Oak Ridge Today

Council postpones vote on Turnpike stoplight at ORHS

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Oak Ridge Turnpike and High School Stoplight

Note: This story was updated at 10:20 a.m. March 10.

The Oak Ridge City Council has postponed a vote on a contract to install a stoplight at the Oak Ridge Turnpike in front of Oak Ridge High School. The light could eliminate the need for a crossing guard.

City officials had said the light could be installed by August 2015, but the postponement of the contract vote to the April meeting will likely delay the completion date, possibly until after school starts later this year.

The installation could cost roughly $177,000. It would be paid for using unspent money from the Special Programs Fund, the fund set up for traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle safety projects using money from the traffic cameras that were removed last year. [Read more…]

Community honors, pays tribute to Kocak in candlelight vigil at ORHS

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Joey Kocak Candelight Vigil Balloons

Sophomores release balloons as other football players watch during a community candlelight vigil at Oak Ridge High School on Sunday for student-athlete Joey Kocak, who died at home on Wednesday. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was updated at 4:32 p.m.

The Oak Ridge community honored sophomore James Joseph “Joey” Kocak during a candlelight vigil at Oak Ridge High School on Sunday.

Friends and coaches shared their memories of Kocak, who had played on the football and basketball teams this year, during the candlelight vigil at Ben Martin Track at ORHS.

They encouraged the large crowd that attended to preserve their precious memories of Kocak, a 16-year-old sophomore who passed away at his home on Wednesday, March 4.

“I really hope that this isn’t the last time we’ll honor him,” said Mollie Turner.

Friends and coaches recalled Kocak’s memorable smirk, his playful moments, and his high-pitched singing on the back of the bus, belting out tunes like “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” [Read more…]

Council considers ORPD review proposal, ORHS stoplight, amendment for Main Street project

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Oak Ridge City Council on Feb. 9, 2015

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday, Feb. 9, agreed to a third-party review of turnover and morale in the Oak Ridge Police Department but rejected requests for two other probes. On Monday, March 9, the Council will consider a proposal from the Municipal Technical Advisory Service to conduct the review, which will also include administrative policies. (File photo)

 

Note: This story was updated at 1:10 p.m.

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday night will consider a proposal to use the Municipal Technical Advisory Service to review turnover, morale, and administrative policies in the Oak Ridge Police Department.

The Council will also consider a contract to install a stoplight on Oak Ridge Turnpike in front of the Oak Ridge High School.

Also on tonight’s agenda is a resolution to appoint members of a joint city-school committee that will study options for repairing, replacing, or moving the Oak Ridge Preschool.

And Council members will consider a zoning ordinance amendment that could help the Main Street Oak Ridge project, which will redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall. [Read more…]

Candlelight vigil for Kocak this evening

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James Joseph "Joey" Kocak

James Joseph “Joey” Kocak

There will be a community candlelight vigil for student-athlete Joey Kocak (#79) at 7 p.m. today (Sunday, March 8) at Ben Martin Track at Oak Ridge High School.

Kocak was 16 and a sophomore at ORHS. He died at home on March 4.

Kocak was the youngest of four children, and he was also a musician and loved the outdoors, his family said in his obituary. Kocak had been on both the football and basketball teams this year.

The Kocak family will be receiving friends on Monday, March 9, at St. Mary’s Church from 5-7:30 p.m., followed by the memorial service. A reception will be held at St. Mary’s gym, immediately following the services.

Oak Ridge Wildcat Football is asking the community to attend the candlelight vigil on Sunday evening. The vigil is hosted by the Oak Ridge Wildcat Football staff and boosters.

Schools: Counselors available at ORHS on Thursday, Friday after student’s death

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An Oak Ridge High School student passed away at home on Wednesday, March 4, and counselors will be available at the school on Thursday (as long as weather permits) and on Friday, officials said in a Thursday morning release.

“It is a sad day for Oak Ridge High School and the entire Oak Ridge community,” the Oak Ridge Schools’ release said. “The thoughts and prayers of the Oak Ridge High School and Oak Ridge Schools’ staff go out to the family. Please join us in keeping the family, friends, and the entire Oak Ridge High School family in your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.”

The counselors will be available at Oak Ridge High School to help students, parents, and friends deal with their thoughts and feelings associated with this loss, the release said.

ORHS Orchestra, KSO present joint ‘side-by-side’ concert on March 10

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ORHS Orchestra and Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

KSO Conductor Jim Fellenbaum conducts the ORHS and KSO orchestra members during a recent rehearsal in preparing for their March 10 concert. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge High School Orchestra and Knoxville Symphony Orchestra will present a joint “side-by-side” concert on March 10 at 7 p.m. at the ORHS Auditorium.

The concert will feature three movements from Holst’s “St. Paul Suite,” the first movement of Mozart’s K525, movement one from Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3,” and four movements from “Capriol Suite” by Peter Warlock. The KSO will also perform Movement Five from Grieg’s “Holberg Suite.”

Doug Phillips, ORHS Orchestra Director stated: “This joint concert allows ORHS Orchestra students to have professional musicians as their stand partner during rehearsals before the concert. The interactions are highly productive for motivating and inspiring students involved in the orchestra program.”

Education Foundation accepting applications for International Study Scholarship

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Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation

The Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation is accepting applications through Friday for the Dr. Adrian R. Lawler Exchange Student Scholarship, offering students attending Oak Ridge public schools or recent graduates support for participating in international study programs.

Lawler, an Oak Ridge High School graduate who was the second student in Oak Ridge to participate in an American Field Service international exchange program, established the scholarship to offer students opportunities to gain tolerance and an understanding of people from other cultures through international study programs. Lawler, a retired marine biologist who died in 2013, had designated the Education Foundation to administer the scholarship endowment.

The deadline for submitting the application is Friday, March 6, 2015. Applications are available through the Foundation’s website at www.orpsef.org under the Lawler Scholarship tab, and should be returned to the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation, P.O. Box 117 MS-22, Oak Ridge, TN 37831. Applicants may also call Jessica Steed, executive director of the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation, at (865) 241-3667 or e-mail her at Jessica.Steed@orau.org to request an application. [Read more…]

Reminder: ORHS Masquers present ‘Oliver’ from March 6-8

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ORHS Masquers Oliver

Pictured above are Lucas Potter as Fagin, Toby Taylor as Oliver, and Matt Harder as the Artful Dodger in the ORHS Masquers production of “Oliver.” (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge High School Masquers, the school’s drama program, will present the musical “Oliver” in four performances in March.

The performances are scheduled for Friday, March 6, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 7, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m., at the Oak Ridge Performing Arts Center at ORHS.

Director Dana Wham, whose first performance as a young actor was in “Oliver,” has directed, choreographed, or acted in numerous adult and children productions throughout the region, and says this year’s musical is the biggest the school has produced during her time as director. [Read more…]

Habitat to dedicate home built in honor of Myricks on Feb. 28

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Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County

The Cook-Brown family is pictured above with Tim and Teresa Myrick at right. 

 

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County: The House That Love Built is complete!

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County will dedicate a house built in Heiskell in honor of Tim and Teresa Myrick on Saturday, February 28.

The dedication service will start at 10:15 a.m. February 28 at Wolf Valley Baptist Church, which is at 1031 East Wolf Valley Road in Heiskell. The house is located just three blocks from the church at 119 Valley View Lane and will be open for touring from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Honorary Committee, Board of Directors, and staff of HFHAC invite the public to join in this very special celebration.

The Cook-Brown Family will be moving in shortly. Eddie, Amanda, and their three children will  have a four-bedroom, two-bath home to call their own. They have been working diligently to complete their 400 hours of sweat equity and have paid their down payment. Home ownership is no longer a dream, but a reality for them. [Read more…]

AAUW to celebrate 60th anniversary of Eleanor Roosevelt visit

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AAUW Commemorative Tea Planning

Standing from left to right are Jewell Tabor, AAUW secretary; Peggy Emmett, president (holding a history of AAUW, Oak Ridge); Barbara Walker; Mary Uziel, treasurer; and Fay Martin, vice president, membership. Seated are Sophy Littrell, and Virginia Jones, vice president, programs. (Submitted photo)

 

Note: This event has been postponed due to weather.

In 1955, the AAUW, Oak Ridge Branch, invited a nationally well-known member of AAUW to speak locally. The speaker was Eleanor Roosevelt, who gave a talk to an audience of 1,300 people in the Oak Ridge High School Auditorium on February 18, 1955.

Pictured above are branch members planning a commemorative tea to remember the anniversary of Roosevelt’s visit to Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

ORHS Ensemble, JazzKats have 1940s concert, dance party with ORHPA Friday

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ORHS Ensemble with JazzKat Trumpeter

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The Secret is Out, and Swing is In! If you’re In the Mood, catch the Choo Choo Ch’Boogie.

Jump off at Tuxedo Junction, and we’ll Sing, Sing, Sing to Minnie the Moocher!

Grab your Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and put on your dancing shoes.

Join the Oak Ridge High School Ensemble and JazzKats on Friday, February 13, at 7 p.m. at the Historic Grove Theater for a program of “swingin’ tunes and hot dancing that is sure to please all the hepcats in town.”

It’s a fundraising 1940s concert and dance party. [Read more…]

Council OKs repair of lead-based paint at Preschool, meant to be temporary fix

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Oak Ridge Preschool and School Administration Building

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday agreed to use $150,000 in unspent red-light camera to repair the lead-based paint on the Oak Ridge Schools Preschool and Robert J. Smallridge School Administration Building on New York Avenue. Officials say the building needs to be renovated or vacated for the Head Start program to receive funding in the 2015-2016 school year. (File photo)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council has agreed to use $150,000 in red-light camera money to repair the lead-based paint on the city’s Preschool, providing what officials hope will be a temporary fix while they develop a plan to permanently repair, replace, or move the Preschool.

The repairs, which could be done by August 3, were approved in a 6-0 vote. Oak Ridge City Council member Rick Chinn abstained because a family member owns a building on Mitchell Road that the city and schools could consider leasing.

The City Council also endorsed a recommendation from the Oak Ridge Board of Education that could have children in a new building by the 2016-2017 school year. That resolution calls for further study of options for the Oak Ridge Preschools and Robert J. Smallridge School Administration Building on New York Avenue. It also would set up a joint city-schools committee, consider buying the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce building for school administration offices, and remodel the G Building at Oak Ridge High School. [Read more…]