Oak Ridge Today

Haslam makes case for Insure Tennessee

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Bill Haslam during Presidential Visit at Pellissippi State

Governor Bill Haslam is pictured above during a visit by President Barack Obama at Pellissippi State Community College on Friday, January 9. (Photo by Rob Welton)

 

Governor says his plan provides health care coverage to more Tennesseans at no cost to the state

NASHVILLE—Tennessee Govenor Bill Haslam on Monday evening addressed a joint convention of the 109th General Assembly as legislators began an extraordinary legislative session to consider his Insure Tennessee plan.

The proposal, a two-year pilot program to provide market-based health care coverage to more than 250,000 Tennesseans who currently don’t have access to health insurance or have limited options, does not create any new taxes for Tennesseans and will not add any state cost to the budget, the governor’s office said.

“Two years ago, the General Assembly made two requests of us,” Haslam said in a press release. “First, to bring a unique and specific plan to Tennessee that met the needs of our citizens and was financially responsible for our state and the country, and secondly, to bring that plan back to the General Assembly for a vote.

“I have done both of those things. This plan is overwhelmingly supported by Republicans and Democrats in our state. Tonight, I am asking for your vote to help Insure Tennessee.” [Read more…]

Johnson Gap Road bridge being repaired

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Johnson Gap Road Bridge

The Johnson Gap Road Bridge is pictured above closed on January 1, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari) 

 

Information from WYSH Radio

Note: This story was updated at 12:45 p.m. Feb. 3.

Work on the long-awaited project to repair the CSX Railroad-owned bridge on Johnson Gap Road in the Dutch Valley community has finally begun.

Anderson County Commission Chairman Robert McKamey told WYSH Radio in Clinton that the railroad has assured him the work should be done within the next three to four weeks.

Crews on Monday began the long-awaited repair of the bridge. [Read more…]

Regions Foundation donates $20,000 for new Emory Valley Center building

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Regions Capital Donation to Emory Valley Center

Pictured above from left are Dottie Thompson, Emory Valley Center Capital Campaign co-chair; Jenks Bostic, Regions Bank consumer banking executive for East Tennessee and North Carolina presenting check to Emory Valley President Jennifer Enderson; Janet Wood, Emory Valley Center development director; Gene Caldwell, Emory Valley Center Capital Campaign co-chair; and Kevin Crateau, Regions Bank East Tennnessee and North Carolina Area marketing director. (Submitted photo)

 

Regions Foundation recently presented a check for $20,000 to President Jennifer Enderson for Emory Valley Center’s Capital Campaign for a new building on Emory Valley Road.

Jenks Bostic, Regions Bank consumer banking executive for East Tennessee and North Carolina. and Kevin Crateau, Regions Bank East Tennessee and North Carolina area marketing director, recently participated in a tour of Emory Valley Center and were inspired by the people supported by the agency to request a donation from Regions Foundation.

Bostic also has a personal connection to Emory Valley Center. His mother, Bertie Bostic, was a well-respected, longtime teacher at the Daniel Arthur Rehabilitation Center (DARC) and his father, Paul Bostic, was the superintendent of Anderson County Schools under whose administration both the DARC and the Emory Valley School operated for many years. Bostic is well acquainted with the work and mission of Emory Valley Center, a press release said. [Read more…]

Electric, Public Works directors at Lunch with League on Tuesday

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Jack Suggs

Jack Suggs

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As we go about daily life in Oak Ridge, we don’t ordinarily think about where wastewater goes or where the electricity we use comes from. When the monthly utility bill arrives from the City of Oak Ridge, the cost of electricity, water, and sewer may surprise us and make us wonder about the cost and changes in rates.

Gary Cinder, director of Oak Ridge Public Works, and Jack Suggs, Oak Ridge Electric Department director, will be the guest speakers at Lunch with the League on Tuesday, February 3, and they will provide insights into their departments’ activities and responsibilities. The program will be held at noon Tuesday in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church’s new location at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Roane County Commission has work session on Feb. 24

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The Roane County Commission will meet in a general work session on Tuesday, February 24, at 6 p.m. in the Qualls Commission Room at the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston.

The meeting is open to the public.

Sheriff: Man caught driving stolen tow truck after burglary, carjacking in Marlow

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John Joseph Pixley II

John Joseph Pixley II

An Oliver Springs man was arrested Friday after he was caught driving a tow truck that he had allegedly stolen after an assault and burglary on Talley Lane in Marlow, authorities said.

John Joseph Pixley II, 27, has been charged with aggravated burglary, burglary, property theft, motor vehicle theft, two counts of aggravated assault, and carjacking, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said.

In a press release, White said the homeowner had observed a truck on her surveillance cameras, and a suspect, later identified as Pixley, was seen walking around her residence. The owner called the Sheriff’s Communications Center around 8:30 a.m. Friday to report the incident, left work, and drove home. [Read more…]

Two ORHS students among 100 in state to earn perfect score on TCAP writing test

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Abigail Greenhalgh, David Bryant, and Sarah Dowling

From left are Abigail Greenhalgh, David Bryant, and Sarah Dowling. (Submitted photo)

Two Oak Ridge High School students were among only 100 students in the state of Tennessee to earn a perfect score on the 2014 TCAP Writing Assessment, a press release said.

Abigail Greenhalgh and Sarah Dowling each received a perfect score on all categories of the assessment, which was given statewide last February. The students each received a certificate signed by Governor Bill Haslam and the commissioner of education.

“This is a fine example of how well our teachers are preparing our students to be proficient writers, not only at the high school, but at the elementary and middle schools as well,” Oak Ridge High School David Bryant said.

ORPD: Woman pointing handgun out door, pulling trigger as police arrive

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A woman who said she wanted to end her life was pointing a handgun out the doorway of an Orange Lane home and pulling the trigger as officers arrived on a welfare check Wednesday night, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department responded to the home at 8:01 p.m. Wednesday. They were dispatched to check the welfare of a resident who was reported to be intoxicated and attempting to commit suicide with a handgun.

“Upon arrival, Officers Derek Burchfield and Timothy Buckner observed a 64-year old female subject at the front door of the residence, pointing a handgun out the doorway and pulling the trigger,” the ORPD and City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. [Read more…]

Roane sheriff plays role in indictment, conviction of Chattanooga pain clinic owner

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Jack Stockton

Jack Stockton

The Roane County Sheriff’s Department was one of several law enforcement agencies that took part in an investigation that led to the indictment and conviction of the owner of two pain clinics, or “pill mills,” in Chattanooga, authorities said.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation were also involved in the investigation that led to the convictions of four people, including Barbara Lang, a.k.a. “Aunt Bea,” 60, of Rossville, Georgia, who owned and operated Superior One Pain Clinic and Primary Care Pain Clinic in Chattanooga, federal officials said.

Lang was convicted of drug trafficking and financial crimes. [Read more…]

Documentary on kindness to be shown to middle school, high school girls on Feb. 12

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Oak Ridge Schools will show a documentary on kindness to middle school and high school girls at 6 p.m. Thursday, February 12.

The documentary, “Finding Kind,” will be shown at Oak Ridge High School, and the evening is expected last until approximately 8:30 p.m., with activities to include viewing the documentary, discussions led by Oak Ridge School staff counselors, and then wrapping up with the opportunity for girls to take a kindness pledge, to apologize to those they may have wronged, and then to express something kind to their peers, a press release said.

Door prizes will be awarded as well.

The press release said this event is recommended to girls ages 11 and up due to language and some content. This event is free of charge. [Read more…]

IRS scam reported in Anderson County

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An IRS scam making its way across East Tennessee has now made it to Anderson County, authorities said. During the scam, residents receive telephone calls threatening them with arrest for not paying their taxes.

Here is information from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department regarding the scam: [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Barbie

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Pet of the Day: Barbie

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Well, if you have a heart for the more senior, then I am your girl.

I am Barbie, a sweet female who needs some TLC to make me feel very special. I deserve so much more than a steel cage of cold walls to live out my days.

I hear the rumors…no one wants the older ones, but Miss Bev tells us that we matter. Will you come for me…because I matter? [Read more…]