Oak Ridge Today

Country singer Lee Ann Womack to headline Tennessee Fall Homecoming this weekend

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Lee Ann Womack

Lee Ann Womack

 

Award-winning country music singer Lee Ann Womack will headline this weekend’s Tennessee Fall Homecoming festival at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris.

The Tennessee Fall Homecoming is one of the region’s largest and most authentic music and folk festivals. It will be held Friday, October 6, through Sunday, October 8, at the Museum of Appalachia.

For its 38th annual event, the Museum is featuring an all-new Family Day and an evening concert series with award-winning artists, a press release said.

Genre-bending ensemble The SteelDrivers will play the first evening show on Friday, October 6, the press release said. Womack will perform on the evening of Saturday, October 7, along with Jerry Douglas’s bluegrass supergroup, The Earls of Leicester, the release said.

Homecoming will continue to feature dozens of musicians performing during the daytime, including Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, Flashback, Terry Baucom’s Dukes of Drive, Leroy Troy, Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier, Jeff Brown & Still Lonesome, and many more, the press release said. [Read more…]

Updated: Homicide charge in drug-related fatality could be a first in Anderson County

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Troy Andrew Venable

Troy Andrew Venable

 

This story was last updated at 5:30 p.m.

The reckless homicide charge filed against an Oak Ridge man in a grand jury indictment after a drug-related fatality could be a first in Anderson County, a law enforcement official said.

Troy Andrew Venable, 29, was indicted in April on a reckless homicide charge in the death of Lauren Alexandra Fritts, 26.

Seventh Judicial District Attorney General Dave Clark said it is, as far as he knows, the first time in Anderson County that someone has been indicted on a homicide charge in a drug-related fatality. [Read more…]

ORHS has town hall meeting on Oct. 19 regarding high school scheduling

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There will be a community town hall meeting at the Oak Ridge High School Auditorium on Thursday, October 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting is to get feedback from the community about the current ORHS course schedule and possible alternative scheduling models.

There will be a brief presentation by ORHS staff regarding the current schedule and plans for a schedule review process occurring this fall.

This press release was submitted by Amber Roberts, assistant principal at Oak Ridge High School.

Shooting victim in serious condition at UT Medical Center

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William Molette

William Molette

The woman who was shot on Walsh Lane on Friday night, possibly five times around her torso, is in serious condition at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, a spokesperson said Tuesday afternoon.

The shooting at 104 Walsh Lane was reported at about 11 p.m. Friday. It started with a grudge over a puppy, according to affidavits filed Tuesday in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge.

William Antwon Molette, 43, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder in the case. He tried to incapacitate or kill the victim, Kathy Griffin, by pointing a small, black .380 caliber Ruger LCP at Griffin and firing numerous times, until the magazine was empty, “with the sole intent of killing the victim,” according to the court affidavits, which were filed by Oak Ridge Police Department Detective A. Marvell Moore. The facts as alleged in the affidavits were based on witness statements and officer statements and observations, Moore said.

Griffin had life-threatening injuries because of the shooting, and she had to be airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Trauma Center in Knoxville, Moore said.

“Medical personnel observed multiple (five) defects to or about the victim’s torso that were believed to have been created by high-velocity projectiles,” Moore said. [Read more…]

Football photos: Students, band, cheerleaders, color guard, fans

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The Oak Ridge High School student section is pictured above at Jack Armstrong Stadium during the football game against Karns on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

The Oak Ridge High School student section is pictured above at Jack Armstrong Stadium during the football game against Karns on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

Here are photos by Luther Simmons of the Oak Ridge Wildcats student section, WildBand and Color Guard, and cheerleaders and fans at three recent football games. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum offers fall arts & clay classes for public, homeschoolers & Girl Scouts

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The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is featuring clay and the arts in its 2017 fall classes for the general public, for homeschoolers, and for Girl Scouts. (Submitted photo)

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is featuring clay and the arts in its 2017 fall classes for the general public, for homeschoolers, and for Girl Scouts. (Submitted photo)

 

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is featuring clay and the arts in its fall classes for the general public, for homeschoolers, and for Girl Scouts.

A four-week Clay Sampler, for ages 7-11 and open to the public and homeschoolers, will offer hand-building and wheel work, surface and finishing techniques, then glazing as students prepare their pieces for the kiln, a press release said. The first session, with a Halloween theme, is from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays on October 4, 18, and 25, and November 1. The second session, with a Holiday theme, will be on Wednesdays on November 8, 15, and 29, and December 6. Cost for the four-week class is $80 for members and $85 for non-members.

Clay Holiday Decorations will be a one-time class from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 18. Students will create a personalized holiday ornament and glaze it, to be picked up two weeks after the class. The class is open to all ages, and those under seven years old must have an adult present. Class fee is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

Sign up for these classes at http://childrensmuseumofoakridge.org or by calling (865) 482-1074. [Read more…]

Third Annual First Responders Appreciation Day is Saturday

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Flags are pictured above at the First Responders Appreciation Day in 2016. (Submitted photo)

Flags are pictured above at the First Responders Appreciation Day in 2016. (Submitted photo)

 

The First Responders Appreciation Committee of Oak Ridge will present the Third Annual First Responders Appreciation Day on Saturday, October 7, in the parking lot of Swifty’s Atomic Bar and Grill in Oak Ridge. The event begins at 2 p.m., a press release said.

“This year’s event will be much larger than last year!” the press release said. “We will have a waterslide for the kids, free food provided by Sysco Foods, and music. We’ll also have booths featuring DotDotSmile; Handmade Wreaths; Honey Pots; The Mystic Orb jewelry; National Martial Arts; Outta the Attic; Paparazzi Jewelry; Plum Crazy Boutique; and SET Guns and Range.

“Most importantly, we will be honoring all local area first responders to include law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical services personnel. We will read a roll call of the fallen police, firefighters, and EMS in 2017 and have a candlelight vigil to honor their memory.” [Read more…]

New name for expanding services: YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley

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YWCA_LOGO_RGB copy

Starting September 14, YWCA Knoxville was officially known as YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley.

The new name better reflects the geographical region that the YWCA now serves, including Oak Ridge and Anderson County, a press release said.

“This name change reflects our current growth and future expansion plans,” says Marigail Mullin, chief executive officer of the YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley. [Read more…]

Football photos: Oak Ridge-Karns

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Oak Ridge junior linebacker K-Juan Stacey-Wright (16) tackles Karns junior wide receiver Thomas Harper (10) during a 49-3 homecoming win for the Wildcats on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Also pictured are sophomore linebacker Jacob Adams (44) and senior linebacker Matt Thompson (23). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge junior linebacker K-Juan Stacey-Wright (16) tackles Karns junior wide receiver Thomas Harper (10) during a 49-3 homecoming win for the Wildcats on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Also pictured are sophomore linebacker Jacob Adams (44) and senior linebacker Matt Thompson (23). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

Nine Oak Ridge Wildcats scored in a 49-3 rout of Karns in the homecoming football game on Blankenship Field on Friday. Seven different Wildcats scored touchdowns, and two kickers added extra points. Here are photos by Luther Simmons. [Read more…]

Resident escapes when fire destroys outbuilding, damages home

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The resident escaped when an outbuilding and part of a home burned on Old Edgemoor Lane in Claxton on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A resident escaped when an outbuilding and part of a home burned on Old Edgemoor Lane in Claxton on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLAXTON—A resident escaped when a fire destroyed a storage building and damaged a home on Old Edgemoor Lane in Claxton late Sunday morning.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department reported that the fire call came in to the 911 center a little before 11:30 a.m. Sunday. When deputies arrived, they found the storage building engulfed in flames, along with the portion of the home closest to the outbuilding, according to WYSH Radio in Clinton.

Deputies reported that the homeowner, Kathrine Lively, told them she had just finished using her lawn mower and put it back in the shed when she went inside to take a shower. A few minutes later, she heard someone at her door yelling at her that she needed to come outside. [Read more…]

THP: Charges pending in fatal motorcycle-pickup crash in Claxton

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Charges are pending in a fatal collision between a motorcycle and pickup truck on Blockhouse Valley Road in Claxton on Tuesday, authorities said.

The crash, which killed a motorcyclist, was reported at about 7 a.m. Tuesday, September 26, at the intersection of Blockhouse Valley Road and Lost Ridge Road, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said in a fatality report.

The report said Joshua Williams, 29, of Clinton, was riding a 2015 Suzuki GXS motorcycle west on Blockhouse Valley Road when a 2004 Nissan Titan pickup truck driven east by Travis Darwin, 35, of Oak Ridge, turned left onto Lost Ridge Road in front of the motorcycle. The motorcycle ridden by Williams hit the front right side of the truck driven by Darwin, and Williams was thrown off the motorcycle, the THP said.

Williams was wearing a helmet, but he was killed, the report said. [Read more…]

Free piano lesson interest meeting at Senior Center on Friday

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The Oak Ridge Senior Center is hosting a free interest meeting regarding piano lessons that will soon be offered to those age 50 and older.

The session is scheduled for Friday, October 6, at 2 p.m., and it will introduce the instructor, Chris LaLoggia, and his style of teaching, a press release said. Possible days and times for lessons will also be discussed at the meeting.

Anyone age 50 or older who is interested in learning how to play the piano is encouraged to attend the informational session. Please call the senior center at (865) 425-3999 in order to reserve a spot.