Caleb Perhne, News 5 WCYB

Caleb Perhne

News 5 WCYB

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Past articles by Caleb:

Ballad Health CEO: There are 'several' cases of monkeypox in the Tri-Cities

There are now several cases of monkeypox in the Tri-Cities and national experts say we are at a critical point to keep the virus from becoming more widespread. → Read More

COVID-19 spread rises again locally, masks recommended for some in half of the region

COVID-19 is again spreading at a high rate in our region. It can seem like everyone is catching the virus. → Read More

Cause unknown following crash that left large hole in Elizabethton church

A man is dead and a church is without a sanctuary following a car crash late Monday night. → Read More

ETSU department of criminal justice chair discusses investigations on missing children

Criminology experts say time is the most important thing when searching for a missing child like Summer Wells. News 5’s Caleb Perhne found out how investigations change as time goes on. “Time is of the essence," Larry Miller said. "If you don’t get on the trail quick enough, then every hour that goes by, the less likelihood of that child being found alive and well. ”Larry Miller is the chair of… → Read More

Crowds gather for three Memorial Day ceremonies in Johnson City

People gathered at three Memorial Day ceremonies in Johnson City Monday. At Mountain Home National Cemetery, there was a wreath-laying ceremony. It was the first time they had an in-person ceremony since the start of the pandemic. A larger crowd showed up than expected for prayers, the playing of taps and a reading of nearly 40 names of the veterans who gave their lives. At Memorial Park near… → Read More

Carter County director of schools accepts job in Middle Tennessee

Carter County director of schools Tracy McAbee said Wednesday he has accepted a new job in Middle Tennessee. The Lewis County School Board voted to offer McAbee the job as superintendent of their system. “This is a time of excitement for a new chapter in our lives, and a bit of sadness to leave the school system in Carter County,” McAbee said in a statement. “I have been fortunate to be part of… → Read More

Longtime senator faces opposition for first time in more than a decade

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) — Tennessee Senator Rusty Crowe is facing opposition this fall for the first time in more than a decade. Crowe has represented his district for more than 30 years, which includes Washington, Carter and Johnson Counties. Democrat Kate Craig announced she's now picked up papers to run against the Republican in November. Neither candidate is facing primary opposition.… → Read More

Most local counties considered low spread for COVID-19

As of Saturday, the CDC now ranks all but three counties in our region in the low spread, no mask category. Lee, Dickenson and Wise Counties are in the medium category where people with high risk conditions should talk with their doctor. Dr. Stephen May from the Sullivan County Regional Health Department said, "We are coming into a wonderful, welcome hiatus. " COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations… → Read More

Judge gives Carter County man convicted in death of 89-year-old woman 6-year sentence

A Carter County man convicted in the 2017 death of an 89-year-old woman received his sentence Monday afternoon. Chad Benfield was convicted by a jury of criminally negligent homicide in December. Judge Lisa Rice gave Benfield two concurrent sentences of six years in prison, with the requirement that he serve at least 60 percent, plus a $3,000 fine. Benfield has been in jail since 2017. → Read More

Ballad Health expects omicron peak next week, wave sets case records

Ballad Health officials said Monday the omicron wave is likely to peak late this week or early next week. Our region set a new record of more than 2,100 new COVID-19 cases in a day. Ballad is now treating 381 patients, more than last winter, plus an additional 400 people monitored at home. → Read More

Tennessee releases draft outline of proposed school funding reform

Tennessee is now releasing a draft outline of a new funding formula for public schools. The four-page draft plan comes after months of public comment and town hall meetings. State officials say it’s more student focused. “Throughout the entire conversation, this can’t just be about a funding formula in isolation. This is about what funding can do to boost outcomes for our students and ensure… → Read More

2 Unicoi County deputies involved in separate weather-related crashes

A Unicoi County deputy was sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Monday. That’s after he and another deputy were involved in two separate weather-related car crashes. Unicoi County Sheriff Mike Hensley said the car was totaled and will be replaced with insurance money. Hensley said the deputy was expected to be OK. He said property can be replaced but people can’t. → Read More

Survey: One-fifth of teachers plan to leave the profession

In a new Tennessee survey, more than a fifth of teachers said they plan to leave education. It’s almost common knowledge that teachers aren’t paid enough, but the survey reveals that’s not what’s causing them to leave the classroom. Eighty-three percent of those surveyed said teacher morale is a top concern. → Read More

Work starts on Washington County, Tenn. industrial site using $1 million state grant

A $1 million state grant could be the first step toward hundreds of new jobs in Washington County, Tennessee. It’s one of twelve awarded across the state to prepare industrial sites for development. Washington County has already started work on two sites at the county industrial park to level the land, mitigate wetlands and build an access road. “Is it pretty quick that companies jump on board… → Read More

Carter County commission votes against cutting number of commissioners

Carter County commissioners rejected a plan Tuesday night to reduce the commission from 24 members to 16. Every county and state across the country is redrawing its election maps in response to the 2020 census. Carter County’s rules and bylaws committee proposed to keep eight districts but reduce the number of commissioners from three per district to two. → Read More

Touring the future home of a $20M luxury resort in Unicoi County

A local couple is investing nearly $20 million to build a 300-acre luxury resort in rural Unicoi County. Deborah Hatley and her husband David, owner of Johnson City hot tub maker LPI, plan to break ground in January on the luxury couples-only Coffee Ridge Resort. “Why the idea for a couples resort specifically? ” News 5’s Caleb Perhne asked Hatley on a tour of the property. “I think in the last… → Read More

RAM clinic offers free medical, dental, vision care and more in Gray this weekend

Remote Area Medical is at the Appalachian Fairgrounds this weekend with free health care. “Most patients who come out, they usually come out for dental or for vision,” senior clinic coordinator Poppy Green said. “We find that there are other programs or they may have insurance that covers them on the medical side. ”With added COVID-19 precautions, this year each patient is inside a separate tent… → Read More

First local kids get their COVID-19 vaccines following CDC recommendation

Kids in our region are got their COVID-19 vaccines for the first time Thursday after the CDC signed off on Tuesday. Ballad Health officials said about 10 kids were in line even before their Johnson City clinic opened. Amber Wagner couldn’t wait to take her kids. “In the last 18 months, we really haven’t eaten at any restaurants,” Wagner said. “Any indoor activities, we’ve avoided. Things that… → Read More

Ballad Health projection: Tri-Cities is past the peak for COVID-19 deaths in this wave

Every COVID-19 metric in our region is now showing a downward trend as the delta wave appears to be nearing an end. New cases and hospitalizations have been coming down for several weeks now. We're now halfway back down from the peak to where we were in mid-August. Hospitals also have a lighter burden. → Read More

Tennessee grants to fund tutoring for kids to target COVID-19 learning loss

Tennessee schools are launching a new statewide tutoring program with the goal of targeting learning loss. Seventy-nine school systems are participating in the $200 million program. It will provide before or after school tutoring to combat learning loss related to COVID-19. “Just two to three kids with a tutor, half an hour, two to three times per week, you can make real gains,” Kingsport… → Read More