Oak Ridge Today

Grace Veterans’ Ministry joins Vet to Vet TN to identify, honor Vietnam Era Veterans

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The Grace Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge’s Veterans’ Ministry has partnered with Vet to Vet Tennessee to assist in identifying Vietnam Era veterans, spouses of those veterans no longer living but not killed in action, civilians who served the United States during the Vietnam War, or those who served in the military from November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. Spouses whose husbands were killed or missing in action are also included in that number.

“Grace would like to honor those in Oak Ridge and surrounding areas who are eligible at a service of reconciliation and healing, where Vet to Vet Tennessee Vietnam veterans will present them with a special service pin or spouse pin and a proclamation from the president of the United States,” a press release said.

The effort is part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration, which was authorized by Congress and launched by the President in May 2012. The goal is to thank Vietnam Veterans for their service and to welcome them home, the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch has fundraiser at Gondolier on Wednesday

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The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program has a fundraiser at Gondolier Restaurant on Wednesday.

The fundraiser is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, October 12. Ten percent of receipts will be donated to Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program, an event flyer said.  The fundraiser is to raise money to purchase Halloween safety items to distribute to children at Party In The Park on October 29.

The Gondolier Restaurant is located at 792 Briarcliff Avenue. You can eat dine-in or carry-out.

Last Applewood Apartments tenant moves out Friday

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The last tenant of the Applewood Apartments on Hillside Road and Hunter Circle moved out Friday, Oct. 7, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 8:55 a.m. Oct. 12.

The last tenant of the Applewood Apartments was moving out Friday when Oak Ridge Today stopped by for an update.

Tenants had been told in early August that the apartments would close September 30.

On Monday, property owner Joe Levitt said he decided in the last 90-120 days to shut down the 13 apartment buildings on Hillside Road and Hunter Circle and board them up. He said it was his understanding that the last tenant was moving out this past Friday.

Levitt said he is 85 and has had health problems, and he’s trying to clean up his estate. Most of his estate will probably go to the University of Tennessee and nonprofit organizations, Levitt said.

“I’ve outlived all the people I need to take care of,” he said. [Read more…]

Two women escape fire that destroys log home in Clinton

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Two women escaped a fire that destroyed a home on Riverview Drive in south Clinton on Friday morning, Oct. 7, 2016, authorities said. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—Two women escaped a fire that destroyed a log home in Clinton on Friday morning, authorities said.

The fire at the two-story log home was reported at about 9:50 a.m. Friday on Riverview Drive in south Clinton.

One adult female inside at the time of the fire jumped from the second floor to escape, said Jeff Little, assistant chief of the Clinton Fire Department. She had what appeared to be minor injuries on Friday morning, Little said.

The woman’s mother also escaped from the fire. [Read more…]

Julie Dallas, Woodland parent, and Laura McLean, Oak Ridge School Board member, receive Tennessee School Boards Association Awards at East Fall District Meeting

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Julie Dallas, a Woodland Elementary School parent, and Laura McLean, an Oak Ridge School Board member, received Tennessee School Boards Association Awards at the East Fall District Meeting in September.

Dallas received the 2016 East Volunteer Recognition Award.

McLean received the Level I Boardmanship Award.

Here is more information from a press release:
[Read more…]

Millwood promoted to vice president of ORAU Human Resources

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Meghan Millwood

Meghan Millwood

 

ORAU has named Meghan F. Millwood the vice president of its Human Resources department.

Millwood’s background includes 18 years of human resources experience, with the past 14 of those in ORAU Human Resources, a press release said. Most recently, she served as director of Compensation and Benefits. Prior to holding this position, she was operations manager of Human Resources. She also served in positions in ORAU Human Resources in the Talent Management department and Employee Relations and Diversity department.

“Meghan brings comprehensive human resources leadership and experience to her vice president’s role at ORAU,” said ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page. “She was selected from a national field of more than 160 applicants. I am extremely proud that we had an internal candidate who represented all the best qualities we were looking for in our next VP for HR.” [Read more…]

Access Oak Ridge initiative grows to include grades 9, 10; device pickup next Monday, Tuesday

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onetoone

Every ninth-grade and 10th-grade student at Oak Ridge High School should have a new digital device, a convertible laptop, as of Wednesday, October 19. It’s a continuation of Oak Ridge Schools’ digital initiative, Access Oak Ridge.

“Through our Access Oak Ridge digital one-to-one initiative, our vision is to empower all Oak Ridge students with equitable access to digital learning opportunities; to innovate, design, collaborate, and ultimately succeed in local and global communities of the future,” a press release said.

Here are the instructions for ninth- and 10th-graders and their parents/guardians to follow to receive their school-issued devices, according to the press release:

At your preferred arrival time on your grade-level designated day, come to the Wildcat Arena parking lot (on the Providence Road side of the building, across from the city outdoor pool.) Enter the building through the Wildcat Arena entrance. [Read more…]

ORNL, UT celebrating Bioenergy Day with free event for elementary, middle school students

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee are celebrating Bioenergy Day 2016 with a free event designed to engage elementary kids and middle schools, inviting them to investigate the world of bioenergy.

Participants include Creative Discovery Museum of Chattanooga, Genera Energy, UT Ag Extension, and UT Forest Service, along with ORNL Manufacturing (3D printing) and ORNL Transportation. [Read more…]

Roane State offering spring start for paramedic program; apply by Oct. 31

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There’s an October 31 application deadline to start Roane State Community College’s paramedic program in the spring semester.

The three-semester program, which features several courses each semester, is normally not offered with a spring semester starting point. It has been added to meet a local, statewide, and national shortage of paramedics, said David Blevins, program director.

The shortfall in advanced emergency medical technicians and paramedics is frequently mentioned during monthly regional meetings of EMS directors, he said.

There are 12 openings for the program, and candidates must be licensed as advanced EMTs or be in the Advanced EMT program now in progress. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools PTA-PTO’s candidate meet-and-greet

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Oak Ridge Schools PTA-PTOs will have a candidate meet-and-greet on Thursday, October 20. It’s scheduled from 7-8 p.m. in the Oak Ridge High School Cafeteria. It will feature candidates for Oak Ridge Board of Education and Oak Ridge City Council.

“Please come join us at the Oak Ridge Schools PTA- PTO’s Candidate Meet and Greet,” a press release said. “You will have the opportunity to speak with the Board of Education and City Council candidates about their visions for our school district and our city. We look forward to seeing you there!”

This press release was submitted by Holly Cross.

Help local families through Dine & Donate on Monday

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What do we “Seay” here? Grandchildren of committee chair Cande Seay enjoying their choice of sandwiches at Which Wich in Oak Ridge! (Photo by ADFAC)

 

On Monday, October 10, six local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC. The event, Dine & Donate, happens on the second Monday of each month.

“Dine & Donate is a very important fundraiser for ADFAC,” said Cande Seay, Dine & Donate chair. “It always gladdens my heart to see friends and family dine out on second Mondays—enjoying meals together and helping ADFAC!”

Participating restaurants on Monday, October 10, are: [Read more…]

Report: Medical isotope company plans to build manufacturing facility in Oak Ridge

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A building at the entrance of Heritage Center is pictured above. (Photo by CROET)

Note: This story was updated at 8:45 a.m. Oct. 10.

A Florida newspaper reported on Wednesday that a medical isotope company will build a manufacturing facility in Oak Ridge, rather than relocating to a city in north Florida.

Coquí RadioPharmaceutical had planned to build a $250 million manufacturing facility in Alachua, which is near Gainesville, with 164 jobs paying an average of $75,000, the Gainesville Sun reported.

But the company announced Wednesday that it will instead build its facility in Oak Ridge, lured by a gift of 170 acres from the U.S. Department of Energy and the opportunity to work with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a DOE lab, the newspaper said.

On Saturday, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said he is aware of the company, and it is working with the state of Tennessee. [Read more…]