By Bill Grubb
News Editor

CHURCH HILL - Authorities have located a Church Hill woman who had been reported missing Monday.
    Margie Hutson was found alive and has been transported to Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.
    "With the family's permission, I am taking the very unusual step of publicizing a possible suicide or attempted suicide," Church Hill Police Chief Mark Johnson said in a media release issued earlier Tuesday.
    According to Johnson, authorities are trying to locate Margie Hutson, 58, 320 Riverview Drive, Church Hill. 
    Monday Donnie Hutson reported  his wife was missing and that he had found a note indicating his wife might be planning to end her life.  Hutson and his wife Margie own and operate Silver Lake Garden Center located on Silver Lake Road in Church Hill.
    The woman is believed to have left the residence walking sometime during the morning daylight hours and is believed to have left the residence wearing a green Carhart coat with SILVER LAKE GARDEN CENTER in yellow print on the back, unknown pants and a pair of white tennis shoes, Johnson said.
    All of Hutson's medication, identification, bank cards and vehicles were left at the residence.  There was no sign of foul play in or around the residence or the garden center, the chief noted. 
    In addition to officers, multiple family members, church friends and volunteers have been searching around Riverview Drive. 
    "Also, our department used a thermal imaging camera for several hours last night with no luck," Johnson said.  "The residence is very close to the Holston river but we do not have any reason to believe she walked in any particular direction." 
    The incident command center is located at the city garage on Silver Lake Road and more grid searches are being conducted.  The chief said the searcher are being assisted by the Church Hill Fire Department, Church Hill EMS, Church Hill Rescue Squad, Kingsport Fire Department, Sullivan County Rescue Squad, Hawkins County EMA Director Gary Murrell, and the local search team of Terry and Becky Larkins.      
    "In addition, there have been hundreds of citizen volunteers show up to search on land and water, bring food and do whatever asked.  The outpouring of community volunteerism has just been incredible to watch," Johnson said.