Oak Ridge Today

Rocky Top woman charged with three counts of first-degree murder

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The criminal homicide charge filed against Christy Viola Comer, 37, left, was sent to the Anderson County Grand Jury after a preliminary hearing in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Clinton on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. At right is defense attorney Leslie Hunt. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Christy Viola Comer, 38, of Rocky Top, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the death of J.C. Copeland, an 83-year-old man, during an alleged robbery in August. Comer, left, is pictured above during a preliminary hearing in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Clinton on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. At right is defense attorney Leslie Hunt. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A Rocky Top woman has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the death of an 83-year-old man during an alleged robbery in August.

Christy Viola Comer, 38, faces one count of first-degree murder for the premeditated and intentional killing of J.C. Copeland, according to an indictment filed by the Anderson County Grand Jury in Clinton on March 5.

Comer faces two more charges of first-degree murder for allegedly killing Copeland while committing two other crimes, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary, according to the indictment.

The five-count indictment also charged Comer with those two other crimes, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. Comer took Copeland’s property violently through the use of a deadly weapon, and she entered Copeland’s home without permission, intending to commit a felony, according to the indictment.

Comer has an arraignment scheduled for the five felony charges on March 29 in Anderson County Criminal Court in Clinton. [Read more…]

Pipe rack from TCAT-Harriman students will help Roane State chemical engineering technology students

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TCAT-Harriman students built a pipe rack that will be used in Roane State’s new chemical engineering technology program. The pipe rack, located in the flex lab at the college’s Oak Ridge campus, will allow students to study how to regulate flow and pressure. From left are instructor Adam Dalton, Roane State President Chris Whaley, TCAT-Harriman President Danice Turpin, Roane State new chemical engineering technology program director Laura Hofman, Roane State dean Markus Pomper, and TCAT students Orion Mount and Lucas Grizzard. (Photo by RSCC)

TCAT-Harriman students built a pipe rack that will be used in Roane State’s new chemical engineering technology program. The pipe rack, located in the flex lab at the college’s Oak Ridge campus, will allow students to study how to regulate flow and pressure. From left are instructor Adam Dalton, Roane State President Chris Whaley, TCAT-Harriman President Danice Turpin, Roane State new chemical engineering technology program director Laura Hofman, Roane State dean Markus Pomper, and TCAT students Orion Mount and Lucas Grizzard. (Photo by RSCC)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

Students in the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman built equipment to help train students taking Roane State’s chemical engineering technology courses.

They’ve made a pipe rack to be used as part of the program. With the pipe rack, “students will be able to set up elements of chemical processing equipment such as pumps, valves, pressure gauges and regulators, and observe how the equipment can be used to regulate flow and pressure,” said Markus Pomper, dean of Roane State’s Division of Mathematics and Science.

Established with the assistance of UCOR, CNS, Tate and Lyle, and additional partners, Roane State’s chemical engineering technology program trains students to work as chemical operators. A chemical operator monitors, controls, and troubleshoots automated chemical processes. [Read more…]

Learn about Roane State’s new Chemical Engineering Technology program

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Roane State Community College students taking chemical engineering technology course practice in the lab at the college’s Oak Ridge campus. An information session about the new program will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2019, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Ave. (Submitted photo)

Roane State Community College students taking chemical engineering technology course practice in the lab at the college’s Oak Ridge campus. An information session about the new program will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2019, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Ave. (Submitted photo)

 

An information session about Roane State Community College’s new two-year Associate of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering Technology will be held on Thursday, March 28, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the college’s Oak Ridge campus, which is at 701 Briarcliff Avenue.

Check-in will be held in the lobby of the Goff Health Sciences and Technology Building. The event is free and open to the public, a press release said.

Established with the assistance of UCOR, CNS, Tate and Lyle, and additional partners, Roane State’s chemical engineering technology program trains students to work as chemical operators. A chemical operator monitors, controls, and troubleshoots automated chemical processes. [Read more…]

Hofman leads Roane State’s new chemical engineering technology program

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Laura A. Hofman

Laura A. Hofman

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

Laura A. Hofman had been on the job for just over one month, and the phone in her office was ringing off the hook.

She oversees Roane State Community College’s new two-year Associate of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering Technology. Prospective students are inquiring about the new program, which the Tennessee Board of Regents approved in December.

An information session about the new program will be held on Thursday, March 28, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the college’s Oak Ridge campus, 701 Briarcliff Avenue. Check-in will be held in the lobby of the Goff Health Sciences and Technology Building. [Read more…]

Anderson County Democrats to hold reorganization meeting

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The Anderson County Democratic Party will hold a Biennial Reorganization Convention to elect new leaders on Saturday, March 30, at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. Doors open for registration at 12:30 p.m., and the start time is 1 p.m., a press release said. Participants must be there by 1 p.m., or participation will not be allowed. Lunch and beverages will be provided, the press release said.

Local Democrats will elect a new chair, vice chairs, secretary, treasurer, and the Executive Committee for Anderson County to a two-year term. All Democratic residents who are eligible voters of Anderson County are urged to attend to discuss the party’s agenda and events for 2019-20, the press release said.

About the reorganization, Chair Megan McNees said: “The party reorganization is a vital part of the county party system. It provides our membership with the chance to voice their opinions and to have them be heard. These elections will have a direct impact on party governance and by extension the 2020 elections. Now, more than ever, it’s so important to be active in your government. It’s every citizen’s duty to pay attention and get involved. Attending our reorganization is an easy first step.”

During the reorganization, attendees will evaluate the effectiveness of their county party’s bylaws and leadership, the press release said. Each county party determines its own needs, elects new leaders, and enacts reforms to build a stronger grassroots organization, the release said.

This press release was submitted by Megan McNees.

Anderson County Republicans to elect officers Thursday

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The Anderson County Republican Party will elect officers of its Executive Committee on Thursday. The public is invited to attend, a press release said.

Elections will be held for the following positions: chair, vice chair, treasurer, vice treasurer, and secretary, the press release said.

The elections will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday March 21, in Room 313 of the Anderson County Courthouse at 100 North Main Street in Clinton.

For more information, go to the Anderson County Republican Party events calendar at https://actngop.org/events.php.

This press release was submitted by Anthony Allen.

ORCSGirls joins attempt to set world record for number of girls coding

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Oak Ridge Computer Science Girls, or ORCSGirls, is on a mission to inspire girls in the community to explore the possibilities of technology and computer science. After reaching more than 500 girls in 2017, the organization is ready to do it again, covering topics from Python and virtual reality to information graphics, robots, cyber security, and much more. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge Computer Science Girls, or ORCSGirls, is on a mission to inspire girls in the community to explore the possibilities of technology and computer science. (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge Computer Science Girls (ORCSGirls) is joining the TechGirlz code breakers event on March 30 to set the world record for the number of girls coding.

ORCSGirls will be running events on March 30 from noon to 3 p.m. at two locations: Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge and at the Blount County Public Library in Maryville. Both workshops will teach participating middle school girls the basics of website development, a press release said.

During the workshop, girls from around the country will be connected through video chat to set this world record. [Read more…]

Book sale at Clinton Library this week

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Clinton Public Library

Clinton Public Library

 

The Friends of the Clinton Public Library will have their book sale this week from March 20-23.

All proceeds from the sale will be used to help the Clinton Public Library, a press release said. All items will be from from $0.50 to $1, the press release said.

Here is the sale schedule: [Read more…]

Memoir Writing Workshop at Oak Ridge Public Library on Wednesday

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Memoir Writing March 20 2019

As part of the “World Wise Wednesdays” series of programs, the Oak Ridge Public Library will host a Memoir Writing Class on Wednesday, March 20, beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the library auditorium.

Bonny Millard will lead the session. Millard is a writing coach, project development editor, and educator who worked for more than 15 years as a print journalist and freelance writer, a press release said.

Her journalism career and fiction writing has led her to help other writers explore the depths of their stories, the press release said. Millard also teaches composition at Pellissippi State Community College, and she has a master’s degree in creative writing. [Read more…]

Erase Your Trace is Saturday, April 27

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Keep Anderson County Beautiful Erase Your Trace April 27 2019

It is spring cleaning time in East Tennessee and Keep Anderson County Beautiful is joining with Ecyclers USA and Knighthurst Shredding to help you erase your trace, a press release said.

  • Accepted items include:
    • button batteries and rechargeable batteries;
    • compact fluorescent bulbs;
    • cell phones;
    • eyeglasses;
    • some books;
    • blankets;
    • personal computing equipment (including systems, laptops, peripheral devices, components, and cables);
    • televisions;
    • monitors;
    • home electronics;
    • metals; and
    • paper (to be shredded—up to five standard boxes).
  • Items not accepted include encyclopedias, cookbooks, textbooks, tube fluorescent bulbs, alkaline batteries, and shoes.

[Read more…]

Volunteers sought for cleanup of Historic Emery Road

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Seventy-five-year-old asphalt pavement found in the overgrowth adjacent to the bridge on Historic Emery Road. (Submitted photo)

Seventy-five-year-old asphalt pavement found in the overgrowth adjacent to the bridge on Historic Emery Road. (Submitted photo)

 

Volunteers are seeking help for a March 30 cleanup of the Historic Emery Road in Oak Ridge.

“The Emery Road is both the best kept secret of Oak Ridge and a national treasure,” a press release said. “Even though the century-and-a-half old Emery Road Rock Pillar Bridge is in the heart of the downtown area, few are aware of this monument to the past, nor that the oldest road in the state passed through the center of our town. This colonial settlement trail should have been formally recognized long ago, just as the Natchez Trace has been. A grassroots group of citizens seek to change this oversight, first by cleaning up the parkland surrounding it, where the invasive underbrush catches all the blowing litter from the surrounding businesses, and then by getting it recognized as a proper heritage park.

“If you think our deeper heritage as a community is important, come join us in the cleanup on March 30, 2019, at the Midtown Community Center (Robertsville Road and Oak Ridge Turnpike) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.” [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society presents history of CRESO on March 28

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John Byrd of CRESO (Submitted photo)

John Byrd of CRESO (Submitted photo)

 

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will sponsor a talk by the Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization, or CRESO, on Thursday, March 28, at the UT Arboretum Auditorium.

The talk is scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m. March 28. The UT Arboretum is at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

John Byrd, principal investigator with CRESO, and Fred Holtzclaw are retired high school biology teachers, a press release said. [Read more…]