Oak Ridge Today

Guinn a finalist for Miss Basketball

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge senior Jada Guinn (24) has passed 2,000 points total scored for the Lady Wildcats, and she set a single-game scoring record of 45 points at Karns on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Guinn is pictured above shooting a free throw during a 81-24 win at Clinton on Friday, Jan. 24, 2019. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge senior Jada Guinn (24) has passed 2,000 points total scored for the Lady Wildcats, and she set a single-game scoring record of 45 points at Karns on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Guinn is pictured above shooting a free throw during a 81-24 win at Clinton on Friday, Jan. 24, 2019. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Oak Ridge senior Jada Guinn is a finalist for Miss Basketball in Class AAA in Tennessee.

The three finalists were announced Thursday. Besides Guinn, the finalists for Miss Basketball in Class AAA are Madison Hayes of East Hamilton High School and Jayla Hemingway of Houston High School.

Guinn was, as of several games ago, averaging 23 points per game this year, seven rebounds per game, four assists per game, and three steals per game, according to Miss Basketball nomination information posted by broadcaster David Clary. She scored 24 points or more in the first half of two recent games: 27 at the half at Karns on Monday, January 28, and 24 at the half at Clinton on Friday, January 25. She’s had several recent games where she has scored more than 30 points, with 32 at Clinton that Friday and 34 against Halls at Wildcat Arena on January 8.

Guinn scored 32 points against Campbell County on Friday, February 1, when Oak Ridge defeated the Lady Cougars 74-44 after losing to them 49-48 in November. Guinn scored 32 in that earlier game also. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge dispatch switches to encrypted radio system

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge dispatchers and emergency workers switched to a new radio system last week that uses encrypted communications, and access is restricted to public safety employees.

That means that people who have listened to Oak Ridge police and fire communications, among other radio transmissions, on scanners and scanner apps but aren’t public safety employees such as police officers or firefighters will no longer be able to listen. That includes reporters.

“For the safety of our officers, the Police Department does not have any plans at this time to allow access to the radio system beyond public safety employees,” City of Oak Ridge spokesperson Sarah Self said in a brief statement Tuesday, January 29.

The switch was apparently made at about 1 p.m. Monday, January 28. Oak Ridge Today has not heard Oak Ridge dispatchers on the radio since then.

Oak Ridge Today asked what steps the city will take to ensure that people continue to stay informed at least about major police and fire incidents since reporters and the public will no longer be able to listen to emergency communications. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools announces district teacher of the year

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Melanie Bloomer

Melanie Bloomer

Oak Ridge Schools on Wednesday announced its district teacher of the year: Melanie Bloomer of Willow Brook Elementary School.

The nine school-level teachers of the year were announced previously.

Teachers of the year are selected competitively through five cycles: school, district, region, grand division, and state, a press release said. Teachers selected at each cycle receive local recognition and awards underwritten by local sources. State recognition/awards include a banquet honoring the nine region-level teachers of the year.

“The Tennessee Department of Education has encouraged us to recognize teachers who care about children, who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of Tennessee students, and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Three ORHS students qualify for state chess championship

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge High School freshman Henri Scott was one of three state championship qualifiers from the high school for the state chess championship at Tennessee Tech on Feb. 16, 2019. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge High School freshman Henri Scott is one of three state championship qualifiers from the high school for the state chess championship at Tennessee Tech on Feb. 16, 2019. (Submitted photo)

 

Note: This story was updated at 6:05 p.m.

Three Oak Ridge High School students have qualified for the state chess championship on February 16 at Tennessee Tech University.

The three ORHS students took home trophies and qualified for the state championship during the Region 1 scholastic at Oak Ridge High School on Saturday, January 26, a press release said. More than 109 students from across East Tennessee attended that event.

ORHS juniors Justin Blanchard and Bear Moran took third and seventh, respectively, in the high school division, the press release said. Freshman Henri Scott also qualified for the K-9 championship by taking sixth in that division. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools names nine teachers of the year

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Teachers of the Year in 2019 at Oak Ridge Schools are pictured above. (Image by Oak Ridge Schools)

Teachers of the Year in 2019 at Oak Ridge Schools are pictured above. (Image by Oak Ridge Schools)

 

Oak Ridge Schools has named its teachers of the year at its nine schools.

The teachers of the year are:

  • Preschool—Melissa McMurry
  • Glenwood Elementary School—Amanda Fitch
  • Linden Elementary School—Steffanie Smith Greer
  • Willow Brook Elementary School—Melanie Bloomer
  • Woodland Elementary School—Inger Scudder
  • Jefferson Middle School—Michael Murphy
  • Robertsville Middle School—Michael Mott
  • Oak Ridge High School—Kayla Gass
  • Secret City Academy—Tobran Tillman

The school winners were nominated by their principals and peers for this 2018-2019 application.

The district winner will be announced today (Wednesday, February 6). [Read more…]

Friends of Oak Ridge Library has book sale Feb. 14-17

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Public Library

The Oak Ridge Public Library is pictured above.

Friends of the Oak Ridge Library will have its Winter 2018 Book Sale from February 14-17 in the Oak Ridge Public Library Auditorium.

The sale includes print and other media, most for sale for 50 cents or $1.00.

The sale will be open Thursday, February 14, from 5-7:30 p.m. for members only ($5.00 individual and $10.00 family may be bought at the door); Friday, February 15, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Facebook promotion; Saturday, February 16, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1/2 price sale; Sunday, February 17, 2:30-5:30 p.m., $3.00/bag; and Silent Auction, Thursday-Saturday. [Read more…]

Book sale at Roane State in Oak Ridge on Feb. 25-26

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Roane-State-Coffey-Library

The Coffey Library at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Photo by RSCC)

 

The Coffey Library at Roane State Community College’s Oak Ridge campus will host its annual “Love Your Library” book sale on Monday, February 25, and Tuesday, February 26, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

The sale will include fiction, non-fiction, hardback books, paperbacks, textbooks, cookbooks, foreign language, children’s books, craft books, and much more, a press release said. Only cash and checks will be accepted. Checks need to be payable to the Roane State Foundation. Prices range from $1-3. [Read more…]

‘Atomic Integration,’ photo exhibit on African-American life in Manhattan Project, opens Friday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Photo by Ed Westcott via National Park Service

Photo by Ed Westcott via National Park Service

 

In honor of Black History Month, the Oak Ridge History Museum will host “Atomic Integration,” a photography exhibition focusing on African-American life during the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a press release said.

The exhibit will open on Friday, February 8, and it will be open every Friday and Saturday during the month of February, the press release said.

The photo exhibit was developed under sponsorship by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, and Explore Oak Ridge.

The images that will be displayed in the photo exhibit illustrate the experiences and contributions of African-Americans during the Manhattan Project period during the 1940s in Oak Ridge, the press release said. [Read more…]

Community open houses on City Blueprint this week

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

There is a community open house for the draft City Blueprint Plan at Oak Ridge High School this afternoon. The open house is scheduled from 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, February 5).

There is a second open house scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 7, at Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road.

The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission and the Oak Ridge Community Development Department are continuing to accept citizen feedback while finalizing the content of the City Blueprint Plan, a press release said. It’s meant to be a citywide vision and guide for future growth and development in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society presents smartphone camera workshop Thursday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Doug Edlund (Submitted photo)

Doug Edlund (Submitted photo)

 

Did you know that one of the best cameras you can own is in your smartphone? A program in Oak Ridge on Thursday titled “The Best Camera May Be the One in Your Pocket” is designed for people who have iPhones, Androids, and other smartphones, a press release said.

The class was rescheduled from January 29 to Thursday, February 7, because of weather. The class will be at Roane State Community College’s Oak Ridge Campus in the City Room from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Sponsored by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society, Doug Edlund, assistant director with UT Institute of Agriculture Marketing and Communications, will share his tips and tricks to get the most out of your smartphone photography, the press release said.

“From lighting to composition, Edlund shares his experiences to help you get the best results to make your digital photos stand out,” the release said. [Read more…]

Owner of Pierce Physical Therapy to teach class at ORICL

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Pierce Physical Therapy

Ray Pierce, owner and clinic director of Pierce Physical Therapy of Oak Ridge, will be teaching a class at ORICL (Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning) starting Thursday.

Pierce will be teaching Anatomy and Health of the Musculoskeletal System, a press release said.

“We will review the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system with recommendations for health maintenance,” the press release said. “As a added bonus in one designated class session, we will review the recommendations for maintaining a healthy gut and digestive tract.” [Read more…]

Faith, church groups celebrating Community Interfaith Harmony Month

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Community Interfaith Harmony Month Logo Feb 2019

The Oak Ridge Interfaith Partnership, Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge, and Church Women United are celebrating Oak Ridge Community Interfaith Harmony Month.

The Oak Ridge community is invited to join the celebration. The Community Interfaith Harmony Month is being celebrated from February 5-March 5.

The kickoff event will be held on Tuesday, February 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the historic Grove Theater. At 7 p.m., there will be a program featuring local youth, faith, and community leaders speaking about the importance of religious freedom, loving our neighbors, and engaging in community service, a press release said. During the program, a mayoral proclamation will be presented declaring the Oak Ridge Community Interfaith Harmony Month.

There will be booths for faith and nonprofit groups. They will be able to share information, service success stories, ongoing service opportunities, and what services exist to help those in need and what each person can do to help support them, the press release said. [Read more…]