UNICOI - Heath Parlier, age 49, of Unicoi, passed away on Monday, February 11, 2019. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced at a later time. Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is in charge of arrangements.

ELIZABETHTON - Glenda “Sue” Hampton, age 80, of Elizabethton, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 11, 2019 from Signature Health and Rehab Center of Elizabethton, following an extended illness. Sue was born in Elizabethton, Tennessee to the late Dan and Lydia Mae Glover Matherly. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Glenn Hampton; four sisters, Ethel Matherly, Louise Hay, Anna B. Whaley and Nell Matherly; and one brother, Howard “Red” Matherly. Sue was always on the go! Either working around the church or cooking for the church. She had worked at Pizza Inn for over 30 years and was very proud of her service. She was a loyal and devoted member of Sims Hill Christian Church and enjoyed gardening and raising flowers, cooking, traveling on bus tours and most especially Sue loved being around her family and her church family. Those left to cherish her wonderful memories include her daughter, Melissa Carr and husband Tim and her grandson, Dylan Carr, all of Elizabethton; a sister, Jean Matherly, of Elizabethton; a sister-in-law, Lois Matherly, of Elizabethton; and her nieces and nephews, Jill Baggett and Loria Gabert, both of Alabama, Sandy Cole and Dan Matherly, of Elizabethton. Several great nieces and great nephews also survive. A service to honor and celebrate the life of Glenda “Sue” Hampton will be conducted at 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 14, 2019 in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Mr. Gerald Holly, officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:30 PM until 7:00 PM in the funeral home chapel, prior to the service on Thursday. The graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 15, 2019 in the Sims Family Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Tim Carr, Dylan Carr, Bryan Miller and Derrick Hamm. Honorary pallbearers will be Mack Henry, Rock Kelly, Dan Matherly and Jimmy Cole. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton at 10:15 AM on Friday, to go in procession. The family would like to especially thank the nursing staff at Signature Health and Rehab Center of Elizabethton, Sharon Kyte and Cleo Kyte for the care and support during Sue’s time of need. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers, may make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2020 Meadowview Parkway, Suite 100, Kingsport, TN 37660. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com Sue and her family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office 423-542-2232, service information line, 423-543-4917.

Howard Lefevers, 81, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019, at Johnson City Medical Center. Howard was born in Knox County, KY to the late Arthur and Eula Lefevers. Howard has lived in Johnson City since 1963. He was a graduate of Bell County High School in Pineville, KY and graduated from Steed College with a bachelor’s degree. He was a member of the Tennessee National Guard and Army Reserve, having served in the US Army for 20 years. Howard retired after 38 years in retail. In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by one brother, Franklin Lefevers. Survivors include: his wife, Pat Lefevers; two children, Joy Thompson and Stacey Lefevers and his wife Melissa; three grandchildren, Justin Sutherland, Kaitlyn Lefevers and Dawson Lefevers; four siblings, Ray Lefevers, Irene Richmond, Jerry Lefevers and Art Lefevers, Jr.; and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Washington County/Johnson City Animal Shelter, 3411 N. Roan St., Johnson City, TN 37601. Private services will be held at a later date. Memories and condolences may be shared with the Lefevers family via www.morrisbaker.com. Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E. Oakland Ave., Johnson City, is serving the Lefevers family. (423) 282-1521

ERWIN - William R. Story, age 86, of Erwin, passed away on Saturday, February 9, 2019, in Johnson City Medical Center. A native of Erwin, William is a son of the late Joseph and Myrtle (Hilton) Story. He was a Maintenance Technician at Hoover Ball and a member of Mt. O’Dale Free Will Baptist Church where he was a Deacon. He was a fantastic fiddle player who played with Buddy Rose and the Tune Twisters and played in many churches after that. In addition to his parents, William is preceded in death by 3 sisters and 6 brothers. William R. Story leaves behind to cherish his memory: Wife of 65 years: Valery (Tipton) Story; Daughter: Janice Hardin and husband, Tim, of Unicoi; Granddaughter: Sherry Tilson and husband, James, of Erwin; Great-granddaughter: Amy Richardson, of Erwin; Brother: Walt Story, of Erwin; Special friend: David Higgins, of Jonesborough; Special neighbor: Darrell and Doris Austin, of Erwin; Several nieces and nephews. The family respectfully requests the honor of your presence as we offer tribute and remember the life of William R. Story in a funeral service to be held at 8:00 PM on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 in chapel at Valley Funeral Home. Reverend Otis Banks and Pastor David Green will officiate. A visitation period to share memories and offer support to the family will begin at 6:00 PM on Wednesday and will continue until service time. A graveside committal service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 14, 2019 in Bumpass Cove Cemetery. Mr. Story’s nephew, Mike Lamb will officiate the graveside service. Those attending will meet at Bumpass Cove Cemetery by 10:50 AM for the service. Serving as pallbearers will be: Mike Butler, Zack Bennett, Charlie Freeman, Donnie Britt and Charles Miller. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.valleyfuneralhome.net or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ValleyFuneralHomeErwin . These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of William R. Story through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N. Main Ave., Erwin, 423-743-9187.

Although Hendrick Motorsports flexed its muscle earlier this week, look for Team Penske to show plenty of horsepower at the Daytona 500. Brad Keselowski was installed as the early race favorite, although I'm inclined to go with his teammate, Joey Logano, the defending NASCAR Monster Cup Energy Series champion. Logano will be going for his second Daytona 500 victory after winning the race in 2015, while Keselowski won the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona in 2016. Logano won at Talladega, the other restrictor-plate track in the Cup Series, last spring. Fords have dominated on the restrictor-plate tracks in recent years, including Aric Almirola winning the most recent plate race at Talladega in October. Still, the Blue Oval brand was shut out at Daytona in 2018. Austin Dillon's Chevrolet bumped Almirola's Ford out of the way to win last year's Daytona 500 and Erik Jones won the July race in a Toyota. We've already seen one finish to resemble last year's 500, with Jimmie Johnson getting into Paul Menard to win the Advance Auto Parts Clash. Despite the controversy, it was a good sign for Johnson, who will be going for a third Daytona 500 victory. Pole sitter William Byron will also be a favorite, working with crew chief Chad Knaus, who split with Johnson after 17 years. The rest of the Hendrick Motorsports contingent — Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott — have to be amongst the favorites. Bowman is in the No. 88 car that Dale Earnhardt Jr. frequently contended for the win at Daytona while Elliott is looking to make up for the 2018 race when he had perhaps the fastest car, but crashed out. Another of the young drivers, Ryan Blaney, is in the Team Penske equipment, but looking to break through with his first win on the plate tracks. From the Toyota camp, all four Joe Gibbs Racing drivers have plenty of extra motivation. Denny Hamlin, like Jimmie Johnson, had the first winless season of his career last year. He has a good track record at Daytona, including winning the race in 2016. His teammate, Martin Truex Jr., finished second by a mere inches that day and is still looking for his first Daytona win. Kyle Busch posted a victory in July, but is still looking for his first 500 win. Erik Jones is the most recent Daytona winner, but would love to follow up at the 500, with Jimmie Johnson the last to have back-to-back wins at Daytona. Kevin Harvick leads a strong contingent of Stewart-Haas Racing drivers. The driver of the No. 4 Ford won the "Great American Race" in 2007, beating veteran Mark Martin to the line in a classic finish. Almirola is another strong contender based on his restrictor-plate history, while Clint Bowyer and Daniel Suarez would be darkhorse picks. Dillon was my darkhorse pick last year and he came through with the win, but it's hard to see any of the Richard Childress Racing teams winning this year's race. Ryan Newman, who is now in the No. 6 Roush-Fenway Ford, has something to prove and he's someone I could see winning his second Daytona 500. His Roush teammate Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is another contender with his recent history on the plate tracks. Menard showed the way most of the Clash, and the Wood Brothers team always brings a strong car to Daytona. As great of a racer as Kyle Larson is, he typically struggles on the plate tracks. However, his new teammate, Kurt Busch, is my darkhorse pick. The former Cup Series champion won the 500 two years ago and was strong again last year before getting caught up in a wreck. Now in the Ganassi Racing No. 1 Chevrolet, which always runs well at Daytona, Busch should be a major factor in the race. Action gets back underway Thursday with the Gander RV Duel at Daytona, a pair of 150-mile qualifying races that set most of the field for the 500. The qualifying races were the favorites of Dale Earnhardt Sr., who holds the record with 12 wins. Among current drivers, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch lead the way with three wins in the former Gatorade Duels, while Chase Elliott has won his qualifying race the last two seasons.

College baseball season is just about here, whether the calendar is prepared for it or not, and East Tennessee State coach Joe Pennucci says his team is ready to go with the season opener just a few days away. “It’s great to get back,” Pennucci said. “When you’re a baseball fan and the season is about to start, there’s definitely a different feeling in the air. It’s exciting. “Our guys are ready to play somebody different. We’re excited to see the development of these guys. We’re ready to roll.” The Bucs open the season Friday at 4 p.m. at Thomas Stadium with a game against Iona. It’s the start of a three-game series that includes games Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Twenty-one of ETSU’s first 29 games are at home. In Pennucci’s second season at ETSU, the team has 25 newcomers on a 35-man roster. One of the top recruits is former Science Hill and Walters State standout Landon Knack, and Pennucci is excited to see what he can do on the Division I level. The junior right-handed pitcher helped Walters State to a runner-up finish in the Junior College World Series last season. All Knack did was go 13-0 with a 3.01 ERA in his first year as a college pitcher. He showed incredible control, as well, walking just 13 batters in 92 2/3 innings while striking out out 112. Knack also hit .343 with 11 home runs while playing first base. “It’s great to get him back home in Johnson City,” Pennucci said. “Being part of that run at Walters State, it’s good to have him aboard.” Pennucci said Knack will start on the mound, but the multi-talented athlete might help out other places too. “We’ll kind of see how it goes,” Pennucci said. “He’s worked in at first and gotten some at-bats as well, but his main focus is on the mound trying to get people out.” Micah Kaczor earned the opening day start for the Bucs. The senior righty went 5-4 with a 5.01 ERA last season. “He pitched on Fridays for us throughout the season,” Pennucci said. “We’re keeping him in that same role. Micah’s a competitive kid. We’re excited for him to have a good year.” Senior closer James Giambalvo saved six games last year while going 3-3 with a 3.38 ERA. He is on the watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s stopper of the year award. Among the key returning players, second baseman Cullen Smith and outfielder David Beam were on the preseason All-Southern Conference team. Smith, a junior. is coming off a season in which he hit .295 and drove in 28 runs. Beam, a sophomore, was on the SoCon’s all-freshman team last season when he hit .283 and scored 24 runs. Junior catcher Jackson Greer is back and is one of the SoCon’s top defensive backstops. He hit .235 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs last season. Cade Gilbert, who batted .262 last year while playing third base, is moving to shortstop this season. Several of the new players bring some pretty gaudy statistics with them. Outfielder Tyler Cox hit .386 with 34 home runs and 119 RBIs in two years of junior college baseball at Maple Woods in Kansas City, Missouri. Infielder Jake Lyle hit .331 with 18 home runs and 88 RBIs at Volunteer State. Infielder Noah Hill hit .331 at Cleveland State. Hooper Mills was 15-10 with a 3.80 ERA on the mound at Cleveland State. In Pennucci’s first season, the Bucs went 28-25, 11-13 in the SoCon. They were picked to finish fourth by the conference’s coaches this season after tying for fifth last year. “I like the direction that the program is going,” Pennucci said. “We’re really about trying to get one percent better every day. If we continue to develop like that, our program will go in the right direction.”

ELIZABETHTON — The walkway between Elizabethton City Hall and East Elk Avenue got a new look Saturday morning as some artistic Elizabethton City Schools students reached deep into their emotions for a new slant on a familiar East Tennessee art medium. Elementary, middle school and high school students used the barn quilt motif found on area quilt trails. But many of these students have also written poems about their quilt squares to help the guide the viewer not to the scenic countryside, but to the complex personalities of teen artists. The students and their work featured in the displays include Caden Rogers and “Life”; Kayla Story and “Labels”; Macey Burleson and “Day and Night”; Reagan and Rylee May, “Identical, but Not the Same”; and Reagan Price, “Won’t Fade Away.” One artist who was not able to attend was Will Bowers. His work, “The Dragons,” is based on the dragon that was the mascot of the segregated black Douglas School.

ELIZABETHTON — The Bonnie Kate Theater is opening with a flourish this week. After completing some repairs to its pipe system, the board of directors of the city-owned, 1926-era movie theater announced some classics and some family films worthy of the theater that will be showing on weekends for the next two months. Each weekend will have a different classic movie and a family film. Admission is whatever amount you would like to give to ensure the Bonnie Kate continues to live a long and healthy life in downtown Elizabethton. This will be the first weekend for the new program. The classic movie will be “Casablanca,” which will be shown of Feb 15 and Feb 16 at 7 each night. The family film will be “Mary Poppins”, which will be shown on Feb. 16 at 1 and 4 p.m. For the next weekend, the classic film is “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” at 7 p.m. on both Feb. 22 and Feb. 23. The family film will be “Aladdin,” which will be shown on Feb. 23 at 1 and 4 p.m. For the first week of March, the “Sound of Music” will be the classic, with 7 p.m. showings on both March 1 and March 2.. The family film will be “Lady and the Tramp” at 1 and 4 p.m. on March 2. The classic film on March 8 and March 9 will be “Lawrence of Arabia,” shown at 7 each night. The family film will be “Davy Crockett,” shown at 1 and 4 p.m. on Mach 9. The classic film for March 15 and March 16 will be “The Sting,” shown at 7 each evening. The family will be “Ole Yeller” at 1 and 4 p.m. on March 16. The classic film for March 22 and March 23 will be “Ben Hur,” with showings at 7 both evenings. The family film on March 23 will be “Hans Christian Anderson,” showing at 1 and 4 p.m. The classic for March 29 and March 30 will be “The Pride of the Yankees,” shown at 7 each night. The family film for March 30 will be “Angels in the Outfield” on at 1 and 4 p.m.

ELIZABETHTON — One of the charms of walking the Tweetsie Trail is seeing some items that have survived for decades even thought there was no need for them to still exist. One such survivor is the humble building that bears the name “Estep Coal Company,” which proudly boasted of “quality fuel” and to have been in existence since 1936. The abandoned building stands right at the point where the Tweetsie Trail enters downtown Elizabethton at West F Street. For many years, Lindberg Estep ran his coal business out of the building. He would buy coal off the cars of the old East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad. He would then break his purchase down into various categories, depending on the size of the lumps of coal, and the quality of heat it produced. That was how Estep made his money, giving poor families a chance to buy a better quality of coal for their small amount of money. The buisiness had long passed when the Tweetsie Trail was built. By that time, the property was shown on the deed of the Genesee and Wyoming Railroad, and there was not a hint about the man who worked there to help keep people warm during the coldest winters. Now that the city of Johnson City purchased the rails, the property is on a Johnson City deed, but there is no mention of the Estep Coal Company. But lots of these little items are helping to make the Tweetsie Trail such a pleasure to walk. And the trail is even helping to preserve some of them. This week, a group of citizens got together to examine the condition of Estep Coal Company and make repairs and take other steps toward preservation. Professional builders like Charles LaPorte examined the water damage. Some brought money. Elizabethton Mayor Pro Tem Bill Carter brought a check for $800. That money represented some of the final proceeds of Tweetsie T-shirt sales. More money came from Daniel Schumaier, leader of the Tweetsie Conservancy. He brought a check for $2,000 from the conservancy. With those two checks, most of the material needed for repairs can be purchased. Sheriff Dexter Lunceford said the could provide inmate labor from Carter County Jail trustys to do the work. The men hope that perhaps the old coal company could be made into a place where tables and chairs would make it a pleasant stop on a warm spring day that Estep Coal was never intended to serve. The group asks that anyone with photographs of the Estep Coal Company bring copies to City Hall.

The Sesquicentennial Commission voted Tuesday to accept a recommended list of historical events that could be engraved into the legacy plaza, one of the projects proposed in King Commons Park to celebrate Johnson City’s 150th anniversary. The list of 20 events deemed significant to Johnson City’s history was presented by Commissioner Donna Noland from the commission’s Fundraising Committee, but while the recommendation was accepted, the commission was not yet ready to finalize the list. Instead, commissioners said they wanted to let the History Committee and other stakeholders review and propose changes. “I think the more people who lay eyes on this, we have a better chance to not have something fall through the cracks that we are missing,” Noland told the commission. The first draft included such events as: Johnson City receiving its first charter in 1869; Science Hill High School being founded in 1867-1868; Dr. Hezehiak Hankal becoming the city’s first African American alderman; and the opening of East Tennessee State Normal School in 1911. Noland said a variety of people contributed to the list, including historians Bob Cox and Alan Bridwell. “Donna, I think you and your committee have done a fantastic job,” Commissioner Rebecca Henderson said about the list. “I know early on, when you asked me to send you a list of (events), it was hard. It was really hard to pare down to just the 10 or 15.” Currently, the design of the legacy plaza features the Tennessee three-star emblem, with an ornamental dome in the center. Circling the ornamental dome will be “bands” engraved with dates and descriptions of events considered significant to Johnson City’s history. Public Works Director Phil Pindzola said the size of the font and letter spacing the historical inscriptions needs to be determined. He did say there will be 32 blocks circling the dome, each 6 feet long with 2 feet of spacing in between. But Pindzola said the city wants to leave several blocks empty to fill in future events. One question that came up for debate during Tuesday’s meeting was whether to include the opening of the McKellar-Tri-City Airport in 1937, even though the airport is not actually located within Johnson City’s limits. Noland said her committee really felt the airport was significant because it improved access into the city. “If I’m taking my 14-year-old down there to learn about the history of Johnson City, what do you want him (or her) to learn? Looking at dates, what do you feel is important?” Noland said. “We kind of came from the reference of trying to educate the public about the dates that are probably most relevant to the history and creation of Johnson City.” The History Committee is scheduled to meet next week and review the list. Based on cost projections presented in December, the history plaza will cost an estimated $450,000. In other news, the Sesquicentennial Commission voted to pursue an agreement with Karol Vaughn with PromoPro and Karen Hubbs with The Goose Chase to sell sesquicentennial memorabilia. Vaughn and Hubbs showed commissioners some examples of items they could sell via an online store, such as hats, coasters, t-shirts, tumblers and magnets. If the demand for those items grow, Vaughn said they could explore other merchandise, such as umbrellas or jackets. Based on Hubbs and Vaughn’s proposal, the city would receive $2 from each sale of merchandise.

ELIZABETHTON — After 44 years of successfully operating the Elizabethton Twins, the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department is preparing to hands over the Appalachian League team to a professional sports management organization that also has a successful track record managing minor league teams, including the Johnson City Cardinals. Mike Mains has done an exceptional job of consolidating the two divergent jobs of serving as director of the Parks and Recreation Department while at the same time managing a professional sports organization. But, Mains states in a memorandum for the Elizabethton City Council that his department “can no longer meet all the needs required to successfully operate a Minor League Baseball (team).” He said this was not because of increased demands from baseball, but from the increased growing requirements of Parks and Recreation. He listed those requirements, all of which have been additions to the program during the past few years: successful programming of special events, weekly activities and additional recreational facilities. The Minnesota Twins were asked to assist in finding a suitable replacement for the city department. Minnesota came back with the recommendation for Boyd Sports to manage it Elizabethton affiliate. As a result, an agreement has been worked up for the City Council to consider at Thursday’s meeting. The seven-page document specifies how the new organization will handle the Twins’ operation. Long-time Elizabethton Twins fans will see several areas where major changes have been made. One of the most significant may the sale of alcoholic drinks at the old ball park, after decades of selling nothing stronger than a cola. The old and new management organizations appear to have gotten off to a good start. Mains said the Parks and Recreation staff spent a considerable amount of time providing information to Boyd Sports as that organization weighed its options and opportunities. Mains said his staff gathered old advertising contracts and discussed ticket, advertising and concession sales. The two organizations also toured the Twins’ facilities, including Joe O’Brien Field. Of course, Mains won’t be leaving, so Boyd’s workers can continue to tap his knowledge about the Twins even after he steps down as general manager.

ELIZABETHTON — Ethan Self of Greene County is the 2018 Student of the Year at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Elizabethton. He will receive a diploma as a diesel technician after completing the 20-month diesel power equipment program. Self’s love of farming began early in life. The majority of his neighbors in rural Greene County are farmers. “I have had a fascination with tractors and large trucks since I was a young boy. At a very young age I could name every tractor. I couldn’t wait to become a farmer and have my own tractor,” he recalled. Self, who grew up on a farm in Chuckey, is used to hard work tending to livestock, plowing the fields to make ready for planting row crops, harvesting the bounty, and loading 70-pound hay bales onto a hauler in sweltering heat during the summer months. Why did he enroll at TCAT-Elizabethton? “I wanted to learn how to repair farm equipment,” he said. Self is of the opinion that the challenges he will face as a farmer will be exciting and rewarding, especially with his drive to be self-sufficient in making repairs to his farm equipment. Self travels to Knoxville on Feb. 20 for East Tennessee Regional Competition in a bid to become State Student of the Year, which is now called the Statewide Outstanding Achievement Recognition Award, a program sponsored by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Students from 13 community colleges and 27 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology are competing for the award. Among criteria are good moral character, leadership, high academic standards and community involvement. For information, contact TCAT-Elizabethton at 423-543-0070 or visit www.tcatelizabethton.edu.

Vaping proponents have touted their nicotine-filled devices as a way to help people stop smoking. Just the opposite could be true, as increasing evidence suggests that vaping may encourage young people to smoke. The Centers for Disease Control is correlating recent trends in teen tobacco use with the rise of vaping. Teen smoking had been falling steadily for decades until the last three years, and the timing matches right up with the rise in vaping. The CDC’s numbers indicate about 8 percent of high schoolers said they had recently smoked cigarettes in 2018, and about 2 percent of middle schoolers did. Those findings were about the same seen in similar surveys in 2016 and 2017. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration recently reported that the use of electronic cigarettes had increased nearly 80 percent among high schoolers and 50 percent among middle schoolers since last year. The CDC also found that about 2 in 5 high school students who used a vaping or tobacco product used more than one kind, and that the most common combination was e-cigarettes and cigarettes. No one should be surprised. Citing similar data, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb warned parents about the potential last November, saying he would “not allow a generation of children to become addicted to nicotine through e-cigarettes.” The FDA outlined new initiatives regarding nicotine products, including a review of flavoring in e-cigarettes and e-liquids, which help draw young people into the habit. As reported this week by the Associated Press, not all researchers agree with the CDC’s correlation between the increase in vaping and the flatline on teen smoking. Cigarette smoking is still declining in some states, and another survey found that smoking has continued to drop among 12th graders. So while the CDC and FDA do not yet have the smoking gun on vaping and cigarettes, enough evidence is mounting that parents should be paying more attention to what their kids are inhaling. The alleged tobacco gateway is just another reason aside from the potential harm from vaping itself. The FDA also is exploring a product standard for e-cigarettes that could include levels of toxicants and impurities in propylene glycol, glycerin, and nicotine in e-liquids. Parents should ask themselves one question: Why allow the risk at all?

Feb. 13, 1900: Rep. Walter Brownlow of the 1st Congressional District in Tennessee presented a report to the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations urging the authorization of National Soldiers Home, Mountain Home. Feb. 13, 1943: Mrs. Jennie Anderson Taylor, widow of former Tennessee Governor and 1st District Congressman Alf Taylor, died at age 77. Mrs. Taylor was born in the Buffalo Creek area as a member of a Tennessee pioneer family. She was survived by six sons and two daughters. Feb. 13, 1987: Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble played at Freedom Hall Civic Center. Feb. 13, 2008: East Tennessee State University announced a proposed parking fee hike that would in part pay for a parking garage on campus. That garage now sits between the mini-dome and Jack Vest Drive. Sources: The Comet; Johnson City Press-Chronicle; Bobbie H. Shirley, Freedom Hall. For more about Johnson City’s 150th Birthday, visit www.johnsoncity150.com.

We all know that February is all about hearts, but I’m not talking about Valentine’s Day and heart-shaped candy boxes. February is American Heart Month, and I’m talking about our actual, blood-pumping heart. Heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. Therefore, it is important that we take care and protect our hearts. Here are some tips for keeping your heart healthy. Eat a variety of foods. A balanced diet should be made up of a variety of different foods from each food group. Fruits and vegetables help to provide different nutrients for your body such as vitamins K and C, folate, iron, fiber, and other vitamins and minerals. Starches include breads and other grains, so when choosing a loaf of bread at a store, try to pick the one that is whole grain and high in fiber. Dairy items purchased should be low in fat to help decrease the total amount of fat and calories you eat each day. Protein items include meat, beans, legumes, nuts and quinoa. However, when choosing a cut of meat at the store, choose a cut that is lean and skinless. Fat type does matter. Limit the amount of saturated and trans fat in your diet such as fatty meats, full-fat dairy items, fried foods and baked goods, while focusing on consuming the better fats, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can be found in items like nuts, avocados, fish and non-tropical oils. Cut back on the sodium. To help to decrease your blood pressure, try to limit your sodium consumption to 2,000 mg per day. Give yourself a fiber boost. Fiber can help to lower your risk of heart disease while making you feel fuller longer. The average person should consume about 30 grams of fiber per day. Fiber can be found in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Get active! Increasing your activity can help with weight maintenance or weight loss as well as with cardiovascular health. Make it your goal to be active for 150 minutes each week or 20 minutes a day!

Chicken enchiladas offer a rich and complex combination of flavors and textures, but traditional cooking methods can be tedious. We wanted a more streamlined recipe for chicken enchiladas_one that utilized our slow cooker to make the filling and that enabled the enchiladas to be quickly assembled and finished in the oven. First we created a simple but flavorful red chile sauce with onion, garlic, spices, and tomato sauce, then braised chicken thighs directly in the sauce, which both enhanced the flavor of the sauce and ensured moist, flavorful meat for our enchilada filling. Monterey Jack cheese complemented the rich filling nicely, while canned jalapenos and fresh cilantro rounded out the flavors and provided tang and brightness. When it came time for assembly, we brushed the tortillas with oil and microwaved them to make them pliable. After experimenting with oven temperatures and times, we found that baking the assembled enchiladas covered for 15 minutes in a 450 F oven resulted in perfectly melted cheese, and the edges of the tortillas did not dry out in the process. Serve with sour cream, diced avocado, sliced radishes, shredded romaine lettuce, and lime wedges. CHICKEN ENCHILADAS Servings: 4-6 Cooking time: 4 to 5 hours on low Slow cooker size: 4 to 7 quarts 1 onion, chopped fine 1/4 cup vegetable oil 3 tablespoons chili powder 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce 2 teaspoons sugar 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed Salt and pepper 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (2 cups) 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro 1/4 cup jarred jalapenos, chopped 1 tablespoon lime juice 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas Microwave onion, 2 tablespoons oil, chili powder, garlic, coriander, and cumin in bowl, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened, about 5 minutes; transfer to slow cooker. Stir in tomato sauce and sugar. Season chicken with pepper and nestle into slow cooker. Cover and cook until chicken is tender, 4 to 5 hours on low. Transfer chicken to cutting board, let cool slightly, then shred into bite-size pieces using 2 forks. Combine chicken, 3/4 cup sauce, 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack, cilantro, jalapenos, and lime juice in bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 F. Spread 3/4 cup sauce over bottom of 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Brush both sides of tortillas with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Stack tortillas, wrap in damp dish towel, and place on plate; microwave until warm and pliable, about 1 minute. Working with 1 warm tortilla at a time, spread 1/3 cup chicken filling across center of tortilla. Roll tortilla tightly around filling and place seam side down in baking dish; arrange enchiladas in 2 columns across width of dish. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas to cover completely and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Monterey Jack. Cover dish tightly with greased aluminum foil. Bake until enchiladas are heated through and cheese is melted, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. ___ Nutrition information per serving: 460 calories; 227 calories from fat; 25 g fat (9 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 105 mg cholesterol; 1014 mg sodium; 30 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 5 g sugar; 28 g protein. ___ For more recipes, cooking tips and ingredient and product reviews, visit https://www.americastestkitchen.com. Find more recipes like Chicken Enchiladas in "The Complete Slow Cooker ." ___ America's Test Kitchen provided this article to The Associated Press.

Briefly: Cats or Dogs: Dog Favorite Photographer: Thomas Heaton Hobbies: Besides photography and videography, I run and bike a lot. Canon or Nikon: Canon all day! Fun Fact: Was an extra in a Super Bowl Commercial this year. Robert King, 25, is a Johnson City native, born in a hospital “that is no longer around.” He is an alumni of University High, where he attended kindergarten through 12th grade. He went on to graduate from East Tennessee State University with a degree in digital media. King now applies his education at Creative Energy helping produce national ad campaigns. He is a videographer who loves his hometown and one lucky enough to find gainful employment in an oversaturated creative field he enjoys. He can be seen walking the streets of downtown catching a show or a music gig always with his camera nearby. In this interview King gives his thoughts on cameras, multimedia convergence and more. Can you tell me why you prefer Canon cameras over others? I guess the main reason would be, I guess, I kind of grew up shooting it. I started on Canon 35mm film cameras, just from what my parents had around the house. Really it was an easy transition to, “I like shooting with this, it’s comfortable so why change it really.” That is the easy way to put it. Have you always known you were going to be a photographer? I guess yes and no, I mean growing up I never … You always hear people say there is not any money in it. So you kind of like shooting, but you realize there is probably something else you need to do because at some point you have to start paying the bills. That was early on, but yeah, I kind of always wanted to shoot. Then I got into video production because I assumed it would be a little bit more profitable. I do both now and it’s great. How has convergence affected your outlook on multimedia? I don’t think that it is necessarily a bad thing. Because you might go and think you want to do video production, that is a very broad term, but over the course of having to do all those things you might find out that you would rather be a producer. You’d rather not be the person shooting it. You would rather be the person in charge of setting up all the aspects of the shoot. I think that is helpful. Nobody thinks they want to be the person behind the books if you get into a creative field, but we need that. Somebody has to do it so if you have to be every part of a production, or a shoot or whatever, you might find out you want to be the photographer, you want to be the editor, or stylist, anything along those lines. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing, and if you get your name out there obviously you can corner your market and find exactly what you want to do. Is photography your only source of income and what have been the biggest challenges being a photographer? Yeah, between video production and photography that’s it. I kind of do both; I am full-time producer but I also freelance photography on the side. I think one of the biggest challenges is knowing you don’t need the latest and greatest gear. You can get what you want without having to have the very best of everything. That is something that is pushed down our throats a lot I would say. Why have you chosen Johnson City, your hometown, to be your base of operations, and what advice would you give a budding photographer or artist in the multimedia industry? I graduated from ETSU and got a job at a great company, Creative Energy, and really it’s just, I love this place. Honestly that is all it comes down to. It is growing like crazy as you know, and it’s just a really good place to live. Do everything you can. Don’t turn something down, especially starting out. You have to do stuff for free. I know that it is not fun, but you have to get your name out there somehow. So don’t turn anything down.

JOHNSON CITY - Dr. Steven "Wally" M. Cox, age 67, passed away on Saturday, February 9, 2019. Steve was born and raised in Johnson City. He is the son of the late O.P. and Eloise Cox Some of his many accomplishments included: BS in art education and MA in instructional communications, newspaper photographer for Johnson City Press, videographer for WKPT Channel 19 in Kingsport, and creative director for Bristol Advertising Agency. He was also an illustrator draftsman stationed on a submarine tender ship in Guam Steve's passions were the Media/Arts, teaching and singing Karaoke. Steve "Wally" enjoyed singing Karaoke with his friends at Terry's Apex. He held several teaching positions to include Mercer University, University of Ga., University of Central Arkansas, and ETSU. Steve received his PhD in Library Media Technology in 1991. He was the primary caregiver for his mom, Eloise, for many years prior to her death. By far, Steve's greatest honor was his position as Library Media Specialist at Jonesborough Elementary School from 2002-2012. In his own words: "Working with our kindergarten through fourth grade students was an absolute joy and exciting challenge." Steve is survived by David Cox and wife Kathy Cox; first cousins Allen LeFever, Lou Hinkel and husband Karl Hinkel, Nora Sue, Jackie Sue Bray; and many nieces, nephews and great friends. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00pm at Monte Vista Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will follow at 3:00pm at the funeral home. Military rites will be conducted by the VFW Post 4933 Boones Dam. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to Wally's two best friends, Diane Scalf and Rick Roller, who were there for his every need and who brought so much joy to his life. The family suggest that you bring a children's book of your choosing to the funeral service, which will be donated to Jonesborough Elementary School in memory of Steven Cox. Online condolences may be made to the Cox family at www.montevistafunerals.com . Monte Vista Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the Cox family.

BRISTOL – Today at around 6:17 a.m., the Bristol Tennessee Communications Center received a call of “rocks in the road” on Raytheon Road near the solid waste collection station. Officers responded to the scene and discovered a rockslide had occurred, blocking both lanes of travel. The first officer on-scene used his cruiser to block the travel lanes and illuminated his emergency lighting to warn traffic of the hazard. At around 6:29 a.m., the officer on-scene radioed the communications center he had been involved in an accident, was injured and trapped in his vehicle. The officer was taken to the hospital for treatment of what are believed to be minor injuries. The other driver refused medical transport. The accident is being investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and any questions regarding causation or charges should be directed to them. The city is in the process of getting the roadway cleared. A geotechnical engineer has examined the scene and will examine it again once the roadway has been cleared. A determination will then be made as to any mitigation efforts that need to be made before the roadway is reopened. It is anticipated this process will take at least two days, possibly longer. The roadway will remain closed to traffic until it is deemed safe.

First Tennessee Bank earned 21 Greenwich Excellence Awards for outstanding customer service and four Greenwich Best Brand Awards in small business and middle market banking by Greenwich Associates, according to a Wednesday press release from the financial institution. Greenwich Associates, a global leader in market intelligence, evaluated more than 600 banks and interviewed nearly 25,000 executives across the country to determine its 2018 award winners. The awards recognize both national and regional performance, regardless of bank size. Last November, First Tennessee Bank was one of only five banks to receive the inaugural Greenwich Customer Experience (CX) Leader award, which recognizes leadership in the field of customer experience. First Tennessee was selected based on 24,000 responses from key decision-makers at U.S. small and middle market companies. First Tennessee Bank, a member of the First Horizon National Corporation, operates more than 250 branches across the Southeast.

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Follow these tips for a healthy heart

For more streamlined chicken enchiladas, use a slow cooker

Five questions with local photographer Robert King

Dr. Steven "Wally" M. Cox

Rockslide in Bristol Wednesday morning

First Tennessee Bank earns 25 Greenwich awards