Oak Ridge Today

Methodist Medical Center celebrates Certified Nurses Day

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Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge observed Certified Nurses Day on Thursday, March 19, by honoring all of the board-certified nurses who work at the hospital.

Board certification of nurses plays an important role in assuring high standards of patient care.

“Nursing, like health care in general, has become increasingly complex,” said Janice McKinley, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Covenant Health, parent company of Methodist Medical Center. “Board certification means that a nurse has successfully completed extensive specialized education, and has made a strong personal and professional commitment to excellence. These are the expert nurses who work throughout our health system.” [Read more…]

Legal Aid Society kicks off 2015 Campaign for Equal Justice

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2015 Legal Aid Leadership Cabinet

Legal Aid Society’s 2015 Leadership Cabinet is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

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Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands kicked off its 2015 Campaign for Equal Justice, Legal Aid Society’s annual fundraising initiative, on Tuesday, March 17, with a luncheon at the Nashville City Club. This year, Legal Aid Society’s goal is to raise $800,000 to support its mission to provide free legal assistance to low-income residents throughout Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau.

Legal Aid Society has an office in Oak Ridge.

The Tuesday luncheon sent a message to the community at large: The legacy and important work of Legal Aid Society must live on. This message was affirmed by a keynote panel discussion moderated by Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Lee and featuring two former Legal Aid Society executive directors: Ashley T. Wiltshire Jr. and Judge Walter C. Kurtz. [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Laso

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Pet of the Day: Laso

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Partial sponsor…available now for adoption at Oak Ridge Feed. Come and visit. I am a lover! Be warned.

Laso is a beautiful young cat. He came into the shelter in July and has been in foster care for many months. He is now back and ready for adoption. He is SUPER friendly and just waiting for you. He is eight months old. [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Regis

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Pet of the Day: Regis

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Regis is a very sweet dog that does well on a leash. He is approximately two years old, male, and a shepherd mix.

We think he is as friendly and handsome as a boy can be. He really is the perfect dog—loving, loyal, and easy on the eyes. [Read more…]

City sewer line inspections begin Monday

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Sewer Line Inspections Map

The sewer line inspections will take place in the area pictured above.

 

Inspections of the city’s sewer lines will start Monday, March 23.

The Oak Ridge Public Works Department will use a state-of-the-art system that employs a sonar machine that emits a repeating series of tones, similar to a musical scale. In open areas, the sounds can be heard over long distances, a press release said.

“The tones emitted by the machine, while harmless, are low enough in frequency that residents nearby may be able to feel and, in some instances, hear them,” the release said. [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: McRay

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Pet of the Day: McRay

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I was saying to myself just this morning, “McRay,” I said, “McRay, you know what you need? You need a person all your own.” So I sat down to write this post for the nice shelter volunteers because apparently that’s the kind of thing they do—find nice people for extremely intelligent and lovable, slightly adorable kitties who are…I shudder to type this…LAPLESS. That’s right: I have no lap to call my own. Could you be persuaded to volunteer yours?

I am sponsored at 50 percent!—DZ [Read more…]

Locally Grown Artists Gallery has grand opening April 11

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Locally Grown Artists Gallery, a coop of more than 20 local artists and craftsmen, will be holding their grand opening at their new location on Saturday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The grand opening will feature door prizes, refreshments, and demonstrations.

The gallery has recently moved to new and expanded space at 109 Towne Road in Oak Ridge. Everyone is invited to celebrate their new expansion with them.

Cumberland Trail work/hike scheduled for Saturday, March 21

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Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning will sponsor a day of trail work and hiking on Saturday, March 21, on the segment of the Cumberland Trail State Park between Rock Creek Campground and Alley Ford at the Obed Wild and Scenic River. TCWP adopted this 2.5-mile section of the trail in 1998.

“We will concentrate on routine trail maintenance such as cleaning out clogged water bars, removing down logs and limbs, brushing the area along the trail, and finishing up at Alley Ford to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Obed River,” a press release said.

Participants should wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring work gloves, shovels, mattocks or pulaskis, loppers, clippers, and small bow saws or folding saws (Please, no chainsaws). Some hand tools and work gloves will be available at the event. Please bring clothing appropriate for weather conditions, and plenty of water, snacks, and a lunch. [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Katniss

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Pet of the Day: Katniss

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In foster care: Email [email protected] for more information or to arrange a meeting.

I am Katniss, and I am one year old, spayed, and vaccinated. I am in a loving foster care family.

I was pretty upset here; woudn’t you be; it stinks being in a small steel jail. I needed out badly. Who couldn’t love me? [Read more…]

Hospitality Houses keep family close during son’s medical crisis

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Hospitality Houses

One of the Hospitality Houses is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

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Part of being a parent is letting your children go. You want them to grow up, become independent adults, get a job, “leave the nest.” But when the unthinkable happens, when your independent, self-supporting, adult child is critically ill or hurt, you instantly become that protective parent of bygone years, and your only wish is to be with them and to offer comfort, support, care, and love.

So when Pauline and Sammie Gary got a call from their son Myron saying he’d passed out twice and was going to the emergency room at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, they did what any parent would do, they got in their car and drove the five hours from their home in Aiken, South Carolina.

On their way to the hospital, the Garys were able to speak with Myron’s doctor and nurse, and they learned that their 26-year-old son’s heart had stopped and that he would require a pacemaker. They needed to be by their son’s side during this difficult and scary time, and that’s all they could focus on as they made the trip to Oak Ridge.  [Read more…]

Vietnam veterans to discuss services for vets March 21

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Combat veterans can face a number of mental health-related issues upon coming home. Problems such as post traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety can be debilitating and affect both veterans and their families. These can surface immediately upon a veteran’s return or even decades later.

On Saturday, March 21, Vietnam veterans Ed Junod and Freddie Owens of the Knoxville Regional Veterans Mental Health Council will discuss services available to veterans such as peer support, court treatment program assistance, recovery groups, and more. [Read more…]

Roane Environmental Review Board meeting on March 19

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The Environmental Review Board will meet on Thursday, March 19, at 6 p.m. in the first-floor Conference Room at the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston.

This is a change from the regular meeting schedule. The meeting is open to the public.