Oak Ridge Today

Agape House hosts Chocolate Evening, Dessert Contest on May 7

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Chocolate Dessert

Chocolate bakers and candy makers are invited to enter their sweet concoctions in a chocolate dessert contest on Saturday, May 7. (Submitted photo)

 

Chocolate bakers and candy makers are invited to enter their sweet concoctions in a chocolate dessert contest on Saturday, May 7. Agape House of Oak Ridge is hosting the contest during “An Evening of Everything Chocolate,” an event supporting the nonprofit and all-volunteer organization that provides transitional housing for the homeless.

“An Evening of Everything Chocolate,” a Mother’s Day weekend event, will feature tables filled with chocolate desserts from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Social Hall of Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Truffles, fudge, cookies, brownies, and other treats will be offered, with coffee, sipping chocolate, and water also being served.

For the chocolate dessert contest, the chocolate grand prize winner will receive a $50 gift certificate and a gold medal. A silver medal will be awarded for the best use of chocolate. To enter, bring your dessert to the Social Hall of Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church by 6 p.m. May 7. [Read more…]

Legal Aid Society hires two new support staff members

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Mary Burney

Mary Burney

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Tennessee’s largest nonprofit law firm, announced Monday that two new support staff members have been added to the firm.

Mary Burney has returned to Legal Aid Society’s Oak Ridge office as the receptionist/intake worker. Burney previously worked for Legal Aid Society in the same capacity from 2008-2014 and was the office manager/legal assistant for Rural Legal Services of Tennessee (predecessor to Legal Aid Society) from 1979-2003. Prior to this return, Burney was a bailiff for the Roane County Sheriff’s Department.

“We are thrilled to have Mary back in the office,” said Janet Mynatt, managing attorney of Legal Aid Society’s office in Oak Ridge. “Except for our new database, things have remained pretty much the same, so Mary has been able to jump right back in. Her past experience with this office will be an asset to our staff and clients alike.” [Read more…]

Woman flown to hospital by Lifestar after Norris Freeway crash

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A Heiskell woman had to be freed from a car and flown to a hospital by a medical helicopter after a crash on Norris Freeway on Friday evening, authorities said.

The single-vehicle crash was reported at about 7:09 p.m. Friday on Norris Freeway near Foust Hollow Road in Anderson County, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said.

Karen Nolan, 60, was driving north on Norris Freeway, also known as US 441, when the 2006 Buick Century went off the left side of the road, the THP said. The car traveled through a fence and down an embankment, rolling several times before coming to a stop on its driver’s side, a preliminary THP report said. [Read more…]

Driver flown to hospital by Lifestar after crashing into tree on Melton Lake Drive

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Melton-Lake-Drive-Crash-Johnston-Boucher-ORPD-ORFD-April-11-2016

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Matthew Johnston, right, and Sergeant Ron Boucher, center, investigate a single-vehicle crash on Melton Lake Drive on Monday, April 11, 2016. The Oak Ridge Fire Department also responded, and so did Anderson County EMS. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A male driver was flown to a hospital by a medical helicopter after going down an embankment and crashing into a tree alongside Melton Lake Drive on Monday, authorities said.

The single-vehicle crash was reported at about 12:16 p.m. Monday across from the entrance to Melton Lake Park. Rescuers reported that the driver was conscious.

The man was taken by ambulance to a peninsula near the UT-Battelle finish-line tower near the south end of Melton Lake Park, where a University of Tennessee Lifestar helicopter picked him up. The Lifestar helicopter landed at about 12:54 p.m. and left about 15 minutes later.

The car, a blue Toyota Camry LE, went down a small embankment off the west side of the road, the southbound lane, where it stopped in brush, facing north, after reportedly hitting the tree. Rescuers reported that they had to remove the roof, and it was peeled away from the top of the car, which was about 30-40 feet off the road. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge native, longtime Hollywood photographer George Holz to speak at UT

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George Holz

George Holz

 

Photographer George Holz—who was born in Oak Ridge, attended the University of Tennessee, and is known for his fashion and celebrity photographs—will return to UT to speak about his work at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14.

His talk will be in the auditorium of the UT College of Nursing at 1200 Volunteer Boulevard in Knoxville. It’s sponsored by the UT School of Journalism and Electronic Media, and it is free and open to the public.

Holz will be talking about his new book, “Holz Hollywood: 30 Years of Portraits.”

Holz was born and raised in Oak Ridge and attended UT for two years in the mid-1970s, working as a photographer for the Daily Beacon and the Volunteer Yearbook.

After attending UT, Holz graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and assisted for noted fashion photographer, Helmut Newton, who became his mentor. [Read more…]

No one injured, but medical oxygen tanks explode in Dutch Valley Road fire

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Dutch-Valley-Road-Fire-Alcorn-Leinart-April-10-2016

Firefighters from Oliver Springs, Marlow, and Medford responded to a fire on Dutch Valley Road on Sunday, April 10, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

No one was injured, but oxygen tanks that appeared to be medical exploded in a fire on Dutch Valley Road on Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

The fire was reported at about 1:01 p.m. Sunday at 2757 Dutch Valley Road. No one was inside the home at the time of the fire, said Wes Horton, Marlow Volunteer Fire Department captain.

The home was destroyed. The cause wasn’t immediately known, Horton said.

Besides Marlow, firefighters also responded from Oliver Springs and Medford. There were a total of a dozen firefighters and four fire trucks. Anderson County EMS was also on standby.

The fire was contained in about 30 minutes. [Read more…]

Soccer photos: Oak Ridge-Halls

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Wildcats-Jose-Rodriguez-Halls-April-7-2016

Oak Ridge senior forward Jose Rodriguez (11) scored the first goal in a 3-1 win over Halls at home on Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

At 4-0, the Oak Ridge Wildcats are undefeated in District 3-AAA, and the team’s goal is to go undefeated in the district this year, Coach Jeff Trombly said.

In their last district game on Thursday, the Wildcats beat Halls 3-1. Here are more photos from the game. We’ll add photo captions as we can.

See additional photos in this story on the game.

Wildcats-Warmbrod-Halls-Goalkeeper-April-7-2016

Pictured above are Oak Ridge senior Matt Warmbrod (5) and Halls junior goalkeeper Tyler Anthony. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Halls-Oak-Ridge-April-7-2016

Pictured above is Halls freshman Hayden Sobas (23) during a 3-1 win for the Wildcats at home on Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

[Read more…]

Wildcats’ goal: Finish undefeated in district

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Wildcats-Dallas-Halls-April-7-2016

Oak Ridge freshman Will Dallas (23) and Halls freshman Hayden Sobas (23) go for the soccer ball during a 3-1 win for the Wildcats on Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

At 4-0, the Oak Ridge Wildcats are undefeated in District 3-AAA, and the team’s goal is to go undefeated in the district this year, Coach Jeff Trombly said.

In their last district game on Thursday, the Wildcats beat Halls 3-1.

Their other district wins were against Campbell County on March 15, Central on March 22, and at Powell on April 5.

Oak Ridge is 6-5 overall. [Read more…]

Chrisman named MMCer of the Month for March

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Cary Chrisman - March MMCer of the Month

Cary Chrisman

Cary Chrisman, a pharmacist at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the MMCer of the Month for March. In his job, Chrisman assists with patients’ medication needs through antibiotic stewardship, nutrition support, and blood glucose management. He has been at Methodist since 2002.

Chrisman is described by Chuck Ashley, director of Pharmacy, as an outstanding employee and clinician.

Chrisman received two nominations. One nomination said: “He is always right there when he is needed. He thinks ahead about what the next step could be, not only with medicine but with a patient’s disease process. That speaks volumes to me on how dedicated he is to the patient’s well-being.” [Read more…]

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, April 13.

Ten percent of dine-in or carry-out receipts will be donated to the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program, organizers said.

The fundraiser is from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday.

Gondolier Restaurant is at 792 Briarcliff Avenue in Oak Ridge.

Brown wins, sets record as ACAC asserts presence at championships

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Tais Brown Age Group

Tais Brown takes the podium in his 200 Fly victory. (Submitted photo)

The Atomic City Aquatic Club completed its Short Course season in style in two recent sectional championship meets, the Age Groups for qualifying swimmers under 15, and Senior Sectionals for qualifying swimmers 15 and over. The special swimmers who made the cuts had simply incredible swims.

Tais Brown, 12, was spectacular at Age Groups. He set a team record in the 200 Fly, taking first place at the meet against the best swimmers from 10 states. He also placed fourth in the 100 Fly, fifth in the 50 Fly, and ninth in the 1650 Free, earning points and qualifying for finals in all of those races. He also competed in the 50 Free, 100 Free, and 100 IM, obtaining personal bests in the 50 and 100 Free.

Harper Houk, 14, made ACAC’s presence felt in the 100 Back, 200 Back, 100 Breast, 200 Breast, 100 Fly, and 200 IM, getting personal bests in the 100 Back, 200 Back, and 100 Fly. [Read more…]

April celebrations at Habitat for Humanity include new home, mortgage payoff

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Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County Spring Break Volunteers 2016

Pictured above is a group of college students from Juniata College in Pennsylvania that came to work with Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County on their Spring Break 2016. They helped put the finishing touches on the Core house in Andersonville. (Submitted photo)

 

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County has a lot to celebrate in the month of April. A family will be moving into their new home, and another family paid off their mortgage. Two local churches will be hosting celebrations for both of these momentous occasions.

The Core family has a new home in Andersonville. After months of hard work, they are excited to be moving in later this month. Usually, HFHAC holds a dedication service for a new home at the home itself. This time, however, the dedication will take place at Faith Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge. Choosing this church was easy because it’s the home church of the Mr. and Mrs. Cal Knoke. The Knokes donated a very large sum of money toward this particular build.

As wonderful as it is to have the opportunity to show off the finished product to the community, it was decided that in this case, it wouldn’t be the best idea. The yard cannot be seeded and strawed just yet, it’s been too rainy this spring. Rather than invite people to tromp through mud, HFHAC would like for everyone interested to come to the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, April 17, at Faith Lutheran Church, which is at 1300 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

“There will be pictures of the house during construction, a chance to meet the Core family, and best of all, cake!” a press release said. [Read more…]