Oak Ridge Today

Researcher honored for helping advance Latinas in tech field

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Andrea Rocha

Andrea Rocha

A researcher whose worked is carried out at the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge Associated Universities has been named one of the top researchers in her field by Hispanic Engineer and Information Technology magazine.

Postdoctoral fellow Andrea Rocha is a member of a UT research team. She works on Governor’s Chair for Environmental Biotechnology Terry Hazen’s joint UT-ORNL team, and she was chosen as one of 32 women worldwide to be profiled in the magazine’s “Latinas at Tech Giants” edition, a press release said.

“I wasn’t even aware I was being considered,” Rocha said. “I didn’t know anything about it until I received a letter from the Women of Color STEM Conference that contained a congratulations note, press release on the article, and copy of the magazine which contained my profile.”

Almost as noteworthy, Rocha found out that Astrid Terry—a project manager at the Berkeley Lab at the University of California—had nominated her. [Read more…]

ORCMA 2015-2016 season starts Sept. 26 with Haydn, Handel

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Oak Ridge Symphony with Dan Allcott

The Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra is pictured above with conductor Dan Allcott. (Photo by ORCMA)

 

The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association’s season starts September 26 with a concert that features music by Handel and Haydn.

“If variety really is the spice of life, music lovers will especially enjoy the 71st season of the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association for 2015-2016 because music director Dan Allcott has planned a season of Baroque to Modern, American Salute to English Invasion, and more,” a press release said.

The opening concert will include Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 “London,” performed by the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra. Then, Oak Ridge Chorus will join the symphony in singing Handel’s Coronation Anthem, “Zadok the Priest,” which will be directed by Seth Maples, the chorus conductor. The soloist for the evening, Wesley Baldwin, cello professor at the University of Tennessee, will perform Elgar’s beloved “Cello Concerto in A minor.” [Read more…]

FBI describes vehicle spotted near SmartBank kidnapping, extortion

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Early 2000s Ford Taurus

An early 2000s Ford Taurus is pictured above. (Image provided by FBI)

 

Authorities have released a description of the vehicle associated with the person of interest sought in the July kidnapping and extortion at SmartBank in Knoxville, an incident that is believed to be connected to a similar one at Y-12 Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge in April.

The vehicle is described as an early 2000s, powder blue/grey, Ford Taurus, with damage on the front passenger side bumper, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a Wednesday morning press release.

The person of interest was observed in the front passenger seat of this vehicle on July 1 in the vicinity of Swathmore Court and Dunwoody Drive in Knoxville.

The vehicle pictured in the photo above is of a similar make, model, and color of the vehicle that was observed, the FBI said. [Read more…]

Lane closures on I-75 due to bridge work at SR 61

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Information from WYSH Radio

Mid-State Construction has notified local officials that Interstate 75 under the State Route 61 bridge at exit 122 will be reduced to one lane in each direction, beginning Tuesday, September 8, at 8 p.m. until Wednesday, September 9, at 6 a.m.

This is part of the ongoing bridge repair project that has one lane in each direction on the bridge over the interstate down to one lane in each direction. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of October.

ORHS boys basketball pancake breakfast is Saturday

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The annual Oak Ridge High School boys basketball pancake breakfast is Saturday, September 5, at Applebee’s from 8-10 a.m.

Tickets are $5, and people can purchase them at the door.

ORNL’s Wolfgram named outstanding emergency manager

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Michele Wolfgram

Michele Wolfgram

Emergency Management Specialist Michele Wolfgram of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory received an excellence in emergency management award at the Emergency Management Issues Special Interest Group’s, or EMI SIG, annual meeting, held in West Virginia.

Sponsored by the DOE Office of Emergency Management and Policy Division, the EMI SIG award acknowledged Wolfgram, a member of ORNL’s Laboratory Protection Division, for her outstanding contributions and service to the emergency management profession across DOE facilities.

Albert Turner, a former Clinton Council member, police officer, dies at 68

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Albert Oscar Turner

Albert Oscar Turner

Albert Turner, a former Clinton City Councilman and longtime member of the Clinton Police Department, died at his home on Sunday. He was 68.

Turner served two terms on the Clinton City Council, and he served as a Clinton police officer for 26 years.

His family will receive friends next Wednesday, September 9, from noon to 2 p.m. at Jones Mortuary in Clinton. His funeral service will follow in the chapel of Jones Mortuary with Rev. Bill Caldwell officiating. His interment will follow his services at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Cemetery in Clinton.

Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences can be made to the family at www.jonesmortuaryllc.com.

Read the full obituary here.

Oak Ridge No. 1 in latest football polls

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Logo

Information from WYSH Radio

The latest high school football polls were released Monday, and Oak Ridge has found its way to the top of the Class 5A poll. After beating Dobyns-Bennett in Kingsport on Friday, the Wildcats jumped to Number 1 in the 5A poll.

Sevier County is ranked Number 4, with Rhea County Number 6, Knox West Number 7, and Morristown West Number 8.

In Class 6A, Maryville remains in the Number 1 spot after handling Fulton on Saturday, and Dobyns-Bennett fell to Number 10 after their loss to Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Dragons rally, hold off Hurricanes in 45-42 classic

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Clinton Dragons Football Logo

Information from WYSH Radio

After a disastrous start that included two interceptions, one of which was returned for a score, and falling behind 21-0 after the first quarter, the Clinton Dragons staged a comeback that will be talked about for years to come as they rallied for a heart-pounding 45-42 triumph over the visiting Morristown East Hurricanes on Friday.

The Hurricanes dominated the first quarter, taking the first possession of the game the length of the field in a drive that lasted 5:05 and scoring on a one-yard Bryson Stephens plunge.

The next drive resulted in a rare mistake by senior quarterback Tyler Thackerson that resulted in an interception.

One play later, the Hurricanes’ Frank Rogers galloped 71 yards to give Morristown East a 14-0 lead. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Fall Basketball League available for boys, girls grades 1-6

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The Second Annual Oak Ridge Fall Basketball League is available for boys and girls from first to sixth grade.

Evaluations are Wednesday, September 16, or Saturday, September 19.

The Fall League starts October 31 and ends December 12.

The cost is $70 per player. [Read more…]

Appalachian Toyota Roundup is Sept. 4-7 at Windrock Park

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Windrock Park

The Appalachian Toyota Round-Up will be held at Windrock Park on Labor Day weekend September 4-7.

Featuring the FJ Cruiser, Tacomo, 4Runner, and more, this event is open to all Toyota vehicles.

“There will be catered food, live music, and of course, wheeling,” a press release said.

The event kicks off Friday night with a meet and greet, along with dinner and live entertainment. [Read more…]

Expanded Safety Fest 2015 set for September

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Safety Fest TN

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Safer workplaces result in safer communities. Why? Because workers who learn safe practices on the job take them home and into their communities. In Oak Ridge, once a year, an event is held to ensure safer communities by offering free safety classes to anyone who registers.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Oak Ridge Business Safety Partnership, partnering with numerous businesses and organizations will host Safety Fest TN, a week of safety classes, live demonstrations, a Safety Expo, and a community safety forum—all free of charge.  The event is scheduled for September 14-18 with classes at six locations in Oak Ridge and Knoxville.

“This year’s Safety Fest TN is popping at the seams with classes, demonstrations, seminars, a Safety Expo, and a community brunch that celebrates safety,” said Jenny Freeman, chair of the ORBSP planning committee, which is responsible for organizing the event. “We’ve got something for everyone.”

One of the main events is a community safety forum with Joe Estey, a national safety specialist, who brings innovative solutions to potential safety challenges facing some of the country’s highest hazard and complex industries. [Read more…]