Oak Ridge Today

Teen charged with aggravated robbery for alleged November holdup

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Treston Ahkeem Blake Lee

Treston Ahkeem Blake Lee

An Oak Ridge teenager has been charged with aggravated robbery for his alleged role in a November stickup on Jonathan Lane.

Treston Blake Lee, 19, of Wakefield Road, was arrested Jan. 26, and he remained jailed in the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton on Thursday afternoon. His bond has been set at $100,000.

An arrest warrant filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court said the alleged robbery occurred at about 7 p.m. Nov. 30 and involved another defendant. Lee had met the victim several times and was allowed to enter the home, Oak Ridge Police Department Detective Bill Weaver said in the warrant.

The second defendant, who is not identified in the warrant, also walked into the home that night and displayed a small-caliber silver handgun, Weaver said. [Read more…]

Chamber Music concert Saturday features Cumberland Piano Trio

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The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association’s Chamber Series will present the Cumberland Piano Trio at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pollard Auditorium.

The trio includes Susan Eddlemon on violin, Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra Director Dan Allcott on cello, and Emi Kagawa on piano. Scott Eddlemon, ORSO percussionist, will be assisting in the performance.

Reserved seat tickets are $25 ($12 for students). For additional information, call the ORCMA office at (865) 483-5569 or visit www.orcma.org.

Church Women United begins lunch series Friday

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Church Women United announces a new lunchtime series of presentations on the first Friday of each month in February through May 2014. The public is invited to the first CWU lunch gathering on Friday, Feb. 7, at Oak Valley Baptist Church, 194 Hampton Road in Oak Ridge.

A reception with refreshments will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a short meeting at noon and the program thereafter. Cindy Helton of Community Mediation Services will be the speaker. Attendees are encouraged to drop in and stay however long they can. Brown bag lunches are welcome!

CWU is a national volunteer ecumenical women’s movement that brings together women of diverse races, cultures, and traditions in closer Christian fellowship, prayer, advocacy, and action for peace with justice in the world. For more information, contact Gay Marie Logsdon at (865) 483-7940.

Boys and Girls Club has Valentines Gala on Saturday

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The Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge will be bringing its annual Valentines Gala back to Oak Ridge this year. The event will be held at St. Mary’s in Columbus Hall and the Gymnasium from 6:30-11 p.m. Saturday. The theme will be The Roaring Twenties, with an authentic time period band and Knox Vegas DJs to entertain the crowd throughout the evening.

“We’re thrilled to bring the club’s largest fundraiser back to town and offer a theme that is sure to be the highlight of the season for Oak Ridgers,” said Aaron Wells, president of the Oak Ridge Unit board of directors. Along with the music, the event will feature a live auction emceed by Bear Stephenson, silent auction, dinner, and several other fun activities, which will help to bring the Roaring Twenties theme into full effect.

This is the Boys and Girls Club’s largest fundraising event and provides a wonderful opportunity for community leaders to come out and show their support while enjoying an evening of upscale fun and dancing. Auction items will include a John Daly autographed golf bag, a trip to Keeneland for the races, and several other unique items. All proceeds from this event will go directly to the Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

State: Sprinkler system saves lives in Oak Ridge assisted living fire

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Patriot Park Assisted Living Fire

Firefighters remove water from Patriot Park Assisted Living on Gum Hollow Road after putting out a small bed fire Friday evening. The fire was kept in check by a sprinkler system before Oak Ridge firefighters arrived and extinguished the flames.

An Oak Ridge assisted living center is thankful for its sprinkler system after a fire broke out on the premises Friday, state officials said Wednesday. All residents were safely evacuated and property damage contained to one room because of the sprinkler system.

This news comes at the same time as investigators comb through the fire-devastated ruins of an assisted living community in L’isle Verte, Quebec. where 25 residents lost their lives. The major difference between the two fires is that the assisted living building in Oak Ridge was equipped with a working sprinkler system, a press release said.

“The damage to the building was minimal, and no residents were displaced,” Oak Ridge Fire Department Fire Chief Darryl Kerley said of the Friday evening fire at Patriot Park Assisted Living on Gum Hollow Road. “Without the sprinkler system, we believe the outcome would be very different.” [Read more…]

Lake City to Rocky Top: Bill clears first hurdle

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Lake City Rocky Top Meeting

A standing-room-only crowd assembles to watch the Lake City Council vote 4-0 in November to recommend the town’s name be changed to Rocky Top.

Legislation that could clear the way for Lake City to be rechristened Rocky Top cleared its first hurdle on Tuesday as it was approved by the Tennessee House of Representatives’ Local Government Committee in Nashville.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. John Ragan of Oak Ridge, is a private act requested by Lake City officials as the first step toward developing Lake City and its two exits off I-75 into a tourist destination.

Developers say that without the name change, the project—which could include a theater, a restaurant, and other amenities—cannot move forward. [Read more…]

See, discuss documentary on poverty: Feb. 6, Roane State Oak Ridge Campus

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Poverty Documentary

Filmmakers Dan Parris, David Peterka, and Rob Lehr will discuss their documentary on extreme poverty on Feb. 6 at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus. (Photo courtesy RSCC)

Roane State Community College’s International Education Department will screen the award-winning documentary “Give a Damn?” on Thursday evening at the Oak Ridge campus.

The 90-minute film tells the story of three friends who attempt to live in poverty on $1.25 a day as they journey across three continents. The adventure turns devastating when two of them survive a deadly plane crash in Africa, and all three must fight to finish what they started.

The film was named best documentary at the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, won a Visionary Award at the Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles, and has been an official selection for additional film festivals. [Read more…]

Lunch and Learn on Friday to focus on local legend John Hendrix

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Jack Mansfield

Jack Mansfield

A Lunch ‘n Learn at the Oak Ridge Senior Center on Friday will focus on local legend John Hendrix, known to some as “The Prophet of Oak Ridge.”

The presentation is titled “Who is John Hendrix—and what does he have to do with you?” Oak Ridge resident Jack Mansfield will present an impersonation of Hendrix.

The Lunch ‘n Learn is scheduled from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at the Oak Ridge Senior Center. Living Water Christian Fellowship will provide hamburgers and hotdogs for the event. [Read more…]

CASA fundraiser to feature Miss Tennessee International, Ridge City Ramblers

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Kassie Marie Perkins

Kassie Marie Perkins

A February fundraiser for a nonprofit that helps abused and neglected children will feature local band Ridge City Ramblers and Kassie Marie Perkins, Miss Tennessee International 2014.

It’s the 11th Annual Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash for CASA of the Tennessee Heartland.

“Not only will this year’s Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash uphold the tradition of great food, but the entertainment is once again off the charts,” a press release said. “The evening will be kept on track by emcee Cindi Alpert of 106.1 The River. Judge James Cotton will be talking about his new book, ‘The Greatest Speech Ever,’ which is based on Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. This book ‘reminds us that this very brief but well-crafted speech defines our ideals and national purpose.'”

Signed copies of the book will be available at the event with proceeds going to CASA. [Read more…]

Assistant DA running for juvenile judge has meet-and-greet on Saturday

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Victoria "Vickie" Bannach

Victoria “Vickie” Bannach

Victoria “Vickie” Bannach, a Republican candidate for Anderson County Juvenile Court Judge in the May 6 primary, will have a meet-and-greet in Norris on Saturday.

The event is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the Norris Community Center.

“The ‘meet and greet’ will allow citizens to meet the candidate and discuss important issues and concerns that are occurring with our children and families within the community,” a press release said.

Bannach is now an assistant district attorney general in Anderson County. [Read more…]

Franchise Lunch and Learn: An overview of franchising opportunities

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The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce and the Tennessee Small Business Development Center will host a seminar on “An Overview of Franchising Opportunities” on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Anderson County Chamber office at 245 N. Main Street, Suite 200, in Clinton.

Jerry Bird with FranNet of Alabama/Tennessee will be the speaker. Attendees may bring their own lunch to enjoy during the seminar.

Topics covered will include: [Read more…]

Marketing your business online: Lessons on LinkedIn

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Daniel Monday

Daniel Monday

The chief operating officer of a Knoxville website company will present a Feb. 19 seminar in Anderson County on marketing your business using LinkedIn.

Daniel Monday of Slamdot will give his presentation, titled “Marketing Your Business Online: Lessons on LinkedIn,” at the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce in Clinton from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19.

“If you’re not joining the 250 million-plus people on LinkedIn, you may be missing out on business opportunities,” a press release said. “From connecting with potential customers or establishing new referral partnerships, to locating that next great employee or finding reputable vendors and suppliers, LinkedIn can become a very affordable marketing and operations tool for your company or nonprofit organization.

 [Read more…]