Oak Ridge Today

Soccer: Wildcats finish as Region 2 runner-up, play Dobyns-Bennett this afternoon

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Oak-Ridge-Robinson-Bearden-Alvarez-May-19-2016

Oak Ridge junior midfielder Brent Robinson (6) and Bearden senior Gabe Alvarez (33), who scored two goals, battle for the soccer ball during a 4-1 win for the Bulldogs at Bearden on Thursday, May 19, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

KNOXVILLE—Oak Ridge finished as Region 2-AAA runner-up at Bearden on Thursday, and the Wildcats play Dobyns-Bennett in a sectional soccer game in Kingsport this afternoon (Saturday, May 21). The winner of that game will advance to the Class AAA state tournament in Murfreesboro next week.

The Wildcats (14-8) lost to the Bulldogs 4-1 at Bearden on Thursday. Oak Ridge senior goalkeeper Joel Turner was busy the entire game, trying to keep a steady stream of Bearden shots out of the net. The Bulldogs finished with 31 shots, or about one shot every 2.5 minutes. Eighteen of those shots were on goal.

Bearden (19-3) scored in quick back-to-back goals less than three minutes apart late in the first half and about 30 seconds apart late in the second.

Oak Ridge scored its only goal with 1:14 remaining on a penalty kick by senior defender Blake Clowers.

Bearden seniors Spencer Smiley and Gabe Alvarez had two goals each for the Bulldogs. [Read more…]

Baseball: Admirals rout Morristown East to reach state tournament

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Farragut High School’s baseball team punched its ticket to the Class AAA state tournament with a 13-0 victory over Morristown East in a sectional game at John Heatherly Field at the Ballpark in Farragut.

The Admirals, who posted a runner-up finish in Murfreesboro in 2015, will begin their quest for a 10th state title Tuesday.

Farragut (37-6) had endured some offensive struggles during the postseason but broke out in a big way against Powell in the Region 2-AAA championship game in Farragut on Wednesday night. The Admirals scored five runs in their last at-bat against the Panthers and came off the field with a 6-5 victory after erasing an early five-run deficit.

Farragut wasted little time Friday picking up where it left off Wednesday. The Admirals took advantage of a pair of errors by the Hurricanes in the bottom of the first and scored six runs on just three hits in the bottom of the first inning. [Read more…]

Children’s minister, local residents among those arrested, cited in human trafficking operation

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Jason Kennedy

Jason Kennedy

Note: This story was last updated at 2:30 p.m. May 23.

A three-day operation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and detectives with the Knoxville Police Department to combat human trafficking in Knoxville has resulted in the arrest of 32 men and women on prostitution and human trafficking-related charges. Two of the men, including a children’s minister, responded to ads for what they thought were girls under the age of 18.

TBI identified Knoxville’s Jason Kennedy, 46, as the children’s minister arrested for patronizing prostitution and human trafficking. Kennedy was a minister at Grace Baptist Church in Karns, but he has now been terminated.

The TBI said there is a warrant out on a trafficking charge for Zubin Parakh, 32, of Oak Ridge. A spokesperson at Lifehouse Church in Oak Ridge said Parakh serves as a volunteer and “creative pastor” there, according to WBIR, a Knoxville television station. The church told the television station that Parakh has never worked with children.

Grace Baptist released a statement to the media after the Friday news of Kennedy’s arrest.

“The children’s pastor of Grace Baptist Church has been terminated as as result of an arrest in a police sting related to prostitution and human trafficking,” the church said. “The actions of the children’s pastor for which he has been arrested were part of his life outside the church, and we have received no questions or concerns related to his conduct within the church or its ministries.

“The children’s pastor was hired two-and-a-half years ago. The church’s background check turned up no issues that indicate any previous problem. In fact, the children’s pastor in his application affirmed that he had no issues in his background of a criminal or other nature.

“We are praying for his family and will continue to provide the services of our ministry to them.”

Oak Ridge Today has not been able to reach LifeHouse Church for comment.

The TBI said the arrested men also include an engineer and a volunteer firefighter.

Kennedy has been charged and booked. Most of the others were charged on a citation, the TBI said. [Read more…]

Wildcats end spring practice with scrimmage at UT today

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Joe Gaddis

Joe Gaddis, head coach of the Oak Ridge Wildcats football team

The Oak Ridge Wildcats football team ends spring practice with a scrimmage against Seymour at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville today (Friday, May 20).

Oak Ridge will scrimmage against Seymour, Wildcats Coach Joe Gaddis said. The scrimmage is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., and it’s in the UT indoor practice facility.

That’s generally a closed facility, but since high schools are scrimmaging there family members and parents can attend, Gaddis said. A few fans might be able to as well, but they better get there early, and they need to bring chairs, Gaddis said.

“It’s not made for spectators,” he said. [Read more…]

McNally ‘roast’ on Saturday will benefit Blankenship Foundation, raise money for synthetic turf

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Blankenship Field Overall Plan

An overall view of the proposed renovation of Blankenship Field and Jack Armstrong Stadium. A Saturday morning, May 21, 2016, “roast” of Tennessee Senator Randy McNally will benefit the nonprofit Blankenship Foundation and raise money for new synthetic turf on Blankenship Field.

 

A “roast” of Tennessee Senator Randy McNally on Saturday will benefit the Blankenship Foundation and raise money for synthetic turf at Blankenship Field.

The “roast” will include Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. It starts at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at Blankenship Field.

“We will have Big Ed’s Pizza under the tent and hear lots of Randy’s old friends telling stories on him,” an invitation said.

Tables of 10 sell for $1,000, or you can buy individual tickets for $100 each, the invitation said. Event sponsorships are available, and all funds will go to the Blankenship Foundation, which is raising money for the synthetic turf field. [Read more…]

Students prepare for summer break, but learning opportunities just beginning for teachers

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

The Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100 is pictured above.

 

ORAU hosting free professional development workshops for area teachers beginning June 1

ORAU will host several short professional development workshops for East Tennessee educators in grades K-12. The free workshops start June 1.

Held at ORAU’s Center for Science Education in Oak Ridge, the half-day or full-day workshops are free and offer educators the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities that will enhance their STEM knowledge and curricula. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The workshops will cover a variety of topics: [Read more…]

Splash pad work under way in Clinton

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Information from WYSH Radio

Clinton Public Works Department employees are working to get the new Lakefront Park Splash Pad ready for this summer.

The fun should begin soon. [Read more…]

Three Oak Ridge elementary schools earn AdvancED STEM Certification

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Pictured here are STEM leaders Evan Parker (left) and Kim Howard (right), with Principal Nancy West (center). Woodland Elementary School is the 42nd AdvancED STEM Certified school. (Submitted photo)

Pictured here are STEM leaders Evan Parker (left) and Kim Howard (right), with Principal Nancy West (center). Woodland Elementary School is the 42nd AdvancED STEM Certified school. (Submitted photo)

Three Oak Ridge elementary schools have earned AdvancED STEM Certification. Glenwood, Linden, and Woodland elementary schools are now officially three of 40-plus schools worldwide that have earned this certification so far, a press release said.

“The process is ongoing, and we look forward to adding more of our schools to this distinguished list in September,” the press release said.

For several months, Oak Ridge Schools STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) leaders have been working to provide evidence to a team of evaluators who have undertaken a data-driven internal review and an external diagnostic review process that demonstrates the school district’s ongoing commitment and capacity to prepare students for STEM fields of study and work, the release said.

“STEM students have the skills, knowledge, and thinking strategies that prepare them to be innovative, creative, and systematic problem solvers in STEM fields of study and work,” the release said. “Engaging in this process long term will provide educators with detailed findings and a clear roadmap to stimulate and sustain dramatic improvement.” [Read more…]

Four ORHS seniors sign to continue athletics in college

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Rizk Welsh Thompson and Beckett Signings May 2016

Jasmine Rizk, Katie Welsh, Caelyn Thompson, and Daniel Beckett are pictured above from left at signings to continue their athletic careers in college in May 2016. (Submitted photo)

 

Four Oak Ridge High School seniors recently signed to continue their athletic careers in college.

Daniel Beckett signed to run cross country with Maryville College. Caelyn Thompson signed to compete in track and field at Milligan College. Jasmine Risk signed to play girls soccer with Carson Newman College. And Katherine “Katie” Welsh signed to play girls soccer with Centre College.

Daniel Beckett Signing May 2016

Daniel Beckett signed to run cross country with Maryville College. (Submitted photo)

[Read more…]

ACSD: Jury duty scam returns

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The jury duty scam has returned again, according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department.

“We have received several reports (on May 10) out of Oak Ridge that someone was calling residents stating there are warrants for their arrest for missing jury duty,” Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said.

“So far no one is out any money,” Lucas said then. [Read more…]

Linden second-grade teacher Amy Fuqua named one of 10 DreamBox Learning Heroes

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In honor of its 10-year anniversary, DreamBox Learning selected Linden Elementary School second-grade teacher Amy Fuqua as one of 10 teachers as a DreamBox Learning Hero. These identified teacher heroes reflect DreamBox Learning’s core values, are at the top of their profession, deliver excellence in education for student success, and are changing the lives of students every day, a press release said.

Keith Kostka of DreamBox announced the award to Fuqua. [Read more…]

Animal Shelter has viewing party Saturday for Nat Geo WILD ‘Unlikely Animal Friends’

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Batman and Pumpkin

Batman, a Dumbo rat, left, and Pumpkin, a FIV-positive cat, two mascots at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, will be featured on National Geographic (Nat Geo) WILD’s “Unlikely Animal Friends” airing 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

Two mascots at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, Pumpkin and Batman, will be featured on National Geographic (Nat Geo) WILD’s “Unlikely Animal Friends,” which airs Saturday, May 21, at 8 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter will premiere the show at Pizza Inn, which is located at 1501 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Saturday for the show at 8 p.m.

“Please join the City of Oak Ridge for this event highlighting the community on national television,” a press release said.

For more information about the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, please visit http://animalshelter.oakridgetn.gov/ or call (865) 425-3423.