Oak Ridge Today

ORCMA concert features Cumberland Piano Trio, Japanese pianist

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Emi Kagawa

Emi Kagawa

The ORCMA Chamber Music Series continues with a concert by the very popular “home team”—The Cumberland Piano Trio—on Saturday, Feb. 8, in Oak Ridge. The Cumberland is an outgrowth of Oak Ridge’s own “Isotone” group, which has since blossomed into a regional music attraction.

This concert will feature the world-renowned pianist Emi Kagawa. A native of Osaka, Japan, Kagawa has been active as both a soloist and a chamber musician, a press release said. She has performed extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Italy, and Japan.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Pollard Auditorium, which is at 210 Badger Ave. in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

A candidate for juvenile judge, Biloski has two meet-and-greets

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Lauren Biloski

Lauren Biloski

The Committee to Elect Lauren Biloski for Anderson County Juvenile Judge is planning two public events in Oak Ridge and Clinton to allow voters to meet her, a press release said.

The Oak Ridge event is Thursday, Jan. 30, at Centennial Village Apartments on Edgemoor Road from 4-6:30 p.m., and the Clinton event will be at the Clinton Community Center from 4-6:30 p.m. on Feb. 4.

“Please join Lauren and her committee to discuss relevant issues on that important position for Anderson County,” a press release said. [Read more…]

Honor: Roane property assessor receives outstanding new member award

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David Morgan Receives TNAAO Outstanding New Member Award

Roane County Property Assessor David Morgan, left, receives the Outstanding New Member Award from the Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers. (Submitted photo)

Roane County Property Assessor David Morgan recently received an outstanding new member award from the Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers.

Morgan received the award during the TNAAO Regional Educational Seminars on Jan. 23. It was presented on behalf of the TNAAO by Executive Director Will Denami.

“The Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers proudly recognizes David Morgan for joining in the leadership of this organization in the service of Roane County and the assessment profession in Tennessee and names him Outstanding New Member 2013,” said 2013 Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers President Betty Burchett. [Read more…]

Clinton city judge running for Anderson County chancellor

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Michael Farley

Michael Farley

Michael Farley, a local attorney and Clinton city judge, is seeking election as Anderson County chancellor.

The seat is now held by William E. Lantrip, who is retiring at the end of his term.

Farley is a Clinton native who graduated from Clinton High School in 1988. He obtained both his bachelor’s degree in business administration and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Farley is also a graduate of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, where he graduated first in his class, receiving the “Most Outstanding Officer Award.”

Prior to earning his law degree, Farley worked for both the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and the Clinton Police Department, where he also served as a volunteer firefighter. Farley has served the City of Clinton as a council member, and while serving, he donated his council salary to the Clinton City Schools. [Read more…]

Rep. Fleischmann keeps key subcommittee assignments

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U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann

Chuck Fleischmann

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann has retained seats on all three of his House Appropriations subcommittees, including the Energy and Water Subcommittee, which is important to work in Tennessee’s Third District, a press release said.

The congressman said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers announced the subcommittee assignments on Wednesday.

“I take my role as an appropriator very seriously and am thrilled to continue my membership on the Homeland Security, Labor Health and Human Services, and Energy and Water subcommittees,” said Fleischmann, a Tennessee Republican whose district includes Oak Ridge. “We made great progress over the past year, and I look forward to continuing my fight for responsible spending levels. As Tennessee’s sole House appropriator, I will continue to keep the needs of the state in mind throughout all of my work on the committee.” [Read more…]

Not many weather-related issues in Anderson County, sheriff’s department says

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The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said it has not had many weather-related issues during the past few days as snow fell in East Tennessee and temperatures dipped again into the teens—and even lower.

“A few reports of traffic-related incidents such as cars in the ditch, but only one accident that had minor injuries,” Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said in an e-mail to reporters.

Lucas said most primary roads and state routes are clear, but many rural roads are still icy and snow-covered. [Read more…]

More weather-related closings, cancellations

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Here are more weather-related closings on Wednesday and Thursday:

Due to unsafe road conditions, Waste Connections will not be running trash or recycling routes on Wednesday, Jan. 29. They will collect Wednesday routes on Thursday, Thursdays on Friday, and Fridays on Saturday. The convenience center will also be closed today (Wednesday), Oak Ridge officials said.

“Patience is appreciated,” they said.

Oak Ridge Schools will operate on a two-hour delay Thursday.

Anderson County Schools will be closed again Thursday due to the weather. All central office staff will follow the inclement weather procedure. [Read more…]

Work at Y-12 delayed until 10 a.m. Wednesday

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Work at the Y-12 National Security Complex was also delayed Wednesday morning because of the weather.

Employees are delayed until 10 a.m. Wednesday, Y-12 said in a statement.

A few inches of snow fell across the region, and there was snow, ice, and slippery spots on many roads.

DOE Oak Ridge Office opens late Wednesday

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Joe L. Evins Federal Building

Joe L. Evins Federal Building

Due to road conditions, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office will not open until 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29.

After that, an unscheduled leave policy (previously known as liberal leave) is in effect for employees. For the latest updates, employees can call (865) 576-9398.

Pet of the Day: Rusty

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Rusty at Oak Ridge Animal Shelter

Submitted

Rusty was the Tuesday pet of the day. He is absolutely stunning. His coat is beautiful and sleek.

Rusty is a good dog that loves attention. He weighs about 55 pounds, and he is a hound mix. Please stop by the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter and see our beautiful animals.

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It’s located 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.

Oak Ridge municipal offices open late on Wednesday

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Oak Ridge municipal offices will open late on Wednesday because of the weather.

The offices will open at 1 p.m. Wednesday, the city said in a statement.

“Per the city’s inclement weather policy, ‘essential/critical employees’ should report according to their departmental directives,” the statement said.

Haslam appoints task force to focus on education funding

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Governor Bill Haslam

Bill Haslam

Group to study Basic Education Program formula

NASHVILLE—Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam on Tuesday announced the creation of a task force to study the Basic Education Program, or BEP, which is the state’s funding formula for K-12 schools.

The most recent revision to the BEP, known as BEP 2.0, was adopted in 2007. The formula takes factors such as local property and sales tax revenue into account when calculating how much money Tennessee school districts will receive from the state each year. A number of districts, both large and small, have raised questions and concerns about the formula and whether it distributes funds in a fair and equitable manner.

“The last significant revision of the BEP was seven years ago, and education in Tennessee has changed a lot since then,” Haslam said. “It is the appropriate time to take a fresh look at the formula, identify strengths and weaknesses and determine whether or not changes should be made.” [Read more…]