The Anderson County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a workshop for Monday, January 7, 2019, starting at 6 p.m. to discuss the U.S. Department of Energy construction and operation of a new disposal facility. The workshop will be held in room 312 in the Anderson County Courthouse at 100 North Main Street in Clinton, Tennessee.
Holiday gift: ADFAC activity book about Oak Ridge history for children

Left to right, ADFAC Committee member Ray Smith is joined by Barbara Ferrell, The Ferrell Shop; Denise Parten, Southern Bliss; Annie Cacheiro, ADFAC Executive Director; Becky Hook, ADFAC School Supply Coordinator and Activity Book Chairman; and Jim Dodson, ADFAC Board of Directors and Committee member. (Submitted photo)
“The Secret is Out: Discover Oak Ridge” activity book for sale with proceeds benefitting ADFAC.
Looking for a unique gift for a child? ADFAC (Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties) has the answer.
“The Secret is Out: Discover Oak Ridge” is an activity book designed to present the history of Oak Ridge through pictures and activities for children ages 5-13. Art work, poems, puzzles, and short stories created by students from Oak Ridge schools were submitted for publication, a press release said. Area adult artists and photographers also donated their services to benefit ADFAC.
Developed in conjunction with ADFAC’s 30th anniversary and Oak Ridge’s 75th anniversary, “The Secret is Out: Discover Oak Ridge” gives a pictorial history of the city and includes organizations of interest to children. Ariana Rector, graphic designer, created the cover which highlights Oak Ridge’s historically significant accomplishments in a timeline from black and white to color. She is also credited with illustrating many of the coloring pages and compiling the submitted works, the press release said. [Read more…]
ETEC presents Muddy Boot, Young Professional awards

Three women received the Muddy Boot Award and Postma Young Professional Medals presented by the East Tennessee Economic Council at its annual awards luncheon on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Pictured above from left are Ashley Hartman Saunders, Naomi Asher, and Sherry Browder. (Photo courtesy ETEC)
Three women received the Muddy Boot Award and Postma Young Professional Medals presented by the East Tennessee Economic Council at its annual awards luncheon on Friday, December 14.
The Muddy Boot Award was created in the 1970s to honor individuals who have gone above the call of duty—like those who served the nation during the Manhattan Project—to make the community, the state of Tennessee, and the nation a better place to live and work, a press release said. More than 90 people have received the award. A full list of recipients and more information about the honor can be found on the ETEC website at www.eteconline.org.
Lawrence Young, founding president and chief executive officer of the Community Reuse Organization of East Tennessee, presented the Muddy Boot Award.
Sherry Browder, currently the re-industrialization manager for URS | CH2M Oak Ridge LLC (UCOR) at the East Tennessee Technology Park and a career environmental management specialist, was awarded the Muddy Boot Award for, among other activities, her work to transform the former gaseous diffusion site to an industrial asset in Oak Ridge and Roane County, the press release said. [Read more…]
Grace Lutheran has Advent Worship, Christmas Eve Services
Grace Lutheran Church has mid-week Advent Worship Services and Christmas Eve Services this month.
The Advent Worship Services have been on Wednesdays, including on December 5 and 12. There is another service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 19.
The church will also have Christmas Eve services. They will take place at 4 p.m. (Family) and 9 p.m. (Candlelight).
All services are free, a press release said.
The church presented the seasonal work of Heather Sorenson, “Little Lion, Little Lamb,” presented by Grace Lutheran Church’s Chancel Choir on Sunday, December 16, under the direction of Slade Trammell. Sorenson is a Dallas-based composer and highly accomplished pianist whose talents are heard in worship settings around the world, the press release said. [Read more…]
Holiday Concert at ORHS on Thursday

On Thursday Dec. 20, 2018, the Oak Ridge High School Choral Department will present its Holiday Concert. (Submitted photo)
The Oak Ridge High School Choral Department will present its Holiday Concert on Thursday.
“Please come and celebrate the season with these very talented students,” a press release said. [Read more…]
Service of Memory & Hope on Tuesday at First Presbyterian
This time of year is filled with twinkling lights, special music, and lots of eggnog. But some folks experience the holiday season as difficult for several reasons.
Sometimes called a “blue Christmas” gathering, First Presbyterian Church will hold a Service of Memory and Hope on Tuesday, December 18, at 6:30 p.m., in the sanctuary.
“Although the service is designed for those facing a holiday season that is not so merry and bright, everyone desiring a quiet, reflective worship experience will find it in this simple candlelight service,” said Sharon Youngs, church pastor. “It is a way to remember loved ones who are no longer with us, to gather strength for present challenges and to simply be still in the midst of a bustling, frantic season.”
This press release was submitted by Carolyn Krause.
Roane State campuses will be closed Dec. 18-Jan.1 for holidays
Roane State Community College campuses will be closed Tuesday, December 18 through Tuesday, January 1 for the holidays.
The college will reopen Wednesday, January 2, and spring classes will begin on Monday, January 14.
Registration and other self-service options are available through the Roane State website at www.roanestate.edu.
For more information, visit www.roanestate.edu or call 1-866-GO2-RSCC (1-866-462-7722).
Sheriff: Suspected heroin, cocaine, marijuana found in Claxton arrest
Note: This story was updated at 11:05 p.m.
Authorities found several types of drugs—including suspected heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and hydrocodone—and arrested a Powell man in Claxton on Thursday on multiple charges of possessing drugs for sale, a press release said.
Agents from the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force in Anderson County were conducting surveillance around the Bread Box gas station on Edgemoor Road in Claxton when, just before 5 p.m. Thursday, they saw Kayvin Grate, 28, of Powell, conduct a hand-to-hand transaction with an unidentified male at the rear of the business, the press release said.
Immediately after that, an Anderson County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived in the parking lot of the gas station, said the press release, which was from the office of Sheriff Russell Barker.
“Once Grate spotted the deputy’s marked vehicle, Grate turned quickly and began walking away from the gas station and into a wooded area,” the press release said. “Grate was given verbal commands to stop and was quickly detained. Prior to be detained, Grate dropped multiple items on the ground, which were determined to be a cell phone and two plastic baggies containing suspected heroin. After search of his person, a Ford key fob was recovered.” [Read more…]
Jury duty scammer uses name of ACSO deputy
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a jury duty scammer that is using the name of a deputy currently employed with the Sheriff’s Office.
The scammer called a Clinton woman on Monday claiming to be Sheriff’s Office employee Kenny Sharp, a press release said. The scammer told her she missed jury duty and would be arrested if she did not pay $729.00.
The Clinton resident went to her credit union, and after she explained what had happened, they advised her to go to the Sheriff’s Office because they believed she had been scammed, the press release said. [Read more…]
Today: Dine and Donate helps ADFAC

Homemade baklava is just one of many treats you can find at Mediterranean Delight in Oak Ridge. The restaurant offers holiday gift packages of baked goods, as well as catering services. (Submitted photo)
Submitted
A fantastic dining experience, right here at home? And you can help others at the same time? What else can you ask for!
On Monday, December 10, Mediterranean Delight, located at 160 Bus Terminal Road, will be featured as one of several local restaurants donating a portion of their sales to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC). This cozy dining spot is perfect for take-out and offers a small dining area as well. Stop by to grab some of your favorite Mediterranean dishes on your way home from work or some quick early-week holiday shopping. [Read more…]
AAUW has Holiday Tea on Sunday
“Resonance”—a choir comprised of sophomore, junior, and senior Oak Ridge High School altos and sopranos—will sing at the AAUW (American Association of University Women) Holiday Tea on Sunday, December 9, 3-5 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike.
Tea will be poured by AAUW members and holiday treats will be served. As in past years, a White House tree ornament will be available for purchase, a press release said. This year’s is for the 33rd president, Harry S. Truman.
The choir will be directed by Amanda Ragan, chorus director at ORHS.
The public is invited to this festive event. There is no charge.
Free Christmas concert, sing-along on Sunday

The public is invited to come to the Oak Ridge Community Band’s “Christmas Concert & Sing-Along” on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 9, 2018. This free event will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church at 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike. (Submitted photo)
The public is invited to come to the Oak Ridge Community Band’s “Christmas Concert & Sing-Along” on Sunday afternoon, December 9. This free event will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church at 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike.
“The Christmas and Sing-Along concert directed by new conductor Shaun Salem is a good opportunity to relax from holiday stress, enjoy the true spirit of the season with familiar holiday music, and also have the chance to sing favorite Christmas carols accompanied by the band,” a press release said. [Read more…]


