Oak Ridge Today

Lady Wildcats going back to state

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Oak Ridge junior forward Mykia Dowdell (34) shoots the basketball while defended by Daniel Boone sophomore post Sydney Pearce (52) and freshman Jaycie Jenkins (22) during a 61-44 win for the Lady Wildcats in a Class AAA sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, March 4, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge junior forward Mykia Dowdell (34) shoots the basketball while defended by Daniel Boone sophomore post Sydney Pearce (52) and freshman Jaycie Jenkins (22) during a 61-44 win for the Lady Wildcats in a Class AAA sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, March 4, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 8:30 a.m. March 6.

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats are going back to the state basketball tournament in Murfreesboro. It’s the second year in a row that the girls have made it to the Class AAA tournament. They made it there this year by beating Daniel Boone 61-44 in a sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday.

The girls finished as state runner-up last year.

This year’s state tournament starts Wednesday at Middle Tennessee State University.

Oak Ridge won’t know who it plays until a drawing at 3 p.m. Sunday. Only eight teams compete in the state tournament, starting with quarterfinals on Wednesday and finishing with the championship game on Saturday. [Read more…]

Kidnapping, assault charges added in Hibachi Burger robbery

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Dominique Leshawn Gordon

Dominique Leshawn Gordon

 

The Oak Ridge man charged in an alleged armed robbery at Hibachi Burger on January 10 also faces charges of especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated assault, according to court records.

Dominique Leshawn Gordon, 21, of Hamilton Circle, faces one charge of aggravated robbery, one charge of especially aggravated kidnapping, eight charges of aggravated kidnapping, and nine charges of aggravated assault.

The alleged robbery at the Grove Center business occurred at about 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, January 10. Warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge said Gordon entered Hibachi Burger with a handgun.

“The defendant demanded money from the register while displaying the firearm to several employees and patrons, placing them in fear of serious bodily injury,” Oak Ridge Police Department Detective A. Marvell Moore said in affidavits attached to arrest warrants. “After obtaining the money, the defendant fled on foot.”

He was caught a short time later by patrol officers. A search found the cash taken from Hibachi Burger, according to the warrants. [Read more…]

Photos: Secret City Wildbots at FIRST Robotics Palmetto Regional

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The Secret City Wildbots Team 4265 pit crew makes adjustments between qualification rounds at the First Robotics Palmetto Regional in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday, March 3, 2017. (Photo by Angi Agle)

The Secret City Wildbots Team 4265 pit crew makes adjustments between qualification rounds at the FIRST Robotics Palmetto Regional in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday, March 3, 2017. (Photo by Angi Agle)

 

The Secret City Wildbots, an Oak Ridge team, is competing at the FIRST Robotics Palmetto Regional in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, this week.

There were practice matches on Thursday, and qualification rounds on Friday and Saturday. Elimination rounds are scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The three-day competition is from March 2-4.

Here are photos from the Palmetto Regional by Angi Agle. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Egg Hunt is April 8; volunteers needed

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A previous Oak Ridge Egg Hunt is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

A previous Oak Ridge Egg Hunt is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2017 Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8, at 11 a.m. Hundreds of children are expected to participate in this annual spring event, a press release said. More than 15,000 candy and prize-filled eggs will be hidden in Alvin K. Bissell Park with a first-place, second-place, and third-place prize egg in each age group.

This event will be held rain or shine, so participants should dress for the weather, the press release said. If severe weather prevents hiding the eggs outdoors, they will be given away in the Oak Ridge Civic Center gymnasium, and a drawing will be held for the prizes. [Read more…]

Saturday: Enjoy ‘La Bohème,’ ‘Falstaff,’ ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ vocals—also Beethoven, Schumann

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University of Tennessee Opera Singers are, from left to right, Darius Thomas, Alexandria Shiner, Jack Francis, Breyon Ewing, Paul Bryson, Tyler Padgett, Marya Barry, Joshua Allen, and Ryan Colbert (vocal coordinator). Not pictured are Lisa Griggs and Cheryl Scappaticci of Music Arts. (Submitted photo)

University of Tennessee Opera Singers are, from left to right, Darius Thomas, Alexandria Shiner, Jack Francis, Breyon Ewing, Paul Bryson, Tyler Padgett, Marya Barry, Joshua Allen, and Ryan Colbert (vocal coordinator). Not pictured are Lisa Griggs and Cheryl Scappaticci of Music Arts. (Submitted photo)

 

By Dale Gedcke

In addition to Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture” and Schumann’s “Spring Symphony,” the March 4 concert by the Oak Ridge Philharmonia will offer a special treat, with favorite opera selections from Mozart’s “Cosi Fan Tutte,” Verdi’s “Falstaff,” and Puccini’s “La Bohème,” sung by University of Tennessee students currently studying voice.

Lisa Griggs and Cheryl Scappaticci of Music Arts in Oak Ridge will be joining the UT singers for those opera excerpts, and will also perform the humorous “Cat Duet (Duetto buffo di due gatti),” written by Robert Lucas de Pearsall (1825) as a parody on Rossini’s “Otello” and “Katte-Cavatine” by Weyse.

This is an excellent opportunity to experience a live performance of the most enjoyable parts of these operas, without having to invest in each entire opera. The cast of UT singers comprises Darius Thomas, Alexandria Shiner, Jack Francis, Breyon Ewing, Paul Bryson, Tyler Padgett, Marya Barry, and Joshua Allen. In addition to singing two roles, Ryan Colbert organized and directed the singers for this performance. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge offers Spring Break activities

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Children get creative with crayons at a Children’s Museum camp. (Submitted photo)

Children get creative with crayons at a Children’s Museum camp. (Submitted photo)

 

Gardening, art, astronomy, and messy science experiments will be among Spring Break activities offered for children in first through fifth grades at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge from March 13-17.

The museum will offer morning activities from 9 a.m.-noon and afternoon sessions from 1-4 p.m. There will be a full day St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Friday, March 17, featuring an Irish lunch, “wearing o’ the green,” Highland games, and crafts, a press release said. Children may register for individual sessions, a day, all mornings, all afternoons, or the entire week.

The museum will also host “Wonderful Wednesday” programs from 11 a.m.-noon March 15 and 22. Kids love rocks, and on March 15, they can learn about rocks in our backyards. The East Tennessee Geological Society will have rocks, minerals, and fossils to explore. [Read more…]

Rummage sale at ORUUC on Friday, Saturday

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Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will have its popular semi-annual rummage sale on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The proceeds that are raised will help to support various community outreach ministries of the church, a press release said.

Items that will be available will include low-priced kitchenware, small appliances, furniture, linens, home décor clothing, shoes and accessories for the family, books, tools, jewelry, DVDs, exercise equipment, computers, and other electronic devices, the press release said. Prices are doubled on Friday evening for the Preview Sale, which offers best selections at still-a-bargain prices, the press release said. [Read more…]

Boys basketball photos: Oak Ridge-Bearden

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Oak Ridge sophomore Herbert Booker (14) shoots the basketball against Bearden sophomore Drew Pember (3) during an 86-73 win for the Wildcats in the Region 2-AAA basketball championship at Wildcat Arena on Thursday, March 2, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge sophomore Herbert Booker (14) shoots the basketball around Bearden sophomore Drew Pember (3) during an 86-73 win for the Wildcats in the Region 2-AAA basketball championship at Wildcat Arena on Thursday, March 2, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

Oak Ridge beat a young, talented Bearden team 86-73 in the Region 2-AAA championship at Wildcat Arena on Thursday. Here are photos by Luther Simmons. [Read more…]

Wildcats win Region 2 championship two years in a row

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Oak Ridge beat a young, talented Bearden team 86-73 in the Region 2-AAA basketball championship at Wildcat Arena on Thursday, March 2, 2017. The team is pictured above with coaches, cheerleaders, and the student section. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge beat a young, talented Bearden team 86-73 in the Region 2-AAA basketball championship at Wildcat Arena on Thursday, March 2, 2017. The team is pictured above with coaches, cheerleaders, and the student section. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

Oak Ridge senior Tajion Jones bounced back with 24 points and the Wildcats beat a young, talented Bearden team 86-73 in the Region 2-AAA championship at home on Thursday.

It’s the second consecutive regional championship for the Wildcats and their third in the past five years.

Oak Ridge (29-2) will now play David Crockett, the Region 1-AAA runner-up, in a sectional at Wildcat Arena at 7 p.m. Monday.

Bearden (21-9) will play at Science Hill, the Region 1 champion, in another sectional at 7 p.m. Monday.

The eight sectionals will determine which teams get to play in the Class AAA state basketball tournament from March 15-18 at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.

Oak Ridge Coach Aaron Green said the Thursday night win over Bearden, which started four sophomores, was a collective effort. [Read more…]

After Senate confirms Perry as energy secretary, Alexander invites him to Oak Ridge

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Lamar Alexander

Lamar Alexander

The United States Senate has confirmed former Texas Governor Rick Perry to serve as U.S. energy secretary, and Senator Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican, has invited him to Oak Ridge.

The Thursday afternoon vote to confirm Perry was 62 to 37. Alexander was one of the 62 senators voting to confirm Perry. So was Senator Bob Corker, also a Tennessee Republican.

“I’ve known Rick Perry for a long time and am pleased the Senate has voted to confirm him as energy secretary,” Alexander said in a statement. “He appreciates the role the Department of Energy plays in the management and modernization of our nuclear weapons—an important part of the work done at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. He also understands that national laboratories like the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are essential to maintaining our country’s brainpower advantage. I have invited him to come to Tennessee early this year to see firsthand the important work done in Oak Ridge.” [Read more…]

Marlow Volunteer Fire Department has chili supper, auction fundraiser on March 11

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The Marlow Volunteer Fire Department will have a Community All-You-Can-Eat Chili Supper and Auction at Grand Oaks Elementary School on Saturday, March 11. Chili, hot dogs, and drinks with all the trimmings will be served starting at 6 p.m.

Bear Stephenson will oversee the 7 p.m. auction of homemade desserts provided by Marlow volunteers, along with gift cards and items donated by local businesses.

Tickets are $5 for adults. Children age five and under eat free. [Read more…]

Repairs made to Andersonville road that had washed out

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Byrams Fork Road was closed in Anderson County on Thursday, March 2, 2017, about three-quarters of a mile from Hickory Valley Road due to a washout. The road had collapsed at a culvert, and the Anderson County Highway Department was making repairs. (Photo by Anderson County Sheriff's Department)

Byrams Fork Road was closed in Anderson County on Thursday, March 2, 2017, about three-quarters of a mile from Hickory Valley Road due to a washout. The road had collapsed at a culvert, and the Anderson County Highway Department was making repairs. (Photo by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department)

 

Note: This story was updated at 5:10 p.m.

Repairs have been made to a road in Andersonville that had been temporarily closed Thursday due to a washout, authorities said.

Byrams Fork Road has re-opened near Hickory Valley Road, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said late Thursday afternoon. The road had been closed about three quarters of a mile from Hickory Valley Road. It had collapsed at a culvert.

The Anderson County Highway Department made repairs.

Byrams Fork Road is south of, and runs parallel to, State Route 61 in Andersonville.