Distinguished African-American Pastor, Professional, Student Awards Banquet

AHERN, INC. 3RD ANNUAL DAPS AWARDS BANQUET
(Distinguished African American Pastor, Professional, Student)

Friday, August 19, 2011
7:00 PM - Doors Open at 6:00 PM

Crowne Plaza
401 W. Summit Hill Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37902

Keynote Speaker
Rev. Dr. Forrest
E. Harris, Sr.
President, American
Baptist College
Nashville, TN

Master of Ceremonies
Tim Hall
Comedian
Kingsport, TN

Welcome
Honorable Daniel T. Brown
Mayor, Knoxville, TN

Soloist
Marion Jones
Recording Artist
Greeneville, TN

Dinner Musician
Rev. William J. Reid
Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church
Bristol, VA

Entertainters
The Johnson Sisters
Louise Quarles, Morristown, TN
LaShanurda Golden, Knoxville, TN




AHERN, Inc. DAPS (Distinguished African American Pastor, Professional, Student) of the Month are selected from a list of candidates submitted each month. Each candidates is selected on a 5 point grade scale in each category below:
Academic Achievement
School Involvement
Church Involvement
Community Involvement
Organization Affiliations


PASTORS:

Pastor of the Month Candidates must have served as pastor of the same church for three years.

Rev. C. Danny Johnson
Pastor, Thankful Baptist Church
Johnson City, TN

Rev. Churchill W. Moore, Sr.
Pastor, Spurgeon Chapel AME Zion Church
Oak Ridge, TN

Rev. Dr. Willis (W. A.) A. Johnson
Pastor, Lee Street Baptist Church
Bristol, VA

Rev. Dr. Harold A. Middlebrook, Sr.
Pastor, Cannan Baptist Church of Christ
Knoxville, TN

Rev. Charles M. Martin
Pastor, Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Johnson City, TN





PROFESSIONAL:

Professional of the Month candidates must be in business and/or served in a professioal field for 3 years.

Jackie Charles
Vice-President, Green Bank
Rogersville, TN

Avon W. Rollins
Director, Beck Cultural Center
Knoxville, TN

Willie Anderson
Vice-President, First Tennessee Bank
Greeneville, TN

Paul A. Montgomery
Vice-President, Community Relations & Coporate Services
Eastman Chemical Co.
Kingsport, TN

Darlene Ely
Area Supervisor, Tennessee Dept. of Labor & Workforce
Morristown, TN





STUDENTS:

Student of the Month candidates must be a High School Senior, College Freshman or Sophomore

Chelsea M. Solomon
Senior, Morristown East High School
Morristown, TN

Ashley Craft
Freshman, East TN State University
Johnson City, TN

Elise M. Jones
Senior, Fulton High School
Knoxville, TN

William Carmichael
Senior, Greeneville High School
Greeneville, TN





REPORTERS:

Jacqueline Collins-Hudson
Cocke County, TN
Newport, TN

M. Elizabeth Johnson
Jefferson County, TN
Jefferson City, TN

Lillian Leeper
Sullivan County, TN
Church Hill, TN

Calvin Sneed
Sullivan County, TN
Chattanooga, TN





INDIVIDUAL:

Jeannine Blevins
Morristown, TN

Robert Leeper
White Pine, TN

Marco Ripley
Greeneville, TN

Carlette Russaw
Jonesborough, TN







CHURCHES:


Bethel AME Zion Church, Kingsport, TN

Bethel United Methodist Church, Morristown, TN

Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, Morristown, TN

Friendship Baptist Church, Greeneville, TN

New Hope Baptist Church, White Pine, TN

New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Johnson City, TN

Phillippi Baptist Church, Elizabethton, TN

Russell Chapel AME Zion Church, Rogersville, TN

Tabernacle Baptist Church, Whitesburg, TN

Toney's Chapel Baptist Church, Morristown, TN


CORPORATE:

Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN

Sons and Daughters of Douglass Board Meeting; August 13, 2011

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Members In Attendance: Virginia Hankins, Louetta Hall, Ruth Russell, Linda Bly, Lillian Leeper, Sheila Leeper, Douglas Releford, Andra Watterson, Thelma Watterson, Calvin Sneed, Ozine Bly, Johnnie Mae Swaggerty, Trippy Deal, Vicki Smith.

Meeting was called to order by Virginia Hankins, President

Prayer by Louetta Hall, Chaplain

Previous Minutes were read and accepted

Financial Report – Checking account: total monies $4,992.55 and Savings account- Scholarship Fund has total monies to-date of $4,043.40, $500.00 has been paid out to (1) of the scholarship recipients. Louetta Hall made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. Motion was seconded by Linda (Peaches) Bly. Motion carried. We have (3) people authorized to sign checks. Doug Releford made a motion that any (2) of the (3) people authorized can sign. Motion was seconded by Thelma Watterson. Motion carried. Thanks were given to Doug Releford, former president for serving and having a great reunion.

Old Business: Pam Sensabaugh, Corresponding Secretary may choose her own committee to update the alumni mailing list. Pam will also send out thank-you cards to individuals/businesses. Money will be allocated to Pam for postage and cards.

Calvin is working on getting live stream up and going again as this was a plus for members that don’t live in the area and/or unable to attend.

Doug stated that after the election and reunion, the previous president would open up the 1st meeting and read the minutes of the last meeting, then pass the torch on to the new president.

Names of scholarship recipients are announced during the reunion and they receive their scholarship within the same year. The checks are mailed to the school of their choice by sending in their acceptance letter.

United Way donated $50 in memory of Mrs. Eula Leeper.

President, Virginia Hankins made an executive decision that Donald Hickman is our Parliamentarian.

Bank of Tennessee has always refused when we’ve asked for donations. Doug made a motion to change to Green County Bank & Savings. Andra Watterson seconded. Most board members were in favor. Motion carried.

New Business: Calvin made a motion to have a yearly golf tournament, based on a suggestion by Frank Horton. Ozine Bly seconded. Most board members were in favor. Motion carried. Yearly golf tournament will be spearheaded by Frank Horton and a member of the Ebony Club.

Signage to be placed around the building will state – Sons & Daughters of Douglass, Inc. Calvin will also put address under the name on the website. All correspondence will go to Alumni mailing address: 301 Louis Street, Ste. 104, Kingsport, TN 37660.

Information was given on becoming a member of the Chamber of Commerce for visibility and networking. Most board members were in favor. Calvin made the motion, seconded by Thelma, motion carried.

The Ebony Club was represented by two members: Johnnie Mae Swaggerty and James (Trippy) Deal. We also received a thank-you note from the Ebony Club.

Shiloh Baptist Church is having their 75th Anniversary. Linda (Peaches) made a motion that we purchase a ½ page ad for $50.00. Andra seconded, most board members were in favor. Motion carried.

Next meeting will be a potluck meeting on 9/17/2011 @ 1:00 p.m.

Meeting adjourned.

Minutes submitted by: Vicki Smith, Recording Secretary

Search Begins for New Kingsport School Superintendent

KINGSPORT – In a communication to faculty and staff today, Dr. Richard Kitzmiller announced that he will be retiring as Superintendent of Kingsport City Schools effective December 30, 2011.

Kitzmiller has served as the Superintendent of Kingsport City Schools since September 2002. In his notice to KCS staff, Kitzmiller stated, “I anticipate retiring with a confidence in our school system. We will continue to meet our mission. We have a great staff in place and are doing the right things to improve the lives of our students. We receive guidance and leadership from a great board of education. We have supportive and appreciative relationships with our parents and the Kingsport community.”

A native of Sullivan County, he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Kitzmiller was a teacher in Ohio and Knox County, TN Schools prior to returning to Kingsport to teach in 1978. He served as a math teacher and coach at Ross N. Robinson Middle School and served as an assistant coach under Buck Van Huss with the Dobyns-Bennett High School's freshmen basketball program. In 1988, Dr. Kitzmiller was named Kingsport City School's staff development coordinator, where he helped develop and initiate the system's first staff development program.

Prior to serving as superintendent, Dr. Kitzmiller worked in a variety of system-wide and central office positions, most recently serving as Director of Accountability and Student Services. In May of 2001, he received his Doctorate of Education degree from East Tennessee State University. Dr. Kitzmiller currently serves on the Tennessee BEP Review Committee, the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS) Board of Directors, and was named the 2011 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year.

Televising Live Events in Riverview & Kingsport

Right now, we're working on the link to be able to once again, stream events live on the Douglass website.

It's a complex situation which ended about 2 years ago, but has hopefully returned again and is getting worked out. This coming Saturday, I'll be testing several reception sites around Riverview. The story behind the connection is an interesting one, that ironically affects every Riverview resident who has a computer. Watch for the story coming up soon, on this page.

If the connection is re-established, we'll bring back our live streaming coverage, with the Douglass Alumni Board meeting this coming Saturday, beginning around 1 PM.

Right now, all we can say is, click the "PLAY" button on the TV screen on the main website page, around 1 PM on Saturday. If you see something, the connection has been re-established again. If you don't see anything and the circle keeps rotating in the center of the picture, the connection is not valid yet, and we'll continue working on it.

At any rate, we'll have a story about the meeting AND the live coverage, here at the NEWS AND CURRENT EVENTS link, this next week.

Remembering 'Jay'

Kingsport community gathers to honor shooting victim

A candlelight vigil was held Monday to honor Jarrett Allen ‘Jay’ Hughes.

THIS STORY COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS

By J.H. OSBORNE
josborne@timesnews.net

Erica Yoon —eyoon@timesnews.net

CHARLOTTE ERWIN, JARRETT HUGHES' MOTHER, HOLDS A CANDLE DURING THE VIGIL IN FRONT OF THEIR HOME AT 937 DALE STREET ON MONDAY


KINGSPORT — The sounds of neighborhood children playing, running, laughing. Smiles. Hugs. As loved ones shared their memories of Jarrett Allen “Jay” Hughes at sunset Monday, it became clear those things were a fitting preamble to a candlelight vigil held to honor the former standout in local high school athletics. Hughes, 24, died last week. Shot. Killed in his family home on Dale Street. In the middle of an afternoon. More than 100 friends, family members and neighbors, some making the point that for them, this neighborhood is one big family — a family that needs now, more than ever, to keep an eye out and prayers said for one another and each other’s children — took part in the candlelight vigil.

DOZENS TURNED OUT TO HONOR HUGHES


At one point, the clear and joyous voice of a child led the crowd, a cappella, in several verses of “This Little Light of Mine.”

As dozens of white balloons were released into the darkening sky “for Jay,” the heavens seemed to send back a reply: Clouds on the pink-tinged horizon at the end of Dale Street formed a perfect “J.”

Several of those who spoke during the hour-plus vigil talked of the unanswered questions about Hughes’ death, and called on the community to turn to God in prayer.

“Give him the glory,” one man said. “And we will be able to make it through anything.”

BALLOONS ARE RELEASED IN HUGHES' MEMORY


Pray for each other.

Pray for each other’s children.

Pray for healing.

Pray for strength.

Pray for courage.

Pray for peace.

And pray for justice.

“We want to know the truth,” another man said. “We want the police to find them. We want justice. Pray for the police like you never have before.” Speakers also pleaded for anyone with any bit of information about Hughes’ death to come forward or at least contact police anonymously.

TODD WHITTEMORE, JARRETT HUGHES' FORMER BASKETBALL COACH AT VOLUNTEER HIGH SCHOOL, SPEAKS MONDAY NIGHT AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHER TO REMEMBER


Todd Whittemore coached Hughes when Hughes was a star basketball player (point guard) at Volunteer High School.
Whittemore said Hughes was a star to children in the neighborhood, or wherever he happened to encounter them, and that he always — always — took time to help children out.

Whittemore urged the crowd to plan cookouts and other get-togethers on a regular basis as a means of keeping up with each other and being able to recognize when someone might be struggling and need some help, some love.
“We all need help and people to love us, even when we think we don’t deserve it,” Whittemore said. “Don’t let family and friends slip through the cracks.”

Johnnie Mae Swagerty said she and Lisa Williamson each thought of having a candlelight vigil to honor Hughes, comfort and show respect to his family, and bring the neighborhood together.

“God had to put it in both our minds,” Swagerty said.

CLOUDS FORM A 'J' IN THE SKY AS THE VIGIL WAS ENDING

Williamson said Hughes’ death has shaken up the neighborhood — but that can be turned into a golden opportunity to reach out to one another.

“We have to pray for our young children,” Williamson said. “They’re fighting a battle they really know nothing about. People’s attitudes can change and begin to pray for each other’s children and begin to love one another again as a community.”

Riverview School Bus Routes - 2011

For folks who have moved back into the new Riverview Place homes, and for others with kids in the neighborhood, here are the school bus schedules for Lincoln, Sevier and Dobyns-Bennett:

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Bus 7 7:28 AM
Neighborhoods Served: Lee Apartments and Riverview.

Begin at: Center Street, right on Center, right on Myrtle, left on Tennessee, left on E. Sevier, right on Center, left on Dale, right on Wilcox, right on Lincoln (MLK), left on Carver, left on Dunbar, left on Louis, right on Lincoln (MLK), right on Wilcox, right on Center, right on Summer to Lincoln School.

SEVIER/DOBYNS-BENNETT

Bus 19 6:38 AM

Neighborhoods served: Cherokee Village, Downtown, Lee Apartments, Maple Oak and Riverview.

Begins at: Center St., right on Center, left on Lynn Garden, right on W. Sullivan, left on Sequoyah, cross Clinchfield, left on Cherokee Village Dr., right on Clinchfield, left on Lovelace, left on Donelson, left on W. Sullivan, straight through Church Circle, left on W. Charlemont, right on Boone, right on E. Sevier, cross Center, right on Wilcox, right on Lincoln (MLK), left on Carver, left on Dunbar, left on Wheatley, right on Lincoln (MLK), left on Wilcox, left on Dale, cross Center, right on Boone, across to Tennessee, right to Catawba and John Sevier, then on to DB.

Candle Light Vigil: In Memory of Jarrett "Jay" Hughes

Please bring your candles as we celebrate the life of Jay Hughes.

Monday, August 8th · 8:00pm - 9:30pm

------------------------------------------------------------------

Location at Johnnie Mae Swagerty's
950 Dale St.
Kingsport, TN

------------------------------------------------------------------

Quiet Meditation

PHOTO BY ERICA YOON - eyoon@timesnews.net

Memorial flowers hang on a fence outside 937 Dale St., where Jarrett Hughes, 24, was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon. Kingsport police have said at least four people were inside the home when the incident occurred, with the suspect or suspects running from the residence and leaving the area in a vehicle. A motive or persons of interest have yet to be publicly identified. The investigation is continuing.

Bethel AME Zion Church hosting camp

• KINGSPORT — Readiness Day Camp will be held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bethel AME Zion Church, 812 Maple Oak Lane. The camp’s theme is “Spirit, Body and Minds” and will include Bible study and information on health and fitness, bullying and career planning. The guest speaker about bullying will be Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Carolyn Gudger. A free continental breakfast and lunch will be served. The camp is free and open to children in grades three through 12 and also to adults. For more information call Jill Ellis at 245-3524.

Kingsport man killed in shooting on Dale Street

Police said the victim, a black male in his 20s, appears to have suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest.

THIS STORY COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS

By RAIN SMITH
rsmith@timesnews.net

Erica Yoon —eyoon@timesnews.net
At left, police tape surrounds 937 Dale St. in Kingsport after Wednesday’s fatal shooting. Below, center, community members react to the news of the shooting victim’s death. Bwlow right, the victim’s mother (name withheld by Kingsport police) is consoled by community members.

KINGSPORT — Two hours after gunfire rang out inside a Kingsport home Wednesday afternoon, coroners rolled a gurney onto the sidewalk and toward their van, past the hands of a woman clutching for the sheet over her dead son.

A chorus of dismal wails then rolled down Dale Street as dozens of onlookers caught a glimpse of the grieving mother and the shrouded body. Some went to the ground or doubled over in tears; others walked away from the line of police tape shaking their heads.

“Lost his life over nothing,” said one young man as he turned his back to the scene and departed.

“I don’t care what he did,” remarked a woman to a group of neighbors. “Nobody deserves to die.”

Kingsport police are releasing little information on the fatal shooting at 937 Dale St., including the identity of the victim, number of suspects, or possible motive for the crime.

Kingsport Police Department Detective Cpl. Frank Light said numerous interviews are being conducted, including those with witnesses, and leads are being followed.

As of Wednesday evening, no suspect was in custody.

Light said the victim, a black male in his 20s, appears to have suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest. His body was transported to Holston Valley Medical Center.

Units responded to the home at 3:30 p.m. Soon Kingsport officers, assault rifles drawn, were walking the surrounding alleyways and blocking off streets. K-9 units out of Bristol, Tenn., also tracked the back of the home and surrounding area.

Light declined to say if the suspect or suspects invaded the home — the victim’s mother’s — or if they had been welcomed in prior to the shooting. He said the suspect or suspects ran from the residence and left in a vehicle, with investigators currently reviewing footage from a nearby community policing camera for evidence.

But the camera — positioned on a Dale Street utility pole one house down from the shooting — is believed to have been directed toward an adjacent park, rather than the home and the incident. Nonetheless, Light said it still could have captured footage useful to the investigation.

Scanner traffic at the time of the shooting relayed descriptions of two suspects, each black males wearing black tops and pants. The number of suspects in the BOLO (Be on the Lookout) was echoed by numerous residents of Dale Street, with many adding the men invaded the home and shot the victim as his mother slept.

Light said four people were in the immediate vicinity of the shooting, inside the home, when it occurred. He also confirmed police are looking into theories neighbors relayed to media at the scene: Gang activity originating in Bristol is involved.

That information has not been proved correct, according to Light, but at this stage of the investigation all angles are being pursued.

Equipped to learn

Judy Douglas, Kingsport Housing Authority Title 5 program assistant, hands out backpacks containing school supplies to school-age residents of Holly Hill Apartments on Wednesday. The Northeast Church of Christ donated the backpacks and supplies that were distributed. The church also gave backpacks and supplies to schoolchildren in Lee, Riverview and Dogwood Terrace Apartments.

Student of the Year

CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO MAKE THEM LARGER

Congratulations to Terry & Jackie Lynch Shields, formerly of Kingsport...
Special Congratulations to proud grandma & Douglass High School alumnus Clara Lynch!

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT: Hickman & Hickman

Dawn Alane Hickman, daughter of G. Donald and Jan Houston-Hickman, of Maryville, and Alexander LeMonte Hickman, son of Ernest and Carolyn Hickman, of Middleton, Ohio, will be married at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2011, at The Clayton Center for the Arts on the campus of Maryville College in Maryville.

DB Band Show TONIGHT!

The D-B Band will perform its football show this Friday night at J.Fred Johnson at 7:30. If you plan to come, arrive about 7:15 so you can catch them march into the stadium, too!

Boy, they love that Splash Pad......

THESE PHOTOS COURTESY NED JILTON - njilton@timesnews.net

Kaity Hess gets a surprise at the Riverview Splash Pad in Kingsport Thursday as the water bucket dumps on her head at an unexpected time.

Back 2 Skool in Kingsport!

Former Riverview Resident Wins Kingsport Monthly Award

A former Riverview resident has brought her love of gardening and beautification to her new home, and that love has now won her a city-wide award.

The front yard of Helen K. Bunting on Hiwassee Avenue has been recognized with a beautification award.

Keep Kingsport Beautiful and Blue Ridge Properties have recognized for July properties throughout Kingsport with beautification awards.

Each year from May to October, Keep Kingsport Beautiful and Blue Ridge Properties recognize properties which “set positive examples for beautification and cleanliness,” dividing the city into territories. Volunteers for each of these areas pick a winning property each month that “exemplifies the following qualities: litter-free, well maintained buildings, well-groomed, and a good example in their neighborhood.”

In addition to Helen's beautification award, this month's residential winners include Christopher Brackett of Kensington Drive; Jerry and Charlene Trail, Birchwood Road; Dr. and Mrs. Tony Seaton, Coventry Wynd; Todd Meade and Zachary Thomas, West Wanola Avenue; and Sam and Marsha Cole, Pineola Avenue.

The redevelopment award was presented to Food City No. 657, Clinchfield Street. Business winner is Bank of Tennessee, North Eastman Road. Winner in the church category is St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, East Ravine.

Be sure and visit Helen's front yard, and congratulate her on winning this wonderful award!