Community Corner

🌱 How rising diesel costs could affect Bristol’s city services and budget

Happening soon: IF:GATHERING at Journey Church on the Bristol Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Bristol? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How rising diesel costs could affect Bristol's city services and budget
  • Bristol student earns prestigious UT English scholarship for 2026–2027.
  • How a Bristol bluegrasser pushed back against early rock 'n' roll

Also on today's calendar: TriCities Champions Golf Tournament and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 84 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 80, low: 64.
  • Saturday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 73 and low of 61 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Tri-Cities municipalities feeling impact of high diesel prices (wjhl.com) — Bristol's public works director says high diesel prices are straining the city budget as hundreds of vehicles burn 400–500 gallons of fuel a day, though services remain unchanged for now. Along with Johnson City and Kingsport, Bristol is tightening driving habits, exploring alternative fuels, and tracking prices closely so leaders can adjust budgets without cutting essential services like trash pickup, buses, police, and fire.
   

2. 2026-2027 Scholarship Winners (utk.edu) — A University of Tennessee English major from Bristol has been awarded the Charles and Frances Mangam Merit Scholarship, spotlighting local academic achievement. The department also recognized several other Tennessee and regional students for a range of English and creative writing scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year, underscoring strong support for humanities students statewide.
   

3. Jim Harless on Shadow (blogspot.com) — A Bristol native, Jim Harless built a devoted local following in the 1950s and '60s with his bluegrass band the Lonesome Valley Boys and a radio show on WRKM. His anti-rock 'n' roll tune "Rock & Roll Fever Ain't Got Me," cut for Bristol's Shadow Records, briefly lit up local airwaves and still reflects the city's deep musical roots.
   

4. Evangelist says Scripture, '3-minute story' opens door to gospel change (christianindex.org) — Bristol plays a key role in evangelist Ronnie Hill's story, where he first brought his three-minute testimony method to NASCAR fans at Bristol Motor Speedway using a motorcycle giveaway to draw crowds. The article follows how that approach, centered on concise personal stories and Scripture, has since shaped ministries at major events like the Calgary Stampede and Sturgis, and in his ongoing work training others to share their faith.
   

📸 Around Bristol

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • ****UPDATE**** The girls are home luckily good people found them and reached out I was worried whoever found them would keep them but there are good people out there please help me find my 2 lil girls we were outside yesterday and they were
    playing and running around and were gone so quick we looked til it was to dark to see anything..we are in the hwy 421 area that connects w sinking… (Nextdoor Holston Valley)
  • Is anyone missing this sweetie?
    Showed up last night off of Blackburn Drive in Bristol, TN. Very sweet, not scared of people, and definitely wants inside. Seems to be 6-8 months old… (Nextdoor Meadow View - Blountville)
  • Weigel's Stores, Inc. posted a job opening for Stock Team Member in Bristol. Apply here.
  • Victaulic Company posted a job opening for 1st Shift Laborer/Assembler - Bristol, TN in Bristol. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bristol here.

Ok Bristol! 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: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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