Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Ballad’s new flu rules mean for your next hospital visit

And check out Midnight at The Big Top on the Johnson City Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 24th Patch AM
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Hello Johnson City! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Ballad’s new flu rules mean for your next hospital visit
  • How safe is Johnson City’s drinking water from “forever chemicals”?
  • How could Tennessee’s language cuts reshape Johnson City students’ futures?

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and warm, with a high of 62 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy, mist; warm, temps: high: 62, low: 55.
  • Friday: Mist; breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 65 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New strain driving flu spread as local hospitals take action (wcyb.com) — Ballad Health facilities serving Johnson City are tightening flu precautions, requiring masks for all staff and restricting visitors at least through January 14 as cases more than double week over week. Local health leaders say a new flu strain is driving most illnesses, urge vaccinations despite a partial mismatch, and stress masking and handwashing to reduce hospitalizations and protect already strained staff.
   

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

2. Local utilities handle 'forever chemicals' (johnsoncitypress.com) — Johnson City Water and Sewer Services currently meets federal limits for PFAS “forever chemicals,” so the utility does not plan major new treatment investments as long as levels stay low. Nearby systems like Kingsport and Mountain City are also in compliance, while Erwin Utilities exceeds limits and is testing costly new filtration options. Regional officials are weighing stricter standards and funding challenges for smaller utilities.
   

3. Local educators react to proposed HS world language requirement cuts (wjhl.com) — From Johnson City, local educators are weighing in on a proposal to cut Tennessee’s high school world language requirement from two credits to one. School leaders and an ETSU Spanish professor offer sharply different views on how the change could affect student choice, teacher recruitment, and future language-learning opportunities if the State Board votes in February.
   

4. Teacher sorority buys gifts for homeless Washington Co Schools family (johnsoncitypress.com) — Johnson City-area teachers in the Alpha Delta Kappa sorority pooled their resources to buy and wrap more than 100 gifts for a Washington County Schools family experiencing homelessness. Many members are Johnson City Schools educators, and they also donated socks for The Melting Pot in Johnson City while continuing year-round support for local shelters and community projects.
   

5. Veterans ask for Andrew Johnson National Cemetery to be expanded (wcyb.com) — Northeast Tennessee veterans are pressing Congress to expand the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery in Greeneville so more local service members can be buried close to home. Some say burial at Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City feels too far for families, and local leaders argue an expansion is needed before regional veterans’ cemeteries reach capacity.
   

📸 Around Johnson City

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Johnson City

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★ Featured events ★

    Wednesday December 31
  • Midnight at The Big Top
    Holiday Inn Johnson City by IHG, 101 W Springbrook Dr, Johnson City
    8:00 pm

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Other local events

📣 Johnson City Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Johnson City PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • The Health Wagon Receives Award from Virginia Israel Advisory Board —Mary Ellen Miller Read on Patch
  • Since joining this app I have watched as numerous animals have been returned to their owners.
    Many local people have received help. Lots of locally owned private businesses have expanded through word of mouth. I just wanted to say thank you to… (Nextdoor Pine Ridge)
  • If someone in the tree streets area had outdoor Christmas lights, I have a veteran that could use them to light up their outside wheelchair ramp.
    If someone sees the post can you tag me in it? I’m having trouble finding the post! Or just let me know if this was you, or if you have outdoor… (Nextdoor South East JC)
  • Golden Corral, Rocky Mount/Johnson City posted a job opening for Truck Unloader, Part-Time in Johnson City. Apply here.
  • Staffmark posted a job opening for Assembler in Johnson City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Johnson City here.

Ok Johnson City! 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 got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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