Community Corner

🌱 How can downtown Elizabethton businesses compete for a share of $400K?

Happening soon: Pottery Wheel Crash Course with Made On Elk Pottery on the Elizabethton Patch calendar

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Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM
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Good morning Elizabethton! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How can downtown Elizabethton businesses compete for a share of $400K?
  • How close did T.A. Dugger come in this double-overtime heartbreaker?
  • How safe is Elizabethton’s drinking water from ‘forever chemicals’?

Also on today's calendar: The Wizard of Oz and 2 more events.

Find out what's happening in Elizabethtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Elizabethtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Tuesday: Cloudy with a few showers, with a high of 57 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 63, low: 48.
  • Thursday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 62 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Elizabethton receives $400K Downtown Improvement Grant (johnsoncitypress.com) — Elizabethton has secured a $400,000 state Downtown Improvement Grant, its third straight year of funding, to upgrade downtown buildings and public spaces. City officials will hold a public meeting Jan. 26 to explain how local businesses can compete for sub-grants and learn about new safety-focused rules, including sprinkler upgrades and facade requirements. The city must also provide a 25% match to maximize these improvements.
   

2. Jr. Bulldogs outlast Cyclones in double OT thriller, 62-60 (elizabethton.com) — Elizabethton’s T.A. Dugger Jr. Cyclones pushed Hampton’s Jr. Bulldogs to a double-overtime thriller before falling 62-60 in the Tiger Classic at Jonesborough Elementary. Playing without injured standout Creed Baker, the Jr. Cyclones still showed grit, with Stephen Gorby scoring 19 and Rider Witten adding 14. Hampton’s balanced attack barely edged them, setting up anticipation for a possible tournament rematch.
   

3. Local utilities handle 'forever chemicals' (johnsoncitypress.com) — Residents should know that Bloomingdale Utility District in Elizabethton and most nearby water systems currently meet federal limits for PFAS “forever chemicals,” while Erwin Utilities exceeds them and is planning new treatment. Johnson City, Kingsport, Mountain City, and Hawkins County utilities all report compliance, though several warn future treatment upgrades could be costly and technically challenging.
   

4. ETSU honors alumni award recipients (elizabethton.com) — East Tennessee State University has honored several standout alumni and friends, including Carter County native and Elizabethton High School graduate Ted Hughes, who received the 2025 Distinguished Alumnus in Public Service award. The recognitions span education, public service, economic development, health care, and the arts, highlighting regional leaders whose work touches communities across Northeast Tennessee and beyond.
   

📸 Around Elizabethton

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Elizabethton

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📣 Elizabethton Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Tuesday December 23
  • Home Alone at The Jackson Theatre
    Jackson Theatre , 121 W Main St , Jonesborough
    5:00 pm
  • Jonesborough Storytelling Guild
    Historic Jonesborough , 117 Boone St , Jonesborough
    7:00 pm
    • Thursday December 25
  • Closed Today – Happy Holidays!
    Hands on Discovery Center , 1212 Suncrest Dr , Gray
    • Friday December 26
  • Blountville: Open Music Jam
    Historic Anderson House , 3400 TN-126 , Blountville
    6:00 pm
    • Tuesday December 30
  • đ Johnson City ReStore Open
    Johnson City ReStore , 3201 Kimberly Ct , Johnson City
    10:00 am
  • đ Kingsport ReStore Open
    Kingsport ReStore , 750 E Main St , Kingsport
    10:00 am
    • Wednesday December 31
  • Midnight at The Big Top
    Holiday Inn Johnson City by IHG , 101 W Springbrook Dr , Johnson City
    8:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • UPDATE: William Watkins, the subject of a #TNSilverAlert has been found safe in Jackson.
    Thanks for helping us spread the word! PREVIOUSLY POSTED: #TNSilverAlert We need your help to find William Watkins, who is missing from Henry… (Nextdoor )
  • Update .
    My wallet has been found and was tuened into my bank first thing monday morning whom ever you were thankyou soo much. My wallet went missing in… (Nextdoor G St/Holly Ln)
  • Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Elizabethton. Apply here.
  • Zaxby's posted a job opening for Restaurant Shift Leader (Part-Time) in Elizabethton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Elizabethton here.

Ok Elizabethton! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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