Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How rising diesel prices could affect Johnson City services this year

Happening soon: PO' RAMBLIN BOYS on the Johnson City Patch calendar

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Thursday October 1st Patch AM
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Cheers Johnson City! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How rising diesel prices could affect Johnson City services this year
  • Could a free $50,000 smile makeover go to a local veteran?
  • How ETSU's record enrollment could reshape Johnson City's campus life

Also on today's calendar: Johnson City TN | Shades of Men Live and 9 more events.

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

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Very warm with periods of sun, with a high of 87 and low of 57 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 85, low: 67.
  • Saturday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 75 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Tri-Cities municipalities feeling impact of high diesel prices (wjhl.com) — Rising diesel prices are putting pressure on Johnson City's fuel budget, but city leaders say they can still absorb the higher costs without cutting services for now. Officials are tweaking contracts, monitoring idling, and exploring alternative fuels for school buses to keep garbage pickup, police, fire, and other essential operations running smoothly for residents.
   

2. 'Smiles for Veterans' returns to restore oral health (johnsoncitypress.com) — A Johnson City oral surgery center is again offering its "Smiles for Veterans" program, which will give one service member a free smile restoration worth about $50,000. Local veterans, active-duty, and reserve members can apply online by Oct. 9, sharing photos of their teeth for a chance at life-changing dental care often hard to access through VA benefits.
   

3. Increased fall 2026 enrollment seen statewide through public community colleges and universities (wjhl.com) — East Tennessee State University in Johnson City is helping drive a statewide rise in fall 2026 enrollment at public colleges, with freshman numbers breaking records for a second year. ETSU leaders credit more personal, story-driven recruiting and say out-of-state students can even apply for free during October, potentially attracting more newcomers to the Johnson City area.
   

4. Top 5 Tuesday: September 29, 2026 (wcyb.com) — A crime roundup notes that two Johnson City women have been charged with child abuse and neglect after a toddler was reportedly found wandering on Joe Hale Road. The same brief also highlights an ongoing Kingsport death investigation, protests over a Tennessee execution case, and a gubernatorial candidate responding to an attack website.
   

5. Surveillance Firm Pitches Facial Recognition Add-On for Flock Cameras (gadgetreview.com) — Johnson City police were pitched a surveillance platform that could combine Flock license-plate data, Axon body-camera footage, and facial recognition-style searches, though the department says it did not pursue the offer. The report raises local questions about how exported police data might someday be used, and whether third-party vendors could add invasive capabilities beyond what Johnson City residents have been told to expect.
   

📸 Around Johnson City

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Johnson City

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📣 Johnson City Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I can't say enough good things about this company.
    To start, Marie is very polite. She patiently answered my wife's questions and set up an appointment. Brad and Randall arrived on time and were… (Nextdoor Old Embreevill)
  • Sealed & unopened.
    Free to anyone who may want them. Can meet at Food City on S. Roan St. 423-483-1142 (Nextdoor JC Near Erwin)
  • Target posted a job opening for Seasonal: 4am Inbound (Stocking) (T0756) in Johnson City. Apply here.
  • East Tennessee State University posted a job opening for Temporary Technical - Production Assistant 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: 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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