TWO SOUGHT IN GAS STATION HOMICIDE
JOHNSON CITY POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR TWO SUSPECTS WHO ALLEGEDLY KILLED A CONVENIENCE STORE CLERK DURING A ROBBERY. OFFICERS WERE CALLED TO THE ROADRUNNER MARKET AT 408 NORTH BROADWAY AROUND 12:55 THIS MORNING, AND FOUND THE CLERK DECEASED. POLICE ARE ASKING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS TO REVIEW CAMERAS FROM THURSDAY AND TODAY TO SEE IF THE SUSPECTS ARE IN ANY VIDEOS. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION, CONTACT JOHNSON CITY POLICE.
JOHNSON COUNTY SHOOTING DEATH
A MAN IS DEAD AND A WOMAN SUSTAINED CRITICAL INJURIES AFTER A THURSDAY NIGHT SHOOTING IN JOHNSON COUNTY. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS IT HAPPENED AT A RESIDENCE OFF HIGHWAY 133. AUTHORITIES ALSO SAY THERE’S NO DANGER TO THE PUBLIC. THE TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION IS HELPING THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE WITH THE INVESTIGATION.
THREE CHARGED IN DEATH PLEAD NOT GUILTY
THREE PEOPLE CHARGED IN THE DEATH OF A CARTER COUNTY MAN HAVE PLEADED NOT GUILTY. THE BODY OF BILL HITCHCOCK WAS FOUND APRIL 1 IN HIS DRIVEWAY ON OLD STONEY CREEK ROAD. HITCHCOCK’S SONS—JACOB AND JOSHUA—ARE CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, WHILE JACOB’S WIFE, BRITNEY, IS CHARGED WITH FALSE REPORTING. THE BROTHERS ALLEGEDLY PLANNED TO KILL THEIR FATHER AFTER HE PLANNED TO SELL A HOME THEY STOOD TO INHERIT. THEY RETURN TO COURT SEPTEMBER 8.
EARLY VOTING
EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY FOR THE JUNE 22ND REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR THE THIRD DISTRICT TENNESSEE HOUSE SEAT. TIMOTHY HILL AND STACY VAUGHAN ARE SEEKING THE NOMINATION AND THE WINNER WILL FACE DEMOCRAT LORI LOVE ON AUGUST 3RD. HILL WAS TAPPED LAST MONTH TO FILL THE SEAT ON AN INTERIM BASIS AFTER THE RESIGNATION OF SCOTTY CAMPBELL IN APRIL. THE THIRD HOUSE DISTRICT INCLUDES ALL OF JOHNSON AND PARTS OF CARTER, SULLIVAN AND HAWKINS COUNTIES. FOR EARLY VOTING HOURS AND LOCATIONS, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION OFFICE.
BMS—FAIRGROUNDS SPEEDWAY
THERE’S LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY TO OPERATE THE NASHVILLE FAIRGROUNDS SPEEDWAY. THE PARTNERSHIP WOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE HISTORIC SPEEDWAY, WHICH IS THE SECOND OLDEST CONTINUALLY OPERATING VENUE IN TENNESSEE. B-M-S OFFICIALS SAY IF THE LEASE IS APPROVED, IT WOULD SAVE TAXPAYERS—AS IT WOULD PICK UP THE TAB FOR $40-MILLION DOLLARS IN MAINTENANCE AT THE TRACK.
CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION—BUDGET-NON-PROFITS
CARTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONTINUE WORK ON THE 2024 BUDGET. THE BUDGET COMMITTEE IS WEIGHING JUST HOW TO FUND OUTSIDE AGENCIES—PERHAPS FROM RESERVES. THE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED FUNDING AT CURRENT LEVELS. THERE’S ALSO DISCUSSION ABOUT A PROPERTY TAX HIKE. OFFICIALS SAY ADDITIONAL REVENUE IS NEEDED TO HELP FUND EMPLOYEE PAY RAISES. A $2.50 AN HOUR RAISE IS ON THE TABLE FOR ABOUT 160 EMPLOYEES. THAT’LL COST ABOUT $850-THOUSAND DOLLARS.
ACTIVE SHOOTER EXERCISE—BRISTOL VIRIGNIA
BRISTOL VIRGINIA FIRST RESPONDERS WILL CONDUCT AN ACTIVE SHOOTER RESPONSE DRILL ON SATURDAY AT ONE OF THE SCHOOLS IN THE CITY. IF YOU HEAR GUNSHOTS OR SEE PEOPLE BEING REMOVED ON STRETCHERS, DON’T BE ALARMED AS IT’S ONLY A TRAINING EVENT. AUTHORITIES SAY DRILLS LIKE THESE HELP PREPARE FIRST RESPONDERS JUST IN CASE.
VIRGINIA LOTTERY—SPORTS WAGERING
SPORTS WAGERING IN THE COMMONWEALTH HAS TAKEN A DIP. NUMBERS FROM THE VIRIGINIA LOTTERY SHOW A DROP FROM MARCH TO APRIL OF ABOUT $86-MILLION DOLLARS. A TOTAL OF $425-MILLION DOLLARS WAS PLACED ON BETS IN APRIL. THAT’S AN AVERAGE OF OVER $14-MILLION DOLLARS A DAY. THAT’S DOWN FROM $511-MILLION DOLLARS IN MARCH.
