Washington County Swearing In Ceremony

Honorable Sage B. Johnson, left, swears into office Josh Cumbow as the Washington County Commonwealth Attorney with his wife Leslie, Reid (son) and Hayden (daughter) holding the bible on Wednesday in Abingdon, Virginia.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

www.heraldcourier.com/news/local/washington-county-va-off...

Thrift Store Moves across Street

New Life Thrift Shop is moving across the street for Ellis Soda Shop in Abingdon, Virginia.  The new location is next to Carter Bank and Trust and is planning on opening in February.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

www.heraldcourier.com/news/local/local-discount-store-mov...

Arby's Classic Day 2 Bristol Tennessee

Union #23 James Mitchell drives down courty with  Wayne High #33 Demond Parker during their game on Monday Day 2 of the Arby's Classic.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

www.heraldcourier.com/sports/local_high_school/wayne-wins...



Sullivan East #24 Peyton Kegley goes up for a basket against Saint James #10 Jaiyer Jinwright on Day 2 of the Arby's Classic on Monday.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

www.heraldcourier.com/sports/local_high_school/wayne-wins...

North Mecklenburg been to the Arby's Finals Before

North Mecklenberg High School #10 Davion MIntz during the Arby's Classic.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/north-mecklenburg-s-mintz-returns-to-arby-s-classic/article_e046e280-ad0e-11e5-99a7-a70f12d45e0d.html

Ski Resorts slow to open with warm temps

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort is now open for business with snow on most of the trails.  Their has not been a snow fall in the North Carolina area so the resort has been making the base and top layer during cold nights. Same for most of the area Ski Resorts.  However, Christmas Day is to reach the upper 60's this year.



Photos Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/local/warm-temps-alter-ski-season/article_51ce7a50-9159-5514-8baa-cb2e853aaaa5.html

Arby's Time in Bristol Tennessee

Tennessee High #23 Garrett Crandell goes up for rebound against North Mecklenburg #33 Ethan Wacker.

Photos Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/new-faces-lead-defending-champs-past-host-ths/article_1acf51ac-ac57-11e5-a033-93d7c40aa234.html




Crockett #12 Patrick Good drives against Mentor #11 Manning Trubisky.

Photos Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/after-a-day-of-yawners-crockett-beats-mentor-in-thrilling/article_da5dbffe-ac57-11e5-a26f-cb0187b11542.html

Christmas Lights in Bristol Tennessee

Johnny Hutchinson adds more and more lights to his display at the corner of Windy Hill Drive and Sperry View Drive in Bristol, Tennessee.  The corner lot, which belongs to his daughter, has grown each year and now Santa and one of his elfs greet people as they drive by the display.



Photos Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/bristol-tenn-resident-draws-visitors-with-elaborate-display-of-lights/article_1bf8baaa-cce5-5c90-a408-26bf8f86af1f.html

Animal Shelters warn about Christmas Pets

Washington County Virginia Animal Shelter Deputy Kelly Tabor gives "Roxie Noel" a hug at the Animal Shelter in Abingdon, Virginia.  Roxie is a Rottweiler Labrador mix.

Photos Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/local/shelters-warn-against-pets-as-presents/article_bedb2416-41bb-5acb-8d0e-80e79bf6bb37.html

Recent events lead to heavy Gun sales

Matt Messer, Volunteer Gun Shop, holds an AR15 style gun that is for sale at the shop.  Customers can customize the weapon with etched and colored parts.  Sales have picked up over the past couple of weeks.



Ed Buchanan with K & R Gun in Abingdon, Virginia holds a Ruger LCP hand gun that was part of a delivery of guns received on Thursday at the gun shop.  The sales have been on an increase of the past couple of weeks and the guns are sold as fast as they come in.

Photos Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.co

http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/security-concerns-driving-demand-for-guns-and-ammunition-at-local/article_e537cf06-bf1e-5977-b6d0-5c9460dcc389.html

Union vs Sullivan East Basketball

Sullivan East #12 Aaron Fyre reacts after missing the steal on Union #23 James Mitchell on Friday.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/mitchell-s-last-second-shot-gives-union-a-win-over/article_a0f8d99a-a60f-11e5-9f6d-37e15a32a177.html

Downtown Officers Big Hit to Stores

Bristol Virginia Downtown Police officer Dave Tolbert checks the parking lot behind  the State Street businesses for locked doors and people just hanging round behind the buildings.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/local/officers-assigned-to-downtown-bristol-on-both-sides-have-improved/article_4ca7fcb8-5bc8-510b-be13-4fe8a237013d.html

Star Wars Premier at Abingdon Cinemall

Uriah VanDyke, 5, from Oakwood, Virginia, gets his photo taken with dressed out Star Wars characters at the Cinemall in Abingdon, Virginia.  The 501st. Legion attended the first night showing.  The group is made of fans who produce  screen accurate replica outfits or various characters of the Star Wars Universe.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/local-moviegoers-flock-to-catch-glimpse-of-new-star-wars/article_7cc4e9f6-8149-54f8-b050-3ae9d2f9b1f2.html

Haven of Rest giving Christmas Turkey Dinners

The contents of the Haven of Rest Christmas Dinner boxes.  Over 300 meals are being given out to area residents.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/haven-of-rest-distributes-christmas-dinners-to-needy-families-in/article_1d7d1435-b516-50b4-bc58-839c0fa76783.html

Students selling plants to help fund Greenhouse

Virginia Highlands Community College Treadwell-Jones Greenhouse Manger Heather Jeffreys, right, talks with Chelsea Goulding, left, about the plants for sale at the Greenhouse. Goulding attended VHCC and came back to buy plants to support the students and the program. Photos Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/local/horticulture-students-offer-thousands-of-plants/article_45bb125b-3be9-5419-a4c7-a2d46cdac866.html

Journey's End Christmas Candlelight

Joseph and Mary continue on the Journey's End Christmas Candlelight Procession on Tuesday in Downtown Bristol.  The couple walked to several stops along State Street to hear Church Choirs and other groups sing along the way as they searched for a place to stay.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/local/local-event-portrays-the-christmas-story/article_c2a479fb-e51f-5218-90d2-d8192aa3e570.html#.VnFfqtZXw_M.facebook

Tennessee High vs Virginia High Basketball

Tennessee High #45 Hanna Simons reaches for a rebound with Virginia High #23 Kerrigan Bailey.  Tennessee High won the game and the Boys game as well.



Virginia High #23 Jordan Sewell  drives to the basket against Tennessee High #34 Michael Norton.

Photos Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/vikings-sweep-bearcats/article_9470c016-a2e5-11e5-acfd-d30e6534e5f7.html

Boone Dam Repairs Prep Begins

Contractors work on the concrete slab that will become the Mobile Mixing Pad where water, concrete and other materials will be mixed and piped out to the earthen part of Boone Dam.  This will used to fill the cracks in the rock and also be used to make the Composite Wall that will be build inside the earthen part of the Dam.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/exploratory-grouting-to-begin-in-jan-tva-board-to-consider/article_cba0c30a-5efb-5ab7-9280-03702447aa24.html

Tennessee High vs David Crockett Basketball

Tennessee High #21 Adonis Wheeler gets fouled by Crocket #11 Josh Releford and #24 Brendon Coleman.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/david-crockett-stops-vikings/article_ac79dc82-a08e-11e5-87c9-a74f55d029b7.html

Muslim Community of Northeast Tennessee

Members of the Muslim Community of Northeast Tennessee worship and pray during their mid morning prayer time (Jumuah) on Friday in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/people-of-various-faiths-gather-to-show-support-for-local/article_ef6b6065-7aab-571e-a940-87be4473a444.html

Mittens Ministry in Abingdon Church

Mimi Hull places a Star Wars knit hat on the Mittens Tree.  The Sinking Springs Presbyterian Church is holding their annual Mittens Tree drive, where church members donate mittens, hats, scarves and other daily living supplies to Ecumenical Faith in Action.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com

http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/local/area-church-donates-warm-clothes-for-those-who-need-them/article_eb104c96-f980-53b6-ae55-13f1da07e0aa.html