BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Ballad Health, Tennessee Donor Services and organ recipients gathered Wednesday to celebrate those who have saved the lives of others. The ceremony was held to honor those who made a selfless gift by being a donor and celebrate the recipients. "Words can't express the gratitude and appreciation I have for my donor, and for the gift he gave to me," Joe Carder, a liver transplant recipient, said ..read more

April weather perfection  After some patchy early morning fog, get ready to enjoy a beautiful spring day with abundant sunshine and seasonal temperatures. Highs will range from the low 70s in the Tri-Cities to the mid to upper 60s in the mountains.   Afternoon showers  A warm front will increase our chance for scattered showers Friday afternoon and evening along with a mostly cloudy day. Given the clouds, temperatures will likely remain in the upper 60s.   Warmer weekend  Warmer air is coming this weekend with warmer mid to upper 70s Saturday. Highs on Sunday will be ..read more

GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) - The Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness has conducted its annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count, determining how many people in the region are experiencing homelessness. Greene County seeing increase in homeless students According to last year's PIT count, Greene County had 26 people experiencing homelessness. Twenty of those people were staying in emergency shelters and six had no home at all. This year's data show that the total has increased to 81 people: 25 in emergency shelters and 56 living without a home. The C.A.R.E Center in Greeneville is one organ ..read more

BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) - Bloom, a popular brunch and lunch location in Bristol, has announced in a social media post that the restaurant will be closing its doors permanently. According to the post, the restaurant's last day will be Sunday, May 5. Paramount Bristol to host Shaolin Jazz: hip-hop fused with martial arts films The owners of Bloom recognized its staff for years of hard work and thanked the community for its support. Bloom will continue to serve lunch and brunch until closing day from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. every day except Tuesday. Menu item availability may become limited, the post said. T ..read more

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — United Methodist churches in the region are closely watching the General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, where human sexuality is among the topics being considered. Disagreements on allowing the performance of same-sex marriage and gay clergy in the church caused more than 100 churches from Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia to disaffiliate from the Holston Conference last year. The Holston Conference is one of the many conferences under the General Conference. Plenty of petitions have been presented at the General Conference this week, some concer ..read more

ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — For 36 years, Of One Accord Ministry in Rogersville has served tens of thousands of people and provided millions of dollars in food, clothing and other items to those in need. It's become more than just a place for Clay and Nila Fugate to spend their retirement years. They say they are changing lives through God's love. The Fugates' time volunteering at Of One Accord Ministries went into high gear after COVID-19. Local angler reels in 50-inch muskellunge on Nolichucky River "We've always supported Of One Accord Ministry," Nila said. "We have known Shelden and the pe ..read more

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — An Endangered Child Alert has been issued for a Kingsport infant who may be with a wanted man in North Carolina. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 8-month-old Sephrona McCullough is believed to be with Mason McCullough, who may be in the area of Topsail, North Carolina ..read more

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) issued a Silver Alert for a missing Jonesborough woman on Wednesday. According to the TBI, 55-year-old Oretha Kollie was last seen wearing a blue jumpsuit and could be traveling in a 2005 red Honda Pilot with Tennessee tag BBD4724. Photo: Oretha Kollie's vehicle, as provided by the TBI ..read more

(WJHL) — Tennessee teachers are just one signature away from gaining the ability to carry concealed weapons in their classrooms, and some local law enforcement agencies say they welcome the help securing school campuses. A controversial bill allowing teachers who already have a concealed carry permit and meet certain criteria has passed the Tennessee General Assembly and is awaiting the signature of Gov. Bill Lee ..read more

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — East Tennessee State University (ETSU) made it to the championship round of Blue Ridge Outdoors' Top Adventure College Tournament. A social media post by ETSU said that the university is going up against its top rival, Appalachian State University, in the final round. According to the tournament's host, Blue Ridge Outdoors, the vote-driven contest aims to find the "best school for outdoor adventure in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic." Thirty-two colleges and universities were selected at the beginning of the tournament based on outdoor clubs and curricula, their com ..read more