Oak Ridge Today

Teen struck by vehicle, treated for minor head injuries

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A 14-year-old was hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Lafayette Drive and Laboratory Road on Tuesday morning, authorities said.

The crash occurred at about 7:47 a.m. Tuesday, the Oak Ridge Police Department said.

The boy was crossing Lafayette Drive on foot when he was struck by a northbound vehicle, the ORPD said in a statement. The teen was transported to Methodist Medical Center for treatment of minor head injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Anderson County Tea Party re-forms, Council member to speak Tuesday

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Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

The Anderson County Tea Party is being re-formed and will hold its first meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 9, at the Oak Ridge Red Cross building. The featured speaker will be Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn, a press release said.

Other agenda items will include a brief history of the ACTP, establishment of a charter, and setting a vision for the future. The book, “The Way Forward: Renewing the American Idea,” by Paul Ryan, will also be raffled off, the press release said.

The Red Cross building is located at 908 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. The Tuesday night meeting is open to the public and will last until approximately 8:15 p.m., the release said.

VolleyCats sweep Halls, 3-0 in district; play Powell, Clinton this week

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Oak Ridge High School 2014 Volleyball Closeup

The 2014-2015 Oak Ridge Wildcats Volleyball Team—front row (left to right): Samantha Mabry, Rachel Loeffler, Emily Lawless, J-J Valencia, Allison Jones; middle row (left to right): Beth Wyatt, Olivia Milloway, Reagan Dickens, Sami Viau, Mattie Livengood, Rachel Clement, Sarah Roth, Carolyn Pelfrey, and Devyn Bonds; back row (left to right): Greg Livengood (assistant coach), Emily Campbell, Rachel Card, Alex Sherles, Emma Milloway, Molly McDonough, Stella Powell, Mollie Turner, Kasey Smith, and Carmen Foster (head coach).

 

Submitted

On Tuesday, in the first district match of the season, the Oak Ridge VolleyCats clawed their way to a huge district win over Anderson County after five sets: 25-12, 18-25, 25-21, 24-26, and 15-10.

On Thursday, Oak Ridge defeated Karns in four sets: 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, and 25-16.

Then, on Monday, September 8, Oak Ridge swept Halls 25-15, 25-23, and 25-12.

The volleyball team’s district record is now 3-0, and its overall record is 14-6. [Read more…]

School board to discuss budget, preschool, public relations during Sept. 18 retreat

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The Oak Ridge Board of Education will discuss the budget, Preschool, board and superintendent evaluations, and a public relations person and social media during a September 18 retreat.

The retreat starts at 12 p.m. Thursday, September 18, in the Robert J. Smallridge School Administration Building on New York Avenue.

Other agenda items include draft protocols and practices for the board and superintendent, and an executive session to discuss legal issues.

See the retreat agenda here.

Assessment team to visit DOE disposal facility, meet with community

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Three members of the consulting team selected to conduct a community impact assessment of the U.S. Department of Energy’s proposed Environmental Management Disposal Facility will visit Oak Ridge on Monday and Tuesday, September 8 and 9. The purpose of the visit is to tour the existing disposal facility and the site of the proposed EMDF, to gather information, and to meet with local stakeholders, a press release said.

The team members are Karl Kalbacher, project manager and director of environment, economics and grant services for The Ferguson Group in Washington, D.C.; Mark Rockel, principal consultant for ENVIRON International Corporation; and Jason Miller, principal of ENVIRON International Corporation.

The team will be available to meet community stakeholders on both days: [Read more…]

Education Foundation names new director

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Jessica Steed

Jessica Steed

Jessica Steed was recently named executive director of the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation.

The Foundation’s board of directors chose Steed to replace Jenna Whitney, who resigned after her husband Mark, who was the manager of the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management for the U.S. Department of Energy, accepted a new job with DOE in Washington, D.C.

Steed, a certified public accountant since 2001, worked for more than six years in public accounting as an auditor and tax accountant before becoming a full-time parent and community volunteer for the last nine years.

Since Steed moved to Oak Ridge four years ago, she has served as a classroom volunteer, as treasurer for both Woodland Elementary and Jefferson Middle School PTOs, and as an active member of the PTO Council. The Foundation’s selection committee noted that Steed comes to the position with a strong financial and accounting background and with knowledge of issues that affect the Oak Ridge school system.

“Although I have thoroughly enjoyed volunteering in the school system, I am ready to move into a position that allows me to help support not only my own children’s schools, but the whole school system I have grown to appreciate,” Steed said in a press release. “My experience in public accounting and volunteer work in the schools will serve as a great foundation as I strive to support the mission of the ORPSEF.” [Read more…]

Water Exercise class begins September 8

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The city’s next water exercise session will start September 8 and run through October 17. These classes run in six-week sessions.

The class will meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 1-2 p.m. in the indoor pool at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. The fee is $42 per person and $37.50 for anyone 65 and older for the six-week session. The rate per class is $4.25 and $2.25 for 65 and older.

For more information call the Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3450 or visit www.orrecparks.org.

Safety Fest TN: ORAU, CNS experts to discuss effective safety communications

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Free seminar draws upon lessons learned at Uranium Processing Facility Project

Health and safety experts from Oak Ridge Associated Universities and a communications specialist from Consolidated Nuclear Security, the new contractor at the Y-12 National Security Complex, will discuss effective safety communications during Safety Fest TN in Oak Ridge this week.

The ORAU experts are David Duncan and Jeffrey Miller, and the CNS communications specialist is Kathryn King.

Their seminar, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 9, informs organizations on how to improve the effectiveness of safety communications by first examining how communication breakdowns contributed to well-known safety catastrophes, like the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, an ORAU press release said. They will also present detailed instructions on how to develop an effective safety communications plan, methods for implementing and monitoring the plan, and techniques for measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of safety communications.

“Successful case studies will be presented including experiences from the Y-12 National Security Complex’s Uranium Processing Facility Project, where the effectiveness of safety communications has dramatically improved over a three-year period after implementing these methods,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Roane economic development group considers distribution of public image funds

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The Roane County Economic Development Foundation will meet in a special meeting at 9 a.m. Monday, September 8, at Kingston City Hall to consider the distribution of public image funds.

Participants will include Roane County Economic Development Foundation members, Tennessee Valley Authority Senior Vice President Bob Deacy, TVA Senior Vice President John Bradley, TVA Vice President Justin Maierhofer, TVA Senior Manager Leslie Nale, Roane County Executive Ron Woody, Kingston Mayor Troy Beets, Harriman Mayor Chris Mason, and Rockwood Mayor Jim Watts.

Kingston City Hall is at 900 Waterford Place in Kingston.

TVA said its support for economic development priorities in Roane County and its communities are an important part of TVA’s commitment to contribute to the area’s long-term development.

Sewer rehab work continues week of Sept. 8

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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue this week, starting Monday, September 8.

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.

Residents should already have received color-coded letters and door hangers (orange for Hurst Excavating and purple for Morgan Contracting) providing general information and each contractors’ contact information.

Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists are urged to use extra care and caution when traveling on the streets with sewer work areas, a press release said. Temporary road repairs will be made, and loose gravel should be expected until the patches are permanently paved. [Read more…]

ADFAC: Celebrate a year of ‘Dine and Donate’ by eating out Monday

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Gallo Loco

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Nearly a year ago, Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC, launched the “Dine and Donate” fundraiser. A successor of the agency’s longtime “Feed the Need” campaign, Dine and Donate allows the entire community to eat out at participating restaurants on the second Monday of each month. The restaurants, in turn, provide a portion of their sales to support ADFAC’s many charitable programs.

The first year of Dine and Donate wraps up Monday, September 8, with the following participating restaurants: Burchfield’s in Oak Ridge, Gallo Loco in Oak Ridge, Hoskins in Clinton, Mediterranean Delight in Oak Ridge, and Razzleberry’s in Oak Ridge.

“It’s hard to believe a year has already passed!” said Cande Seay, ADFAC board member and Dine and Donate chair. “Dine and Donate has been a success beyond our expectations, with thousands of dollar already raised to bring hope and stability to our less fortunate neighbors.” [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Spike

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Pet of the Day: Spike

Submitted

Spike is another beautiful pet that is ready to go today. He is a hound mix that is two years old. He is almost perfect but still needs a little patience walking on a leash.

Every volunteer loves him along with the other dogs and cats at the shelter. He has such a sweet and loving disposition combined with a huge personality.

Remember, our 50 percent off special is still in effect. Come on down and save a life today. [Read more…]