Oak Ridge Today

Emory Valley Center to have ribbon-cutting ceremony for new building

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The new Emory Valley Center building on Emory Valley Road is pictured above in June 2017. (Submitted photo)

The new Emory Valley Center building on Emory Valley Road is pictured above in June 2017. (Submitted photo)

 

Emory Valley Center will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new building on Friday, June 16. Everyone in the community is invited to attend the 10 a.m. ceremony, a press release said.

The capital campaign for a new building began eight years ago when Emory Valley Center was informed of plans by the owners for probable demolition of the building that the organization used for some of its services to people with disabilities, the press release said. Capital Campaign co-chairs Gene Caldwell and Dottie Thompson led the fundraising efforts for this project until this past March, when Caldwell died.

“Through their efforts and others helping with securing funds, business and individual donors, and grant awards for the project, the dream of a new building is becoming a reality,” the press release said.

“We are incredibly grateful to our community advocates who worked so hard and have continued to contribute to make our new building a reality,” said EVC President Jennifer Enderson. “This has been a significant undertaking led by Dr. Caldwell and Ms. Thompson and supported for several years by many in our community. We’re looking forward to sharing our building with everyone at the ribbon-cutting celebration and opening it up to community partnerships in the future.” [Read more…]

Climate data: Knox County could have 20-80 more days above 95 by 2100

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By 2100, Knox County could have 20-80 more days when the maximum temperature is above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, according to climate data used by the City of Knoxville and developed with help from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and NOAA Climate Explorer.

By 2100, Knox County could have 20-80 more days when the maximum temperature is above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, according to climate data used by the City of Knoxville and developed with help from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and NOAA Climate Explorer.

 

By 2100, Knox County could have 20-80 more days when the maximum temperature is above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, according to climate data used by the City of Knoxville and developed with help from Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The additional 20 days with a high over 95 is considered the best-case scenario. That would be almost three more weeks of high temperatures.

The 80 more days with a high over 95 would be a worst-case scenario. That would be close to three more months of high temperatures.

The higher and lower number of days appear to be correlated with, or caused by, higher and lower emissions.

There could be some variability in the temperature increases from year to year, but the overall trend would be up, according to the data, which used the NOAA Climate Explorer. (NOAA is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.)

An animated image based on the data shows projected changes from 2011 to 2050 in an eight-county region, including Knox and Anderson. Overall, there would be a general increase in the number of days with a maximum temperature above 95 degree Fahrenheit, compared to a 1981-2005 average. There could be some variability by location, even between counties. You can the animated image here: ORNL Climate Data Summary Movie. (The movie moves quickly through the slides after the animation; you can find a PDF version of those slides in the link at the end of this article.) [Read more…]

rue21, teen fashion retailer, will open in Oak Ridge on June 15

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rue21 Inc., a leading teen specialty apparel retailer, will open its new store at Main Street Oak Ridge on June 15. The picture above was taken on Thursday, June 8, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

rue21 inc., a leading teen specialty apparel retailer, will open its new store at Main Street Oak Ridge on June 15. The storefront picture above was taken on Thursday, June 8, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 12:15 p.m. June 9.

rue21 inc., a leading teen specialty apparel retailer, will open its new store at Main Street Oak Ridge on June 15, the company said in a press release. The grand opening of the store will include free giveaways to the first 100 customers.

The new store will be around 6,500 square feet and employ about 10 associates, the press release said. It will include girls’ and guys’ fashion including rue+ plus sizes, as well as footwear, accessories, and décor, the release said.

“The retailer felt Oak Ridge has been in need of a destination for trendy, yet affordable fashion, and the location was a perfect fit for the brand,” the press release said. “By working directly with the market, rue21 can react instantly to produce new trends and must-have styles that don’t exist anywhere else, offering a broad assortment in apparel and accessories for girls and guys.”

The press release said rue21 believes in “changing things up while staying true to yourself, and is passionate about giving its customers a voice and the right to express themselves the way they want.” [Read more…]

Fire destroys Clinton house, no injuries reported

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Information from WYSH Radio

A house on Carden Road in Clinton was destroyed by a Sunday afternoon fire.

Clinton Fire Chief Archie Brummitt told WYSH Radio in Clinton that the residents of 194 Carden Road had been getting ready to cook “dipping dogs” and had left grease in a pan on the stove to warm up while they ran to the store for a few last-minute items.

When they returned, their house was on fire.

Firefighters reported heavy black smoke coming from under the eaves of the house and flames coming from the back of the structure. CUB cut the power to the home, and fire crews began attacking the blaze from outside the house and on the interior. The firefighters inside were ordered out after the incident commanders determined that the fire was spreading quickly through the attic, which could have led to a ceiling collapse. [Read more…]

Oliver Springs man arrested on charges of rape, exploitation of minor

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Brian Seeber

Brian Seeber

 

A 42-year-old Oliver Springs man was arrested Wednesday afternoon on charges of rape and sexual exploitation of a minor, the Clinton Police Department said Thursday.

The arrest of Brian J. Seeber followed an investigation into reports of the possible rape of a juvenile, the CPD said in a press release.

Seeber was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon without incident at his Oliver Springs home, the CPD said. The charges include seven counts of rape and four counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.

According to CPD Detective Leslie Miller, the charges are in connection with incidents that occurred between August 2015 and February 2017, the press release said. The victim, a member of Seeber’s household, first reported the incidents on March 6, 2017. Since reporting, the victim has been living in a safe location and has had no further contact with Seeber, the press release said. [Read more…]

Senior Center has Lunch & Learn programs in June

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The Oak Ridge Senior Center will be offering two Lunch & Learn programs during the month of June in support of Cancer Survivor Month, a press release said.

On Wednesday, June 14, join the Thompson Cancer Survival Center at 12 p.m. for an hour-long informational session about nutrition and how it relates to cancer treatment and survival. Lunch for this program will be sponsored by Brookdale Senior Living.

On Wednesday, June 28, at 12 p.m., the United Cancer Support Fund will present a special educational program that contains information and resources on specific types of cancer as well as applications for free screenings. Lunch will be provided. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools registration, orientation information

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All students new to Oak Ridge Schools need to register at their respective schools Monday, July 10, through Wednesday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Parents who pre-registered kindergartners in May also need to complete the registration process on those dates.

Registration for new students in grades 9-12 will be made by appointment only. For more information regarding high school registration, please contact the registrar at (865) 425-9524. Information necessary for new student registration includes the following:

  1. Child’s birth certificate (a certified copy for school records, not the hospital copy or mother’s copy)
  2. Child’s Social Security number (optional)
  3. Health insurance provider
  4. The Tennessee Department of Health Certificate of Immunization available from your doctor or Health Department consisting of two parts:
    • Immunizations—A Tennessee Department of Health Certificate of Immunization form showing the complete dates (month, day, and year) immunizations were administered.
    • Health examination—A physical examination is required for all children entering Tennessee schools (K-12). Oak Ridge Schools require a physical examination current since January 1 of the year the student will enter kindergarten. Students entering the seventh grade will also need to provide proof of the T-dap immunization.
  5. Grades 1-12 only—Provide the name, address, and phone number of the school(s) where your child previously attended or provide report cards or withdrawal forms.

[Read more…]

More than 55 runners compete in Oak Ridge Schools Stomp Out Tobacco 5k

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More than 55 runners from Oak Ridge and Morgan, Roane, Anderson, and Knox counties competed in the Third Annual Oak Ridge Schools STOMP OUT Tobacco 5k on Saturday, May 20, 2017. (Submitted photo)

More than 55 runners from Oak Ridge and Morgan, Roane, Anderson, and Knox counties competed in the Third Annual Oak Ridge Schools STOMP OUT Tobacco 5k on Saturday, May 20, 2017. (Submitted photo)

 

More than 55 runners from Oak Ridge and Morgan, Roane, Anderson, and Knox counties competed in the Third Annual Oak Ridge Schools STOMP OUT Tobacco 5k on Saturday, May 20. The focus of the event was to encourage physical activity throughout the community while raising awareness to the dangers of tobacco use, a press release said.

Jacob Price of Oak Ridge was the first place male overall winner with a time of 21:24.9. The female overall winner was Amanda Seal of Knoxville with a time of 25:09.9.

The 5k took place on the Grove Center Course that started at Randolph Road. ASAP of Anderson County and Premiere Martial Arts set up at the registration site to provide information regarding their agencies. Breakfast items and water were provided by Oak Ridge Schools Coordinated School Health partnership with Anderson County Health Department. Chick-Fil-A was also on site to provide fruit cups to the first 50 participants to cross the finish line. [Read more…]

Council approves budget with no tax rate increase

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oak-ridge-city-council-december-2016

The Oak Ridge City Council is pictured above in December 2016. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council approved a budget with no property tax rate increase on Monday.

If the budget is adopted in a second and final vote next week, it will be the 10th year in a row without a tax rate increase in Oak Ridge.

The Council had been asked to consider a four-cent increase in the property tax rate in order to fund a 2.5 percent pay raise for Oak Ridge Schools teachers and staff. That increase would have pushed the city’s property tax rate to $2.56 per $100 of assessed value. But that request was denied.

Instead, Council voted 4-2 to keep the tax rate at $2.52.

But Council did agree, in another 4-2 vote, to give the schools about $538,000 in additional funding that the city agreed to provide on a recurring basis. That means the city will have to continue to provide that extra money in the funding that it transfers to Oak Ridge Schools each year as part of what is known as maintenance of effort. The city had also given the schools an additional $538,000 last year, but it was on a one-time basis for a digital device initiative that includes convertible laptops for students, among other expenses.

This year, members of the Oak Ridge Board of Education sought to make that $538,000 a recurring part of the school system’s funding, and they wanted to add another $318,000—or about $856,000 total—for the 2.5 percent pay raise for teachers and staff. Council members approved the first part of that request (the recurring $538,000), but not the second (the extra $318,000). [Read more…]

Education Foundation book project will celebrate 75th anniversary of Oak Ridge Schools

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Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation has a kick-off meeting with Anchor Authors in April 2017. Pictured above is Jessica Steed, standing, and ORPSEF Board Member Benita Albert. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation has a kick-off meeting with Anchor Authors in April 2017. Pictured above is Jessica Steed, standing, and ORPSEF Board Member Benita Albert. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation is planning a special book project to celebrate the upcoming 75th anniversary of the Oak Ridge Schools. The book will be a collection of memories as told by teachers and alumni across all classes from 1944-2018. The Foundation has identified people to serve as anchor authors for each of the 75 classes. Anchor authors have the option to share their memories, and they will help collect memories from classmates. Each class will submit two to three pages for publication in the book.

“This is a timely project to still be able to tell first-hand stories from the early beginnings and to cross-pollinate and historically savor and preserve the collected experiences from the first 75 years,” said Benita Albert, Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation board member.

Albert, a retired math teacher, has found the project to be very rewarding while interviewing alumni and researching stories from the earliest years, a press release said.

The Foundation’s Board approved the special project at its March board meeting. A kickoff meeting was hosted by the Foundation for all anchor authors in April. A few stories have already been submitted and many others are in the works. It is anticipated that the book will be about 250 pages long. In an effort to conserve any unpublished stories, the Foundation will offer a virtual archive where those stories can be accessed. [Read more…]

Roane State to host information sessions for adults interesting in going back to school

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Adults thinking about returning to college or enrolling for the first time can get any questions they may have answered during three upcoming meetings at Roane State Community College.

Adult learner information sessions will be Thursday, June 15, and Wednesday, July 19, in the City Room of Roane State’s Coffey-McNally Building on the college’s Oak Ridge campus.

Another session on Thursday, July 13, will be in the Raider Room in the Dunbar Building on main campus in Harriman.

All of the sessions will begin at 5:30 p.m., and they are free. [Read more…]

Lavender Festival is Saturday, June 17

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The 19th annual Lavender Festival returns Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. (Photography by Shawn Millsaps)

The 19th annual Lavender Festival is Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. (Photography by Shawn Millsaps)

 

The 19th annual Lavender Festival is Saturday, June 17, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. The Lavender Festival is a perennial crowd favorite, full of tradition, fun, and always something new, a press release said. The festival celebrates all things herbal, crafts, local foods, and more.

Admission to the festival is free, with plenty of free parking available in surrounding city and business lots, and on side streets, the press release said.

As is tradition, a bagpipe player will open the festival at 8 a.m., playing from upper Blankenship Field into Jackson Square. Also keeping with tradition, Alan McBride will follow with the hammered dulcimer in the bandstand. A complete music schedule is found below.

Also returning for a second year is “A Taste of Tennessee Wines,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., benefitting the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. The tasting is hosted by Great Valley Wine Trail, which is made up of four independent wineries in East Tennessee. Your $10 tasting ticket is available at the gate (for those who are 21 with a valid identification). Tasters receive a complimentary wine glass, and if they purchase wine, a six-compartment wine tote. Customers are allowed to enjoy the wine outdoors in the Square during festival hours, with lunch served all day by plenty of food vendors and food trucks, restaurants, and even hors d’oeuvres by Chapel on the Hill. [Read more…]