Oak Ridge Today

ORHS student wins first place at Tennessee Junior Science & Humanities Symposium

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Oak Ridge High School student Daniel Joy won first place at the Tennessee Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Poster Presentation Competition held virtually in March, the school system said in a press release.

The competition was March 4-5. Daniel, son of Ingrid Busch and Ken Joy, presented his poster, “Using Data Science to Explore Historical Trends and Predict Future Rates of COVID-19”. His research involved analyzing COVID-19 case rates around holidays using regression analysis. Dan worked with Chad Steed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory through the Math Thesis course at Oak Ridge High School, the press release said.

Jessica Williams, co-teacher of Math Thesis at ORHS, said: “We’re thrilled that (the University of Tennessee in Knoxville) was able to provide this opportunity to students this year. TJSHS is a unique opportunity for high school students to present their scientific research in a professional setting. We appreciate the support from our administration and the community to provide this course to our students.”

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Dr. Michelle Cash is Roane State Outstanding Alumni

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Michelle Cash

By Bob Fowler Roane State staff writer

“I always knew I wanted to teach,” says Dr. Michelle Cash, the winner of Roane State’s prestigious Outstanding Alumni Award for 2019. She was to be recognized on Monday, March 29, as part of the community college’s virtual TBR SOAR Award Celebration.

She serves as the RN-BSN Program Coordinator at King University’s Knoxville campus while also working as a staff nurse in Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center’s newborn nursery. She has also served as an adjunct OB clinical instructor for Roane State Community College.

Cash joins a distinguished group of Roane State alumni honored each year since 2004 for their accomplishments and their widely recognized leadership abilities.

“It’s a great honor to be selected,” the Kingston native said. “I’ve always treasured the education I received at Roane State.”

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ORNL names operations deputy

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Alan Icenhour has been named deputy for operations at ORNL. (Photo credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory/U.S. Department of Energy)

Alan Icenhour has been named deputy for operations at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He will succeed Jeff Smith, who is retiring this spring after serving in the role since UT-Battelle began operating the lab in 2000, a press release said.

Icenhour joined ORNL in 1990 as an engineer, and he served most recently as associate laboratory director for the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate. He led the Nuclear Science and Engineering Directorate from 2014 until the isotopes directorate was formed in October 2020. Icenhour has held a variety of other leadership positions as well as an assignment as senior technical adviser to the National Nuclear Security Administration, the press release said.

“Alan is a disciplined, thoughtful leader with broad experience at ORNL and proven success in a variety of roles,” ORNL Director Thomas Zacharia said in the press release said. “His ability to evaluate complex problems, find creative solutions, and build highly productive relationships will ensure the operational excellence necessary to support world-leading research and development.”

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ORNL names associate lab director for physical sciences

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Cynthia Jenks has been selected as associate laboratory director for Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Physical Sciences Directorate. (Photo credit: Argonne National Laboratory/U.S. Department of Energy)

Cynthia Jenks has been selected as associate laboratory director for the Physical Sciences Directorate at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She will start at the lab April 19, a press release said.

Jenks comes to ORNL from Argonne National Laboratory, where she has directed the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, overseeing the contributions of 17 research groups, the press release said.

Before she worked at Argonne, Jenks served in a variety of roles at Ames Laboratory, including as assistant director for scientific planning, the press release said. During her career in the national laboratory system, Jenks has developed strong relationships within DOE’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences, or BES, one of the nation’s largest sponsors of research in the physical sciences, the press release said.

The research she leads at Argonne is also supported by DOE’s offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy, and Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, the press release said.

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Roane State student chronicles harrowing escape from captivity in new book

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Shown is the cover of the self-published book available on Amazon and written by Bella Hope Shiloh, the alias adopted by a Roane State Community College student. (Photo submitted by Roane State)

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

As a child, she endured years of physical and sexual abuse by her father. At age 20, she married a man in a cult-like church who controlled her and removed her and their children from all society—except the church.

For years, they lived in an isolated shack with no electricity, no running water, no toilet, and no phone. Finally, she and her children broke free from the violence and mind control and began the challenging task of becoming familiar with what she calls “the real world.” That’s still an ongoing struggle, she says.

Call her Bella Hope Shiloh. That’s the alias this Roane State Community College student used to write an account of the nightmare she and her children experienced. Her self-published book is titled “Prisoners in the Shed,” and is available on Amazon.

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Roane State re-opening Expo Center in phases

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Roane State Community College prepares to re-open the Expo Center in Harriman. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State Community College is re-opening its Expo Center in Harriman in phases.

The Henry/Stafford East Tennessee Agricultural Exposition Center is located on the Roane County campus in Harriman.

Beginning Wednesday, March 17, public riding will be offered by reservation only at the outdoor arena, a press release said.

Beginning Thursday, April 1, events will be permitted to resume at all Expo Center facilities, both indoor and outdoor.

The most up-to-date bookings will be posted on the online event calendar at roanestate.edu/expo.

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TVA to temporarily lower Melton Hill Reservoir

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The Tennessee Valley Authority will temporarily lower Melton Hill Reservoir two to four feet to help property owners with their annual spring-cleaning activities, a press release said.

From Saturday, March 20, through Saturday, March 28, TVA will hold the reservoir between 790 and 792 feet to support dock repairs, shoreline stabilization, and litter pick up, the press release said.

TVA will return Melton Hill to its normal winter elevation of 794 feet by April 1.

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Roane State partners with Y-12 to host second annual Cybersecurity Summer Camp

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Following a successful first year, Roane State Community College and Y-12 National Security Complex are announcing the second Cybersecurity Summer Camp. (Photo submitted by Roane State)

Submitted

Following a successful first year, Roane State Community College and Y-12 National Security Complex are announcing the second Cybersecurity Summer Camp.

Two sessions will be held this year, one in mid-June for high-school-aged students and another in July for middle-school-aged students. Registration will be available beginning on Monday, March 22.

Roane State partnered with Y-12 in this effort to inspire future workers and help them develop talents that can be used to protect the nation’s most valuable information, a press release said.

During the camp, students learn about digital forensics, IP (Internet protocol) scanning, data reconnaissance, and many other topics—all key components of Y-12’s cybersecurity program, the press release said.

Here are the 2021 camp dates:

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Citywide household trash pickup starts April 5

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The citywide household trash pickup program will start Monday, April 5. Household trash, old appliances, and minor remodeling materials will be picked up, a press release said.

A schedule is below. The city said its collection efforts will follow the schedule as closely as possible.

“Residents have always been very cooperative and we ask for their continued cooperation this year by following a few guidelines,” the city said in the press release.

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New Emerge Tennessee executive director to speak with Democratic women

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Freda Player-Peters

Freda Player-Peters, the new executive director of Emerge Tennessee, will discuss the candidate training organization’s new programs at the Monday, March 15, meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club. The virtual meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

Emerge Tennessee aims to increase the number of Democratic women leaders from diverse backgrounds in public office through recruitment, training, and networking. Participants learn about public speaking, fundraising, campaign strategy, voter contact, and media and messaging from a team of experts who have worked on successful campaigns, a press release said.

Player-Peters was political director of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 205 from 2010 to 2018. She was responsible for all lobbying, advocacy, and electoral efforts for Local 205 in Tennessee and served on the International Public Division Leadership Board. [Read more…]

Breakfast with Legislators next Monday

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The Oak Ridge League of Women Voters will have its second Breakfast with the Legislators of the year on Monday.

The breakfast is scheduled from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Monday, March 22. The meeting will be virtual, and it’s open to the public.

Tennessee senators Randy McNally and Ken Yager and representatives John Ragan and Kent Calfee have been invited to share an update about the current session of the Tennessee General Assembly, a press release said.

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Windrock Park hosting Downhill Mountain Bike Nationals

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The opening round of the USA Cycling National Downhill Series began at Windrock Park this week. It started Wednesday with the Tennessee National event. There are downhill and enduro races scheduled for this weekend.

“Some of the best riders in the world will tackle one of the toughest courses in the United States in the first competition of the year for the series,” a press release said. “Huge jumps and high speed descents are expected as pros ‘ride the rock” this week.”

The press release said a Red Bull Freestyle Jam on Friday was expected to be a highlight for riders and spectators, including a big air competition with prizes for best trick and best whip.

Keynote competitive events this week include a pro downhill final at noon Saturday and a pro enduro race on Sunday.

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