Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene, Johnson County has come a long way — but the work isn’t finished. This week on The Johnson County Line, Dan Cullinane and Sheila Stout Caldwell sit down with Becky Wright of the Johnson County Long Term Recovery Group for a candid conversation about where recovery stands today, theContinueContinue reading “This Week on The Johnson County Line: Recovery, Readiness & Community”
Author Archives: Sheila Stout Caldwell
Around the County: Music, Mountain Views & Local History
There’s plenty happening around Johnson County this week—from live music and dancing to a chance to help care for Watauga Lake, explore the story of Old Butler and learn about the railroads that once served our mountain communities. Here’s your day-by-day guide for September 17–20, plus a Monday evening opportunity to try something new. Thursday,ContinueContinue reading “Around the County: Music, Mountain Views & Local History”
From Johnson County’s Railroads to an East TN Soldier: Two September Heritage Programs to Enjoy
A railroad grade, an old family story, a name on a military record—each can tell us something about the people who lived here before us. This month, two local heritage programs invite us to look more closely at those stories and the people who have spent years preserving them. Beaver Dam Railroad engine No. 1ContinueContinue reading “From Johnson County’s Railroads to an East TN Soldier: Two September Heritage Programs to Enjoy”
Questions Mount as Johnson County 911 Audit Trail Remains Incomplete
Editor’s Note — Updated September 10, 2026: This article has been updated to clarify the insurance status of an E-911 employee facing a serious illness. The employee has not yet lost her primary medical coverage. She says that coverage was threatened with termination at the end of August but was extended through September while sheContinueContinue reading “Questions Mount as Johnson County 911 Audit Trail Remains Incomplete”
This Week on The Johnson County Line: Accountability, Recovery & Community
Some stories are easy to tell. Others require us to keep asking questions. This week on The Johnson County Line, Dan Cullinane and Sheila Stout Caldwell return to the developing story surrounding Johnson County Emergency 911 — including financial and administrative issues documented in public records, questions regarding audits and oversight, and documentation we areContinueContinue reading “This Week on The Johnson County Line: Accountability, Recovery & Community”
Around the County: Cars, Community & Weekend Fun!
From live music and rodeo action to classic cars, local art, and Friday night football, Johnson County has a full calendar ahead. Here’s what’s happening around the county September 10–13. Thursday, September 10 Johnson County COG Networking SessionNoon | Mountain City/Johnson County Community Center214 College Street, Mountain City Connect with local business owners, organizations andContinueContinue reading “Around the County: Cars, Community & Weekend Fun!”
Around the County: Music, Mountains & Labor Day Fun
Labor Day weekend brings plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy Johnson County—from Appalachian music and local art to a mountain 5K, farmers market, Ribfest, classic cars and more. Here’s a look at what’s happening Around the County September 4–6. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 LIVE MUSIC: Scott McKinney 5–8 p.m. | Villa Nove Vineyards1877 DryContinueContinue reading “Around the County: Music, Mountains & Labor Day Fun”
This Week on The Johnson County Line: A Long Journey Home & Labor Day Around Town
Celebrating Our Appalachian Heritage Our guest this week is Cristy Dunn, Executive Director of the Johnson County Center for the Arts, who joins Sheila to talk about Long Journey Home, Johnson County’s annual celebration of Appalachian music, heritage and traditions. Long Journey Home is more than a weekend of music. It is an opportunity toContinueContinue reading “This Week on The Johnson County Line: A Long Journey Home & Labor Day Around Town”
This Week on The Johnson County Line Podcast: Tough Questions & Good Neighbors
What does a barbecue festival have to do with the bigger challenges facing Johnson County’s volunteer fire departments? Quite a bit, as it turns out. This week on The Johnson County Line, Dan Cullinane and Sheila Caldwell are joined by Chad Greever for a closer look at the questions surrounding Ribfest, the concerns raised byContinueContinue reading “This Week on The Johnson County Line Podcast: Tough Questions & Good Neighbors”
Around the County: What’s Happening This Weekend
There’s plenty happening around Johnson County as we head into the final weekend of August — from live music and Longhorn football to dancing, classic cars, a full moon hike and a night ride on Doe Mountain. And you don’t have to wait until Friday to get started. Here’s what’s happening Around the County AugustContinueContinue reading “Around the County: What’s Happening This Weekend”
