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. A BOUQUET OF ROSES: To Dolly Parton, whose decades-long musical and film career, business acumen and renowned philanthropy including the Imagination Library made her a beloved and respected figure worldwide. With news of her death last week at the age of 80, we all mourn her passing. THORN: To the Washington County Commission for voting 14-1 to break a tie and re-elect incumbent Republican Kenneth Huffine to serve as the District 13 representative on the commission instead of holding a run-off between Huffine and Democrat Cynthia Humphrey. All 14 Republican commissioners — including Huffine, who voted for himself instead of abstaining — voted to re-elect Huffine, with Democrat Jodi Jones abstaining. A runoff election would have been no extra expense for the county because an election is already being held on Nov. 3. ROSE: To Cynthia Humphrey, who after the Washington County Commission's vote to re-elect Kenneth Huffine to the District 13 seat, congratulated Huffine and thanked all the voters who participated in the election. "For the 507 voters that voted for me, I appreciate you. For the 507 that didn't vote for me, I also appreciate you," she said. "We are all part of this process. We can't do it with just one. You need both parties in there, and that's what I did." ROSE: To the Hawkins County Humane Society and community members who rescued an emaciated Belgian Malinois after the dog was found in a box in Bulls Gap last Saturday. With most vet offices closed, a volunteer drove the dog to Foundations Animal Hospital in Jonesborough for treatment. ROSE: To volunteers from the Johnson City Lowe's store, who partnered with the Washington County Veterans Service Office to rebuild a deck and fencing at the home of Air Force veteran Claude Shelton that had been damaged by Hurricane Helene. ROSE: To former journalist and real estate data analyst Don Fenley, who was honored by Tri-Cities community leaders and real estate representatives after news of his death was made public. Fenley, a former Kingsport Times News editor, produced journalistic pieces about real estate for the Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors up until a few weeks before he died. ROSE: To Northeast State Community College, which is helping community members reconnect with the skills that their ancestors used with its new homesteading series. Courses to be offered this fall include home canning, sewing, sourdough, deer processing and hunter education. From a reader... ROSE: To the ones who had the Renaissance Fair in Gate City at Grogan Park. What a great turnout — all the vendors that gave away free stuff and drinks and the one who gave each child a free book in honor of Dolly Parton.