Oak Ridge Today

Anderson County budget process under way

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Anderson County Courthouse

The Anderson County Courthouse on Main Street in Clinton is pictured above.

Information from WYSH Radio

The Anderson County Commission’s Budget Committee has approved County Mayor Terry Frank’s no-frills budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

The proposed budget keeps the property tax rate at its current levels but does not include pay raises for county workers.

Previously, the budget committee had recommended keeping the funding for all county general fund offices at their current levels, and officials said the budget does include provisions for a possible 1 percent increase in the cost of health insurance and state-mandated salary increases for certain county officeholders.

The budget committee has also recommended that the county’s fund balance be increased from $3.5 million to $4 million. Budget discussions will continue during the next few weeks.

Ex-AC school bus driver indicted in May 2013 crash

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Information from WYSH Radio

A former Anderson County school bus driver has been indicted on charges related to a bus crash last year that injured four students.

Tammy Moore, 46, of Clinton was indicted by the grand jury on a charge of reckless endangerment and reckless driving in connection to a crash that occurred on May 21, 2013. Her bus, with 44 students aboard, was on Johnson Gap Road when the bus left the right side of the road and dropped off an embankment and turned over on to its side after traveling some 60 yards. [Read more…]

Former Lady Dragon hired to lead CHS hoops program

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Information from WYSH Radio

Clinton High School has a new girls’ basketball coach. Athletic Director Dan Jenkins said former Lady Dragon standout Alicia Phillips has been hired to succeed Tonya Lively-Snyder, who stepped down after 15 years on the bench last month.

During her illustrious high school career, Phillips (then Brown) set several school records. After graduating from Clinton, she received a scholarship to play softball for the University of Tennessee and played two seasons there, including an appearance in the Women’s College World Series.

She later transferred to Maryville College, where she continued her softball career and got back on the court for the Lady Scot basketball team. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge city, schools have Wellness and Safety Fair on Wednesday

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Oak Ridge Wellness Fair 2011

Flu shots are given at an Oak Ridge Wellness Fair in November 2011. (File photo)

Oak Ridge Schools and the City of Oak Ridge Wellness Committee are co-sponsoring a Wellness and Safety Fair on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The entire community is invited to attend between 3 to 5 p.m.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the fair will be open only to Oak Ridge School employees and City of Oak Ridge workers. There will be many door prizes and a variety of vendors, a press release said.

More than 60 vendors are expected to take part, and activities including chair massages, pain assessments, ear canal screenings, power tool safety, resistance exercises, blood pressure screenings, grip strength, mobile mammography, medic, healthy food choices from local restaurants, Tennessee Highway Patrol and safe driving, Jazzercise, outdoor sports, varicose vein ultrasound, and much more, the press release said. [Read more…]

UT Career Services leader to discuss ‘Negotiating for Women’ at AAUW meeting today

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Mary Mahoney, an assistant director for University of Tennessee Career Services, will discuss “Negotiating for Women” during an AAUW meeting at lunchtime today.

The AAUW Oak Ridge Branch meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. today in Room 102 of the Activities Building of First Presbyterian Church at Oak Ridge Turnpike and Lafayette Drive. 

The public is invited to attend a potluck luncheon at 11:30 a.m. and the meeting, which begins at noon, a press release said. The luncheon will feature main dish salads prepared by AAUW members. Drinks, bread, crackers, and desserts will be provided. There is no cost, but donations to AAUW are welcome. Reservations may be made by calling either Mary Uziel at (865) 483-1043 or Marge Congdon at (865) 438-3120.

Mahoney has more than 20 years’ experience working as the assistant director of recruiting at the University of Tennessee, the press release said. She has certifications in salary negotiations and career coaching.

Before the program begins, Mayme Crowell, outgoing Tennessee State President of AAUW, will recognize the Education Award winner selected by Roane State Community College and will introduce the Roane State students who are winners of AAUW Educational Scholarships for this year.

Crowell will also install the Oak Ridge Branch AAUW officers for next year, including Peggy Emmett as president; Fay Martin as vice president for membership; Virginia Jones, vice president for programs; and Mary Uziel, treasurer. [Read more…]

Conference USA Rowing Championships in Oak Ridge on Saturday

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Tennessee Rowing

Image courtesy Tennessee Volunteers Athletics

 

The 2014 Conference USA Rowing Championships are in Oak Ridge on Saturday. The regatta is at Melton Lake Park and the Oak Ridge Marina.

The University of Tennessee will be competing against Alabama, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Old Dominion, Sacramento State, San Diego State, Texas, Tulsa, and West Virginia for the 2014 C-USA Title. The championship begins at 9:00 a.m.

For a schedule of events this Saturday, visit http://www.conferenceusa.com/championships/w-rowing-championship-14.html.

The regatta is hosted by the Oak Ridge Rowing Association.

EMS luncheon to honor crews, give awards, name scholarship winner

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Anderson County Emergency Services Logo

Anderson County EMS and UT Lifestar are having their annual EMS Week luncheon on Tuesday, May 20. The event is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and it is open to the public.

“We will be honoring our crews and also giving out our EMT-IV, paramedic, and officer of the year awards,” a press release said. “We have received certificates of appreciation from Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam for some crew members involved on a call earlier this year. Plus, we will be announcing our first-ever recipient of the Next Steps Scholarship.”

The luncheon will be at the EMS main garage complex at 314 Public Safety Lane in Clinton. Call Anderson County EMS at (865) 457-8609 for more information. Lunch will be provided for attendees. The event is meant to thank Anderson County emergency providers for the work they do each day, a flyer said. [Read more…]

Anderson Chamber hosts ‘Tribute to Business’ awards ceremony in June

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Anderson County Chamber of Commerce Dinner on the Lawn

The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce will pay tribute to local businesses at the 3rd Annual “Dinner on the Lawn” at the Museum of Appalachia in June.

It’s Friday, June 6, and everyone is welcome to attend, a press release said.

Guests will be treated to valet parking when they arrive at 6:30 p.m., as well as a social hour on the porch, live music on the lawn, and a fun live auction, a press release said. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. followed by the “Tribute to Business” award ceremony, honoring a diverse category of businesses.

Tickets are $70, or $500 for a table of eight, and they can be purchased at the Chamber Office or online at the Chamber website at www.andersoncountychamber.org. [Read more…]

Honors: Anderson County FFA first in state for veterinary science career development

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Anderson County FFA State Winning Team

The state winning team from Anderson County FFA is pictured above. From left to right they are Advisor Philip Warfield, Allison Brown, Taylor Brown, Carlin Frost, and Brian Moore. (Submitted photo)

 

Headed to national convention in October

MARTIN—On May 10, 25 FFA chapters from all three regions competed in the State Veterinary Science Career Development Event, or CDE.

The state winner of the Veterinary Science CDE was the Anderson County FFA Chapter from East Tennessee. They will represent Tennessee at the National FFA Convention in October and compete against teams from across the nation for the national title.

The teams that participated completed a written exam that determined the team members’ broad understanding of the veterinary science field, and completed an identification round that consisted of equipment ID, parasite ID, and breed ID. Teams also participated in a math practicum that included conversions, dose calculations, dilutions, cost calculations, and invoices. The Top 10 teams then completed a team activity that consisted of completing a scenario to cure a horse of colic to determine the state winner. [Read more…]

Sewer rehab work continues next week

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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue next week.

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. [Read more…]

Education Foundation will award $80,000 in grants at Wednesday ceremony

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Oak Ridge Today

As part of its “Making the Critical Difference” campaign, the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation will award almost $80,000 in grants to community teachers at a ceremony this Wednesday, May 21. The ceremony is open to the public and will be held in the Oak Ridge High School cafeteria beginning at 3 p.m.

Longtime Oak Ridge resident and award-winning author Eva Wike will speak at the event and will be available after the ceremony to sign copies of her most recent book, “Fiddler of the Mountains—Attuned to the Life and Times of Johnny Mull.” Wike is contributing a significant portion of the sales of her book to the Education Foundation.

The grants program is a key component of the foundation’s mission to support the highest quality education for all students. [Read more…]

Sound Company celebrates ‘Journeys’ on Friday, Saturday

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Sound Company Header

Submitted

Sound Company, Oak Ridge’s Children’s Performing Choir, will present a unique choral performance this weekend, a press release said. The choir will be providing the community with two opportunities to experience the celebration, including Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 17, at 2 p.m. All shows will be performed at the Historic Grove Theater at High Places Church, which is at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

The show is titled “Journeys: Celebrating the Long and Winding Road of Life.”

Songs performed by Sound Company will include: [Read more…]