FROM THE RADIO NEWS DEPARTMENT

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey Has Announced The Appointment Of An Eastman Attorney To The Judicial Nominating Commission. David Golden, Who Oversees Eastman’s Law Department For Personnel, Will Fill The Vacancy Left By The Retirement Of Commission Member Theresa Lee. According To Ramsey, Golden Has The Talent And Experience To Find Tennesseans The Very Best Judges Available.

Authorities Are Crediting The Use Of A Seatbelt With Saving A Gray Resident’s Life Outside Kingsport Where Her Vehicle Exited The Roadway And Traveled Down A 50-Foot Embankment. The Vehicle Then Ricocheted Off Large Rocks And Shrubs Before Striking A Tree Yesterday On Highway 36. 62 Year Old Opal King Was Northbound When Her Vehicle Went Off The Right Side Of The Road. King Was Trapped In Her Vehicle For About 30 Minutes. The Roof Was Cut Off The Vehicle To Get The Woman Out. She Luckily Only Suffered Minor Injuries In The Crash.

A Johnson City Man Is Facing Charges Following A Shooting Incident At His East Millard Street Residence. 42 Year Old Jerry Crum Is Charged With One Count Of Aggravated Assault. The Charge Stems From An Altercation With 48 Year Old Gregory Smith Who Sustained A Gunshot Wound To His Lower Leg. Smith Was Transported By Ambulance To A Local Hospital. Authorities Said The Man’s Injuries Didn’t Appear To Be Life-Threatening. Smith Allegedly Pulled Out A Knife And Threatened Crum. That’s When Crum Apparently Pulled Out A Gun And Shot Smith In The Leg. Bond For Crum Was Set At 20-Thousand Dollars.

Authorities Say Some Funny Money Is Making Its Way Around Church Hill. Counterfeit 10 And 20 Dollar Bills Are Being Circulating Throughout Northeast Tennessee. Church Hill Police Ask Businesses To Be Alert To These Fraudulent Bills. If You Have Information About These Counterfeit Bills, Please Contact Your Local Police Department.

An Apparent Domestic Disturbance Has Lead To The Arrest Of A Johnson City Man. 37 Year Old Ronald Collins Is Charged With Aggravated Assault. The Arrest Stems From A Call For Police To Come To A Residence On Pardee Street. Collins Is Currently Being Held In The Washington County Detention Center Under A 10-Thousand Dollar Bond. A Preliminary Hearing For Collins Is Set For Monday In Washington County Sessions Court.

Iced over roads are already creating numerous vehicle crashes in Kingsport, including the rollover of an SUV. Kingsport authorities say sheets of ice are being reported on John B. Dennis Highway and Stone Drive. Heavy icing is being reported on West Carter valley Road. At the entrance ramp from Fort Henry Drive to John B. Dennis, a vehicle had exited the roadway, rolled over, and trapped the driver. It also knocked down a power pole. The driver was extricated and transported to an area hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Mark Nagi with the Tennessee Department of Transportation advises motorists to stay off the roadways if possible. Motorists are urged to watch out for areas of black ice, especially over bridges and overpasses. If you must be out and about, Motorists are being urged to use caution and allow extra travel time.