Oak Ridge Today

Trapuzzano receives Eugene L. Joyce Achievement Award

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Tim Trapuzzano

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce presented Tim Trapuzzano with the Eugene L. Joyce Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual awards gala, An ExtraORdinary Evening, in late January.

Trapuzzano is president and chief executive officer of Omega Technical Services in Oak Ridge, located at 118 Mitchell Road in Oak Ridge.

The Eugene L. Joyce Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a nominee who has truly distinguished himself or herself and embodies the essential values of volunteerism, community service, and dedication to the economic vitality of the community, a press release said. [Read more…]

Obituaries: Jan. 23-27, 2023

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James (Jim) Michael Dagley, 74, of Clinton, January 22, 1949-January 26, 2023. Graduated from Clinton High School in 1967, served four years in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and one year in the Army Reserve, a chemical operator at Y-12 for 38 years. Read his obituary here.

Leona Flatford, 97, of Clinton, June 24, 1925-January 26, 2023. Member of Glory Way Baptist Church in Clinton, proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family, especially going out to dinner. Read her obituary here.

Gary Ray Nichols, 69, of Clinton, October 10, 1953-January 25, 2023. Born in Clinton to the late Sandy Gordon and Mannie Burnette Raby Nichols, preceded in death by his wife Linda Jean Brock Nichols, survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law and three grandchildren. Read his obituary here.

Dorothy Latham Cook, 80, of Powell, October 31, 1942-January 25, 2023. Graduated from Powell High School in 1962, married her high school sweetheart Forrest Cook in 1963 and moved to their beloved farm in 1970, member of the Friendship Sunday School class at Temple Baptist Church for more than 50 years. Read her obituary here.

Joseph Leroy Sims, 83, of Clinton, April 30, 1939-January 25, 2023. Deacon of Emmanuel Baptist Church, a Christian man that loved God, his church, and his family. Read his obituary here.

Bishop James Carroll Bandy, 90, of Oak Ridge, June 4, 1932-January 25, 2023. The Bandys served Oak Ridge Church of God longer than any other pastor in the church history, and during 31 years of service, the church made significant progress. The church’s physical growth paralleled spiritual growth, with increasing the membership from 50 to 571. Read his obituary here.

Lowell Eugene Thomas, 87, November 1, 1935-January 25, 2023. Born in Bristol, Tennessee, a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy and retired from the United States Postal Service. Lowell and his wife were longtime members of Woodland Baptist Church. Read his obituary here.

Willard Dean Reynolds, 61, of Oliver Springs, passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Survived by three children, six grandchildren, a brother, three sisters and two brothers-in law, and other family members and friends. Read his obituary here.

Wendy Lee Trentham, 52, of Oak Ridge, June 15, 1970-January 24, 2023. An amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, and nana, she was known for her incredible baking, her kindness, and loving her family fiercely. Read her obituary here.

James Lee Winn, 83, of Powell, July 16, 1939-January 23, 2023. Born in Brazil, Indiana, where he will be interred in the Bee Ridge Cemetery. Read his obituary here.

Oak Ridge EM prepared for cold weather to prevent failures

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From DOE Office of Environmental Management’s “EM Update” newsletter

UCOR employees Andy Rodgers, left, and Alex Johnson install heat tracing to protect systems at the Environmental Management Waste Management Facility during the holiday 2022 cold snap in Oak Ridge. Temperatures did not reach above freezing for more than four consecutive days. (Photo courtesy UCOR/DOE EM)

UCOR employees Andy Rodgers, left, and Alex Johnson install heat tracing to protect systems at the Environmental Management Waste Management Facility during the cold snap in Oak Ridge. Temperatures did not reach above freezing for more than four consecutive days.

Much of the nation experienced an extreme cold snap over the recent holidays, and Tennessee was no exception with temperatures dipping to nearly zero degrees in Oak Ridge. Despite the bitter weather, preparations and recent upgrades helped prevent infrastructure failures during that time.

Many employees with EM cleanup contractor UCOR reported to work over the holidays to ensure issues were resolved at several essential facilities. (EM stands for environmental management.)

At the Environmental Management Waste Management Facility, advanced planning and preparation protected critical water management systems during the deep freeze over the nearly weeklong cold snap, including a 6.5-hour unplanned power outage.

[Read more…]

Free dental, vision, medical services in February

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Remote Area Medical (RAM)—a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision, and medical care to those in need—will have a free, two-day clinic in Oak Ridge in February.

The clinic is scheduled February 18-19 at the Oak Ridge Civic Center at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The clinic is in collaboration with the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

All RAM services are free, and no identification is required, a press release said. Free dental, vision, and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

[Read more…]

Junior Playhouse performs ‘Gingerbread: Hansel & Gretel’ in February

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The Oak Ridge Playhouse in Jackson Square is pictured above on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)



“Gingerbread: A Hansel and Gretel Story” will be performed in early February by the Oak Ridge Junior Playhouse Youth Theatre for Young Audiences.

The performance of the season-closer will be at the Oak Ridge Playhouse in Jackson Square on February 4 and 5.

“The Oak Ridge Junior Playhouse has cooked up a tantalizing morsel for young audiences to gobble up!” a press release said. “The candied scent of molasses and cinnamon, paired with the warm smell of ginger and clove can only mean one thing—gingerbread! However, this sweet and spicy temptation is anything but nice.”

It’s based on folklore by the Brothers Grimm, with a new adaptation by Playhouse Director Reggie Law. [Read more…]

Extreme Classroom Makeover applications due Jan. 31

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The deadline to submit a video application is about one week away (it’s Jan. 31, 2023) in a contest that awards $25,000 to improve STEM education in public schools in the Oak Ridge region. (Photo by ORAU)

The deadline to submit a video application is about one week away in a contest that awards $25,000 to improve STEM education in public schools in the region.

ORAU’s Extreme Classroom Makeover is open to third-grade to 10th-grade math and science teachers in public schools within 50 miles of Oak Ridge. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The $25,000 can be used for new equipment to update classrooms with new technology, ORAU said.

A runner-up will receive $5,000 in new equipment.

[Read more…]

ORCSGirls resumes in-person classes in Oak Ridge, Maryville

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Oak Ridge Computer Science Girls (ORCSGirls) will resume their free in-person coding classes for girls in grades 5-10. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge Computer Science Girls (ORCSGirls) is resuming their free in-person coding classes for girls in grades 5-10, a press release said.

In March 2020, all classes were switched to be virtual events in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In person classes resumed in January and are offered at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge and at the Blount County Public Library in Maryville, the press release said.

All in-person events follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to keep everyone safe, the press release said. ORCSGirls also continues to offer virtual sessions. Current classes and signup can be found at www.orcsgirls.org/classes.

[Read more…]

Read city manager’s retirement letter

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Mark Watson

This is a copy of the January 17 retirement letter from Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson to the seven Oak Ridge City Council members.

Since August of 2010, I have been proud to serve the City of Oak Ridge as its City Manager.

During that time, I have engaged the community in visionary changes that move the City toward a bright future creating economic vitality, jobs for our citizens, and a stronger quality of life for all.

Over the past twelve years, we have seen major changes and improvements to our internal organization and our external relationships with surrounding communities. This year, I was recognized for 45 years of public service by my profession. It is now time for me to announce my retirement. Serving in four states, eight cities, seven city manager positions and working for over 100 mayors and city council members, I believe it is time to begin the process of selecting a successor for Oak Ridge.

[Read more…]

Tickets on sale for Flatwater Storytelling Festival

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Rev. Robert B. Jones

The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival in June will feature three nationally acclaimed storytellers: Lyn Ford, Bil Lepp, and Rev. Robert B. Jones.

“Well-known to audiences throughout the country for their wit and wisdom, these three performers are guaranteed to make audiences laugh, cry, and reminisce,” a press release said.

The annual festival is scheduled June 2-3 at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge.

The storytellers will perform different stories at each show. Two special workshops will be offered preceding the performances.

Tickets are now on sale at Eventbrite or in person at the Ferrell Shop in Oak Ridge (cash or check only). You can take advantage of the Early Bird Special and get a discount when you buy tickets for both the afternoon and evening shows on Saturday, the press release said.

[Read more…]

Roane to Tech paves path for transfer students

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Cheyenne McAbee

A relatively new program called Roane to Tech allows students to transfer from Roane State Community College to Tennessee Tech University to complete their last two years of college, and it provides students additional opportunities, a press release said.

The program began in 2021, and it guarantees all Roane State graduates admission to Tech, the press release said. It also provides a smooth transition for those students. The transfer students are known as the Golden Raiders, a combination of Tech’s Golden Eagles and RSCC’s Raiders.

The average savings for those who participate in the program would be close to $6,000 per year for tuition, according to TTU Director of Admissions Frank Tittle.

“There are several benefits to the Roane to Tech program, such as a waived Tennessee Tech application fee, students have access to a university advisor, their degree plans are predefined, dual admission to tech, access to special events, and free Roane to Tech gear,” Tittle said.

[Read more…]

ORHS swim team undefeated in regular season

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Andrew Chou (Photo by Tara Kneiser, used with permission)

By Oak Ridge High School Swim Coach Chad Hodge

From Oak Ridge Wildcats Athletics

The Oak Ridge High School swim team finished the regular season undefeated by beating Lenoir City 199-120, Halls 165-90, Catholic 193-129, Webb 198-88, and Maryville 171-142.

Amazingly, the team did this without ever having their full team at a single swim meet.

The Wildcats will be back in action at the KISL City Championships on Saturday, January 28, at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

[Read more…]

Bird courtship to be discussed in UT Arboretum Society program

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Bird courtship will be discussed in a pre-recorded program of the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society in February.

“Bird courtship has begun!” a press release said. “Either from new partnerships being formed or existing pairs renewing their bonds, it is that time of year when birds are looking for a mate. Each species is slightly different with some feeding, some grooming and some snuggling. But can we call it love? Join us for this pre-recorded program to discuss bird courtship.”

Michelle Campanis, education coordinator at the University of Tennessee Arboretum, and naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales will discuss aspects of avian pair bonding in a pre-recorded program for February’s First Thursday Nature Supper Club, the press release said.

“This is one of our favorite and most requested programs!” the press release said.

[Read more…]