Residents Request Guidance from Kingsport 911 After Big "BOOM"

 

NOTE:  The two orange markings in the upper left corner of the map above, also  indicates two notifications from the Riverview community, one a phone call, the other an email, received by your Douglass website, about the ruptured steam line "boom."  

The story below courtesy the Kingsport Times-News

KINGSPORT — A noise from Eastman Chemical Co. Feb. 3, which the company said came from a ruptured steam line, spurred multiple 911 calls from residents with safety concerns.

The Times News reviewed 15 calls made to Kingsport dispatch from residents about the chemical plant, including one caller who heard the noise of the ruptured steam line at least twelve miles east in Blountville. Callers asked about the source of the noise, if the noise indicated any possible danger and if they should evacuate or take other safety precautions.

“I’ve got a question about what’s wrong with Eastman right now,” one caller told a dispatcher. “Do you know, have any information as far as people living within close proximity, do they need to turn off HVAC?”

The caller said they tried to call a couple of Eastman phone numbers with the same inquiry prior to calling 911. The 911 calls regarding Eastman on Feb. 3, when the steam line ruptured, were obtained by Six Rivers Media through a public records request.

The steam line rupture occurred around 5 p.m., Eastman said, causing a “rapid, audible release” of steam into the atmosphere until around 8 p.m. Concerned calls about the noise started shortly after 5 p.m. and continued until around 7:45 p.m.

“I’m just wondering, I have lived up here 16 years from Eastman and I’ve never heard them blowing off that much steam for hours and hours,” one caller, who said they lived less than a quarter mile from the plant, told the dispatcher. “Should we be worried right here?”

The caller said they tried calling Kingsport’s non-emergency number prior to calling 911, which the dispatcher said was “ringing off the hook.”

Other 911 callers expressed concern about the noise and asked dispatchers if the nature of the noise meant an explosion would follow and if they needed to evacuate.

“It just scared me,” one caller said after dispatchers said the noise was coming from an Eastman steam line. “I thought, ‘oh Lord is it getting ready to blow up or what?’”

Around 5 p.m. Feb 3, an Eastman Fire Department staff member called 911 and told the dispatcher a steam line ruptured at the plant and requested an extra fire engine to come to the facility on standby for mutual aid. Eastman said it is standard safety protocol for the KFD to be on standby if resources are needed in addition to Eastman’s own fire and emergency response team.

A local emergency services staff member also called 911 around that time and asked if there was an incident going on at Eastman that EMS would need to prepare for.

One of the first calls about the noise to Kingsport’s 911 dispatch was from a Blountville resident.

“I live in Blountville and I’m hearing this big noise out there,” the caller said after being transferred from a call with a Sullivan County 911 dispatcher. “Did something happen to the Kingsport facility or something? What’s that big — it sounds like a plane or something — what's going on?”

In a statement to Six Rivers Media Feb. 4, Kingsport Communications Specialist Matthew Lane said the city notifies residents of an emergency through a mass notification system that sends texts and emails about “important” events happening in the community to residents and visitors. The mass notification system is used when there is a safety concern and Kingsport’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated.

“When an event doesn’t rise to the level of EOC activation, the city is at the mercy of the industrial facility for receiving information,” Lane said in the statement. “Sometimes the city receives info at the same time as local media. When that information is received we will post it on our Kingsport Alerts Facebook page.”

Information about the steam rupture was posted to the Kingsport Alerts Facebook page the evening of Feb. 3.

“We take these events very seriously,” Eastman said in a statement to Six Rivers Media on Feb. 4. “When an event like this occurs, we conduct a detailed investigation to ensure we understand fully what occurred and what actions need to be taken to prevent recurrence.”

Eastman said its investigation of the rupture so far indicates the "leading contributory factor is cold-weather related."

Eastman investigating steam line rupture

 

This story courtesy the Kingsport Times-News

Picture courtesy WJHL-TV

KINGSPORT — What sounded like “whirring” or a “jet engine” for some Kingsport residents on Tuesday evening was a steam line rupture at Eastman Chemical Co.

A three-inch steam line ruptured at the company’s Kingsport site Tuesday evening a little after 5 p.m., causing a “rapid, audible release” of steam into the atmosphere, the company said in a statement to Six Rivers Media on Wednesday evening.

Eastman said the steam stopped venting into the atmosphere around 8 p.m., and after that other lower pressure systems continued to vent “as intended and needed for process purposes” until about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

A facility that has permits to operate by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is not required to notify the department if the facility only experiences a steam release, said TDEC spokesperson Jennifer Donnals.

She also said TDEC is “aware and monitoring the situation” and has not been notified by Eastman.

Kingsport has a standard protocol for events that would activate the Kingsport Emergency Operations Center (EOC), said Kingsport Communications Specialist Matthew Lane. When the EOC is activated the city notifies residents through Hyper-Reach, a mass notification system that sends texts and emails about “important” events happening in the community to residents and visitors. Lane said Hyper-Reach is used if there is a safety concern.

Emergency events are also posted to the Kingsport Alerts Facebook page. Information about the steam rupture Tuesday evening was posted to the Kingsport Alerts Facebook page.

“When an event doesn’t rise to the level of EOC activation, the city is at the mercy of the industrial facility for receiving information,” Lane said. “Sometimes the city receives info at the same time as local media. When that information is received we will post it on our Kingsport Alerts Facebook page.”

Kingsport Fire Department Public Information Officer Barry Brickey said his department responded for a mutual aid standby Tuesday evening but was released not long after. Eastman said it is standard safety protocol for the KFD to be on standby if resources are needed in addition to Eastman’s own fire and emergency response team.

“We take these events very seriously,” Eastman said in a statement. “When an event like this occurs, we conduct a detailed investigation to ensure we understand fully what occurred and what actions need to be taken to prevent recurrence.”

Big Boom in Riverview and Kingsport

 

With Bays Mountain at the top, Riverview is at the far right, to the right of the large smoke plum

KINGSPORT, Tenn. --- A reported steam release in the form of a big "BOOM" at Eastman Chemical Company was heard by many in the Kingsport area Tuesday night.  Your Douglass website received several emails and one phone call about it.

The boom that was heard was confirmed by Eastman Corporate Communications Manager Tracy Kilgore Addington to the Kingsport Times-News.

City of Kingsport Public Information & Communications Director Adrienne Batara said Eastman contacted the city Tuesday evening regarding the steam release and the company reported there is no risk to the general public. The city also communicated the latest update on the Kingsport Alerts Facebook page.

“Representatives from Eastman contacted the City earlier this evening regarding a steam release,” Batara said. “Per Eastman, there were no injuries and the noise from the steam release should begin to subside. As reported to the City from Eastman, there is no risk to the general public.”

Tracy Kilgore Addington, corporate communications manager for Eastman, shared similar information in an emailed statement Tuesday evening — stating no injuries were reported and the noise should calm down through the night.

Picture from WJHL-TV

"There was a steam release this afternoon at the Kingsport site which could be heard outside the plant," the email from Addington states. "There are no injuries and the noise will continue to subside throughout the evening."

The initial "boom" was heard on Louis, Wheatley, Carver and Dunbar Streets.  Another boom was heard in the Dale Street area last night.  Those are where your Douglass website got calls and emails from.

In a follow-up email statement around 9:05 p.m. Tuesday, Addington said the steam release came from a steam line "inside plant boundaries" central to the Eastman site and "there is no danger to the community, our operating systems, or the environment."

Kingsport Fire Department Public Information Officer Barry Brickey said his department responded for a mutual aid standby Tuesday but was released not long after to return to the station.

Again, no injuries.  This is a story we'll continue to follow up on.

Snow in Kingsport

 Press the "PLAY" button twice and enlarge the screen at the lower right.

Snowing in Riverview Saturday morning, January 31, 2026.

In Riverview, looking towards the Central Baptist Church on the right.  Snow still coming down Saturday morning the 31st.

Church Circle, Kingsport time lapse with snow coming in from Friday afternoon, January 30, 2026 overnight to Saturday morning the 31st.

Time lapse at J. Fred Johnson Stadium in Kingsport with snow coming in, looking north to Memorial Boulevard from Friday afternoon, January 30th, 2026 overnight to Saturday morning the 31st.

Norman Lloyd Hankins remembrance

 

Norman Lloyd Hankins, born March 9, 1943, in Kingsport, Tennessee, passed away leaving a legacy of service, mentorship, and love for the youth in the communities he served.

Born to Lloyd Hankins and Emogene Hankins, Norman was raised in Kingsport, Tennessee, where he began teaching swimming at the Riverview Swimming Pool while working as a lifeguard. At age 13, he was recruited by Johnson City, Tennessee, to lifeguard and teach swimming. He graduated from the historic Douglass High School in Kingsport and later attended Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, on a basketball scholarship.

Norman spent many years in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he was widely respected as a swim instructor, basketball coach, and tennis instructor. He later relocated to Richmond, Virginia, where he taught and coached at The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club and later founded Hankins Cleaning Service (American Cleaning Services, Inc.).

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Virginia Hankins; and his son, Norman Hankins Jr. (Timmy).

Norman is survived by Audrey R. Terry, his devoted caretaker and friend; Marva Hankins, the mother of his children; his children Todd Eugene Hankins, Julian Delone Hankins, and Kimberely Renee Hankins; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

His home going service will be Saturday, January, 31, 2026 at the:

Community Hospice House
1133 Old Bon Air Rd
Chesterfield, VA 23235

Please send condolences and donations there.

Carl "Twig" Hale remembrance

 

NOTE:  Because of the weather, Twig's Going-Home service has now been moved to Thursday, February 5, 2026.  All other arrangements are still valid.

Carl Eugene Hale, affectionately known as “Twig,” departed this life on January 14, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving wife, son, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was a devoted father, grandfather, and family man who truly adored his grandchildren and loved his family deeply.

Carl was born in Pennington Gap, VA, to Robert Estes and Rebecca Moore Hale, Sr. He attended Dobyns-Bennett High School and later worked at Howmet Aerospace and LinPac Packaging. He also proudly served in the United States Air Force, reflecting his strong sense of duty and commitment.

A man of deep faith, Carl was a faithful member of Great Commission Church, where he served as a Deacon, cook, and handyman. He loved the Lord and found joy in serving others, helping wherever he was needed.

Carl enjoyed sports, especially football, basketball, and baseball, cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Tennessee Volunteers, and the Atlanta Braves. He loved storytelling, traveling, cars, music, building, and woodworking. Known for being fun-loving, God-fearing, and always laughing, Carl brought joy to all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Estes and Rebecca Moore Hale, Sr.; his grandparents, Gurney E. and Geraldine Hale, Sr., of Coalwood, WV, and Henry and Anna Robbins; his siblings, Freddie L. Hale (“Tank”), Dolores A. Hale Singleton, Robert E. Hale Jr. (“Sparky”), and Linda L. Hale Wade (“Sarge”); his sister-in-law, Brenda Simpson Hale; his brother-in-law, Rev. Donnie D. Wade; his nephews, Christopher Hale and Sean Cornett; his niece, Cynthia D. Hale; and his deceased aunts and uncles, Brenda Felder, Patricia Ann Hairston, William Hale, Tevis Hale, and Huell Hale.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife of 23 years, Chynet Bond-Hale, of the home; his children, Chilae A. Houston (“Toni”), Jeronne E. Hale (w/ Family), and Kaisha Bond; and his grandchildren, Madisyn Robinson, and Malikai Hale.

He is also survived by his sibling, Tarik Hassan Hale (William Hale); his brother-in-law, Maurice Bond; his sister-in-law, Carolyn Dulaney Hale (“Kaye”); his aunts, Carolyn (Hiawatha) Spraggins, Phyllis Grubb, Valerie Thorpe, and Sue Slade; his uncles, Gurney Hale Jr. (“Sporty”), Edward Hale, Larry Hale, and Lamont (Midori) Hale; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear childhood friends, George (“Smoke Bear”) Smith, Jonathan (“Cold Train”) Lynch, and Tony (“TJ”) Johnson.

Though our hearts are heavy, we rejoice in knowing that Carl is now at peace and resting in the presence of the Lord he loved and served so faithfully.

The Visitation for Carl "Twig" Hale will be Thursday, February 5, 2026 from 12 PM Noon to 1 PM at the Central Baptist Church, 301 Carver Street, Kingsport.  

The Memorial Service and Homegoing will be from 1 PM to 2 PM also at the Central Baptist Church.

Interment will be at the historic Pierce Chapel AME Church Cemetery, 1810 Seaver Road, Kingsport (Sullivan Gardens), Tennessee 37660.

Care of the Hale family is entrusted to the Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, 802-806 East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport, Tennessee 37660.  

Mable Ruth Williamson remembrance

 

Mable Ruth Williamson was born on November 29, 1939, to George and Kathleen Williamson in Kingsport, TN. She graduated from the Douglass High School in Riverview in 1957.  

Sister Mable dedicated 10 years of her career as a teacher's aide with Kingsport Nursery and Head Start Program. She then matriculated to the role of Supervisor for the Homemaker's Program and subsequently joined the Facilities Staff with the City of Kingsport, where she remained for the next 30 years.

Sister Mable served faithfully as Mother of the church at Full Gospel Mission, always making herself available. She also served at Grace Temple Church Eternal Life Center as part of the Music Ministry, and anywhere else she could be of service. Her deep love for the Lord inspired her dedication to community service, and she was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need within her community.

Mable was known for her creativity and talent in fashion design, crafting unique clothing for herself and her children after mastering sewing at an early age. Making things look beautiful was her favorite pastime.

Mable was preceded in death by her parents, George and Kathleen Williamson; her son, Leland Williamson; and her niece, Michelle Dennis.

She is survived by her children, Pastor Alesia McElrath, Byron Williamson, and Bonita (Dwayne) Williamson-Green; grandchildren, Naarah Johnson, J'Tia Williamson, Eli Williamson, Jala Williamson, Whitney Kasongo, and Brittany Vaughn; sister, Jessie Dennis; and nephew, Barry (Cassandra) Dennis.

Because Sister Mable was so loved in her community, many people were instrumental in providing care toward the end of her life. Those individuals include, but are not limited to, Debbie McKinney, Michael Tarter, Brendel Woods, Tish Hayes, Vickie Stone,Janet Miller, Whitney Rangnow, Deborah Butts, Barbara Coleman, and Tyra Marcus.

Sister Mable's mantra was "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth"  Psalm 34:1

The visitation for Mother Mable Williamson will be on Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 10 AM to 10:30 AM, at the Central Baptist Church, 301 Carver Street, Kingsport, TN 37660.

The Celebration of Life will be from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM also on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at the Central Baptist Church.

Interment will be at the Holston View Cemetery, 226-292 Yuma Road, Weber City, VA 24290.

Care of the Williamson family is entrusted to the Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, 802-806 East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport, TN 37660.

Montgomery Hunter remembrance

 

Montgomery Hunter, 77, of Conyers, Georgia passed on Saturday, January 10, 2026. 

Visitation was held on Friday, January 16, 2025 at the Rockdale Chapel, 1999 Highway 138 SE, Conyers, GA 30013.

Celebration of Life Services was held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 10:00 AM at the Rockdale Chapel.   Interment was held at the Griggs Chapel AME Church Cemetery 724 Griggs Chapel Rd., Monticello, GA 31064.  

Services entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, Rockdale Chapel 1999 Hwy. 138 SE., Conyers, GA, 30013.

Mack Stacy Ellis remembrance

 

In the quiet stillness of the midnight hour, Mr. Mack Stacy Ellis, 73, peacefully answered the divine call to eternal rest while at the Novant Health Rowan Medical Center.  Born on March 14, 1952, in Kingsport, Tennessee, he was the beloved son of the late Mack H. Ellis and Virgealia Looney Ellis.   Mack was a man whose strength was matched only by his kindness, compassion, and unwavering devotion to his family and friends.

Educated in the public schools of Sullivan County, Tennessee, Mack attended the Douglass Elementary School and was a proud graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School, both in Kingsport.  He continued his education at Knoxville College and later attended Livingstone College, carrying with him a strong work ethic and a deep respect for learning.  

A hardworking and resourceful man, Mack was widely known for his remarkable ability to fix just about anything.  His skillful hands and problem-solving spirit led him to a career as a maintenance professional with Essence Condominiums, where his dedication and reliability were greatly valued.  Above all, Mack worked tirelessly to ensure that his family was well cared for, placing their needs above his own.

Family was the heart of Mack’s life.  He was the brother-in-law everyone sought for guidance, the favorite uncle his nieces and nephews trusted and confided in, and a loyal friend to many.  For 51 blessed years, he was the devoted husband, best friend, and greatest love to his wife, Marilyn, sharing a bond built on love, respect, and steadfast companionship.  Mack never hesitated to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, often showing his love through acts of service, warm hospitality, and home-cooked meals.

In his leisure time, Mack found joy in the simple pleasures of life.  He loved fishing with family and friends, expressed his creativity through painting, and faithfully cheered on his beloved Carolina Panthers.  His involvement with the Elks Lodge reflected his commitment to community service, where he took pride in giving back and uplifting others.

Those left to cherish his precious memories include his loving wife, Marilyn Gilmore Ellis of the home;  his sons, Mitchell Ellis of Salisbury and Mack H. Ellis, II (Ebony Purvis) of Oxford;  his siblings, Dawnella Ellis (Tim Kyle) of Salisbury, Robert Ellis (Carolyn) of Charlotte, Michael Ellis of Salisbury, Bruce Ellis (Nanny) of Charlotte, Craig Ellis (Gayle) of Durham, and Voncilla Fulson (Everett) of Charlotte;  four cherished grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends.

A life well lived, marked by love, compassion, and selfless service, Mack Stacy Ellis touched every life he encountered.  Though he will be deeply missed, his enduring legacy will live on through his children, grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know and love him.

The visitation for Mack Ellis will be on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 11:30 AM to 12 Noon at the Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church, 306 North Church Street, Salisbury, North Carolina 28144.

The service will follow in the church.

The Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home  of Salisbury is serving the Ellis family.

Kingsport to celebrate MLK Day on Monday

 

​"It’s the celebration of one man’s vision... past, present and future.

The celebration of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday will be held in Kingsport on January 19 2026. ​He is the only African-American whose life and legacy is celebrated with a national holiday. The celebration date is always on the third Monday every January. His actual birthday is Jan. 15.

​"This will be the 26th year of the commemoration of Dr. King’s birthday with a parade in downtown Kingsport," said Pastor Ronnie Collins of the Tennessee/Virginia Fellowship Against Racism, and the East Tennessee District Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship who sponsors the parade. "Dr. King was destined for a life of service and devotion to Civil Rights for all people. Even though we still have a long way to go, celebrating his life on the holiday is the right thing to do."

​At 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 19, parade participants will gather at the corner of East Sullivan Street in the old McAninch Apartments parking lot. The event is free and open to anyone who wants to walk or have a float. Marchers will walk up Sullivan Street, through the Cherokee/Charlemont Street intersection, ending in the city hall parking lot, 415 Broad St. at the Church Circle. It’s about a 15-minute walk.

​The traditional parade route moved over from Center Street in an effort to provide more safety for the participants.

The New Vision Youth Group from Kingsport visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC in 2012

​The themes for this year’s Kingsport parade are "The Answer to Racism is the Love of Christ," and "Love More in 2026: Choose to Love and Not to Hate." Pastor Collins said it’s a reflection of difficult times.

​"African-Americans are still looking for equality even today," he said. "We are still looking to be treated fairly. As a society, we all need to talk about love, we need to talk about peace, we need to re-examine the way we treat each other. Fairness, love and respect was Dr. King’s message and that message is with us today. If you believe in peace, if you believe in love, if you believe in your fellow man, and if you believe that we can solve problems together rather than separately, you’re invited to walk in the parade and then we’ll sit down and discuss those ideas over lunch."

Last year's luncheon

​That’s where the annual Dr. King Luncheon comes in. At 1 p.m. shortly after the parade, the annual New Vision Youth MLK Luncheon will be held at the Riverview Community Center on Wheatley Street in Kingsport between Head Start and the pickleball courts.

​"Every year, Dr. King’s birthday is a time of handshakes and hugs among neighbors, friends, parishioners, co-workers, and relatives around a good meal," New Vision luncheon organizer Johnnie Mae Swagerty said. "It’s also a reminder that we should be sharing that fellowship all year long."

​That event is also free and open to the public.

​Box lunches will be catered by Old Crow Tavern, consisting of pulled pork, a roasted chicken sandwich, fried baloney sandwiches, potato wedges, salad, iced tea and dessert. Kingsport Chamber ambassadors will serve the meal, and there will be drawings for free meals at the Kingsport Texas Roadhouse.

​Special guest motivational speaker will be Reverend Dr. Leon William Ward, pastor of the Hood Memorial AME Zion Church in Bristol, Tennessee. He will offer a prayer for peace and also reflect on the life of Dr. King and speak to his legacy. Mercedes Hill of the Central Baptist Church in Kingsport will also offer praise dancing in honor of the slain civil rights leader.

​The New Vision Youth MLK Luncheon is sponsored by the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, KHRA, South Central Kingsport Community Development and Kingsport Parks and Recreation.

​There will also be a couple of events leading up to the parade. "Tell It Like It Is" with Pastor Collins will be held Friday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m. in the Riverview Community Room at V.O. Dobbins at the Wheatley Street entrance beside the pickleball courts.

​MLK Youth Bingo will be held Saturday, Jan. 17, at 4 p.m. in the Riverview Community Room at V.O. Dobbins at the Wheatley Street entrance beside the pickleball courts. The event is free. MLK Senior Bingo will be held at the same location at 6 p.m. Senior Bingo participants are asked to bring two prizes.

​The annual New Vision Youth MLK Candlelight Vigil, formerly held on the evening of Dr. King’s birthday, has been moved to April 4, the day the beloved Civil Rights leader was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee in 1968. It will be the 33rd anniversary of the annual Candlelight Vigil."