Oak Ridge Today has added a YouTube channel. It’s available at www.youtube.com/oakridgetoday.
Our first video features the Oak Ridge High School marching band at the Dec. 8 Christmas parade. Enjoy.
Tracy Anne Ashburn
Tracy Anne Ashburn
Tracy Anne Ashburn, age 49, of the Mossy Grove Community, died Monday, Dec. 17, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
She was born March 20, 1963, in Knoxville, the daughter of Richard Lewis and Carolyn Anne Heard Mynatt, who survive her.
Mrs. Ashburn worked for 17 years as a merchandizing clerk with Kroger. She grew up in the Highland View Church of Christ and was a 1981 graduate of Oak Ridge High School.
Mrs. Ashburn enjoyed photography and crafting, especially with dried flowers and materials, which she collected herself. She loved animals, the outdoors and nature’s bounty.
Edward Harold ‘Gordo’ Gordon
Edward Harold “Gordo” Gordon
Edward Harold “Gordo” Gordon, age 81, of Oak Ridge passed away Saturday, Dec. 8, with his loving wife of 46 years, Dorothy “Dot,” by his side.
Ed was born April 29, 1931, in Grainger County to the late Arthur and Mary Wyatt Gordon.
He was of the Protestant faith and a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving as an in-flight engineer traveling worldwide.
Ed was discharged from the service in Auburn, Calif., after 11 years of service, and it was at that time he started a lifelong career as a professional golf instructor. This was one of the passions of Ed’s life and he cherished all of the friendships, especially those from South Hills Golf Club here in Oak Ridge, during his life as an instructor. Ed was a member of the Elks Lodge here in Oak Ridge. He married the Love of His Life, Dorothy “Dot” Veazey, on July 1, 1966.
Cheerleaders decorate MMC hospitality homes for cancer patients
Cheerleaders from Oak Ridge High School helped to decorate the Hospitality Houses of Methodist Medical Center for Christmas. The houses offer temporary lodging to patients and families who must travel for extended care at Methodist, even during the holidays. (Submitted photo)
Oak Ridge High School cheerleaders recently decorated two hospitality homes at Methodist Medical Center for Christmas.
The Hospitality Houses provide a home away from home for cancer patients and families receiving extended medical care at Methodist Medical Center.
“But just because some guests can’t be home during the holiday season doesn’t mean they have to miss the festive feel of garland-draped porches and trees glittering with lights,” a press release said.
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.
NNSA Administrator D’Agostino retiring in January
Thomas P. D’Agostino
Thomas P. D’Agostino, administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, announced his retirement today.
In a statement Friday, D’Agostino said he will retire Jan. 18, the end of President Barack Obama’s first term. He has been NNSA administrator and under secretary for nuclear security for more than five years. He was also deputy administrator for defense programs for two years.
The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is an NNSA site. The NNSA is a separate agency within the U.S. Department of Energy.
D’Agostino has had 36 years of federal service, rising through the ranks of the U.S. Navy and then leading nuclear security efforts at DOE.
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.
Sheriff: Two arrested after Briceville burglary
An intruder fled a Briceville home Wednesday after the resident, who had been asleep upstairs, woke up and called out, authorities said.
The resident had heard someone break into his home and walk up his stairs, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said in a press release Thursday.
After the intruder fled, the resident and a neighbor saw a white Jeep leave the area. The neighbor followed the Jeep in her car but lost sight of it as it traveled toward Lake City, White said.
School security ramped up in Anderson County, Clinton
Information from WYSH Radio
In the wake of last week’s deadly school shootings in Connecticut, many people in the area have wondered what is being done to keep their children safe at school.
WYSH asked Clinton Police Chief Rick Scarbrough how often officers conduct walk-throughs at the city’s three elementary schools. Scarbrough said every school in the city, including the three county schools within the city limits, are visited by officers two to three times per day in unscheduled, random, drop-in visits.
Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said there are eight full-time school resource officers, or SROs, who rotate between the county’s 17 schools. That number includes SROs who are assigned to just one school, namely the two county high schools.
Edna Ruth Strickland Hester
Edna Ruth Strickland Hester, age 96, a resident of the Sugar Grove Community in Roane County, passed away Thursday, Dec. 20, at NHC of Oak Ridge.
Mrs. Hester was born on Sept. 30, 1916, in the former Wheat Community in Roane County. She grew up in Wheat, and she was one of seven students that graduated from the Wheat High School, Class of 1935.
Mrs. Hester was a Christian and a member of the First Baptist Church in Oliver Springs. She was of strong moral fiber, and she loved the Lord, her family, and her country. In the early years, she taught school at Orchard View, Dyllis, and Oliver Springs schools. She loved children, and she enjoyed watching their development and accomplishments.
She was a homemaker who loved her home, flower gardening, watching various sports, and traveling.
Ina Jean Poore Baldwin
Ina Jean Poore Baldwin
Ina Jean Poore Baldwin, 81, of Oak Ridge, made her entrance into Heaven on Dec. 19 at 3:30 a.m. with her family and her pastor at her side.
She was born March 24, 1931, in Benham, Ky., the daughter of Frank and Virginia Lynch Poore.
She married her sweetheart, Carson Baldwin, on June 7, 1952, in Monroe, Mich. They just celebrated their 60th anniversary with a celebration with family and friends and enjoyed a trip to Hawaii.
Mrs. Baldwin’s career was in nursing and sales.
Kelli L. Carter
Kelli L. Carter
Kelli L. Carter, age 32, of Knoxville, passed away Monday, Dec. 17.
Kelli was born Feb. 9, 1980, in Rockwood and attended Oak Ridge High School.
She was a member of Faith Promise Church. She loved her children and her family and was known for her infectious smile and loving heart.
