Oak Ridge Today

UCOR makes second $20,000 donation to Emory Valley Center

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UCOR Donates to Emory Valley Center

Pictured above from left are Gene Caldwell, Jennifer Enderson, Leo Sain, and Dottie Thompson. (Submitted photo)

UCOR, the federal cleanup contractor in Oak Ridge, recently donated a second installment pledge of $20,000 to the Emory Valley Center, a press release said.

In 2010, UCOR pledged to Emory Valley Center fundraising co-chairs Gene Caldwell and Dottie Thompson that it would donate $100,000 during the next five years to help build a new center.

“We believe in the importance of the work done to help so many people at Emory Valley Center,” UCOR President Leo Sain said in the press release. [Read more…]

Volunteers needed during National Women Build Week

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Volunteers are needed for Habitat for Humanity’s sixth annual National Women Build Week.

Locally, Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County will partner with Lowe’s and the Associated Construction Women to repair a woman-owned home on Saturday, May 11. [Read more…]

ORAU Communications and Marketing wins public relations awards

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities won eight first-place awards, two second-place awards, and three third-place awards at a recent public relations awards ceremony, a press release said.

The ceremony was hosted April 25 by the Public Relations Society of America Volunteer Chapter.

ORAU Communications and Marketing won awards in the following categories and projects: [Read more…]

ORNL-issued iPad stolen in Clinton

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Note: This story was updated at 5:02 p.m.

An Oak Ridge National Laboratory employee reported that a lab-issued iPad was stolen from his car while he and his wife shopped at the Dollar General store on Charles Seivers Boulevard on Tuesday afternoon, according to WYSH Radio in Clinton.

Gregory and Robin Chitwood called police around 2 p.m. Tuesday and reported that the device had been in the car when they went into the store but was gone when they returned, WYSH said. [Read more…]

Clinton High dedicates ‘net zero’ classroom

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Information from WYSH Radio

Students, teachers, and school administrators gathered to dedicate a new, so-called “net zero” classroom on the campus of Clinton High School on Tuesday.

The 1,150-square-foot building is powered by solar panels and is independent of the electric grid. The classroom, believed to be the first of its kind in the state, was funded by the school system as well as grants from Tennessee Valley Authority and Oak Ridge National Laboratory as well as other sponsors. [Read more…]

More than 300 pounds of unused medicine collected

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Information from WYSH Radio

Local law enforcement agencies teamed up to host Operation Medicine Cabinet at four locations across the county on Saturday, and more than 300 pounds of medicine were collected.

That amount far surpassed the weight from any previous event held in the county since law enforcement agencies began collecting and disposing medicine in 2010. In all, 314.6 pounds of medicine were collected at sites in Clinton, Oak Ridge, and Oliver Springs, said Stephanie Strutner, executive director for Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention. The medications were disposed by DEA. [Read more…]

ORHS basketball team to play in Bahamas

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Oak Ridge School Board voted 4-1 in a special meeting Monday to allow the Oak Ridge High School boys’ basketball team to travel to the Bahamas in November to take part in a prestigious, invitation-only tournament.

There had been some lingering questions about liability and costs associated with the trip, but interim School Superintendent Bob Smallridge recommended the trip be approved. Coach Aaron Green says that the trip will be paid for by the Booster Club and that the team plans to raise money on its own as well.

Y-12 protesters can’t use necessity, Nuremberg defenses at Tuesday trial

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Y-12 Plowshares Protesters

Pictured above are the three anti-nuclear weapons protesters who broke into the Y-12 National Security Complex on July 28. From left, they are Michael Walli, Megan Rice, and Greg Boertje-Obed.

The three protesters accused of sneaking into the Y-12 National Security Complex and vandalizing a uranium storage building in July will not be able to argue during their trial next week that they violated federal laws in order to achieve a greater good, a judge said.

It’s what is known as a necessity defense, and it only applies in rare situations, U.S. District Judge Amul R. Thapar said in an opinion and order filed Tuesday. It allows a defendant to avoid a conviction even when the government has proven all the elements of an offense.

Thapar said the three anti-nuclear weapons activists—Greg Boertje-Obed, Megan Rice, and Michael Walli—did not have any evidence to establish three of the four required elements of the necessity defense, including a “reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury due to a present, imminent, and unlawful threat.”

[Read more…]

Man uses water bottle, clothing to put out stovetop fire

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An Oak Ridge man used a water bottle and clothing to put out a fire that started after he fell asleep while cooking chicken fat on his stove early Monday morning, authorities said.

Walter H. Starnes said there was smoke in the home on North Alabama Road when he woke up, and he used a water bottle to extinguish a cabinet fire and clothing to smother a fire in a pot on a stove, according to a report by Oak Ridge Fire Department Battalion Chief Marty Griffith. [Read more…]

Anderson County Emergency Communications launches new website, EALERTS

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The Anderson County Emergency Communications District has launched a new website to provide residents with 911 news and information, a press release said.

The website is online at www.ace911.net. It contains information about the district, how to prevent accidental 911 calls, when to dial 911, and Voice Over IP telephones, and 911. It also includes board meeting schedules and information on how to obtain a new address.

The ECD has also implemented a new emergency notification system called EALERTS. It’s a Web-based mobile alert messaging system designed for both emergency and non-emergency notifications for severe weather events, emergency incidents, and traffic alerts. [Read more…]

Arts Council has Tribute to the Arts on Thursday

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Arts Council of Oak Ridge

Arts Council of Oak Ridge

The Arts Council of Oak Ridge and its member organizations are having a premier Tribute to the Arts on Thursday.

It’s scheduled from 6-9 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Ridge.

“This exciting cultural event will recognize artists and arts supporters from our area for the outstanding contributions they have made through their hearts and talents,” a press release said. “The Arts Council member organizations have long contributed to the culture and vitality of our region, and ACOR believes there is a need to acknowledge these groups and individuals for their service and talents.” [Read more…]

DA: Crime down a ‘remarkable’ 10.5 percent in Anderson County

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Dave Clark

Dave Clark

The number of crimes reported in Anderson County dropped again last year, continuing a six-year trend, District Attorney General Dave Clark announced Monday.

Crime was down 10.5 percent in Anderson County in 2012, Clark said.

“That is a remarkable result in a single year,” he said. [Read more…]