Oak Ridge Today

Whitey Hitchcock announces re-election bid for county commission

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Harry "Whitey" Hitchcock

Harry “Whitey” Hitchcock

Harry “Whitey” Hitchcock has announced he is seeking re-election to the Anderson County Commission, representing District 6 in Oak Ridge, which includes the City Hall, Robertsville, and West Hills voting precincts, a press release said.

“It has been my honor, privilege, and joy to get to know and represent the very diverse citizens of District 6, a task I take seriously,” Hitchcock said in the press release. “When first elected in 2006, I pledged to

  1. help reduce crime,
  2. bring tax dollars back to Oak Ridge, and
  3. help re-new an effective working relationship between the city and the county. I feel that this has been largely accomplished, yet there is more work to do with a city-county partnership: housing, jobs, and retail development.”

Hitchcock said crime is everyone’s concern, and its cost cannot be overestimated. [Read more…]

Spotlight: Karry on 4 Kids has new logo

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Karry on 4 Kids

James Dodson, Jefferson Middle School art teacher, left; Sheila Marczak; Jessica Ammendolia; and Naomi Asher, CASA executive director. (Submitted photo)

 

The Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, CASA, and private therapist Sheila Marczak have teamed together in an effort to address a special need: Each year, more than 400 children in Anderson County are removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Many of these children do not have luggage (a carry-on or duffle bag), and they must carry their belongings in a garbage bag. This is humiliating to a child at a time when they are already so vulnerable.

The goal of Karry on 4 Kids is to provide each child in shelter and foster care with a brand new carry-on (duffle bag, etc.), so that they will never have to move from one location to another with their personal items in trash bags. These bags will be collected and stored at the Child Advocacy Center in Clinton to be distributed as necessary.

Recently, art contributions were requested from students at Jefferson Middle School for a logo. The winning student was eighth-grader Jessica Ammendolia.

An effort has been made with Oak Ridge and Anderson County schools to create an initial supply of bags. However, bags will be collected as an ongoing effort. Through the summertime, bags can be brought to Girls Inc., one of the CASA offices, or the CAC office.

Please email questions and concerns to KarryOn4Kids@gmail.com.

DOE-NNSA, Tennessee to take part in regional exercise near I-40, Pellissippi

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The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration’s Radiological Assistance Program, or RAP, and Tennessee’s Offices of Emergency Management and Division of Radiological Health will participate in a Regional CAPSTONE exercise with activities to be conducted by Field Monitoring Teams in the public sector on Thursday, June 5.

During the environmental field monitoring and sampling activities, approximately 20 response personnel using radiation detection instrumentation and taking samples (soil, water, vegetation, etc.), may be visible by the public in the vicinity of neighborhoods and businesses north of Interstate I-40 and the Pellissippi interchange. The exercise scope is designed to focus on conducting contamination monitoring activities with the intent for the state and DOE/NNSA RAP Field Monitoring Teams to work together to improve the nation’s preparedness in responding to incidents involving the release of radiological materials, a press release said.

Pet of the Day: Shelby

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Pet of the Day: Shelby

Submitted

To all the Lovers of Luscious Long-haired Lovelies Fan Club, I am the incredibly beautiful and sweet Shelby. I have a stunning mingle of lots of amazing colors.

I am a real lover too. I am not accustomed to steel walls, so I certainly expect a castle fit for a princess soon. Can you accommodate that request…this week is not early enough for me! Tuesday when they open would be perfect!

Here’s to my forever family, with all the royal smooches I can muster. =^..^= [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Sonny Boy

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Pet of the Day: Sonny Boy

Submitted

Sonny Boy is a Labrador mix and he is ready for some playtime.

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is at 395 Belgrade Road in east Oak Ridge. The phone number is (865) 425-3423.

See the Animal Shelter’s website here. You can also find more information on adoptable animals at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on this Facebook page.

Pet of the Day: Angie

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Pet of the Day: Angie

 

Submitted

I’m Angie, and my situation is sad. I’m skinny, and was covered in ticks when I came in as an owner surrender. I have no clue why I am here.

The volunteers could sing: “Oh, Angie, don’t you weep, all your kisses still taste sweet. I hate that sadness in your eyes.”

I’m only two years old, a black and tan coonhound mix that might be a better partner than a hunting dog. The season is over, so I probably got dumped.

I’m a little shy and confused because no one taught me how to walk on a leash, but I am making huge strides daily! I would be the most gratitude-filled best friend. [Read more…]

Hackworth has meet-and-greet today

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Jim Hackworth

Jim Hackworth

Jim Hackworth, a Democrat running for Anderson County mayor, is having a meet-and-greet at 5:30 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Holiday Inn Express near the Clinton/Norris exit off Interstate 75.

The hotel is at 111 Hillvale Road in Clinton.

Call (865) 603-4225 for more information.

Tennessee Labor Department to host job fair in Oak Ridge on Friday

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The Tennessee Department of Labor is hosting a job fair for those seeking a unique and highly skilled workforce.

The American Centrifuge Manufacturing facility is ceasing operations, and as a result, approximately 120 highly skilled personnel responsible for the full breadth of facility operations and advanced technologies manufacturing activities are available for immediate hire. All workers are U.S. citizens with DOE-Q security clearances, and skill levels ranging from advanced engineering and physics degrees to a highly skilled craft workforce.

The job fair will be held on May 30, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the University of Tennessee Outreach Center at 1201 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. If you’re interested in entering your business into the job fair, contact Adina Chumley at (865) 594-0139 or Adina.Chumley@tn.gov.

Free CPR class offered by Anderson County EMS, Marlow Fire Department

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Anderson County EMS and the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department are offering a free CPR class on Saturday.

The class is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grand Oaks Elementary School at 1033 Oliver Springs Highway in Marlow.

“This class will teach you how to perform CPR, use an AED, and also how to recognize heart attacks and strokes,” a press release said. [Read more…]

Pet drive, adoption fair at Animal Shelter on Saturday

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Oak Ridge Animal Shelter

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Belgrade Road is pictured above.

Submitted

Shizzy’s Doggy Haven in partnership with the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter are sponsoring a pet drive and adoption fair on Saturday. All donations from the event will go directly to the animal shelter.

Spring has sprung and that means the shelter is full of puppies, kittens, adult dogs, and cats that are looking for their new home. Drop by for some puppy love and a chance to adopt your new best friend! We will also have lots of silent auction items available including a grill donated by Home Depot.

We have amazing door prizes available from local sponsors and all you need to do to enter is bring an item the shelter desperately needs to continue to run efficiently. The shelter’s needs are blankets, towels, dog beds, crates and cages, cat carriers, dish soap, (he) laundry soap, cleaning supplies, dog food (wet and dry), puppy and kitten food, cat litter, newspapers, toys, stuffed animals, collars, leashes, and most of all YOU! [Read more…]

Explore science through summer reading at Clinton library

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Submitted

The 2014 Summer Reading Club at the Clinton Public Library will feature a variety of science-themed, educational, and fun programs to help fill your summer days. Children from birth through rising 12th grade are invited to join the free Reading Club that will run from June 1 to July 26.

This year, children will explore science through reading as the Clinton Public Library presents “Fizz, Boom, Read!” as its summer reading theme. Children may register for the Reading Club anytime from June 1 to July 7 at the Library or on the Library’s website at www.clintonpubliclibrary.org. At registration, children will receive a reading log to track the books they read throughout the summer. Children who reach the reading goal set for their age group can claim a special prize at the Water Science Fun Finale on July 19 at 1 p.m. or anytime during the following week. They will also be entered into a drawing for other great prizes.

Summer Reading Club programs will kick off on June 9 at 1 p.m. with Royal Magic Events. It will be an afternoon of face painting, balloon animals, and magic! Other special events for the whole family include a presentation by Mr. Bond the Science Guy on July 7 at 1 p.m. and a Lego Club for the entire family every Thursday at 4 p.m. [Read more…]

Summer camps: Science at AMSE Explorer Camp

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AMSE Science CampSubmitted

Make new friends while you discover land and water habitats of animals and insects, make weather forecast predictions, connect electric circuits, solve a mystery using forensic science, and do more experiments and hands-on activities at the AMSE Science Explorer Camp for rising fifth (must be 10 years old by June 1), sixth, and seventh graders at two identical one-week sessions from June 9–13 and June 16–20 at Freels Bend Cabin in Oak Ridge.

“For 25 years the Science Camp has provided 1,200 kids with a real-life experience of how science is important in every aspect of life with the emphasis of how we use science every day,” said Kris Light, science educator at the AMSE Science Explorer Camp. “Campers end their weekly summer session with a greater appreciation of the world around them and a better understanding of the many fields of science. [Read more…]