Roses and Thorns: Good and bad from around the region

Roses and Thorns is a feature of the Six Rivers Media Editorial Board. A "rose" is a tip of the cap to acknowledge above-and-beyond efforts. A "thorn" is a poke in the eye to someone responsible for failures or unnecessary heartache. ROSE: To every voter who turned out to cast their ballot during early voting or on Election Day at the polls. Another rose for the number of contested elections locally, which ensured voters had a choice. ROSE: To the Johnson City Board of Education, which unanimously agreed Monday to use People's Education Plan funds to help repair the Freedom Hall Pool. Johnson City has received bids totaling $864,000 for the project. ROSE: To Domtar for its $200,000 contribution to the Greater Kingsport Family YMCA's upcoming childcare center. ROSE: To the Sullivan County Commission, which voted overwhelmingly last week not to increase the countywide property tax rate for 2026-27. THORN: To the lack of government transparency over a presidential exemption from air pollution rules granted to Eastman Chemical Co. despite the company applying more than a year after the deadline set by the Environmental Protection Agency. When Six Rivers Media asked why the exemption was granted, the EPA said to ask the White House, and the White House said to ask the EPA. ROSE: To Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, which provided Dream Flights to a group of military veterans and their spouses this week in a Boeing Stearman Model 75 biplane. The Dream Flights program is dedicated to honoring seniors and military veterans. ROSE: To the Kingsport Fire Department, which honored tradition with a dedication and "push-in" ceremony Tuesday for the newest member of its fleet, Truck One. Attendees gathered at the front of the truck and physically pushed it into the station, signifying the start of its service. The tradition dates back to the time of horse-drawn fire apparatuses, when fire crews had to push equipment inside since horses could not back into the station. THORN: To news that Tri-Cities Airport's planned United Airlines flights to and from Chicago have likely have been delayed until the fall of 2027. The reason given is a recent Federal Aviation Administration cap on flights at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. ROSE: To the Elf Project, which gives Christmas gifts to Hawkins County families in need and is asking for specific donations throughout the month of August. Items can be bought from the Elf Project's Amazon wishlist and shipped directly to them. ROSE: To Camp Hope in Church Hill, which provides free camping activities every summer to about 800 kids. The nonprofit is funded through donations. ROSE: To Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend, which recently welcomed its first rescued black bear cub in a year and a half. Now named Hemlock, the cub is the 427th bear admitted into ABR's care. ROSE: To the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, which reopened about 5 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the Iron Mountain Gap area east of Erwin and Unicoi, almost two years after the section of trail was closed to remove downed trees left by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. ROSE: To Eastman Chemical Co., which announced its second-quarter financial results for 2026, with an increase in sales revenue and earnings. The company saw an increase in net earnings before interest and taxes from $222 million in 2025's second quarter to $311 million in 2026's second quarter. The company returned $96 million to stockholders this quarter through dividends. ROSE: To Tennessee's sales tax holiday, which last weekend let parents purchase school supplies and clothing for their children without having to pay sales tax. Tennessee has offered the back-to-school sales tax holiday for two decades. ROSE: To Kingsport Parks and Recreation, which has introduced a new Inclusive Walking Club. Participants will explore a different Kingsport park every week. ROSE: To the Kingsport Axmen, who won the Appalachian League championship by beating the East Division champion Pulaski River Turtles last Saturday night. It is the sixth championship for the city of Kingsport.