Oak Ridge Today Staff - Author at Oak Ridge Today

AC Chamber Council starts discussions on educational resources, workforce needs

Posted at 6:39 pm October 29, 2014
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Randy Boyd

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CLINTON—Leaders from business, local, and post-secondary education across Anderson County gathered at the Hollingsworth Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership on Tuesday for an Anderson County Workforce Development Training Resources Luncheon hosted by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Development Council. The council plans for this to be the first of a series of in-depth county-wide discussions about how to ensure that our educational resources are focused at meeting the businesses workforce needs in Anderson County.

Randy Boyd, Governor Bill Haslam’s special adviser on higher education, spoke about Tennessee’s “Drive to 55” initiative and the five main aspects to this statewide initiative: get students ready, get them into school, get them out of school, finish what we started with adult students, and tie education directly to workforce needs.

“There are nearly a million Tennesseans that have some college credit but no degree—that’s an untapped pool of people that we can get to complete a certificate or degree,” Boyd said. [Read more…]

ACSD investigating reported robbery

Posted at 11:58 am October 28, 2014
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Information from WYSH Radio

An Anderson County man reported that he was robbed by two men early Saturday morning.

According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, Eric Davis was returning to his Dutch Valley Road home after work at around 6 a.m. Saturday when he said he spotted a man bent over in the gravel driveway leading to his house. When he stopped, a second man allegedly grabbed him, assaulted him, and put him in a headlock while the second bandit stole his wallet, which contained about $600.

Davis said both men had something covering their heads and was unable to give a physical description of his assailants, but the ACSD report indicates he followed the suspects’ getaway vehicle long enough to get the tag number, which he provided to investigators.

Davis was not seriously injured in the incident.

Animal Shelter reopens Tuesday; changes made after distemper outbreak

Posted at 4:56 pm October 27, 2014
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The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Belgrade Road is pictured above.

Changes have been made, and the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter will reopen Tuesday after a temporary closure last week following the second distemper outbreak this year, city officials said.

The shelter staff will show reporters the changes that have been made to protect animals during an 8:30 a.m. Tuesday tour, and the shelter will open to the public at 11 a.m.

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is located at 395 Belgrade Road.

City officials said last week that 51 animals were euthanized because of this month’s distemper outbreak, and the shelter was temporarily closed after canine distemper tests came back positive. All dogs that tested positive were euthanized to prevent the disease from spreading. [Read more…]

Elks have indoor Trick-or-Treat on Halloween

Posted at 12:46 am October 27, 2014
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The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Oak Ridge Lodge, located at 684 Emory Valley Road, will be hosting an indoor Trick-or-Treat on Friday, October 31, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

“The Oak Ridge Elks Lodge will be providing a safe place for children of all ages to have fun, show off their costumes, and receive candy on Halloween night,” a press release said. “Free hot chocolate and bottled water will also be given to everyone in attendance.

“Don’t forget to bring a camera and have your picture made with ‘Elroy’ the Elk.”

Sewer rehab work continues week of Oct. 27

Posted at 12:31 am October 27, 2014
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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue this week, starting Monday, October 27.

The work is being done by Hurst Excavating and Morgan Contracting under contract with the City of Oak Ridge. It includes rehabilitating sewer collection pipes within city easements in yards and in roadways, a press release said. [Read more…]

‘Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award’ to honor Myrick on Oct. 30

Posted at 12:17 am October 27, 2014
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Members of ADFAC’s Bow Tie Event Committee are pictured above. (Submitted photo)

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Get your best bow ties ready—the second annual “Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award” will be presented on Thursday, October 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Y-12’s New Hope Center.

The Bow Tie Award and Fund was established in 2013 to honor the memory of Bill Wilcox. Known for his trademark bow ties, Wilcox was an active and loyal supporter of numerous community, civic, and religious organizations, including ADFAC. The Bow Tie Award honors local individuals who, like Wilcox, selflessly share their gifts for the betterment and well-being of the community and its citizens.

“We are pleased to announce the committee has unanimously selected Tim Myrick as the recipient of the 2014 Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award,” said Louise Mixon, chair of the Bow Tie committee. “Tim is a delightful example of the values this award seeks to recognize. His steadfast commitment to ADFAC and many other organizations made him an easy choice for this distinction.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge has Halloween Party on Thursday

Posted at 12:05 am October 27, 2014
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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2014 Children’s Halloween Party from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, October 30.

Activities include carnival games, inflatables, toddler game room, Halloween cartoon videos, face painting, concessions, glow room, and craft room, a press release said. The Scary Room will have a haunted castle theme. A hayride is planned for Bissell Park, weather permitting.

There is no admission fee to get into the Civic Center, but participation in most activities requires one or more tickets, a press release said. Tickets can be purchased for 25 cents each or as a pack of 25 for $5. The cost of the games, crafts, face painting, scary room, hayride, concessions, and souvenirs is one or more tickets. The toddler game room and cartoon videos are free. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge has second Clark Center Park meeting on Monday

Posted at 11:51 pm October 26, 2014
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A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

The City of Oak Ridge is hosting a second public meeting to discuss the possible transfer of Clark Center Park from the U.S. Department of Energy to the City of Oak Ridge. The meeting will be held on Monday, October 27, at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building Courtroom, located at 200 South Tulane Avenue.

At the meeting, City Manager Mark Watson and staff will provide an overview of the Federal Lands to Parks Program as it relates to Clark Center Park and the federal acquisition process. The Department of Energy is undertaking an evaluation of their property on the Oak Ridge Reservation—where Clark Center Park is located—to identify parcels that may be excess to the agency’s mission.

“The Oak Ridge community has had Clark Center Park become an important asset of our city over the years,” said City Manager Mark Watson. “Our meeting is meant to explore the pros and cons of absorbing the park as part of our Oak Ridge park system. We welcome interested residents to share their thoughts with city officials.” [Read more…]

Doctor, candidate to discuss health care with AAUW on Monday

Posted at 11:42 pm October 26, 2014
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Mary Headrick

Mary Headrick, a doctor and congressional candidate, will discuss health care during a lunch meeting with the AAUW on Monday, October 27.

Headrick’s talk is titled “Health Care Challenges: Age, Technology, Chronic Disease Management.”

The AAUW meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. Monday in Room 102 of the First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

ASAP has strategic planning retreat Monday

Posted at 11:31 pm October 26, 2014
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For the past four years, Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention, or ASAP, has been funded by the Drug-Free Communities Support Program. This 10-year grant-funded program has provided training, technical assistance, and financial support for the implementation of environmental prevention strategies in Anderson County, a press release said. ASAP has just entered the final year of the first phase of the grant program.

“We have enjoyed automatic renewal of our grant for several years, but we now face competitive renewal for the second five-year term,” the press release said.

The Drug-Free Communities Grant is a highly competitive program, funding a small percentage of applicants each year. To ensure the coalition is prepared with a strong action plan, ASAP invites residents to participate in a strategic planning retreat on Monday, October 27, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ main campus at 100 ORAU Way in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Updated: Sharps Chapel man dies in Andersonville shooting

Posted at 9:10 pm October 26, 2014
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A Sharps Chapel man died in a Sunday afternoon shooting in Andersonville, authorities said.

James Alvin Russell, 58, was pronounced dead at the scene, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said.

The shooting was reported at 4:35 p.m. Sunday at 1229 Sequoyah Road. In a Sunday evening statement, Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said the victim was dead when deputies arrived, and the shooter was still there.

In a statement later Sunday night, Lucas said Sheriff’s Department investigators were processing the crime scene and interviewing the person responsible for the shooting, as well as a witness. [Read more…]

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