From Yoda to tax hikes: Jonesborough's year told through local stories

From tax debates to storytelling tents, Jonesborough's year unfolded through growth, grief and grit. Jonesborough's community news in 2025 traced a town balancing practical decisions with personality and growth. Early in the year, town officials approved a new budget that included a 27-cent property tax increase to fund capital projects. Mayor Kelly Wolfe acknowledged the difficulty of the decision while defending its necessity, saying the projects would "bring value to taxpayers of our town in a cost-effective manner," adding that town government remained conservative and that "nobody is excited about having to ask for more money." The rate rose from 97 cents per $100 of assessed value to $1.24. Wolfe's first year as mayor followed a significant leadership transition. Former Mayor Chuck Vest resigned to take a position on the local election commission, Wolfe was sworn in, and Zac Jenkins joined the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, setting the stage for a new chapter at Town Hall. Not all council matters were conventional. One of the year's most talked-about meetings involved a life-sized Yoda statue outside The Lollipop Shop. After online debate and a petition with roughly 900 signatures, the board approved an outdoor use permit, making the statue an honorary Jonesborough citizen and a permanent downtown fixture, with Wolfe literally bringing Yoda into the meeting alongside shop owner Jeff Gurley. Jonesborough also paused to remember one of its most influential voices. Jimmy Neil Smith, founder and president emeritus of the International Storytelling Center, died March 15. A celebration of life at the Jackson Theatre in May drew storytellers and residents honoring the man who helped define the town's identity. That legacy continued in October as large white tents once again filled downtown for the 52nd National Storytelling Festival, returning after a hurricane-related hiatus. It featured more than two dozen featured tellers and familiar favorites like Donald Davis, Dovie Thompson, Sheila Arnold and Bil Lepp. Downtown growth remained a steady theme. Jackon's Prime, an upscale steakhouse founded by Troy and Lindsey Boane, opened on West Main Street, while national chains including Starbucks, Wendy's and Zaxby's arrived alongside local businesses. The Jackson Theatre also celebrated its first full, successful year back open to the public, signaling renewed momentum for arts and entertainment. Major investments reshaped outdoor spaces and connections as well. The state appropriated $2.4 million for Jonesborough's portion of the First Frontier Trail, a vision to link Jonesborough and Johnson City through walking and biking paths connecting neighborhoods, parks, schools and ultimately the Tweetsie Trail and Sycamore Shoals. The town also marked the opening of Tiger Park, a 30-acre complex featuring playgrounds, athletic fields and trails. The project doubled as a tribute to former parks and recreation director Anne Baer Marshall, honored with a proclamation recognizing her decades of service. Community life in Jonesborough extended beyond bricks and budgets. Festivals and events filled the calendar, from Christmas in Olde Jonesborough and Music on the Square to Chocolate Fest, Wizardly World of Jonesborough, Haunts and Happenings and Jonesborough Days, which featured an ABBA tribute band near the Fourth of July. Tourism expanded even as the town continued recovering from Hurricane Helene, with bridges reopening and homes being rebuilt. David Crockett Birthplace State Park, which was destroyed from Helene in 2024, began a reimagining process supported by creative fundraising, including a local pilsner collaboration and student-led efforts. Schools and civic groups made headlines too. A children's book created in response to Hurricane Helene at South Central Elementary sold out. Sulphur Springs Elementary opened a reset room in memory of Mike Ford. In addition, the Heritage Alliance uncovered a cholera mass grave dating to the 1800s at the old Jonesborough Cemetery, shedding new light on the town's past. And some stories simply reminded readers why local news matters. A deer wandered into Gabriel's Christmas store downtown. A cat was rescued after freezing to a manhole cover in December. Residents also shared deeply personal journeys, including one woman's ongoing fight with cancer.