Oak Ridge Today

Wicks appointed Criminal Court judge in 9th District, which includes Roane

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Jeffery-Wicks

Jeffery H. Wicks

NASHVILLE—Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam on Thursday appointed Jeffery H. Wicks of Rockwood as Criminal Court judge for the Ninth Judicial District, replacing Judge E. Eugene Eblen, who is retiring effective December 31.

The Ninth Judicial District serves Loudon, Meigs, Morgan, and Roane counties.

Wicks, 52, has served as General Sessions Court judge in Roane County since 2006. He was an attorney in Kingston from 2003 to 2006, operating a law practice that included criminal, civil domestic, juvenile, and probate matters, a press release said.

“We are fortunate to have a public servant with such a depth of experience as Judge Wicks to fill this role,” Haslam said. “He will serve the Ninth Judicial District well in this capacity.” [Read more…]

Basketball: Eight games in two days at ORHS in Rick McGill Toyota Classic

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Boys Basketball Team Nov. 17, 2015

Members of the Oak Ridge Wildcats boys basketball team are pictured above during an 87-67 season-opening win over Grace Christian at home on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. From left are juniors Tyshawn Young (15), Tajion Jones (3), and E.J. Bush (2), seniors Geevantay Gee (12) and Javien Johnson (11), junior Deandre Gibson (10), and senior Darel Middleton (33). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Rick McGill Toyota Classic will feature eight basketball games in two days at Oak Ridge High School this month.

The classic is December 18-19 at ORHS. The participating teams are high school boys and girls teams from Cleveland, Dobyns Bennett, Oak Ridge, and Science Hill.

Here is the schedule: [Read more…]

AAUW has fundraising holiday tea on Sunday, Dec. 13

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AAUW-Holiday-Tea

AAUW members Joanne King, Mayme Crowell, and Fay Martin are
among the hosts for the AAUW Holiday Green Tea Sunday, Dec.
13, 2015, from 3-5 p.m. in Room 102 of the Oak Ridge First Presbyterian
Church activities Building. (Submitted photo)

 

The AAUW Holiday Green Tea on Sunday will help raise money for scholarships for non-traditional female students; national fellowships, scholarships, and grants; and the AAUW Oak Ridge Branch’s Operating Fund.

The tea is scheduled from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, December 13, in Room 102 of the First Presbyterian Church Activities Building in Oak Ridge, a press release said.

Funds raised from the tea will go to the Local Education Projects Fund, which provides scholarship for non-traditional women students at Roane State Community College; the tax-deductible AAUW Educational Opportunities Fund, which provides national fellowships, scholarships and grants; and the AAUW Oak Ridge Branch’s Operating Fund. [Read more…]

Cherokee Health to provide mental health services in Anderson County Schools

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Cherokee Health Systems has signed an agreement with Anderson County Schools to begin providing outpatient behavioral health services to students at the county’s two high schools, four middle schools, and the Life Development Center as part of a five-year federal grant made possible from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, officials said.

The Tennessee Department of Education selected Anderson and two other counties—Lawrence County in the Middle Tennessee area and Lauderdale County in West Tennessee—to receive the funding.

Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, CHS will have licensed social workers on-site at each location to provide comprehensive behavioral health services. Tennessee joins 19 other states with Anderson County being one of 60 school systems to receive Project AWARE funds. [Read more…]

Man sentenced to 30 years for possessing heroin for sale in school zone

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Charles Randolph Johnson

Charles Randolph Johnson

A man convicted in September of possessing heroin and marijuana for sale in a school zone has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, authorities said.

Charles Randolph Johnson was sentenced by Anderson County Criminal Court Judge Donald R. Elledge on Monday, November 30, District Attorney General Dave Clark said in a press release.

Johnson, a Michigan native, was convicted by a jury on September 18. He was found guilty of possessing heroin with the intent to sell it within 1,000 feet of a school, possessing marijuana with the intent to sell it, and possessing drug paraphernalia, Clark said.

Authorities said Johnson possessed a large amount of heroin and marijuana inside a mobile home near Claxton Elementary School. He was arrested on January 31 when a search warrant was executed after a joint investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, and the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force. [Read more…]

Santa makes early visit to Oak Ridge: Pancakes with Santa

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Santa-Lee-Morris-Dec-2015

Santa (aka: Lee Morris, of Oak Ridge) will be at Applebee’s Restaurant this Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, from 8 to 10 a.m. (Submitted photo)

 

Santa will make an early stop in Oak Ridge this Saturday, December 12, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Applebee’s Restaurant.

The public is invited to join Santa (aka: long time Oak Ridge resident Lee Morris) for a pancake breakfast to benefit CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee.  Breakfast and an opportunity for a picture with Santa is $5.

Applebee’s is at 1213 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge churches founded CONTACT in 1973, and the nonprofit agency now serves Knoxville and surrounding communities as well. Volunteers field approximately 10,000 calls per year. [Read more…]

Roane State campuses closed Dec. 19-Jan. 2 for holidays

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Roane State Community College Harriman Campus

The main Roane State Community College campus in Harriman. The college also has a branch campus in Oak Ridge.

 

Roane State Community College campuses will be closed Saturday, December 19, through Saturday, January 2, for the holidays.

The college will reopen Monday, January 4, and spring classes will begin on Tuesday, January 19.

The Cumberland Business Incubator, located on the Cumberland County campus, will be closed December 24-January 1.

Registration and other self-service options are available through the Roane State website at www.roanestate.edu.

For more information, visit www.roanestate.edu or call 1-866-GO2-RSCC (1-866-462-7722).

ORNL’s Green elected fellow of SAE International

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Johney-Green-Jr

Johney Green Jr.

Johney Green Jr., director of the Energy and Transportation Science Division of the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been elected fellow of SAE International, the professional society of automotive engineers, a press release said.

Green was awarded the organization’s highest membership grade for his work championing innovative research on advanced combustion applications, which has led to fundamental breakthroughs in more sustainable high-efficiency automotive transportation. He also promotes vehicle research nationally and internationally through his many speaking engagements at conferences and universities. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools employees wear jeans to work, donate $5 each to help veterans

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Submitted by Oak Ridge Schools

On November 13, Oak Ridge Schools employees took part in the 2015 “Jeans For Troops” fundraising drive benefiting the GI Go Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans returning home find employment, go to college, access their health care and financial benefits, and link to housing.

During the drive, in which schools and companies from all across the country participate, Oak Ridge Schools gave their employees the opportunity to wear jeans to work in exchange for a $5 donation to the GI Go Fund.

“I am so very proud of our staff who honored military veterans and their families through this fun event,” Superintendent Bruce Borchers said.

“For generations, America’s teachers have been responsible for educating America’s children,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “They have always been individuals that mothers and fathers could rely on to set a positive example for their children. This Veterans Day, teachers around the country have set the example to our nation’s children that this is a day to remember the men and women who have fought and died to preserve our liberties, our freedoms, and the American way of life.” [Read more…]

Sewer line inspections using sonar machine continue in Oak Ridge

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The Oak Ridge Public Works Department continues to use state-of-the-art technology to perform inspections of the city’s sewer system, a press release said.

This technology employs a sonar machine that emits a repeating series of tones, similar to a musical scale. In open areas, it can be heard over long distances. While harmless, the tones emitted by the machine are low enough in frequency that residents nearby may be able to feel and, in some instances, hear them.

Testing is ongoing, but it will be concentrated to certain areas depending upon weather constraints and other factors during the week of December 7. This includes the area in and around Emory Valley Road, Briarcliff Avenue, and Rivers Run subdivision. [Read more…]

Democrats host holiday party Tuesday

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Anderson County Democrats are hosting a winter holiday party at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 8, a press release said.

The gathering, sponsored by the Anderson County Democratic Women and Anderson County Democratic Party, will be held at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The release said the main dish and drinks will be provided, and guests attending are invited to bring a side dish to share.

Guests are also invited to contribute to the Free Medical Clinic, the local nonprofit organization that will benefit from this year’s holiday party.

Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

City sewer rehab continues in December

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Sewer rehabilitation work continues in Oak Ridge in December. Morgan Contracting, working under contract for the City of Oak Ridge, is rehabilitating sewer collection pipes within city easements in yards and in roadways.

Residents should have already received letters on colored paper (green for Morgan Contracting) and door hangers providing general information and contractor contact information, a press release said.

“Motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists are urged to use extra care and caution when traveling on the streets with sewer work areas,” the release said. “Temporary road repairs will be made, and loose gravel should be expected until the patches are permanently paved.”

The release said construction work is subject to change based on factors like the weather, equipment, and access issues. Here is the construction work that was scheduled for the week beginning November 30: [Read more…]