Oak Ridge Today

City’s leaf pickup program under way

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The City of Oak Ridge’s leaf pickup program for 2019 began on Monday, November 25. It is coordinated by Waste Connections of Tennessee. Collection efforts will follow the proposed schedule as closely as possible, a press release said.

“Please note that the proposed schedule is a general guide and can vary considerably from the actual schedule due to weather, resident participation, and the amount of leaves collected,” the press release said.

The following guidelines will help make the leaf pickup process easier for Waste Connections crews and homeowners, the press release said:

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Avant LLC Locates Operations in Oak Ridge

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Cutline: Avant LLC hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, November 8. Avant recently relocated its call center operations to Commerce Park in Oak Ridge.

Obituary: James William Howard Jr.

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James Howard

James Howard

James William Howard Jr., 78, of Dyllis and formerly of Oak Ridge, passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at his home.

He was born April 26, 1941, in Rockwood, Tennessee, the son of James William Howard Sr. and Sara Elizbeth Dennis Howard.

Mr. Howard was of the Baptist faith and a member of the Faith Masonic Lodge #756 and Order of the Eastern Star #390. He retired from the Oak Ridge Fire Department, where he was Chief Fire Inspector. After retirement, he purchased acreage in Dyllis and was in the process of building a homestead for he and his family. Working with his son, clearing land, creating a pond, and remodeling houses, which were moved from Oak Ridge, was a project he loved. He also enjoyed fishing in his free time.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Joseph William Howard Tunkel, and brother-in-law, Donald Wayne Gullett, whom he thought of as a true brother. [Read more…]

ACSD: Wife charged with attempted murder said she hoped husband died

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Pecola Duncan
Pecola Duncan

A woman charged with attempted murder after a stabbing in Anderson County on Friday evening told deputies that she hoped her husband died, according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department.

The alleged stabbing was reported on Dutch Valley Road. When ACSD deputies arrived, they found the victim, Harold Duncan, coming out of the home holding a towel on his chest, the Sheriff’s Department said. The towel was soaked with blood, deputies said.

Duncan told ACSD Deputy Kory Blevins that his wife, Pecola Duncan, stabbed him in the chest while he was napping on the recliner.

[Read more…]

Francisco Franco to be discussed at ‘Dictator’s Playbook’ today7

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The Community Education and Development group is hosting viewings and discussions of the PBS series, “The Dictator’s Playbook.”

You can join them from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, November 17, in the social hall of Oak Ridge Universal Unitarian Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike, to learn about Francisco Franco’s rise and fall, a press release said. This is the fifth of six sessions, with each session covering a dictator who arose to infamy in the 20th century, the press release said. A final discussion and reception will be held on Sunday, December 8.

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Reminder: ORHS Masquers presents ‘Little Women’

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A reminder: Oak Ridge High School Masquers is presenting “Little Women” at the high school this weekend.

The first show was Thursday evening in the Oak Ridge Performing Arts Center at ORHS.

The next two shows are at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, November 17, also in the Performing Arts Center.

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Secret City Half Marathon and 5K in Oak Ridge on Saturday

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Oak Ridge main roads to be affected

The Secret City Half Marathon and 5K is in Oak Ridge on Saturday, November 16, and several main roads and intersections will be affected by the race in the morning.

Explore Oak Ridge and the City of Oak Ridge expect more than 1,000 runners and walkers on the city’s streets and greenways as they participate in these family-friendly races, a press release said. See below for the race routes and also visit the SCHM website at www.SecretCityHalfMarathon.com for a map of both routes.

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Reservations now open for ‘Breakfast with Santa’

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The Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board is hosting a “Breakfast with Santa” on Saturday, December 7. The event will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Oak Ridge Civic Center, which is located at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The cost for the breakfast is $7 per participant ages 3 and up. Activities will include a kid-friendly breakfast buffet, Christmas crafts, and photos with Santa. 

Reservations are required as spots for the event are limited, a press release said. Digital photos will be available online for free, but participants may opt to pay $5 for a 4×6 photo at the event.

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Roane State wins $1 million grant to help mechatronics, cyber security programs

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By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

Roane State Community College has won a $999,950 state grant that will be used to expand dual enrollment studies in mechatronics and computer technologies at 11 high schools in four rural East Tennessee counties. Dual enrollment courses enable high school students to obtain college credits.

The community college’s grant proposal, titled “Fast Forward for Success,” was one of 28 grants selected for funding out of 61 requests filed under the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education program.

That effort prioritizes learning opportunities in rural counties and enhances career and technical education statewide, according to an announcement from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s office.

“These funds directly support our workforce development efforts in distressed and at-risk counties and are a key component of our strategy to prioritize rural Tennessee,” Lee said in the announcement.

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Oak Ridge receives award for partnership that led to AMSE opening in new space

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The City of Oak Ridge was formally honored with a Community Partnership Award during a Celebration of Service to the Profession as part of ICMA’s Annual Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, center; Government Affairs and Information Services Director Amy Fitzgerald, second from left; and Administrative Services Director Bruce Applegate, left, accepted the award in Nashville. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The City of Oak Ridge has received an award for the intergovernmental partnership that led to the American Museum of Science and Energy opening in a new centrally located space in Main Street Oak Ridge.

The 2019 Community Partnership Award was presented to the city by the International City/County Management Association, or ICMA.

“The award recognizes innovative programs or processes between and/or among a local government and other governmental entities, private sector businesses, individuals, or nonprofit agencies to improve the quality of life for residents or provide more efficient and effective services,” a press release said.

The City of Oak Ridge was formally honored during a Celebration of Service to the Profession as part of ICMA’s Annual Conference on Wednesday, October 23. Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, Government Affairs and Information Services Director Amy Fitzgerald, and Administrative Services Director Bruce Applegate accepted the award in Nashville.

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Free community Thanksgiving Dinner is Thursday, Nov. 28

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High Places Community Church
The Grove Theater at High Places Community Church is pictured above.

Everyone is invited to a free community Thanksgiving Dinner in Oak Ridge on Thursday, November 28, a press release said.

The dinner is scheduled from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thanksgiving at the Historic Grove Theater, which is located at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge. Reservations are not required.

“The grassroots annual tradition continues!” a press release said. “Everyone should have someone to give thanks with on Thanksgiving!”

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Oak Ridge Chamber’s Christmas Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 14

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The Oak Ridge High School Softball team prepares for the 2018 Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. This year’s parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Submitted photo)

 

The annual Christmas Parade organized by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce will be Saturday, December 14.

This year’s theme is “Christmas Around the World.” The parade promises to provide spectators with plenty of music, lights, and beautiful floats, a press release said.

The sponsor of this year’s parade is The Cowperwood Company. There is no cost to participate.

The Chamber will be accepting entries online through Monday, December 9. Register by visiting the Chamber’s website at www.oakridgechamber.org. [Read more…]