White Christmas

One Johnson City three-year-old got her white Christmas wish. Amelia Preston’s father, Sam, bought a snow machine online. The device, which looks like some tubes hooked to an air compressor and pressure washer, caused 6 inches of snow in their front yard. Many neighbors stopped to see if their eyes were playing tricks on them.

Jonesborough Red Light Cameras

Jonesborough installed red light cameras recently. They are already in use on the intersections of Jackson Blvd. and Boones Creek Rd., Jackson Blvd. and Forrest Dr., and Jackson Blvd. and Headtown Rd. The tickets will be $50 each but won’t be issued until late January.

Kingsport Red Light Cameras

Kingsport has issued over 17,000 citations this year due to their red light cameras. The cameras are located at three intersections in the city and the citations are only issued if the driver crosses the white line after the light turns red. Running a yellow light is not a violation.

Wal-Mart Fire

Johnson City’s West Market Street Wal-Mart was evacuated on Saturday. The evacuation was implemented after a fire broke out in the dressing rooms. The fire was put out and many people left the store after the evacuation.

Eastman Budget Cuts

Eastman has released plans to reduce their budget for 2009. They will do so in the following ways:

- Eliminate salary increases.
- Permanently reducing vacation carry-over
- Eliminating overtime when possible
- Reduction in use of contractors and part-time workers
- Reduction of management staff

All of this will save Eastman up to $100 million and will take effect in 2009.

Couple Hit by Box Springs

Burgess and Aliene Shelton were almost hit by mattress parts that fell off a truck in Erwin last Saturday. Shelton says that when he saw the mattress come off he commented about it to his wife then the next thing he knew the box springs came off and shattered on the hood of his car. A board came through their windshield, and if it had fallen just a foot to either side it could have injured Shelton or his wife. Both are just fine this evening.

Damaged Walkway Coverings at High School

The coverings on the walkways at Elizabethton High School may be removed. The canopies at the school are deteriorating from ice and rain says Superintendent Ed Alexander. Loose pieces were removed after a section fell down on Monday. No one was hurt in that incident.