Oak Ridge Today

Flags lowered at Anderson County Courthouse

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The flags at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton have been lowered to half-staff and will remain so through sunset Saturday in honor and memory of the victims of Monday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon, a press release said.

Anderson County Veterans Service Officer Leon Jaquet lowered the flags late Tuesday morning after receiving notification from the Office of President Barack Obama, who issued a presidential proclamation ordering the lowering of U.S. flags at all public buildings and grounds as a mark of respect for the victims.

“Such acts of evil are always difficult to understand,” Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank said. “My prayers are with the victims, their families and those who so bravely responded to help.”

Man armed with AK-47 reportedly threatens suicide, police evacuate homes

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A man reported to be armed with an AK-47 assault rifle threatened suicide at a Pratt Lane home on Monday night, prompting police to evacuate nearby homes, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department SWAT Team and a negotiator were called in, and Shayne A. Hensel, 25, surrendered more than four hours later, an ORPD press release said. [Read more…]

Boston Marathon: Local runner finishes race, hears explosions, prays for recovery

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Mark Cristy

Oak Ridge resident Mark Cristy was running in the Boston Marathon on Monday when two bombs exploded near the finish line. Cristy was not injured. Above, he runs in a half marathon in New Zealand a few years ago. (Photo courtesy Mark Cristy)

Amy Viars heard the first explosion about 30 minutes after she finished the Boston Marathon on Monday.

It struck her as strange. Then, about 10 seconds later, a second explosion. It seemed out of place. Maybe it was a cannon celebrating Patriots Day or a Red Sox win.

“It just got eerily quiet,” said Viars, a Powell resident who works at Oak Ridge Associated Universities. “Everyone just got eerily silent.”

Amy and her husband James, who was there to cheer her on in her first Boston Marathon, decided to leave. About the time they started walking to their car, a quarter-mile away at the Prudential Center, they began hearing sirens. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge school board approves new superintendent contract

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Bob and Carol Smallridge and Bruce Borchers

The Oak Ridge Board of Education has approved a four-year contract with new school superintendent Bruce Borchers, right. Above Borchers speaks to Carol Smallridge, left, and interim Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bob Smallridge, second from right. Also pictured is Borchers’ son Jack.

The Oak Ridge Board of Education unanimously approved a four-year contract with new superintendent Bruce Borchers in a short special meeting Monday.

Borchers will be paid $178,000 per year, and he starts June 18, said Bob Eby, school board vice chair.

“We’ve got a top-notch superintendent that can take us to the next level,” Eby said. He led the contract negotiations on behalf of the board with the help of Oak Ridge Schools Human Resources Director Christine Lee and school attorney Larry Giordano. [Read more…]

Man charged with kidnapping after allegedly refusing to let divorcing wife leave home

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An Oak Ridge man was charged with kidnapping after he allegedly refused to let his divorcing wife leave his home Sunday evening, authorities said.

Jeffrey Dean Wollenslegel, 28, allegedly took his wife’s keys when she was leaving his Wade Lane home, put them in her purse in a closet, and then moved a couch in front of the closet door, according to arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court. Wollenslegel then allegedly stood in front of the woman, “not allowing her to leave the residence,” Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Ben Higgins said in the warrants. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge man admits to rape, authorities say

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An Oak Ridge man has admitted that he forced his girlfriend to have sex several times and that he had sex with her without her consent or knowledge while she was sleeping Friday, authorities said.

Reginald Donat Telcy, 26, was arrested Sunday. He has been charged with one count of rape. He remained jailed at the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton on Tuesday morning, and his bond has been set at $75,000. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Today adds classifieds

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Oak Ridge Today has added a classifieds section.

Our first post in that section lists job openings at Emory Valley Center. We also included a link to the job openings in the right sidebar.

Please contact John Huotari at john.huotari@oakridgetoday.com or (865) 951-9692 if you would like to advertise there.

Anderson County Commission gives final approval to ‘In God We Trust’

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Note: This story was updated at 2:49 p.m.

CLINTON—After hours of discussion and five meetings, the Anderson County Commission has agreed to place four black granite signs inscribed with the national motto “In God We Trust” in gold letters above each of the four doors at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

The signs would be paid for by donations. Commission agreed to accept contributions and donations in the Anderson County Budget Director’s Office.

It’s the third time the signs have been considered by the commission since February. They’ve also been considered twice by the Anderson County Operations Committee. Much of the debate among commissioners and residents has focused on the whether the signs should be posted at all—some opponents would like to keep a strict separation between church and state—and whether other mottos such as “E pluribus unum” and “Liberty and Justice for All” should also be included. [Read more…]

Primetime business networking event Thursday

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CH2M Hill at Primetime

Representatives from Chamber member firm CH2M HILL with the winner of one of many door prizes given away by exhibitors at the Primetime networking event last fall. The spring event will be held Thursday at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce has its spring Primetime networking event on Thursday.

This spring’s theme is “Under the Bigtop.” Jugglers, carnival food, and music will all add to the festive environment, a press release said.

The event will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the parking lot of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Primetime is designed to stimulate sales, so anyone—Chamber member or not—is encouraged to attend, the release said. [Read more…]

Franchise expo in Knoxville on Tuesday

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Have you ever thought about owning your own business? Jerry Bird of FranNet, the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, and other area organizations are sponsoring a “Meet the Franchisors” event on Wednesday at Rothchild Catering and Conference Center in Knoxville.

Presentations will be made by franchisors looking to expand into Knoxville and the surrounding areas, as well as business experts who can assist in buying and growing a business, a press release said. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society hosts azalea workshop Tuesday

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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will sponsor an azalea workshop at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the UT Arboretum at 901 S. Illinois Ave. in Oak Ridge. Follow the signs in the parking lot to the event site.

“Longtime Oak Ridge resident Huey Sides, a true azalea aficionado, will share his lessons learned regarding the planting, care, and propagation of azaleas,” a press release said. “Huey’s knowledge on this topic has been mostly self-taught and demonstrated with over 40 years of both successes and failures in his New York Avenue backyard.” [Read more…]

‘VolsTeach Program’ at Lunch with League on Tuesday

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Peggy Bertrand

Peggy Bertrand

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“VolsTeach” will be the focus of a presentation by university faculty member Peggy Bertrand, the guest speaker at “Lunch with the League” at noon Tuesday in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church.

“VolsTeach” is a University of Tennessee program targeted to undergraduate math, science, or engineering majors who are interested in expanding their professional skills and exploring a career in secondary teaching. Without any additional credit hours, students can graduate in four years with a degree and obtain licensure as highly qualified teachers in their respective content areas. The program emphasizes early and ongoing field-based experiences. [Read more…]