Daily editionSaturday, April 18th, 2026
Good morning, Johnson City.
The Daily Johnson City Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 18th of April.
Community
The Animal Shelter of Sullivan County's annual flower sale is underway at 1200 Volunteer Parkway through May 10 to help fund animal care.
Hours are Friday 3-7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 1-7 p.m.
WCYBRead more
Holston Habitat for Humanity broke ground yesterday on an energy-efficient home for local resident Ryk Frazier — with crews set to start raising the walls in ten days — and Frazier is expected to move in by September, benefiting from a zero-percent interest mortgage.
WCYBRead more
Business
QVC is filing for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection but promised that workers at its HSN fulfillment center in Piney Flats will continue receiving their paychecks and benefits, with no planned layoffs.
The company expects to emerge from bankruptcy this summer.
WFHGRead more
Economy
Downtown Johnson City is growing fast as projects like the John Sevier Development and West Walnut Street upgrades progress; local business leaders — such as Bob Cantler — expect the new developments to attract investments over the coming months.
The East TennesseanRead more
Baristas at a Starbucks on Highway 11-E and Mount Castle Drive voted to unionize on Friday, Apr. 17—making it the seventh unionized store in Tennessee—as they seek better pay and consistent hours while negotiations with Starbucks continue.
WCYBRead more
Education
Johnson City Public Schools Foundation held Spell-A-Bration, an adult spelling bee fundraiser on Thursday evening at Science Hill High School to raise funds for a new microscope lab; teams also competed for best theme and table decor.
WCYBRead more
On Wednesday, April 17, about 300 students presented research and creative projects at ETSU’s annual Jay W. Boland Research Day, featuring poster sessions, oral presentations & creative displays that spanned fields from arts to medical science.
WCYBRead more
Government
A ramp from I-81N to I-26E designated Exit 57A closed Friday at 9 p.m. and will remain closed until 5 a.m. Monday for concrete repairs — traffic is detoured to the Fort Henry Drive exit 59 if weather permits.
WFHGRead more
Sports
The Big South Conference announced that Johnson City will host the 2027 men’s and women’s basketball championships at Freedom Hall from March 3-7 after exercising its third-year option.
It is the first time in the league's 42-year history that a neutral site will host the tournament three consecutive years.
WFHGRead more
Elizabethton native Jason Witten is named as an inductee for the 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
He played 17 seasons with the Cowboys, earned 11 pro-bowl spots & won the 2012 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.
WFHGRead more