Oak Ridge is sponsoring a Christmas tree recycling event on Saturday, Jan. 5, and Saturday, Jan. 12.
Trees can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the parking lot at Big Turtle Park off Monterey Road.
Guest column: Holiday inn — Oak Ridge needs lodging for recreational visitors
By Leslie Agron and Pat Fain
Not so much the old Holiday Inn on South Illinois Avenue next to the Skyway Drive-In Theater (with movie sound piped into the facing motel rooms!), nor even our newest hostelry on Tulsa Road… We’re reaching back to the 1942 Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire flick called “Holiday Inn” in a blatant attempt to stretch a holiday tie-in. With terrific Irving Berlin music, including “White Christmas,” for which it won an Oscar for Best Original Song, they sing and dance their way through the plot: “At an inn which is only open on holidays, a crooner and a hoofer vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer.”
Coincidentally, another 1942 event was the founding of Oak Ridge as a part of the Manhattan Project.
Often in our vision for “Something Else” for the economic revitalization of Oak Ridge we have mentioned that this city could greatly benefit from serious development of the visitor portion of our economy. This is a proposal for additional lodging in Oak Ridge to forward that end. We need to take a long, hard look at the characteristics of what is available now versus what it would take to appeal to people coming here simply to visit.
Alleged serial bank robber apprehended
Information from WYSH Radio
Law enforcement officials announced Thursday that a suspected serial bank robber was apprehended minutes after allegedly holding up a bank in Alcoa.
Gerald Hytken of Lenoir City, 79, is suspected of robbing four banks in the past two years and is facing federal charges for, among other things, allegedly robbing an Oak Ridge bank last year.
Snow possible today, but not likely on Christmas, forecasters say
There is a slight chance of snow this morning and again this evening, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.
The NWS says the chance of precipitation is 20 percent, and that could mean snow before 1 p.m., rain this afternoon, and snow and rain after 5 p.m.
There were very light snow flurries in Oak Ridge at about 3:30 a.m. today (Friday).
Forecasters do not expect snow on Christmas. The forecast now calls for a 30 percent chance of showers on Christmas Day, with a high near 52.
Emory Valley Early Learning Center starting infant care services on Jan. 2
The Emory Valley Early Learning Center recently announced that it is starting infant care services on Jan. 2.
The new service is in response to a need for the service in Anderson County and Oak Ridge, a press release said. It said the Emory Valley Early Learning Center is Anderson County’s only nationally accredited child care program.
Second top school administrator leaving Oak Ridge at end of year
She was Oak Ridge preschool principal for 12 years and assistant interim superintendent for eight months, and now Marian Phillips has been offered a new job at the University of Tennessee.
She will start at UT on Jan. 7. She will be leaving Oak Ridge shortly after Superintendent Tom Bailey, who is retiring at the end of the year.
Phillips became assistant interim superintendent after Ken Green left in May.
Former superintendent Smallridge could serve as interim school leader
Former superintendent Bob Smallridge could temporarily lead the Oak Ridge school system starting in January.
On Wednesday, Oak Ridge Board of Education Chairman Keys Fillauer said he will recommend hiring Smallridge during a Jan. 7 meeting.
Tom Bailey, the current superintendent, is retiring at the end of the year, and the board hasn’t hired a replacement yet.
“We felt like we needed someone driving the ship,” Fillauer said of his proposal to recommend hiring Smallridge as interim superintendent until Bailey’s replacement is hired and starts working in Oak Ridge.
Chamber of Commerce announces parade award winners
The Oak Ridge Christmas Parade on Saturday featured floats and more than 100 businesses, clubs, and community organizations. (Photo by D. Ray Smith)
The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of six awards at Saturday’s Christmas parade.
Here is a list of the winners:
- Spectacular Sparkles Award—TransTech
- Elfin Magic Award—Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association
- Spirit Award—Girl Scouts
- Director’s Award—Oak Ridge High School WildBand
- Chamber Award—Calvary Baptist Church
- Judge’s Award—Oak Ridge Electric Department
Guest column: Oak Ridge should consider a homecoming
Homecoming. No, not the Wildcats. I know the ‘Cats Homecoming was in October.
But scattered all across this planet are multiple generations of our native Oak Ridge sons and daughters. Almost to a man (or woman), they recall their youth in Oak Ridge very fondly. There is another whole army of scientists and technicians who reluctantly moved on after working in Oak Ridge because their careers demanded it. They, too, almost universally remember their years in Oak Ridge oh so fondly! That’s an outstanding record. Trust me, not every place is quite so fondly remembered.
Letter: Time to try a new mayor in Oak Ridge
Note: The following is a copy of a letter sent to Oak Ridge City Council.
Dear City Council Members,
Over the last decade, while he was vice mayor and mayor, Mr. Tom Beehan accomplished some very noteworthy things.
Oak Ridge completed a major upgrade to its high school. The west-end turnpike was modernized. The Guest House (Alexander Inn) was preserved. And Oak Ridge was selected to host a brand new Kroger Marketplace store.
Despite these accomplishments, it’s time to recognize that the clock is ticking on our city’s economic problems and move to a fresh new approach.
Things to do in Oak Ridge this weekend
Activities in Oak Ridge this weekend include a free movie, Christmas tree lighting, and Children’s Museum gala tonight and the annual Christmas parade tomorrow.
There is also a CONTACT Helpline pancake breakfast, rides with Santa on the Secret City Excursion Train, and the Roane State Community College holiday concert in Harriman.
See the Oak Ridge Today events calendar for more information.
The calendar is updated as we receive more information.
Oak Ridge Christmas parade on Saturday
More than 100 businesses, clubs, and community organizations have registered for the Oak Ridge Christmas Parade on Saturday.
The parade will start at 6 p.m. Saturday at Corporate Center on the corner of Lafayette Drive and Laboratory Road. From there, it will travel down Lafayette to the Oak Ridge Turnpike. It will continue west on the Turnpike to Oak Ridge High School.
