Caleb Perhne

3 weeks ago | wcyb.com | Caleb Perhne

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) — BrightRidge announced Tuesday it is putting a moratorium on data center project proposals in its service area, including the one that was being considered in south Johnson City. It's the first time BrightRidge has confirmed it was planning a data center for a property it purchased in Johnson City. News 5's Caleb Perhne asked a spokesperson directly Wednesday if the company was planning a cryptocurrency mine on the property, but BrightRidge declined to comment.

3 weeks ago | wcyb.com | Caleb Perhne

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. — Elizabethton's Broad Street bridge is still closed after damage from Helene. That's forcing changes to summer events. The construction activity is picking up at the bridge. TDOT officials said Monday they have removed the water around support columns that need repairs and begun micropile work, But it's taking longer than originally expected. The Carter County Omnium bicycle race is among events making a move.

1 month ago | wcyb.com | Caleb Perhne

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — A group of Johnson City residents launched multiplepetitions in opposition to Bitcoin mining as city commissioners consider zoning changes for them. City leaders said the zoning changes are aimed at adding restrictions to future cryptocurrency mines, but residents are worried the conversation signals one may be coming. Commissioners gave initial approval to zoning changes that would allow data centers and cryptocurrency mines in the I-2 heavy industrial district.

1 month ago | wcyb.com | Caleb Perhne

ELIZABETHTON and JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. — Two local towns are upgrading their finance software. It's the system city staff use to take payments for everything from utility bills to taxes and court fees. Both Elizabethton and Jonesborough are doing their own separate upgrades to finance department computer systems. For Elizabethton, officials said it's long overdue. "We really need the upgrade,” finance director Preston Cobb said. “It's an old version, and it's time.

1 month ago | wcyb.com | Caleb Perhne

SCOTT COUNTY, Va. — CSX is working on two railroad projects in our region: maintenance on crossings from Pike County, Kentucky to Erwin and the rebuilding of a line destroyed by Helene. Scott County resident Danny Davidson owns land with one of the dozens of private railroad crossings closed temporarily by CSX. Though CSX sent maps and schedules of the planned closures to local governments, Davidson said his only clue was a barricade on his property and gashes in the pavement.