This content is unavailable. Please contact customer service for more information.
Already a subscriber? Login or Activate your account.
You've reached the end of the standard E-Edition.
This content is unavailable. Please contact customer service for more information.
E&H kicks off the school year with Community Day and Friends & Family Weekend (copy)
SPorter
Community Day includes free kids’ activities, giveaways, a
Community Tailgate Row and community recognition moments.
SPorter / Submitted photo
Emory & Henry University kicks off the school year with its annual Community Day event during the first home football game of the year on Saturday, Sept. 12. This free event begins at 9 a.m. with fun for the whole family — including free kids’ activities, giveaways, a Community Tailgate Row and community recognition moments throughout the day.
This year’s Community Day is made possible by the support of Stateline Services and also falls during Friends & Family Weekend on the Emory campus. Friends & Family Weekend invites the friends and family of current students back to campus for a weekend of connection and community building, including coffee with administration and an opportunity to interact with professors.
The Wasps will take on Tusculum beginning at 1 p.m. in the Fred Selfe Stadium. Community members, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to “paint the town gold” by wearing all gold during the game. Fans are invited to stay after the football game and enjoy the Emory & Henry men’s soccer game at 7:30 p.m. as they take on Palm Beach Atlantic University.
“We’re looking forward to filling the stadium with students, friends, family and neighbors this Community Day,” said Jacqueline Kestner, Assistant Director of Athletics for Operations. “We’re grateful for Stateline Services for helping to make this event possible and look forward to welcoming everyone to campus for the first home football game of the season.”
Kids 12 years old and under receive free admission with an accompanying adult on Community Day. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $20 for reserved seating. All tickets are available for purchase at the stadium gates.
Emory & Henry offers free parking on campus. Fans who can’t attend in person are encouraged to tune in live on WEHC 90.7 FM or watch on FloSports. Find more information about Community Day at gowasps.com.
Foundation for the Advancement of Southern and Southwest Virginia hires new executive director (copy) (copy)
The Foundation for the Advancement of Southern and Southwest Virginia has selected Deb Gosney to serve as its first executive director.
"This foundation has an important role to play in the future of Southern and Southwest Virginia, and we knew that finding a well-qualified executive director to lead our work was critical to getting off to a good start," said FASS-VA Chairman Jeff Haley. "This foundation exists to support the great work already being done by the Tobacco Commission and their partners. Deb's wealth of experience working with the same communities and organizations means she is ready to hit the ground running. I encourage anyone with an idea that could help build an even brighter future for our counties, cities, and towns to reach out to Deb to see how FASS-VA might be able to help."
“I am deeply honored and excited to begin this new chapter as executive director of FASS-VA. After 38 years of dedicated service as executive director of Southside PDC, I carry with me a profound appreciation for the power of collaboration, community partnerships, and mission-driven leadership," said Gosney. "My career has been rooted in helping communities identify opportunities, strengthen local capacity, and improve the quality of life for the people we serve. I look forward to bringing that same commitment, experience, and passion to FASS-VA as we continue advancing its important work across the Tobacco Region footprint. I am grateful for the relationships built over nearly four decades at Southside PDC and look forward to building new partnerships that support FASS-VA’s mission and the communities it serves.”
Gosney brings nearly four decades of experience in regional community and economic development to her new role. As executive director of the Southside Planning District Commission, she led organizational operations, budgeting, and staff development while advancing strategic initiatives across Southern Virginia.
A native of Mecklenburg County, Gosney holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Finance from Elon College.
"I'd like to congratulate FASS-VA on their selection of an excellent candidate to serve as their first executive director," said TRRC chairman, Del. Will Morefield. "Economic development, especially in the rural regions of the Commonwealth the commission covers, requires a team effort, and Deb has a long track record of successful leadership and partnership in that area. I wish Deb and FASS-VA the best as they get to work assisting our localities and look forward to a long and successful partnership between FASS-VA and the Commission."
"Deb is an excellent choice to lead FASS-VA, and I look forward to working with her as our two organizations move forward together to strengthen our Southern and Southwest Virginia communities," said TRRC Executive Director David Manley. "While the Foundation is just getting started, I believe that in the years to come it will be a real asset to the region and serve as a catalyst for the great work already being done by our partners across the footprint."
YWCA offers Moms-R-Us teen pregnancy and parenting support classes with flexible enrollment (copy)
SPorter
A brand-new YWCA Moms-R-Us baby.
Photo courtesy of YWCA
Moms-R-Us families are able to take advantage of a wide variety
of YWCA supports and activities, including our yearly Car-Seat
Check and Touch-a-Truck event.
Photo courtesy of YWCA Staff
Each month, YWCA's Moms-R-Us Support Group offers a
different activity for parents and kids to work on while discussing
the day's topic.
Photo courtesy of YWCA Staff
YWCA Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia has launched its comprehensive Fall 2026 Moms-R-Us teen pregnancy and parenting support programming, held in both Bristol, Tenn., and Glade Spring. Designed specifically for pregnant and parenting teens aged 19 and younger, these free classes aim to build confidence, elevate family economic capacity, and promote long-term health and wellness for young parents and their babies.
To accommodate school and work demands, Moms-R-Us sessions are offered from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on select days according to location. The schedule features two distinct learning tracks to provide holistic family development:
• Prepared Childbirth classes guide participants through labor and delivery expectations, breastfeeding basics, postpartum recovery, newborn safety and more. (Mondays in Bristol/Thursdays in Glade Spring.)
• Parenting Skills classes cover lifelong tools such as child development, positive discipline, budgeting, stress management, and building healthy relationships. (Tuesdays in Bristol/Thursdays in Glade Spring.)
Understanding that the journey into parenthood does not follow a strict calendar, the organization features an open-door policy allowing teens to join the program at any time.
“Our primary goal is to break down the social and economic barriers that young families face, giving them the foundation they need for lifelong stability,” said Caitlin Talley, Moms-R-Us director. “By combining practical education like childbirth and parenting preparation with the emotional support moms and dads gain in connecting with other young families, we are empowering these young parents to build a strong, self-sufficient future for themselves and their children.”
In addition to vital education, participants earn attendance incentives and gain access to free essential baby items and clothing. And completion of the comprehensive Prepared Childbirth program also qualifies attending individuals for a free convertible car seat.
Beyond the weekly curriculum, the program provides ongoing community resource referrals and monthly peer support groups focusing on job readiness and critical life skills.
“Many of our mothers—and fathers too—continue attending these monthly support group meetings for years after their babies are born,” Talley shared. “They stay to gain ongoing guidance for themselves, but they also become incredible mentors, passing down their own learned knowledge and personal experiences to help the younger, newer parents walking through our doors.”
The Moms-R-Us program is supported by the United Way of Bristol TN/VA and Ballad Health. Eligible teens can sign up or learn more by calling YWCA at 423-968-9444, emailing teenpregnancysupport@ywcatnva.org, or visiting www.ywcatnva.org/moms. Referrals are also welcome.
ETSU’s weekly fall color reports to return this week (copy) (copy)
Every autumn, the Appalachian Mountains transform into a vibrant tapestry of crimson, gold and amber, drawing visitors from across the country to experience one of the region's most celebrated traditions. Once again, East Tennessee State University is helping residents and visitors alike know when – and where – to experience the season at its best.
Beginning Friday, Sept. 11, ETSU will publish its weekly Fall Color Reports, offering expert forecasts and scientific insight into the progression of autumn color across Northeast Tennessee and the surrounding Appalachian Highlands.
New reports will be published every Friday through the end of the fall foliage season. Readers can find the reports on ETSU News and the university's social media channels.
Travis Watson, ETSU’s campus arborist and biology master’s graduate, combines scientific knowledge with a deep love for our region’s diverse tree species.
Dr. Andrew Joyner, climatologist, brings his expertise as a professor in ETSU's Department of Geosciences.
Together, the pair combine expertise in biology and climatology to explain how changing weather patterns, elevation, rainfall and temperature influence the timing and intensity of fall color.
Each report will include:
• Weekly predictions for peak color across different elevations.
• Updates on current viewing conditions throughout the Appalachian Highlands.
• Scientific explanations of the environmental factors influencing fall foliage.
• Recommendations for where and when to experience the best color.
• A featured tree species, highlighting the biology and unique autumn characteristics of one of Appalachia's iconic trees.
Virginia Department of Health backs vaccine recommendations for respiratory virus season (copy) (copy)
With respiratory virus season approaching, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) endorses recently released vaccine recommendations from leading medical associations.
VDH recommends that children and adults are vaccinated in accordance with the 2026-2027 respiratory vaccination recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). VDH encourages healthcare providers to draw on their clinical training and professional judgment, along with the latest evidence and scientific information, when talking with patients, parents, and caregivers.
These respiratory virus vaccines are FDA-approved, but availability may vary as ordering and distribution continue. VDH recommends checking with your healthcare provider in the coming weeks for vaccine availability.
Clinicians and the public can access these recommendations at the VDH website or at a new digital resource hub developed by the American Medical Association (AMA) in collaboration with the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP). The resource helps patients and healthcare providers by consolidating scientific, evidence-based vaccination recommendations for the upcoming respiratory virus season.
“Respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV account for tens of thousands of visits to urgent care and emergency rooms in Virginia each year,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb. “While these viruses can affect anyone, they can be especially serious for older adults, people living with chronic conditions, and those who cannot be vaccinated, including our youngest infants. The best way to protect yourself and those around you is to stay up to date on recommended vaccinations. VDH encourages Virginians to talk with their healthcare provider about which vaccines are recommended for them.”
The VDH urged people with questions about vaccines or vaccine-preventable diseases to talk to a healthcare provider or contact their local health department for more information.
Feeding Southwest Virginia calls on neighbors to play part in Hunger Action Month (copy)
This September, during Hunger Action Month, Feeding Southwest Virginia is joining the nationwide Feeding America network in calling on Southwest Virginia to Play Your Part. As the cost of essentials like groceries and energy continue to put pressure on household budgets, everyone can take action to help ensure their neighbors have access to the food they need to thrive.
"Together we can end hunger," said Denis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America. "It takes people looking out for each other, especially now, as so many families are navigating difficult tradeoffs necessitated by high food prices. This Hunger Action Month, we're asking everyone to show up for their neighbors facing hunger and play their part. Whether you give, volunteer, speak up or support your community in another way, your action matters. When neighbors care for neighbors, we strengthen our communities."
Hunger Action Day falls on Sept. 29, when Feeding America will release the 2026 Elevating Voices: Insights Report, an annual, nationally representative survey of the experiences, concerns and policy views of people facing hunger in the United States.
“Hunger is present in every city and county we serve,” says CEO and President of Feeding Southwest Virginia, Pamela Irvine. "Thousands of families, children, and working individuals in our service region face hunger. We are grateful for those who stand with our neighbors and actively engage in our work to make sure all in Southwest Virginia have access to the food they need."
This Hunger Action Month, individuals can help support Feeding Southwest Virginia and the neighbors they serve.
Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print.
You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it.
When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue.
