Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge firefighter named Roane State Paramedic Student of the Year

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Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins, left, and Dr. Todd Heffern with TEAMHealth, right, congratulate Brandon Payne of Oak Ridge, Roane State’s Paramedic Student of the Year. (Submitted photo)

Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins, left, and Dr. Todd Heffern with TEAMHealth, right, congratulate Brandon Payne of Oak Ridge, Roane State’s Paramedic Student of the Year. (Submitted photo)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

An Oak Ridge Fire Department captain has been elected by his peers as Roane State Community College’s Paramedic Student of the Year.

Brandon Payne, 40, an Oak Ridge firefighter since 2007, received the tribute during a luncheon last year that continues a longstanding tradition of honoring graduating paramedic students.

TEAMHealth, a hospital staffing firm based in Knoxville, sponsored the luncheon for paramedic students who were in the spring semester cohort.

“It was challenging,” Payne said of the three-semester program to obtain certification as a paramedic. “There was a lot of information in a short amount of time.” [Read more…]

Director named at Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site

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Carol Iddins

Carol Iddins

 

Carol J. Iddins has been named director of the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site in Oak Ridge.

In this position, Iddins will provide direction and medical leadership while managing the operations of REAC/TS, a press release said.

“Dr. Iddins will ensure support to multiple government and non-governmental agencies for national readiness as well as provide advice and consultation for the medical management of radiation injuries and illnesses,” the press release said. “She will lead REAC/TS as the United States’ only collaborating center for radiation emergency management for the World Health Organization and coordinate international response through the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Radiation Assistance Network.”

Iddins served as associate director of REAC/TS for four years. Before that, she worked for five years as a staff physician at REAC/TS. In these roles, she provided subject matter expertise for patients with radiological injuries and illnesses; disaster medicine; emergency readiness and preparedness; research; and developing and delivering educational courses, the press release said. She has participated in many U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration national-level exercises as well as deployments to actual real-world incidents, the press release said. [Read more…]

Shutdown: ORNL FCU offers furlough loans to members who are federal employees

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ORNL Federal Credit Union has created a loan program to help members who are federal employees and not receiving a paycheck due to the partial shutdown of the federal government.

The Furlough Assistance Loan Program offers affected members the opportunity to apply for an unsecured loan at 0 percent interest for the first six months and 3 percent interest for the rest of the term, a press release said.

“The special rate is available to ORNL FCU members who meet specific qualifications, including very limited underwriting requirements,” the press release said. “It offers a maximum term of 48 months, members can take up to 90 days to make their first payment, and the limit is based on the furloughed employee’s income.” [Read more…]

Today: Human Rights Rally at ORUUC

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Members of the Human Rights Rally planning committee are, from left, Sue Byrne, Ann Mostoller, Nancy Highfill, Anne Backus, and Mary Zuhr. (Submitted photo)

Members of the Human Rights Rally planning committee are, from left, Sue Byrne, Ann Mostoller, Nancy Highfill, Anne Backus, and Mary Zuhr. (Submitted photo)

 

A Human Rights Rally and March for Equality, Justice, and Inclusivity will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 19, at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The program will begin with inspirational talks, readings, and music. Then, all participants are encouraged to march from the Unitarian Church to the First Presbyterian Church along Oak Ridge Turnpike, weather permitting, a press release said.

Several organizations are sponsoring the event, which is hosted by the Unitarian Church and the Presbyterian Church. The Reverend Jake Morrill of the Unitarian Church will welcome participants. The Reverend Derrick Hammond of Oak Valley Baptist Church, the Reverend Sharon Youngs of First Presbyterian Church, and the Reverends Mark and Annette Flynn of First Methodist Church will be among speakers, and choirs from those churches will provide music. The Reverend Carol Dipboye of Grace Covenant Church will also participate. [Read more…]

CFD: House a ‘complete loss’ after early morning fire

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Information from WYSH Radio

An early Thursday morning fire destroyed a home on Sunset Lane near its intersection with Douglas Lane, according to the Clinton Fire Department.

The blaze was reported shortly before 2 a.m., and firefighters remained on the scene for about four hours. Fire Chief Archie Brummitt described the structure as a “complete loss.” Brummitt also said that the homeowner was treated at the scene for possible smoke inhalation, but did not require a trip to the hospital. [Read more…]

TBI investigating jail death

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the death of an inmate at the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton.

Here is what TBI spokesperson Leslie Earhart said: “At the request of Seventh District Attorney General Dave Clark, TBI special agents are investigating the apparent hanging death of an inmate at the Anderson County jail. On Wednesday, January 9, 24-year-old Michael Allen Matlock was found unresponsive in his cell. The investigation remains active and ongoing.” [Read more…]

Women in U.S. politics to be discussed Tuesday

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Women in U.S. politics will be discussed at “Lunch with the League” on Tuesday.

The speaker will be Patricia Freeland, professor of political science at the University of Tennessee. The title of her talk will be “Women in U.S. Politics: What’s Changing?”

The meeting will be held from 11:45 a.m.. to 1 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Monday: AC Operations Committee to discuss proposed DOE landfill

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The Anderson County Operations Committee will discuss the proposed U.S. Department of Energy landfill in a meeting this evening (Monday, January 14).

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

The proposed landfill is known as the Environmental Management Disposal Facility, or EMDF. It would be in Bear Creek Valley west of the Y-12 National Security Complex. [Read more…]

Three small brush fires reported in Briceville

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department was called to a section of New River Highway in Briceville on Friday night after someone reported small brush fires along the side of the road.

A responding deputy located three small brush fires in the 6700 block of New River Highway, which he described as “moving uphill at a slow pace.” No structures, power poles, or any other property were threatened by the fires, which were extinguished by the Briceville Volunteer Fire Department. [Read more…]

Mobile home fire under investigation

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Information from WYSH Radio

No people were injured, but a dog died in a Friday afternoon mobile home fire in Claxton.

The fire at the home on Dennis Lane was reported shortly before 5 p.m. Friday. When Claxton Volunteer Fire Department firefighters arrived, they reported that flames had engulfed about half of the structure.

Firefighters from not only Claxton, but also the Andersonville, Marlow, and Medford Volunteer Fire Departments—as well as crews from the Norris, Rocky Top, and Rural Metro fire departments—battled the blaze, which required additional water to be brought to the scene after the first tanker went dry. [Read more…]

Today: Dine and Donate to support ADFAC

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Dine out on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, to support ADFAC! Our featured restaurants this month are the five local Subway locations in Clinton, Oak Ridge (1968 Oak Ridge Turnpike), Rocky Top, and Oliver Springs (shown in photo). Additional participating restaurants are Burchfield's, Dean's, Gallo Loco, Hoskins, Mediterranean Delight, Razzleberry's, and The Soup Kitchen. Dine & Donate is also supported by Leidos, State Farm - Randy McNally, and Oak Ridge Today. ADFAC exists to support and serve those in need by assisting them in becoming stable and self-sufficient. Please visit adfac.org for more information. (Submitted photo)

Dine out on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, to support ADFAC! Our featured restaurants this month are the five local Subway locations in Clinton, Oak Ridge (1968 Oak Ridge Turnpike), Rocky Top, and Oliver Springs (shown in photo). Additional participating restaurants are Burchfield’s, Dean’s, Gallo Loco, Hoskins, Mediterranean Delight, Razzleberry’s, and The Soup Kitchen. Dine & Donate is also supported by Leidos, State Farm – Randy McNally, and Oak Ridge Today. ADFAC exists to support and serve those in need by assisting them in becoming stable and self-sufficient. Please visit adfac.org for more information. (Submitted photo)

 

Dine out on Monday, January 14, to support ADFAC!

The featured restaurants this month are the five local Subway locations in Clinton, Oak Ridge (1968 Oak Ridge Turnpike), Rocky Top, and Oliver Springs.

Additional participating restaurants are Burchfield’s, Dean’s, Gallo Loco, Hoskins, Mediterranean Delight, Razzleberry’s, and The Soup Kitchen.

Dine & Donate is also supported by Leidos, State Farm – Randy McNally, and Oak Ridge Today.

ADFAC exists to support and serve those in need by assisting them in becoming stable and self-sufficient. Please visit adfac.org for more information.

Today: Artist who specializes in visual concerts has show at Grove Theater

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Desmond Darko

Desmond Darko

 

Desmond Darko, an Oak Ridge native, specializes in creating visual concerts in which the audience both hears and sees the music.

On Thursday, January 10, he and two other artists will present “Ice Cold: A Concert.” The event, sponsored by Pink House, will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Historic Grove Theater, 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

Tickets cost $5 through a link on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/events/320437028559678/ ) or $6 at the door.