AT HIM. POLICE SAID THE VICTIM SUSTAINED NON-LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES TO THE HAND AND ARM. LONG WAS CHARGED WITH MALICIOUS WOUNDING AND USE OF A WEAPON IN THE COMMISSION OF A FELONY.
EASTMAN STEAM RELEASE HEARD AROUND KINGSPORT AREA
A REPORTED STEAM RELEASE AT EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY WAS HEARD BY MANY IN THE KINGSPORT AREA TUESDAY NIGHT. EASTMAN CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER TRACY KILGORE ADDINGTON SAID IN A STATEMENT THERE WAS A STEAM RELEASE TUESDAY AFTERNOON WHICH COULD BBE HEARD OUTSIDE THE PLANT. SHE SAID THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ACCORDING TO A FIRE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON, THE KINGSPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE PLANT FOR MUTUAL AID STANDBY, BUT WAS RELEASED TO RETURN TO THE STATION.
GOVERNOR’S BUDGET INCLUDES MILLIONS FOR ETSU INFRASTRUCTURE
ETSU COULD SEE SIGNIFICANT FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES IF TENNESSEE GOVERNOR BILL LEE’S PROPOSED BUDGET IS APPROVED. ETSU ISSUED A NEWS RELEASE TUESDAY IN RESPONSE TO LEE’S PROPOSED INVESTMENTS IN THE SCHOOL. THE PLAN APPROVES 19.2 MILLION DOLLARS FOR CRITICAL UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE AT ETSU, 7 MILLION DOLLARS FOR CAPITAL MAINTENANCE, AND 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS FOR UPGRADES AT THE ETSU-EASTMAN VALLEYBROOK LOCATION. ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY, LEE’S PROPOSAL ALSO FEATURED SUPPORT FOR ETSU’S MAIN CAMPUS AND ETSU HEALTH PROGRAMS.
COMMUNITY INVITED TO MEETING ABOUT NEW LYNN GARDEN SCHOOL
KINGSPORT CITY SCHOOLS AND THE CITY OF KINGSPORT WILL HOLD A COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND FEEDBACK SESSION THURSDAY REGARDING THE NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLANNED FOR THE LYNN GARDEN COMMUNITY. THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 6 TO 7:30 PM IN THE CAFETERIA OF THE LYNN GARDEN COMMUNITY CENTER. THE NEW SCHOOL WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE CURRENT LYNN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER SITE. ACCORDING TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO SPEAK ONE ON ONE WITH CITY AND SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES. THE PLAN IS TO OPEN THE NEW LYNN GARDEN SCHOOL BY FALL OF 2029, AND OPEN ANOTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT THE TRIBE ATHLETIC COMPLEX BY THE FALL OF 2031. KENNEDY AND ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY WOULD CLOSE WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW LYNN GARDEN SCHOOL. WHEN THE NEW SCHOOL OPENS AT THE FORMER SULLIVAN NORTH SITE, JACKSON ELEMENTARY WOULD CLOSE.
BUCHANAN CO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO FUND APPALACHIAN SCHOOL OF LAW
THE BUCHANAN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PLANS TO FUND THE APPALACHIAN SCHOOL OF LAW TO HELP THE SCHOOL THROUGH ITS FINANCIAL STRUGGLES. ON MONDAY THE BOARD VOTES 6 TO 1 TO FORM A COMMITTEE WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BOARD, THE COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD, AND THE LAW SCHOOL TO WRITE THE AGREEMENT. ACCORDING TO BOARD MEMBER TREY ADKINS, THE DEAL WILL BE WORTH 6 MILLION DOLLARS. ADKINS SAID THE ISSUES SPAN BACK TO 2013 WHEN THE SCHOOL WAS DOWN TO LESS THAN 100 STUDENTS. SINCE THEN, HE SAYS THEY’VE MADE A TURN, ADMITTING 184 STUDENTS, WITH OVER 400 APPLICANTS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.
SOME VA LAWMAKERS TRY TO TRIPLE THEIR SALARIES
SOME VIRGINIA LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO TRIPLE THEIR SALARIES. THERE IS A PROPOSAL TO DO A LINE-ITEM BUDGET AMENDMENT, INSTEAD OF BRINGING AN ACTUAL BILL TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE. THE CHANGE WOULD INCREASE LAWMAKER SALARIES TO 55,000 DOLLARS. RIGHTS NOW SENATORS MAKE 18,000 AND DELEGATES MAKE 17,640. ACCORDING TO DELEGATE ISREAL O’QUINN, THE WAY THIS WILL WORK IS THAT IT PROBABLY WON’T BE IN THE HOUSE BUDGET BUT PROBABLY WILL BE IN THE SENATE BUDGET. THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE BUDGET CONFERENCE AND THE CONFEREES DECIDE WHAT’S IN AND WHAT’S OUT. THE FULL SENATE AND HOUSE IS THEN PRESENTED WITH A FINAL BUDGET THAT IS EITHER VOTED FOR OR AGAINST.
MOSHEIM GARAGE FIRE EXTINGUISHED MONDAY
A GARAGE ON JEFFERIES LANE IN MOSHEIM WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE MONDAY AFTERNOON. MATTHEW BROBECK CALLED 911 TO REPORT THE GARAGE ON AN ESTATE NEXT TO HIS PROPERTY WAS ON FIRE. UNITS ARRIVED TO FIND A FULLY INVOLVED FIRE ABOUT 10 FEET FROM THE PRIMARY RESIDENCE. CREWS QUICKLY DEPLOYED TO PROTECT THE RESIDENCE AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, WORKING IN TEMPERATURES IN THE TEENS, TRAVERSING SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROADDS. ACCORDING TO A SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT REPORT, THE GARAGE AND ITS CONTENTS VALUED AT 40,000 DOLLARS WERE DESTROYED. IT’S BELIEVED A HEAT LAMP IN THE BUILDING WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE.
GOV LEE PUSHES EDUCATION VOUCHERS IN FINAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
TENNESSEE GOVERNOR BILL LEE DELIVERED HIS 8TH AND FINAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ON MONDAY, REFLECTING ON HIS PAST 7 YEARS IN OFFICE WHILE LAYING OUT HIS FINAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. WHILE THE GOVERNOR TOUCHED ON ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INVESTMENTS AIMED AT BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CLEAN ENERGY NUCLEAR REACTORS, EDUCATION WAS THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF HIS SPEECH. LEE PRAISED THE EDUCATION FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, AND CALLED FOR A MAJOR EXPANSION, PROPOSING TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM. HIS BUDGET WOULD FUND AN ADDITIONAL 20,000 SCHOLARSHIPS, ALLOWING MORE STUDENTS TO USE STATE DOLLARS TO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. THE PROPOSED EXPANSION WOULD COST TAXPAYERS ABOUT 300 MILLION DOLLARS, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE DURING A TIGHT BUDGET YEAR AND A POINT OF SHARP DISAGREEMENT AMONG LAWMAKERS.
REGIONAL EYE CENTER SCHOOL SCHEDULE CHANGES
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4
TENNESSEE
CARTER CO SCHOOLS – CLOSED
ELIZABETHTON CITY SCHOOLS – CLOSED
GREENE CO SCHOOLS – CLOSED
GREENEVILLE CITY SCHOOLS – CLOSED
HANCOCK CO SCHOOLS – CLOSED
HAWKINS CO SCHOOLS – CLOSED
JOHNSON CITY SCHOOLS – CLOSED
JOHNSON CO SCHOOLS – CLOSED
ROGERSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS – CLOSED
SULLIVAN CO SCHOOLS – CLOSED
TRI CITIES ACADEMY – CLOSED
WASHINGTON CO TN SCHOOLS – CLOSED
BRISTOL TN CITY SCHOOLS – 2 HOUR DELAY
KINGSPORT CITY SCHOOLS – 2 HOUR DELAY
ST MARY’S JOHNSON CITY – 2 HOUR DELAY
PROVIDENCE ACADEMY – OPENING AT 10 AM
UNICOI CO SCHOOLS – REMOTE LEARNING
T CAT ELIZABETHTON – REMOTE LEARNING
VIRGINIA
BUCHANAN CO SCHOOLS – CLOSED
LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS – CLOSED
SCOTT CO SCHOOLS – CLOSED
WISE CO SCHOOLS – CLOSED
UVA WISE – CLOSED
SMYTH CO SCHOOLS – 2 HOUR DELAY
WASHINGTON CO VA SCHOOLS – 2 HOUR DELAY
SWVA COMMUNITY COLLEGE – 2 HOUR DELAY
VA HIGHLANDS COMM COLLEGE – 2 HOUR DELAY
MR EMPIRE COMM COLLEGE – SNOW SCHEDULE
DICKENSON CO SCHOOLS – REMOTE LEARNING
GRAYSON CO SCHOOLS – REMOTE LEARNING
NORTON CITY SCHOOLS – REMOTE LEARNING
RUSSELL CO SCHOOLS – REMOTE LEARNING
NORTH CAROLINA
AVERY CO SCHOOLS – CLOSED
ASHE CO SCHOOLS – REMOTE LEARNING
MADISON CO SCHOOLS – REMOTE LEARNING
MITCHELL CO SCHOOLS – REMOTE LEARNING
WATAUGA CO SCHOOLS – REMOTE LEARNING
