Oak Ridge Today

Developer, businessman running for City Council

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Eric Tobler

Eric Tobler

Local developer and businessman Eric Tobler is running for Oak Ridge City Council in the November 4 election.

“I love Oak Ridge,” Tobler said. “I have committed myself to do all I can, to help Oak Ridge reach its full potential. I’m all in, personally and financially.”

Tobler is probably most well-known for the Crossroads at Wolf Creek subdivision, which if located off Illinois Avenue. It provides Oak Ridge with a big part of the new housing inventory for the area, a press release said.

Tobler graduated from Oak Ridge high school in 1983. He is also a graduate of Roane State, with two degrees, one in contemporary management and the other in technology. He has also received a bachelor’s degree from Tusculum College in business administration.

Professionally, he is the chief executive officer of Tobler Enterprises and the managing partner for the CRWC partnership. He is a licensed general contractor and a licensed real estate agent, with Linda Brown Realty. [Read more…]

Five clerks cited after beer ‘sting’ in Anderson County

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Paul White

Paul White

Five businesses in Anderson County sold beer to an underage person during a September 29 “sting,” and five clerks have been cited to court, Sheriff Paul White said Monday.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department conducted the sting in cooperation with the Rocky Top Police Department, the Oliver Springs Police Department, and Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention of Anderson County, or ASAP.

Investigators with the Sheriff’s Special Operations Unit visited 20 businesses to try to buy beer during the compliance checks, White said. He said all 20 businesses checked for identification showing the person to be under 21, but five still sold beer to the underage person.

White said the following businesses sold beer to the underage person: [Read more…]

Three speakers to discuss three proposed constitutional amendments

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Corinne Rovetti

Corinne Rovetti

Two college professors and a co-director of a reproductive health center will discuss three proposed constitutional amendments that will be considered by Tennessee voters in the November 4 election.

The proposed amendments will be discussed during a Tuesday evening forum in Oak Ridge.

Corinne Rovetti, co-director and family nurse practitioner for the Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health, will address Amendment 1, which deals with reproductive choice and privacy, a press release said. [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Tapper

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Pet of the Day: Tapper

 

Submitted

Tapper is a pretty fine looking beagle mix that is good on a leash.

He sat down and waited for the collar, where most shelter dogs are in a huge hurry to be anywhere but their pen.

All animals are still only $55! Limited time only! [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Chappy

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Pet of the Day: Chappy

Pet of the Day: Chappy

Submitted

Let me introduce you to sweet Chappy, who is about 11 months old.

He was left in a hot car in May and has been on hold, and has grown up in the shelter in a steel cage since that time.

Chappy is now available for adoption. He very much deserves a chance at the perfect forever.

Will you promise him that you will be that someone …so we can celebrate Chappy and his freedom ride home!? [Read more…]

Family Resource director to discuss ‘Breaking the Cycle of Violence’

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Jo Bruce

Jo Bruce

Jo Bruce, director of the Family Resource Center at Oak Ridge Schools, will discuss “Breaking the Cycle of Violence” during a Monday morning forum in Oak Ridge.

The community forum starts at 11 a.m. Monday, October 6, in the fellowship Hall of Grace Covenant Church, Trinity Center, at 320 Robertsville Road. It’s presented by the Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge.

Bruce has held the director’s position at the Resource Center since its inception, a press release said. The local center, housed in Willow Brook Elementary School, is one of the original family resource centers established by the state of Tennessee in the fall of 1993.

In a summary of her presentation, Bruce said she will discuss the services she provides to families and students of the Oak Ridge school system in an effort to build trust and resilience. [Read more…]

Oliver Springs, Rocky Top receive grants for water, sewer system improvements

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Governor Bill Haslam

Bill Haslam

State officials announce 80 Community Development Block Grants

Oliver Springs received a $525,000 grant for sewer system improvements, and Rocky Top (formerly Lake City) received a $360,840 grant for water system improvements, Tennessee officials announced last week.

Oliver Springs and Rocky Top were among the Tennessee communities that will receive funding after Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty approved more than $28 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to help with infrastructure, health and safety projects, and downtown improvements, a press release said.

The Oliver Springs grant will be matched with $225,000 in local funding (for $750,000 in total funding), and the Rocky Top grant will be matched with $27,160 in local funding for a total of $388,000. [Read more…]

Honors: Oak Ridge company wins Telly Award for video production

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M&M Productions USA Telly Award

Mike Brown, M&M Productions USA president and CEO, left, presents the Texas Telly Award at DECA’s Chartered Association Management Conference to his clients, Sandra Hinesly, Texas DECA executive director; Erica Marshall, Texas DECA board member; and Leo Saenz, Texas DECA board member. (Submitted photo)

 

The Telly Awards has selected M&M Productions USA, a full-service event planning and production company based in Oak Ridge, as a Bronze winner in the 35th Annual Telly Awards for its production of “The Stars of Texas DECA” promotional video, a press release said.

With nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, this recognition establishes M&M Productions as an industry leader in video production, a press release said.

“The Stars of Texas DECA” video features the story of five DECA alumni who credit their success to their experience in DECA. The video motivates Texas students to participate in the organization, which prepares high school and college students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. [Read more…]

Applications available for city boards, commissions

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The City of Oak Ridge is gearing up to begin the end-of-year recruitment for board and commission members. The recruitment process began October 1, a press release said.

This year’s process is similar to previous years in that interested residents must complete a Boards and Commissions application available on the City Clerk’s departmental website or by visiting www.oakridgetn.gov/online/cityclerk/bcelections.

Applicants may also attach additional documents that includes cover letters, references, and resumes. The application allows residents to choose and rank their top three board choices for membership consideration. [Read more…]

EQAB Climate Action Plan: Oak Ridge reduces emissions, electrical use

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

The first progress report for Oak Ridge’s Climate Action Plan said greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use in city buildings are down and so is the annual electrical consumption for the average household.

Traffic signals use about 60 percent less electricity because of LED bulbs, and Oak Ridge has finished a home energy retrofit demonstration project that could be used as a model in the city, the report said.

Meanwhile, Oak Ridge has been recognized as a renewable energy leader by the Tennessee Valley Authority and is the first Green Power Community in Tennessee and in part of the Southeast. [Read more…]

Young Professionals to hear about building strong financial foundations

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Briana Teroy

Briana Teroy

The Young Professionals of Oak Ridge will learn about building strong financial foundations during a Tuesday evening meeting.

“Building one’s investor IQ starts with understanding the basics,” a press release said.

The press release said the presentation will help new investors or those who need a refresher with:

  • the importance of developing a strategy,
  • the impact of asset allocation, and
  • the influence of inflation on one’s long-term goals.

[Read more…]

ORAU seeks applicants for 2015 Extreme Classroom Makeover

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ORAU Extreme Classroom Makeover

Oak Ridge Associated Universities will have its Extreme Classroom Makeover for the seventh year. Teachers within 50 miles of Oak Ridge can file an intent to apply by October 15. (Image courtesy ORAU)

 

Local teachers within 50-mile radius encouraged to file intent to apply by Oct. 15

Oak Ridge Associated Universities is now accepting applications for its $25,000 Extreme Classroom Makeover competition. Now in its seventh year, the competition provides the latest educational technologies to update one teacher’s classroom. Interested teachers must file their intent to apply no later than October 15.

The contest is open to public school math and science teachers who teach grades third through 10th and are located within a 50-mile radius of Oak Ridge. Entrants must have the written consent of their principals and, if chosen, be willing to have their 2015-2016 classroom experience highlighted on the Internet and in various media outlets. Teachers, students, and even parents whose children are benefiting from this initiative will be invited to blog about this year-long experience on the Extreme Classroom website. [Read more…]