Oak Ridge Today

Agape House, which helps homeless, hosts Chocolate Evening May 7

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Morgan Anderson at An Evening of Everything Chocolate

Morgan Anderson dips fruit and marshmallows in a chocolate fountain at last year’s first “An Evening of Everything Chocolate.” (Submitted photo)

 

Tasting a variety of chocolate desserts will be a special treat during “An Evening of Everything Chocolate” on Saturday, May 7, in support of Agape House of Oak Ridge.

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

All proceeds will go to the direct support of Agape House, a nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing for the homeless. Since opening in 2014, Agape House has helped 20 homeless families or individuals with short-term, temporary housing, and other support services as they work with agencies to take steps toward self-sufficiency.

Agape House is an all-volunteer agency, and a significant portion of its budget is raised through this fundraising event. [Read more…]

Roane State Education Department to host open houses

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The Roane State Community College campus in Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Photo by Roane State)

The Roane State Community College Education Department will host open houses this month for anyone interested in becoming a K-12 teacher.

An open house at the college’s Roane County campus, 276 Patton Lane in Harriman, will be held on Monday, April 18 at 6 p.m. Visitors will meet in Room 224 in the O’Brien Humanities Building.

An open house at the college’s Oak Ridge campus, 701 Briarcliff Ave., will be held on Tuesday, April 26 at 6 p.m. The event will be held in Room 336 in the Goff Health Sciences and Technology Building. [Read more…]

Pastor addresses CWU on school concerns

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Community-Matters-Unitarian-Universalist-Nov-1-2015-14

Pictured above at a Community Matters forum at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church on Nov. 1, 2015, are the Reverend Derrick Hammond of Oak Valley Baptist Church, center, the Rev. Jake Morrill of Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, left, and Father Brent Shelton of St. Mary’s Parish. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The high stress levels of students at Oak Ridge High School. The increasing number of students who take multiple Advanced Placement courses for status reasons, in response to parental pressure or to be in class with friends. The lack of social workers at ORHS, which has a rising number of at-risk, underfed students who qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches.

The finding that less than 2 percent of ORHS students are referred for almost half of the disciplinary actions taken, including suspensions. Yet, because of privacy laws, people interested in mentoring at least two dozen disciplinary students cannot learn their names.

These were some of the teacher and community concerns highlighted by the Reverend Derrick Hammond, pastor at Oak Valley Baptist Church, at a recent meeting of the Oak Ridge unit of Church Women United.

He announced that on Sunday, April 24, at Oak Ridge High School, from 4-5:30 p.m., city leaders will respond to public concerns raised during the three “Community Matters” sessions held last October and November. The speakers will include Oak Ridge High School Principal Martin McDonald and Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi. [Read more…]

2016 Tennessee Fall Homecoming lineup announced

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Museum of Appalachia Wilson Barn Stage

A performance at a previous Fall Homecoming at the Museum of Appalachia near Norris. (Submitted photo)

 

The Museum of Appalachia has announced the music lineup for its 37th Annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming from October 7-9.

High-profile artists scheduled to appear include 20-year Homecoming veteran, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver—an IBMA Hall of Fame Member and 2016 Grammy-Nominated artist; Mountain Faith, semi-finalists on Season 10 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”; Lonesome River Band, Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo award-winners; and seven-time IBMA Vocal Group of the Year award-winners, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out.

One of the nation’s largest, most authentic music and folk festivals, Homecoming features more than 70 musicians performing on four outdoor stages, a press release said. Each year, tens of thousands of music fans come to enjoy concerts spanning many genres—including bluegrass, country, gospel, and Americana music. [Read more…]

Warrants: Woman had access to weapons, threatened to shoot boyfriend with police present

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Sara J. Flynt

Sara J. Flynt

The Oak Ridge woman who allegedly barricaded herself in a home in March and threw a pistol out a window while negotiating with police officers has been charged with aggravated assault for allegedly threatening to shoot her boyfriend while police were present and while she had access to multiple deadly weapons, authorities said.

Sara J. Flynt, 27, was charged with four counts of aggravated assault and arrested April 1. She remained jailed in the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton on Friday evening, and her bond has been set at $105,000.

Police had responded to a report that Flynt was creating a disturbance at her home at 426 East Tennessee Avenue at about 2:04 a.m. Saturday, March 19. When officers tried to contact her, they found that she was barricaded in a bedroom, Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Kyle Scott said in arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court.

“Flynt refused to exit the bedroom, and the affiant (Scott) heard the distinct metallic sound of rounds being chambered in a firearm,” the warrants said.

Flynt’s boyfriend had told police he owned a handgun and 12-15 long guns that were inside the bedroom, Scott said. Officers later determined there had been one handgun—a .45 caliber—and 17 various long guns—rifles, shotguns, and airsoft—according to the warrants. [Read more…]

Three Oak Ridge High School students selected as Haslam Scholar finalists

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Elisabeth Gallmeier

Elisabeth Gallmeier (Photo from University of Tennessee/2016 Haslam Scholars Finalists)

Three students from Oak Ridge High School were selected as Haslam Scholar finalists this year. This is the highest number of Haslam Scholar finalists from any high school in the state.

The three Oak Ridge finalists are:

  1. Elisabeth Gallmeier, who is pursuing a degree in physics. She has recently been doing research with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, creating statistical modeling programs to aid hydrocarbon exploration and prediction analyses to examine shale play production.
  2. Oumar Souleymane Diallo, who is interested in the nuclear, mechanical, and biomedical engineering fields. His interests are broad and include sculpting, modern art, video editing, cooking. and computer science.
  3. Lewis Wang, who plans to prepare for a career in business administration. He enjoys competitive soccer and volunteer work, including serving as chairman of Oak Ridge’s Youth Advisory Board. He has been involved in developing projects such as the water awareness program for the disadvantaged youth and managing concessions during the city Halloween party to raise money for Mission of Hope.

“We are very proud of our students and the incredible work they do in our schools,” an Oak Ridge Schools press release said. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum hosts Young Child Celebration on April 16

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Jim and Woodenstar

Jim and the Woodenstars will present a ventriloquist’s show for children when the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge hosts a Celebration of the Young Child from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 16. (Submitted photo)

 

Jim and the Woodenstars will present a ventriloquist’s show for children when the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge hosts a Celebration of the Young Child from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 16.

The comedy ventriloquist’s act, at 11:45 a.m., will headline a host of children’s activities, including creative movement, storytelling, crafts for kids to make and take, and LEGO building. The Oak Ridge Fire Department will lead a fire safety program, and the Oak Ridge Police Department will present a stranger danger program.

Jim Bryson has taken his Woodenstars’ family entertainment to festivals and events nationally and internationally, and they have appeared on cruise ships. The act has opened for Alabama and for Grammy award winner Michael W. Smith, among others. A former police officer, Bryson also presents safety and fire prevention shows with his Woodenstars.

Author Kathleen Fearing will join in the celebration, entertaining children with her stories. She writes books for children of various ages, among them “Adisa’s Basket,” “Voyage of Dreams—An Irish Memory,” and “My Friend the Werewolf—What Would You Do.” She also has had several stories published at www.storiesforchildrenmagazine.org. Fearing has won awards from Writer’s Digest and the Tennessee Mountain Writer’s Conference. She retired in Norris after teaching education and children’s literature at the college level. [Read more…]

Dog rescued from kitchen fire on Faunce Lane

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Faunce Lane Fire April 7, 2016

Oak Ridge firefighters contain a kitchen fire at 306 Faunce Lane on Thursday, April 7, 2016. (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge firefighters rescued a dog from a house after a kitchen fire produced intense smoke and flames inside the home on Thursday evening, authorities said.

A 911 caller reported the fire at 306 Faunce Lane at about 6:56 p.m. Thursday, April 7, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

Fire and smoke was coming from the windows and attic of the home when the Oak Ridge Fire Department arrived, the press release said. Faunce Lane is off Florida Avenue in central Oak Ridge.

The homeowner, Bruce Mccullough, said he had placed cooking oil on the stove to begin cooking, the release said. He went into the living room and within moments heard popping and saw fire in the kitchen. [Read more…]

Area firms receive ORNL’s 2016 Small Business Impact Awards

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory honored local and regional companies with the 2016 Small Business Impact Awards announced at the East Tennessee Economic Council meeting in Oak Ridge on Friday morning. The annual event recognizes the contributions of four small businesses to laboratory and regional development, a press release said.

ORNL’s Small Business Programs Office recognized the service of companies in categories emphasizing their specific capabilities and contributions.

Above and Beyond Award: Hart Graphics Inc. of Knoxville for the company’s outstanding work in printing and display-graphic services. Hart Graphics has assisted ORNL for several years on successful communication of science and technology, and has contributed on multiple high-profile projects including the Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy (AMIE) 3-D printed vehicle and building demonstrations.

Innovator Award: ACS Document Imaging Inc., a small business located in Knoxville, for the development of an outstanding idea, process, project management mechanism, or technology. ACS has assisted the laboratory for several years in the area of records management and information processing for the organization. [Read more…]

Crews fight fire inside former Magnet Mills; Clinton City Schools closed Friday

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Magnet Mills Fire Clinton April 7 2016

The former Magnet Mills in Clinton caught fire on Thursday evening, April 7, 2016. (Photo courtesy Philip Warfield)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 10 a.m. April 8.

CLINTON—Crews battled a fire inside the former Magnet Mills in Clinton on Thursday evening, and Clinton City Schools will be closed Friday, April 8.

Charles G. Seivers Boulevard was closed downtown Thursday night as crews fought the fire and prepared to remove items that were still smoldering inside.

Clinton City Schools said schools would be closed because of the fire and the roads that would be closed in the morning.

“This decision was made in an abundance of caution for the safety of our students and staff members,” school officials said.

The fire was reported at about 7:15 p.m. Thursday in one building at the former hosiery mill. The property includes two big, brick warehouse buildings next to CVS Pharmacy between Charles G. Seivers Boulevard and the Clinch River in downtown Clinton. [Read more…]

Layton named vice principal at Jefferson Middle starting in 2016-17

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Chris Layton

Chris Layton

Note: This story was updated at 1:15 a.m.

Chris Layton, a world history teacher at Jefferson Middle School, has been named vice principal for the school year starting this fall.

Layton is a former Jefferson student (1992-1994) and a graduate of Oak Ridge High School (1998). After graduation, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Maryville College, majoring in education and political science and minoring in business. He earned his master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from the University of Tennessee.

Layton began his teaching career at Oak Ridge High School in 2003 as a civics teacher. From 2006-2009, he worked at Father Ryan High School in Nashville, where he taught world history, U.S. history, and U.S. government. He worked outside of education as a director of marketing for a construction firm in Nashville specializing in government contracting. [Read more…]

Arts and Antiques in Jackson Square starts this month

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The Jackson Square Merchants Association is starting a series of Saturday events called Arts and Antiques in the Square.

The series will be on the last Saturday of the month. It starts April 30 and runs through October 29.

“Our goal is to celebrate the local artistic talent in our area, help recycle antique/vintage items, as well as showcase the businesses in and around the square,” a press release said.

It pointed out that Oak Ridge Farmers Market is also in the square on Saturdays, starting later this month.

Arts and Antiques in the Square is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month, with setup from 8-8:30 a.m. Local artisans and vintage/antique dealers can sell, and there is a $25 cost for space. [Read more…]