Daily editionFriday, October 9th, 2026
Good morning, Johnson City.
The Daily Johnson City Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Friday, the 9th of October.
Business
Zina B’s Loaded Teas opened at 1609 Euclid Ave in Bristol offering sugar-free, customizable loaded drinks that provide energy and hydration—named in honor of the owner’s late mother—and now accepts walk-ins and DoorDash orders.
The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
WCYBRead more
Culture
Acoustic Autumn brings free live music at Founders Park every Thursday in October from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for ETSU students and local community members + a special Halloween-themed finale that encourages costume wearers.
The East TennesseanRead more
A national tour of Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol launches at ETSU on Nov. 13.
The musical reimagines Dickens’ tale by setting it in the Smoky Mountains and features original songs by Parton — celebrating our Appalachian heritage.
The East TennesseanRead more
Education
A seed-saving workshop held by the Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development Council gave farmers hands-on training on diversifying income amid unpredictable growing conditions in East Tennessee.
Seed expert Chris Smith explained that saving seeds can boost contract growing and crop selection.
WCYBRead more
At ETSU Elevates Pitch Event on Oct. 5, Play it Forward won first place and extra funding to purchase instruments & expand music education for children in partnership with Coalition for Kids.
They will also train volunteers to grow the program into the Tri Cities area.
The East TennesseanRead more
ETSU President Brian Noland said Founders Week honors the university's past and shapes its future with events like ETSU Elevates, historical lectures, ETSU Remembers and a State of the University Address.
He noted the celebrations strengthen the bond between the campus and Johnson City.
The East TennesseanRead more
ETSU’s Sean Fox is exploring microbial fight club in his lab at Quillen College of Medicine as he studies how microbes interact to fight infection.
He mentors undergraduates and graduates in work that may lead to targeted therapies for drug-resistant infections.
The East TennesseanRead more
Health
Flu season is here and residents are advised to wash hands, avoid high-contact surfaces, and get a flu shot.
Vaccination is available at local pharmacies + ETSU's D.P. Culp Student Center clinics, with options for self-pay or insurance.
The East TennesseanRead more
ETSU is hosting its campus-wide Exercise is Medicine Walking Challenge throughout October to promote daily movement using a new app from Stephen Hendrix (Department of Computing).
Faculty, staff, and students can compete individually or in teams and win prizes as they log their steps against other universities.
The East TennesseanRead more
Sports
ETSU football ended an eight-year winless streak with a 14-3 win over UTC on Oct. 3, marking a major turnaround & a boost in team spirit.
The Buccaneers will face The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. on Oct. 10 as they continue the season.
The East TennesseanRead more
ETSU women's volleyball lost the first game against Mercer on Oct. 2 but won the next day by a 3-0 score; the Buccaneers, led by Karis Chatfield, now have a conference win and will face Chattanooga today and Oct. 10.
The East TennesseanRead more
ETSU Women’s Soccer lost 2-0 to the Samford Bulldogs at Summer-Taylor Stadium on Oct. 9.
Goals by Mamie Cameron and Becca Koenig ended their four-game win streak, and the team will face VMI on Oct. 11 in Lexington.
The East TennesseanRead more
The ZMax Cars Tour, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick, is set to visit three tracks near the Tri-Cities.
It will race at Lonesome Pine Speedway on June 19 + Pulaski County Motorsports Park on Sept. 11, and Newport Speedway on Sept. 25.
WFHGRead more