logo
One of the piles of tires of tires pulled out of Boone Lake during a recent cleanup event.
rhouk
Washington County Commission

Budget Committee OKs cleanup vessel for Boone Lake

The resolution, which calls for the county to contribute $40,000 to help the association purchase a catamaran basket skimmer and related cleaning equipment, will be on the County Commission’s Dec. 16 agenda. The money will come from annual impact payments TVA makes to Washington County and other local governments.

Dec 5, 2019 at 6:02 PM
Val Kosmider, president of the Boone Lake Association, has asked Washington County to match money from Johnson City to purchase equipment to clean up Boone Lake.
rhouk
Boone Lake Dam

County asked to help with Boone Lake cleanup

Former Johnson City Mayor Tom McKee, who is an attorney volunteering his services to the Boone Lake Association, told members of the county’s Health, Education and Welfare Committee on Wednesday he believes granting the request will demonstrate cooperation and regionalism in the area.

Dec 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM
This pad-ready site in the industrial park will soon be home to a German manufacturer. A new access road was completed to the site in 2017.
rhouk
Washington County Commission

Board names school design committee member; approves industrial grants

The commissioner will join Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy as the two county members of the design committee. Jones said she will likely give up her slot on the Johnson City Development Authority to make time for her new duties.

Nov 25, 2019 at 8:48 PM
Jonesborough Mayor Chuck Vest (seated left), county School Board Chairman Keith Ervin, county Schools Director William Flanary and county Mayor Joe Grandy sign documents for the K-8 Jonesborough School project on Tuesday. Watching from behind were Commissioner Larry England, left, School Board Member Phillip McLain, School Board Member Mary Beth Dellinger Commissioner Suzy Williams, Commissioner Jodi Jones and Commissioner Jim Wheeler.
rhouk
Jonesborough School

A party is scheduled for the Jonesborough K-8

The Jonesborough mayor said Tuesday the town will be hosting a party for the project at the McKinney Center on Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. He said parents, teachers and the “entire community” are invited to join town leaders and officials from the county and school board in a celebration of the new school.

Updated Nov 19, 2019 at 5:36 PM
The former Ashe Street Courthouse was built as a U. S. Post Office in 1910. Its Beaux-arts style architecture was popular for government buildings in the United States between 1880s and 1920s.
rhouk
Ashe Street Courthouse

A community effort to protect the Ashe Street Courthouse

Megan Cullen Tewell and other leaders of the grassroots organization are asking Washington County commissioners to fund $300,000 to replace a leaking roof that threatens the stability of the historic and architecturally-significant building.

Nov 17, 2019 at 8:30 AM
Jonesborough school supporters celebrated Monday afternoon's vote approving the lease agreement with Washington County from the Jonesborough Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Photo: Jonathan Roberts/Johnson City Press
jroberts
Jonesborough BMA

‘It’s done’: Jonesborough expects school plan agreement to be finalized by end of week

After months of negotiation, Jonesborough expects its K-8 school plan to be finalized by the end of the week, possibly as early as Tuesday.

Nov 11, 2019 at 9:06 PM
Alicia Summers, vice president of business development for Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership, explains a map of roadwork being proposed in the Washington County Industrial Park to members of the the county's Commercial, Industrial and Agriculture Committee on Thursday.
rhouk
Washington County Industrial Park

Washington County seeks state grants for industrial park

Alicia Summers, vice president of business development for the Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership, said Thursday that Ebm-pabst coming to Washington County as part of a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement has helped pave the way for funding to expand the industrial park.

Nov 8, 2019 at 12:00 AM
Jonesborough parents hold up signs Monday thanking Washington County commissioners for their vote on the K-8 school project. The project now goes to the design phase.
rhouk
Washington County Commission

Jonesborough school now at design phase

Representatives from Washington County, Jonesborough and the county‘s Board of Education will soon be appointed to serve on a design committee for the $32.75 million project. Their work will outline the construction perimeters of the school and athletic facilities.

Oct 30, 2019 at 8:00 AM
Jonesborough parents show their support for the commission's debate on the new K-8 school on Monday.
not logged in
Washington County Commission

Commissioners approve Jonesborough K-8 school

The vote came after several hours of back and forth negotiations among commissioners and the county’s attorneys, as well as discussion with Jonesborough Mayor Chuck Vest. Commissioners voted 11-3 (with Commissioners Carriger, Mike Ford and Steve Light voting “no”) to adopt amendments to the lease approved by the Jonesborough Board of Mayor and Aldermen earlier Monday.

Updated Oct 29, 2019 at 4:18 PM
rhouk
Washington County Commission

Jonesborough school project faces crucial vote Monday

“Monday’s vote could make or break the deal,” said Commissioner Jim Wheeler, who serves as the town’s attorney and has played a key role in negotiations between the town and the county.

Oct 27, 2019 at 9:00 AM
rhouk
Jonesborough School

Vote on Jonesborough school plan delayed for 10 days

A vote by the Washington County Commission on a new K-8 school and sports complex in Jonesborough has been delayed until Oct. 28 after commissioners were told Thursday the county is still trying to nail down the actual cost of the project and determine the county’s ability to cover that expense.

Oct 18, 2019 at 12:00 AM
rhouk
Jonesborough School

Commissioners ready for 'big vote' on new school

County commissioners will meet 6 p.m. today at the George P. Jaynes Justice Center in a called meeting to vote on a resolution supporting the town’s proposed terms of a lease-to-purchase agreement for the Jonesborough school project. County officials said important details of the lease were still being be hammered out earlier this week by attorneys for the town and the county.

Updated Oct 17, 2019 at 2:01 PM
Jonesborough employee David Gillenwater was named Employee of the Month for September. Photo: Jonathan Roberts/Johnson City Press
jroberts
Jonesborough Board of Mayor and Aldermen

Jonesborough confident school plan will be ready for vote Friday

Though there’s a few “little pieces” still being discussed, Jonesborough appears confident they’re in the final stages of finalizing the town’s K-8 school plan.

Oct 14, 2019 at 9:58 PM
Stacy Evans, BrightRide's chief broadband officer, (left) and Mark Fields, BrightRidge's broadband sales representative, answer questions from County Commissioners Kent Harris and Phil Carriger on Thursday.
rhouk
BrightRidge

Broadband key to landing young professionals

Commissioner Phil Carriger said BrightRidge’s push into high-speed broadband internet is “a big plus” for the county’s economic development efforts. Carriger told Evans he and other members of the CIA Committee hope the utility’s new service will help entice young business owners to the region.

Oct 13, 2019 at 12:00 AM
Jonesborough officials have proposed a plan to purchase 40 acres near North Cherokee Street/Tavern Hill Road to build a new K-8 school in Jonesborough. The site is just north of the George P. Jaynes Justice Center.
rhouk
Jonesborough School

School lease details posted on county website

A proposed contract between Washington County and Jonesborough calling for the town to construct a new K-8 school and sports complex to be leased by the county has been posted at washingtoncountytn.org.

Oct 11, 2019 at 8:00 AM
Johnson City Press Videos