Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge Civic Ballet supports Second Harvest

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

ORCBA Angels

The Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association said it was proud to give back with a promotion for Second Harvest during their recent “Nutcracker” performances. Pictured above are ORCBA angels. (Submitted photo)

Submitted

In appreciation of the support from the East Tennessee community during the past 50 years, the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association was proud to give back with a promotion for Second Harvest during their recent “Nutcracker” performances. Patrons who donated five items for Second Harvest East Tennessee received special discounts on ticket prices.

A similar promotion with a local nonprofit agency that benefits lower income families in our area is planned for the spring production of “Sleeping Beauty” and “Swan Lake” on April 5, 2014. More specific information will be posted at www.orcba.org as it becomes available.

ORCBA holds the longest continuously-standing dance charter in the state of Tennessee. The organization’s goal is to provide a clean, safe, fun, professional environment for dancers of all abilities and ages to perform before a live audience. ORCBA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

State encourages shopping at local stores, restaurants on Small Business Saturday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

NASHVILLE—While the day after Thanksgiving may be the unofficial kick-off to the holiday shopping season, Small Business Saturday is gaining popularity and momentum in Tennessee and around the United States.

Small Business Saturday began in 2010 as an American Express initiative, and it has grown into a movement that millions of individuals, businesses, and communities have embraced nationwide—and continue to support each and every day. On Saturday, Nov. 30, hundreds of Tennessee businesses will open their doors as customers are encouraged to “Shop Small.” [Read more…]

AC man accidentally shoots own hand

Posted at
By 6 Comments

Information from WYSH Radio

An Anderson County man accidentally shot himself in the hand Sunday night when he tried to force the wrong caliber of ammunition into his pistol.

Carlie Indmon Phillips, 45, sustained the wound Sunday night at a home on Hillbilly Way and was taken to Methodist Medical Center for treatment of an injury to his left index finger, according to an Anderson County Sheriff’s Department report.

Phillips had been called to his sister’s nearby home by his sister, who thought she had seen a prowler on the property. He grabbed his .357 Magnum revolver and went to her house but had no ammunition for the gun. His sister gave him .38 caliber ammo, and when he tried to force the round into the weapon by tapping it with his pocketknife, the round went off, striking him in the hand. [Read more…]

TVA retiring eight coal units at three plants

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Colbert Fossil Plant

The Tennessee Valley Authority is retiring all five coal units at the Colbert Fossil Plant on the Pickwick Reservoir on the Tennessee River in Alabama. (Photo courtesy TVA)

The Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors recently approved a plan that will retire eight coal units at three plants with more than 3,000 megawatts of combined generating capacity.

The retirements affect all five coal units at the Colbert Fossil Plant in Tuscumbia, Ala.; one of two operating coal units at Widows Creek Fossil Plant in Stevenson, Ala., and two of three coal units at the Paradise Fossil Plant near Central City, Ky. Paradise Unit 3, one of TVA’s largest coal units, will continue to operate.

A number of these units were already idled or scheduled for idling and/or retirement based on an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency, TVA said in a press release. [Read more…]

President Obama announces more DOE nominations, including science director

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C.— President Barack Obama recently announced plans to nominate two people to top U.S. Department of Energy posts, including a director of the Office of Science.

The Office of Science is responsible for 10 of the 17 DOE labs, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Obama nominated Marc Kastner to serve as director of the Office of Science and Franklin Orr to serve as DOE under secretary for science and energy.

“I am confident that these outstanding individuals will greatly serve the American people in their new roles, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come,” Obama said in a press release.

Here is more information about the two candidates: [Read more…]

Fisher to run for Anderson County chancellor in 2014

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Brandon FIsher

Brandon FIsher

He’s been the juvenile court judge for close to four years, and now Brandon Fisher is running for Anderson County chancellor in the 2014 election.

Fisher was appointed Anderson County juvenile court judge in January 2010, replacing April Meldrum after she resigned, and he was elected in August 2010.

Fisher will seek to fill the seat now held by Chancellor William Lantrip, who has announced he will retire at the end of this eight-year term. [Read more…]

NNSA removes high-activity radioactive materials from Boston

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Nuclear Security Administration recently successfully recovered a disused, high-activity cesium-137 source from Massachusetts General Hospital in downtown Boston and transported it for permanent disposition. Formerly used as a research irradiator for medical studies, the device contained cesium-137, which could be used in a dirty bomb. The removal was part of NNSA’s global campaign to prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear and radiological material.

“This operation is a key part of the NNSA’s broad strategy to strengthen both U.S. and global security by keeping dangerous nuclear and radiological material safe and secure,” said NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Anne Harrington. “Today’s announcement is a good example of how NNSA utilizes its unique expertise and assets at the national laboratories to partner with local communities and other agencies to make our cities and those around the world safer and more secure.” [Read more…]

One suspect arrested after home invasion, car crash on Friday night

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Duran Maszae Lee

Duran Maszae Lee

Police arrested one suspect in a Friday night home invasion on Dewey Road after a vehicle crashed into a utility pole on Delaware Avenue, authorities said.

The home invasion was reported at about 10 p.m. Friday. The suspects fled in a vehicle before officers arrived, Oak Ridge Police Department Lt. Robin Smith said in a statement Saturday night.

“Moments later, it was reported that a vehicle had struck a utility pole on Delaware Avenue,” Smith said. “At the crash scene, officers located one of the suspects from the home invasion.” [Read more…]

Free community meal, cold weather clothing at UU church on Friday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

A free community meal and cold weather clothing will be available at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church on Friday.

Black bean chili, sandwiches, and pastries are on the menu, a press release said. Dine-in or take-out will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. Everyone is invited.

It’s the monthly Stone Soup Ministry meal, which is held the last Friday of every month at the same time in the Social Hall of the Church. The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church is at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools students, staff increase United Way donations by more than 25 percent

Posted at
By 2 Comments

Oak Ridge Schools Donate to United Way

Michael Mott, second from left, was the winner of the grand prize of a weekend getaway donated by United Way of Anderson County Loaned Executive Becky Hook, a retired Oak Ridge teacher. Mott is pictured above with Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers, right, and Principal Bruce Lay, left, and Rick Morrow, UWAC executive director. (Submitted photo)

Students and staff in the Oak Ridge School system increased their contributions to this year’s United Way of Anderson County campaign by more than 25 percent, an official said.

“We are excited to be able to give back to our community,” said Bruce Borchers, Oak Ridge School superintendent. “This is a great community to be part of.”

“To see an increase during these very challenging times really means a lot,” said Rick Morrow, UWAC executive director. [Read more…]

Anderson County Democrats to have May primary

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Anderson County Democratic Party will nominate candidates for county offices in a primary election in May.

The first day to pick up a qualifying petition for the May 6 primary was Friday, Nov. 22. The qualifying deadline for candidates running for office in the primary is noon, Thursday, Feb. 20.

The party notified the Anderson County Election Commission in October that it planned to nominate candidates in the May primary. [Read more…]

ORCBA celebrates 50th season, Tchaikovsky

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

ORCBA Logo

In recognition of its 50th season, the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association is celebrating Tchaikovsky, opening its season this weekend with the annual production of “The Nutcracker.”

The season will end in April with “Sleeping Beauty” and “Swan Lake.”

The University of Tennessee Chamber Orchestra will perform The Nutcracker this weekend with ORCBA.

“Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enjoy ballet performed with a live orchestra,” the association said. [Read more…]