Ben Gilliam
WJHL
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Past articles by Ben:
Sullivan County Schools addresses gas leak at elem. school
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – Sullivan County Schools officials said maintenance crews have repaired a gas leak that was discovered at Mary Hughes Elementary School Monday morning. According to Sullivan County Board of Education chairman Randall Jones, who was reached after multiple attempts to contact the system’s director of schools, Mary Hughes principal Randy Gentry first […] → Read More
JCPD: Man charged with murder in fentanyl overdose death
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) investigators announced second-degree murder charges against a man after a pill containing fentanyl allegedly led to a death in Johnson City. According to a release from the JCPD, Zachary Bobadilla, 19, was arrested on Friday in connection to an overdose death that occurred on Sept. […] → Read More
VA forestry officials release new details in Haysi VFD chief’s death
BUCHANAN COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) – Commonwealth of Virginia forestry officials released new details on Tuesday in the accidental death of Rocky Wood, a well-known fire official and vice mayor of the Town of Haysi. According to John Miller, the Virginia Department of Forestry’s (VDOF) fire and emergency response director, Wood was fatally injured after an […] → Read More
Local church to host Ukraine benefit concert
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) – A local church is hosting a concert to benefit war-stricken families in Ukraine and increase humanitarian efforts on the ground. According to a press release from Restore Ukraine, a nonprofit run by local student Yaro Hnatusko, First Christian Church of Elizabethton is set to host multiple artists on March 26. “We […] → Read More
Bays Mountain shares best bobcat viewing tips
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – Bobcats Carter and Cash are now out and about at Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium, and a longtime ranger shared tips with News Channel 11 on when you can see them at their best. “They kind of ran around the habitat for a little while and checked out the trees, the […] → Read More
Central Appalachia Climbing Coalition builds infrastructure for high-altitude hobby
BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) – A local nonprofit is working to show the world that our region holds climbing opportunities that you can’t find anywhere else, and now organizers are opening a gym to help more people experience them. The Central Appalachia Climber’s Coalition (CACC) was founded in 2014 with a focus on providing access to […] → Read More
VOTE: Best Pizza in the Tri-Cities
This story is part of Tri-Cities Best, a viewer-vote-driven section of News Channel 11’s community coverage. (WJHL) – Thousands of nominations have been cast, but only four finalists have been selected for the title of Best Pizza in the Tri-Cities. After counting over 2,000 nominees by hand, News Channel 11 can definitively say that Tri-Cities […] → Read More
Abingdon theater pulls film from pastor who compares autism to demonic possession
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) – A local theater has pulled all screenings of a film that features a pastor who business owners say has compared autism to possession from otherworldly entities. In a Tuesday Facebook post, Abingdon Cinemall owners said that the complex would not be showing “Come Out in Jesus Name,” a film starring […] → Read More
Bristol, TN finalizes new city manager contract
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Bristol, Tennessee’s city council approved a final contract for their new city manager Tuesday and set a date to start Kelli Bourgeois’s tenure in the position. According to a press release from the City of Bristol, Tennessee, Bourgeois touts over 25 years of experience in local government roles. In her […] → Read More
Union 41 opening soon in Bristol, reservations open now
BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) – A new restaurant in downtown Bristol, Virginia is set to open next week and reservations are already open. According to a Facebook post from Union 41, the business’s kitchen is now ready for customers and opening night is set for March 10. Earlier posts from the restaurant touted chef Torrece Gregoire, […] → Read More
Grifols to close collection center in Johnson City
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Plasma collection and pharmaceutical manufacturer Grifols is closing a facility in Johnson City soon, according to company statements. In a statement to News Channel 11, Grifols media representatives said the Buffalo Street Grifols center will close in mid-March. Company officials have not yet answered questions on exactly how many employees […] → Read More
VSP identifies victims of Washington Co. fatal crash
ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) – Virginia State Police (VSP) identified the people killed and injured in a car crash on Monday. According to a release from VSP, troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 647/Old Jonesborough Road around 7:46 a.m. on Feb. 27. After investigating the crash, investigators say a Dodge Charger was traveling north […] → Read More
Truck carrying Bush’s Best Baked Beans overturns, spills cans in Newport
GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – A truck carrying Bush’s Best Baked Beans overturned in Greene County on Monday morning, spilling cans of original recipe beans in the front yard of a home. According to a Facebook post by the Greeneville/Greene County Office of Emergency Management (EMA), first responders were dispatched to a crash in the […] → Read More
VSP: Weber City woman’s death does not appear suspicious
WEBER CITY, Va. (WJHL) – The death of a Weber City woman after she went missing early this month doesn’t appear to be suspicious in nature, police say. According to Corinne Geller, Public Relations Director with Virginia State Police (VSP), investigators are waiting on a final autopsy report for Elizabeth Meridith, 53, from VSP’s Roanoke […] → Read More
NOMINATE: Best Pizza in the Tri-Cities
This story is part of Tri-Cities Best, a viewer-vote-driven section of News Channel 11’s community coverage. (WJHL) – The time has come. Pizza, a Johnson City crown jewel and regional favorite, is now on the table for Tri-Cities Best. Each participant can nominate one local pizza peddler for the coveted title of the ultimate slice. […] → Read More
Simple and Fresh: Yuimaru Kitchen wins Best Sushi
This story is part of Tri-Cities Best, a viewer vote-driven section of News Channel 11’s community coverage. Hundreds of nominations and votes placed several local businesses within reach of the title of Best Sushi: Each nomination is a privilege, and each vote is an honor. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Yuimaru Kitchen exists due to […] → Read More
$710K restoration project at Jonesborough’s Chester Inn completed
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) – State officials are celebrating the completion of a major upgrade to the Chester Inn State Historic Site in Jonesborough. According to the latest edition of ̵… → Read More
Virginia makes bipartisan bid for new FBI headquarters
SPRINGFIELD, Va. (WJHL) – Elected Commonwealth officials from both sides of the aisle banded together on Monday to make the case for Springfield, Virginia as the site for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s new suburban headquarters. In a letter signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin (R), Senators Mark Warner (D) and Tim Kaine (D) and all […] → Read More
Weber City police searching for missing woman
WEBER CITY, Va. (WJHL) – Officers with the Weber City Police Department (WCPD) are searching for a woman in the area and asking for the public’s help. According to a Facebook post from the department, Elizabeth Meridith was reported missing in the Weber City area. The post listed Meridith’s description as follows: WCPD said Meridith […] → Read More
French-Canadian cuisine coming to Greeneville
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – A local food trailer is bringing a beloved French-Canadian dish to the region: Poutine. James Valliere, food manager of Rock City Group, sat down with News Channel 11 to discuss what the famous combination of fries, cheese curds and gravy means to him. “I have not found anywhere in the south […] → Read More