Girls starting to out number boys at Jr. Drags

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Morgan Keyser was one of the headliners for the annual National Hot Rod Association Junior Dragster League Eastern Conference Finals at Bristol Dragway. The four-day event, which was delayed by rain Saturday, fea tured over 600 racers from age 8 to 17.

In the diverse world of junior dragsters, the Eastern Conference Finals compares to the Little LeagueWorld Series in base ball. Driver from across the Eastern United States and Canadamade the trek to Bristol in pursuit of the same one-foot brass “Wally” trophy given to NHRA professional national event champions.

Entering the weekend, Keyser was one of just 12 racers to ever win two championships. No driver has won the Eastern Conference title three times.

As of press time Saturday night, Keyser had advanced to the quarterfinals in her age group.

Read more at Tricities.com. Click for Flickr photos.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Pretty COOL business opens up in Bristol

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Bristol Chamber Membership Chairman David Ring speaks to Rick Millsap the owner of the new Bristol HVAC that held its grand opening on Friday.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Family Racing still a great thing to do this weekend

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Brittney Neely gets some shade and some advice from her Dad, Wes, while waiting in the staging lanes on Friday at the Jr. Drags at the Bristol Motor Speedway. The family is from Mississippi and she runs in the 8-9 age group. It is great to see brothers, sister, mother's and Dad's all come to Bristol to Drag race together.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Facebook used to help others by this teen.

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Caitlin Cherry holds up some blood she had just donated at Marsh Blood Center in Kingsport on Tuesday. Cherry tried to get all her friends to donate blood via Facebook friends.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Sisters still shine at Coeburn and Castlewood

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Castlewood stars Shannon, left, and Brianne Casteel. These sisters were well known for their sports in High School and continue today as well. Read History with Hayes at www.tricities.com.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Another Day at the Highlands Festival

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Wood shavings fly as Nicola Aloisio turn a bowl during an artist demo in the William Kings Arts Center Tent at the Virginia Highlands Festival on Thursday.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Another Day at the Highlands Festival

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Robbie Gentry is a Glass Bead Artist and is shown working on a Christmas tree bead at the Highlands Festival in Abingdon.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

The Ocean comes to Bristol Library

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Sydney Hall,7, touches a starfish during the Bristol Public Library on Splashtastic Day Wednesday. This day is part of the Summer Reading program and included activities from the Virginia Aquarium.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Allgaier comes back to Bristol

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Nationwide Series Driver Justin Allgaier speaks to reporters during press conference at BMS on Tuesday. See story www.tricities.com and click on photo for more on Flickr.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Selling Honey at the Festival

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Bee Keeper Oris Christian sells honey at the Highlands Festival. Over 15 types of honey including Locust, Popular, Spring Wildflower and Thistle for example.  See www.tricities.com for the story.  Click the photo for more on Flickr.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Abingdon Town Tour

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

The Barter Theatre is at the beginning of the Town Tour by Carl Mallory. He is holding an old photo of the Barter as a church. He also pointed out the words City Hall that are in stone on building but Abingdon is still only a town with just over 7000 residents.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Award Winning Photography 2010

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

National Press Photographers Assoc. 1st. Place June 2010 Region 6 Clips Contest.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Suspect yells at police while in police car after he was caught in a house on Bradley Street in Bristol, Va. on thursday. Several houses were broken into even with people in the houses.

RAM comes to fairgrounds again

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Dentists work at the RAM in Wise on Friday, July 23, 2010. The three day clinic is first come first serve. Dental, Vision, Hearing and several other medical needs are being met.

www.tricities.com for more to read,  http://www.flickr.com/photos/neikirkimage/with/4821765559/ to see photos.

Minnie painted and hung over 200 paintings.

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Neighbor JC Scott talks about Minnie Scyphers who he lived next door to in Brumley Gap, Va. She painted over 200 paintings that hang on every wall in her house. See www.tricities.com for more on story.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Stabbing in Bristol, Va.

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Bristol Va. Police Det. Sgt. Steve Crawford photographs evidence at the scene of a stabbing on Wednesday Evening in Bristol, Va.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Highlands has fun with kids in Bristol

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Lexi Dock, 9, gets her face painted during the Highlands Fellowship Church youth group at the Boys and Girls Club of Bristol.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Coeburn kid makes good

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Coeburn football star Mike Hamm was the top running back during his high school career. He now works for the railroad.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Rain off and on

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

This walker was still going strong in the early morning rain at the track outside Viking Hall in Bristol, TN. on Monday.

Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

278th. returns home once again

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

Gabriel Cook is held by his Dad Thomas Cook after he got of the bus at the Kingsport Armory after returning from their deployment in iraq. The 278th. returned 6 mos. early.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Wildlife taken care of in Elizabethton

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Originally uploaded by Neikirk Image

This possum is one of several being taken care of at the Wynn Wood Wildlife Rehab in Elizabethton, TN. They were brought in from Bristol after the mother was hit by a car.


Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Couirer