Oak Ridge Today

Altrusa dinner and auction Wednesday

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Altrusa of Oak Ridge has its annual spaghetti dinner and auction on Wednesday evening at the DoubleTree Hotel.

The dinner and musical entertainment begin at 5 p.m., the silent auction lasts from 5-6:30 p.m., and the live auction starts at 6:30 p.m. The auction includes handcrafted items, holiday gifts, and services, a press release said.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 4-­10, and admission is free for children three years old and younger, the press release said. Tickets can be purchased from an Altrusa member or at the door.

Wine will be available for sale, and one-­half the dinner cost is tax-deductible, the release said.

Altrusa is a nonprofit community service organization.

Douglas Ray Brannon

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Douglas Ray Brannon, age 61, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Thursday, Oct. 18, at his home.

Ray was born May 12, 1951, in Oak Ridge. He was a lifelong resident of this area.

Before his retirement, he was employed as a planner at the Y-12 federal plant in Oak Ridge for 23 years.

He was of the Baptist faith.

Ray is survived by his father, Robert “Bob” Brannon of the Dyllis Community in Roane County; by a daughter, Larrisa Walker of Oliver Springs; by a son, Dameon Brannon of Oak Ridge; by his fiancée, Carol Harris of Oak Ridge; step-father, Ronald M. Martin of Oak Ridge; and by grandchildren, Landon Walker of Oliver Springs and Brandon Massengale of Oak Ridge.

He is also survived by sisters, Katherine Sue Russell and husband Kevin of Oak Ridge, Joni Hardin and husband John of Crystal Beach, Texas, and LeAnn Martin of Oak Ridge; by brothers, Danny Brannon of Oak Ridge, and John Martin and wife Nancy of Seattle, Wash.; and by several nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends including a special friend, Kenny “Tadpole” Edmonds.

No services will be held and Sharp Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Brannon. An online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.

Sherri Faye Strickland

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Sherri Faye Strickland

Sherri Faye Strickland

Sherri Faye Strickland, age 49, a resident of Oliver Springs, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, Oct. 16, at her home while surrounded by her family.

Sherri was born March 12, 1963, in Harriman. She was a lifelong resident of this area.

She was a faithful Christian and a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Harriman.

Before her disability, she was employed as an account manager for G.C.A. Services at Roane State Community College.

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David Lawrence Black

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David Lawrence Black

David Lawrence Black

David Lawrence Black, age 66, of Oak Ridge, died Thursday, Oct. 18, at his home.

He was born Oct. 2, 1946, in Oak Ridge, the son of Colleen and the late Clifford Black.

He had attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1964 and from the University of Tennessee in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

He served in the U.S. Army in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.

He worked at Reynolds Brothers in Nashville for 35 years. David was a true Vol, his blood ran orange, and he never missed a game. Proud of his Irish heritage, David wore an Irish cap and had sparkling Irish eyes.

He was preceded in death by his father Clifford Black, his brother Jeffrey Black, his niece Bibiana Angelini, and nephew, Jimmy Adams.

He is survived by his mother, Colleen Black; his sisters, Suzanne Angelini (Pete), Becky Adams, Jennifer Burman (Malcom), Tara Warner (Don), and Jane Massoumi; and his brother, Cliff Black (Nora). He is also survived by nieces and nephews Lena Adams, Michael Adams (Jen), Isabella Angelini (Derek Stewart), Joseph Angelini, Haley, Sierra, Star, and Savanna Warner, Montana and Kansas Burman, and Soraya and Mariah Massoumi. He is also survived by four great-nieces and great-nephews Kaylan Sudbury, Cooper Adams, and Ariella and Dario Stewart.

The family will receive friends Sunday, Oct. 21, from 12:30–2:30 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. A memorial service will follow at 2:30 p.m. with Father Bede Aboh officiating.

A private entombment will be held at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.

State officials Ramsey, Yager visit ORNL

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory Visit

Tennesseee Sen. Ken Yager, left, and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, center, receive an overview of the Spallation Neutron Source from Oak Ridge National Laboratory Neutron Sciences Director Kelly Beierschmitt at the SNS Thursday. (Photo by Jason Richards)

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, who is also the Republican Senate Speaker, and Sen. Ken Yager, a Harriman Republican, visited Oak Ridge National Laboratory on Thursday afternoon.

Their agenda included discussions of ORNL’s partnerships with the state of Tennessee and tours of the Leadership Computing Facility and Spallation Neutron Source, the lab said in a brief statement Friday.

Top Republicans show support for Ragan

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John Ragan

John Ragan

Perhaps illustrating the importance of the race, top state and national Republicans are showing their support for Rep. John Ragan, an Oak Ridge resident and GOP candidate seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives.

A first-term legislator, Ragan is opposed in the Nov. 6 election by Democrat Jim Hackworth, a Clinton Democrat who used to hold the seat but lost to Ragan in the 2010 election.

Democrats and Republicans have both said the race in Tennessee’s 33rd District, which includes much of Anderson County, is one of a half-dozen key contests in the state.

On Friday, the Tennessee House Republican Caucus announced that U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander will be in Clinton and Anderson County on Tuesday to support Ragan. Alexander will be joined by U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, a Tennessee Republican whose district includes Oak Ridge; Tennessee Sen. Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican; and Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank.

“They will be meeting with Anderson County citizens and discussing plans for economic growth, the importance of fiscal responsibility, and the need to re-elect conservative state Rep. John Ragan,” a press release said.

They will meet at Hoskins Drug Store in Clinton from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday. Hoskins Drug Store is located at 111N. Main St. in Clinton.

Also this week, Republicans announced that top Tennessee officials had unanimously endorsed Ragan. The endorsements came from three top Republicans, Gov. Bill Haslam, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, and Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell.

“Having strong leaders in the state legislature is incredibly important, and I can always count on John Ragan’s consistent conservative approach to tough issues,” Haslam said. “John has a true servant’s heart, and works hard on behalf of Anderson County every day.”

Ramsey said Ragan has worked closely with senators to create a better environment for business and served as a “voice of reform” on the House Education Committee. Harwell said Ragan’s wide range of military and business experience make him a vital part of the Republican team in Nashville.

The outcome of the contest between Ragan and Hackworth could help decide whether Republicans pick up a supermajority in the Tennessee House. That would allow them to conduct legislative business without Democratic support, and they could pass legislation even if Democrats walk out of session.

In June, a Republican campaign aide said Republicans now have 64 representatives in the 99-member Tennessee House of Representatives. They would have a supermajority if they pick up three seats, giving them 67 total members, said Holt Whitt, a member of the Republican Caucus field staff in Nashville.

Early voting for the Nov. 6 election began Wednesday and ends Nov. 1.

AT&T customers able to access Oak Ridge Today again

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Oak Ridge Today readers who are also local AT&T subscribers report they are able to access our website again.

We began receiving reports on Tuesday that some local readers were not able to access Oak Ridge Today. The issue appears to have been resolved on Thursday.

We’re not certain what caused it, but it appears to have been a network issue that was isolated to local AT&T customers.

We apologize for any inconvenience. We will share any new information we receive.

We encourage you to let us know if you have any problems accessing Oak Ridge Today. You are also welcome to contact us if you have other ideas about how we might improve the site.

Citizen’s Police Academy starts Nov. 8

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A police academy that starts next month will give Oak Ridge residents a chance to learn about crime scene investigations, crime prevention and analysis, tactical operations, and the police canine program.

It’s called the Citizen’s Police Academy. The free 12-week academy starts Nov. 8 and ends Jan. 31. Classes are scheduled to meet Thursday evenings from 6–9 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Police Department is now accepting applications for the program, a press release said.

It said the academy will give residents a better understanding of how the ORPD is organized and how each division operates.

“Participants will observe first-hand the daily challenges facing law enforcement professionals,” the release said.

City officials said the goal is to “create and develop a growing nucleus of responsible, well-informed citizens who have the potential to improve community understanding regarding police practices and enhance service delivery.” They hope it will help build a lasting and productive partnership between the ORPD and the community.

“Graduates of the program will fulfill the critical role of providing input and information to their neighborhoods and work environment, which increases citizen involvement on issues of mutual concern,” the release said.

The Citizen’s Police Academy will include classroom and hands-on learning, the release said. Class subjects will include legal reviews, the job of a uniformed police officer, investigations, crime scene investigations, crime prevention, the canine program, tactical operations, crime analysis, and much more.

Participants will be involved in activities such as touring the communications facilities and police department, using police equipment, firing department service weapons, observing canine demonstrations, and touring both the Anderson County Detention Facility and the National Forensic Academy.

The press release said each applicant must complete an application and undergo a criminal background investigation. Applicants must also be at least 21 years of age and must work or live within Oak Ridge. The instructional course will be held at Fire Station #3 on Tuskegee Drive.

To download an application for the Citizen’s Police Academy, visit www.oakridgetn.gov or at the police department.

For more information, call Oak Ridge Police Sgt. Shannah Newman at (865) 425-3519 or e-mail her at snewman@oakridgetn.gov.

AAUW presentation Monday discusses children, schools

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Three speakers who work with kids will discuss children and schools during a Monday meeting of the Oak Ridge branch of the American Association of University Women.

Titled “The Basic Need of Children in School,” the presentation will feature Gina Begluitti, family services coordinator at Oak Ridge Preschool; Theresa Venable, librarian, and special events coordinator at Children’s Defense Fund, Hayley Farm; and Tara Voit, certified Montessori instructor, and executive director of the Scarboro Learning Center.

The meeting will be in the Social Room of the Unitarian Universalist Church. It will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a $7 sandwich luncheon.

The program will begin at noon and will include a question-and-answer period, a press release said.

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Geraldine Griffis Seiber

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Geraldine Griffis Seiber, age 63, a resident of Harriman, passed away Friday, Oct. 12, at the home of her son, Doug McCann, in Oliver Springs.

Mrs. Seiber was born Dec. 21, 1948, in Oliver Springs. She has lived most of her life in Harriman.

Geraldine was employed as a personal caregiver before her disability. She was a loving mother who loved her entire family and enjoyed caring for them. She also enjoyed cooking, baking, flower gardening, bird watching, and going to yard sales.

She was preceded in death by her father, Hurley Griffis.

Mrs. Seiber is survived by her mother, Christine Bolling of Harriman; by her companion, David Wilder of Harriman; by daughters, Terri Cooper and companion Wayne Davis of Clinton, and Holly Seiber of Harriman; by sons, David McCann and companion LeAnn of Deer Lodge, Doug McCann and wife Tammy of Oliver Springs, and Matthew Seiber of Harriman; by grandchildren, Valorie Nicole McCann, Cody Allen McCann, Emily Megan Seiber, Joshua Alexander Cooper, Jacob Austin Cooper, and Kaitlyn Ciera Seiber; and by great-grandchildren, David Austin Bunch, Aubrey McCann, and Aden McCann.

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James Frank Lockmiller

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James Frank Lockmiller

James Frank Lockmiller

James Frank Lockmiller, age 87, of Oak Ridge, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 16, at his residence.

Mr. Lockmiller was born Oct. 29, 1924, in Ashland, Ohio, to the late Frank and Gertrude Lockmiller.

Mr. Lockmiller was a lifetime patriot and supporter of his country through his service. He was a private first class in the United States Marine Corps, 3rd Marine Division, Pacific Theater Guadalcanal, and security detail for the Manhattan Project from 1943-1945. Mr. Lockmiller was a GI participant in the “Battle of Athens” on Aug. 1, 1946, the outcome of which helped to lay the foundation for the McMinn County government.

He worked for Union Carbide Corporation Nuclear Division from January 1945 to June 1982 at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Fuel Recycle Division and was honored to be included on the Secret City Founders Wall, which was dedicated in 2004.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Lockmiller was preceded in death by his wife Colleen Frahm Lockmiller.

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Y-12 protesters get three-week extension to file motions

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Transform Now Plowshares

The three anti-nuclear weapons activists pictured above cut through fences and vandalized a high-security building at the Y-12 National Security Complex in July and now face federal charges of property destruction, property depredation, and trespassing. From left to right, the three are Michael R. Walli, Megan Rice, and Greg Boertje-Obed. (Submitted photo)

A federal judge has given attorneys three extra weeks to file motions in the government’s case against three anti-nuclear weapons activists accused of sneaking into the Y-12 National Security Complex in July and vandalizing a building where bomb-grade uranium is stored.

On Oct. 9, the attorneys asked for a one-month extension, which would have given them until Nov. 9 to file motions for Greg Boertje-Obed, Megan Rice, and Michael R. Walli. They said they hadn’t completed their investigation and needed more time to consult with the defendants.

In an order filed Wednesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge C. Clifford Shirley Jr. gave them until Oct. 30. A motion hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 20.

“In order to remain on track for the Feb. 26, 2013, trial of this matter, this motion hearing cannot be delayed,” Shirley said. “Additional extensions of the motion deadline will not be permitted, except in the event of extraordinary circumstances.”

Shirley said attorneys had said the discovery, or information collected in the case, was minimal, and he was “somewhat surprised” to hear that more time was needed to investigate the facts.

Boertje-Obed, Rice, and Walli are accused of sneaking into Y-12 before dawn on July 28, cutting through fences with bolt cutters, evading guards, and spray-painting slogans and splashing human blood on the Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility.

They have been charged with property destruction, property depredation, and trespassing. The three protesters, who have pleaded not guilty, face potential penalties of up to 16 years in jail and $600,000 in fines.

Walli is represented by Christopher Scott Irwin of Knoxville and William P. Quigley of New Orleans. Rice is represented by Francis L. Lloyd Jr. of Knoxville. Boertje-Obed is representing himself, although he has the assistance of “elbow counsel,” Knoxville attorney Bobby E. Hutson Jr.

The Nov. 20 motion hearing starts at 9:30 a.m. in U.S. District Court in Knoxville.

The unprecedented security breach has had a significant impact on Y-12, its contractors, and the National Nuclear Security Administration. Among other things, there have been federal investigations, two congressional hearings, a temporary halt in nuclear operations, a contract termination for security guard company WSI Oak Ridge, and a firing, suspensions, retirements, and reassignments at WSI, NNSA, and B&W Y-12.

Note: This story was last updated at 10:27 p.m. Oct. 18.