Cutting Horse Competition in Rich Valley, Virginia

Spent the evening with friends new and old at the Rich Valley Horse show Friday. Ranch sorting was going on even with the muddy ground and rainy weather. It is good to see that there are still those who want to keep the old frontier ways alive today. Sorting is selecting a calf and moving it and only it from a group. Story will run next week in BHC but here is a teaser shot for you. The Flying W Ranch is in Elizabethton, TN.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Rain all week downs the drought from 2008

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A truck driving down West State Street through a puddle throws water on the car next to it at the intersection with Bob Morrison Blvd. on Friday.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Stewart Sells Tickets at BMS

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Tony Stewart signs a sign for Brody Barnett (in window) from Alabama while he and his family were buying tickets to the Fall race on Thursday. Also shown in BMS employee Jessi Pansock. Stewart was helping sell tickets and work the crowd of fans gathered.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

President Obama in Bristol, Virginia

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President Barack Obama talks to Jim Scalf at the Bristol, Va. Kroger during a townhall meeting on Wednesday, July 29, 2009.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

President Obama in Bristol, Virginia

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

President Barack Obama talks to employees at the Bristol, Va. Kroger during a townhall meeting on Wednesday, July 29, 2009.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

President Obama in Bristol, Virginia

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

President Barack Obama eats a peach after talking to employees at the Bristol, Va. Kroger during a townhall meeting on Wednesday, July 29, 2009. He is also holding a $1 to pay for the peach.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

President Obama in Bristol, Virginia

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

President Barack Obama talks to employees at the Bristol, Va. Kroger during a townhall meeting on Wednesday, July 29, 2009.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Here we go again- Obama visit #3

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Dr. Terry Gillenwater put up a sign for Pres. Obama for his Visit on Wednesday. If we had jobs all the country problems would be solved.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Americans for Prosperity Rally comes to Bristol, Va.

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Alex Adams,11, from Bristol, Tn. attended the Americans for Prosperity rally in Bristol, Va. Usually do not shoot kids with posters because parent usually make them but this was catchy.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Americans for Prosperity Rally comes to Bristol, Va.

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Concerned citizens attended the Americans for Prosperity rally in Bristol, Va. Tuesday evening.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Here we go again- Obama visit #3

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Audio equipment is brought into Kroger in Bristol, Va. for the Obama Visit on Wednesday. A sign also tells customers about change in hours.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

RAM comes to Wise, Va.

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Chasidy Smith holds her son Logan, 4 mos, while her husband Chris Smith is getting 6 teeth pulled at RAM in Wise. The family is from Gate City, Va.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

RAM comes to Wise, Va.

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Brittany Graham, Wise, Va, and Dr. Wallace Huff, Blacksburg, Va go over the options for her teeth at RAM in Wise.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

THS Football tradition of Flipping Tires.

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Tennessee High school football team participated in Tire Flip day on Wednesday in Bristol. Two teams started at State Street and took turns "flipping" the tire along MLK Blvd up to Tenn. High School.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Crime Prevention Week, Bristol, Va.

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Explosive Dog Hammer with the Bristol Va. police dept. gets some attention from some students at the Apple Institute at Central Presbyterian Church during Crime Prevention Week. Slagle is from the Bristol, Va. police dept. The kids are from K-5th grade.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

APX Security Systems in Bristol, Tennessee

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Elizabeth Champagne is not happy with the story told her when she purchased the APX security system and she is trying to get the system removed from her house. Several other homeowners in the area have the same system and it is split on their thoughts.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Band Camp Sullivan Central High School

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Tuba Player Thomas Greenwell,13, 8th grade rests on Tuesday during Band Camp at Sullivan Central in Blountville. Band Camps have started around the area and Sullivan Central High School 70 member band started the 5 day 8 to 8 practice on Monday.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Boucher Protest in Abingdon, Va.

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Buford Neel, left, and Bill Altizer, both from Tazwell, Va. hold signs outside the office of Rick Boucher US Congressman on Monday in Abingdon , Va

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Couirer

Car chase in Bristol, Va/Tn.

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Bristol Tenn. police and emergency personnel work around the car that was involved in the car chase that began in Bristol, Va and ended Bristol, TN.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Search for City Manager begins in Bristol, Va.

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Bristol Virginia City Council members gathered Thursday to discuss how to proceed with the search for a new City Manager. City Mayor James Rector, center, talks during the meeting on thursday.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier