NEWSBREAK ORIGINAL

Training exercise: Active shooterPhoto byPresidio of Montery/Flickr. Johnson City, Tenn. - With the recent shooting at a private school in Nashville, Tennessee, fresh on everyone's minds, the Washington County-Johnson City Emergency Medical Service is taking proactive measures to ensure that first responders in the region are well-equipped to handle any active shooter situation that may arise. As part of this effort, they have teamed up to offer an Active Shooter Response course with EMA at the Holiday Inn at 101 W Springbrook Drive in Johnson City on April 14, 2023.

Wooden flagPhoto byJames Bardinelli/Patriot Flag Craft. James Bardinelli's love for woodworking has helped him reduce stress and supplement his income. It's also provided him with a sense of fulfillment and purpose. According to a study by the Journal of Positive Psychology, engaging in creative activities like woodworking can lead to greater well-being and increased positive emotions.

AmVets Bingo Hall in Bristol, Virginia, has become a popular destination for locals and visitors looking for a fun and exciting night out. Located at 1370 Linden Dr, Suite 12, near Exit 7 off Interstate 81, this bingo hall has been providing entertainment for over a decade.

There is no shortage of delicious bakeries in the state of Tennessee. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to discern which food establishments are good, and which ones are great.

Award-winning journalist David McGee has been named the local news editor for the Bristol Herald Courier, one of the most respected daily newspapers serving the Tri-Cities area of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The paper, founded in 1865, has a long history of producing high-quality journalism and has won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize in 2010 for Public Service.

Jurassic Quest, North America's largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibition, has once again taken over Bristol Motor Speedway for a weekend of interactive fun. This year, the event promises to be bigger and better than ever before, featuring over 100 true-to-life size dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.

Bristol, Tennessee, is poised to benefit from expanding passenger rail service to Bristol, Virginia. The Federal Rail Administration recently approved Virginia’s statewide rail plan, which includes securing federal funding to expand passenger rail service to Bristol. The proposed expansion could significantly impact Bristol, Tennessee, and the wider region, providing new transportation options and boosting the local economy.

The Bristol Casino, Future Home of Hard Rock, has announced a brand-new giveaway for all Unity Members. Participants can win a Jeep Grand Wagoneer, with entries accepted every Saturday in April and May 6. The winner will be announced at the final drawing on May 6 at 10:30 pm. Unity Members can also win other prizes totaling $250,000, including $25,000 in prizes every Saturday.

Small girl holding her teddy bear.Photo byVitolda Klein/UnsplashonUnsplash. Teaguen Donahue, a six-year-old girl from Greeneville, Tennessee, is no stranger to the importance of blood donations. She was born with von Willebrand disease, a genetic disorder that affects the blood's ability to clot, and has had to rely on regular blood donations from others to receive life-saving treatments. Now, Teaguen and her family, along with employees at Doak Elementary School, are giving back to the community by hosting a blood and toy drive to help others in need.

Shirley's Home Cooking, a popular family-style restaurant in Hampton, Tennessee, has closed after 33 years of operation. In a social media post, the owners cited health struggles within the family and post-COVID business challenges as the reasons for the decision.

The popular neighborhood restaurant Bluff City Diner receives excellent ratings from both residents and visitors. Guests laud the diner's warm ambiance, friendly service, and delectable fare. One Yelp user said, "Bluff City Diner is a terrific spot to get some breakfast or lunch. The cuisine is delicious, and the service is always nice."

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and Kingsport, Tennessee, celebrates in style. There is nothing quite like St. Patrick’s Day in Kingsport, from raucous pub crawls to lively parades. So, where are the best places to celebrate in 2023? Here's a rundown of some of the events and activities happening in the city:

Roan Mountain State Park is gearing up for the 64th Annual Spring Naturalist Rally from April 28-30, and organizers couldn't be more excited about what's in store. The Friends of Roan Mountain State Park are putting the finishing touches on the event, which promises to be one of the most informative and entertaining yet.

Ballad Health has announced the opening a new Spine and Rehabilitation location in Kingsport, Tennessee. The clinic, now serving patients on the campus of Indian Path Community Hospital, specializes in physiatry recovery services, offering interventional pain management services to reduce and eliminate pain while improving musculoskeletal health.

‘Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock’ is gearing up for a busy St. Patrick's Day weekend with expanded gaming offerings. Just in time for March Madness, the casino has added new slot machines and table games, bringing the total to 890 slots and 29 table games. The new games include two new Blackjack tables to High Limit, a Blackjack table, and a Mississippi Stud table added to the Non-Smoking area, eight new Dragon Link machines to High Limit, and 20 new slot machines from Sega Sammy.

Photo byDefense Visual Information Distribution Service/dvidshub. The recent collision between a Russian fighter jet and a US reconnaissance drone in the Black Sea has sparked concern and debate among residents in Kingsport, Tennessee. Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Tony Shipley, who resides in the area, expressed his views on the incident, calling it "criminal aggression" and warning that "taking no action is the escalatory act."

Country music fans in East Tennessee have something to look forward to this October as the Country Thunder music festival arrives at Bristol Motor Speedway. The festival has announced its full mainstage lineup, featuring some of the biggest names in the country music industry.

Bluff City Diner is a popular local restaurant with glowing reviews from locals and tourists. Customers praise the diner's cozy atmosphere, welcoming staff, and delicious food. One reviewer on Yelp stated, "Bluff City Diner is a fantastic place to grab some breakfast or lunch. The food is delicious, and the service is always friendly."

Dr. Landon Combs of Gray, Tennessee, is a well-respected pediatrician and has recently been elected as the new president-elect of the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA). Dr. Combs graduated from Sullivan East High School, along with his brother, Dr. Stephen Combs, and their achievements serve as a testament to the high-quality education provided by the school.

Get ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style at the Bristol Casino in Virginia! On March 17th, the casino will host a fun-filled event with $25,000 in giveaway prizes for Unity™ by Hard Rock members.