Oak Ridge Today

Playing for team, Middleton scores 18, rebounds 15 in blowout over Central

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Playing for his team, senior post Darel Middleton (33) had one of his best games as an Oak Ridge Wildcat, scoring 18 points and picking up 15 rebounds during a 94-66 win over Central on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:30 p.m.

Playing for his team, senior Darel Middleton had one of his best games as an Oak Ridge Wildcat, scoring 18 points and picking up 15 rebounds during a 94-66 win over Central on Friday.

It was the most memorable performance by Middleton, a 6-foot-6 post, since he scored 14 points and pulled down 10 rebounds against Memphis East in the state quarterfinal game in March.

“I just felt like I owed my team,” said Middleton, who said he’s gotten into a little trouble this year. “I gave them my all tonight and from now on.”

Oak Ridge Coach Aaron Green said Middleton is playing a lot harder this year than he did last year.

“He played well,” Green said. “He’s been playing well.” [Read more…]

Lady Wildcats lose lead in final seconds, falling to Farragut 32-31

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Oak Ridge sophmore Mykia Dowdell (34) led the Lady Wildcats with a game-high 16 points in a 32-31 loss to Farragut at Wildcat Arena on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Oak Ridge had the basketball and a one-point lead with 13.4 seconds to go. But the Lady Wildcats struggled to get the ball inbounds in their own end, and Farragut regained possession on a jump ball. The Lady Admirals quickly scored on a layup by senior Miranda Burt to take a one-point lead with about six seconds left.

Oak Ridge was unable to score again, and the Lady Wildcats lost to the Lady Admirals 32-31 at Wildcat Arena on Thursday. It’s the second loss to Farragut in the past two weeks. But this game was closer than the earlier match on Monday, November 23, when Oak Ridge fell to the Lady Admirals 52-39.

The Lady Wildcats (3-2, 1-0 District 3-AAA) had six turnovers in the first quarter on Thursday but were only behind by two, 7-5, after a low-scoring first quarter. The Wildcats came back in the second quarter and took a 16-11 halftime lead. [Read more…]

Y-12 union workers ratify five-year contract with 3 percent annual wage increases

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Steve Jones

Steve Jones

Note: This story was last updated at 10:02 p.m.

Union workers at the Y-12 National Security Complex ratified a new five year-contract on Thursday that includes 3 percent annual wage increases and a $2,500 signing bonus, an official said.

The first 3 percent wage increase goes into effect on Monday, December 7.

The new contract, the first “full-blown” contract since 2004, expires on June 22, 2020, said Steve Jones, president of the Atomic Trades and Labor Council, or ATLC.

Negotiation teams from the ATLC and Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, which operates Y-12 for the National Nuclear Security Administration, had reached a tentative agreement on Monday on the new five-year labor agreement. [Read more…]

ORUUC Annual Holiday Craft Fair is Sunday

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Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church

The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Annual Holiday Craft Fair will be held on Sunday, December 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

A tradition in the community and a holiday favorite, the Craft Fair has become a source of inspiration and a place of diversity for those “one of a kind” gifts on one’s gift giving list, a press release said. Featured will be work of some of the region’s finest artisans working with glass, clay, wood, quilts, and other hand sewn items, and photographs.

A percentage of the sales will benefit the Senior High class. The class will hold a fund raiser lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For more information call the ORUUC church office at (865) 483-6761.

CNS creates community investment fund; grant applications accepted

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Applications for grants from the Consolidated Nuclear Security Y-12 Community Investment Fund are being accepted. The application process started November 30.

Nonprofit organizations in CNS Y-12’s 20-county service area with projects or programs that address community needs and economic development opportunities are encouraged to apply for one-year grants, a press release said. The 20-county service area includes, but is not limited to, Anderson, Roane, and Knox counties.

CNS has established the fund through the East Tennessee Foundation as part of its commitment to Oak Ridge and surrounding counties, the press release said.

“With the leadership of the employee-based CNS Y-12 Investment Advisory Committee, CNS employees will have the opportunity to grant support where the need is greatest and the resources ae best allocated,” the release said.

Funding preferences include: [Read more…]

Alternative Gift Fair, Bake Sale/Mini-Bazaar at Kern Church on Saturday

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Kern Church will host its annual Alternative Gift Fair Saturday, Dec. 5, in conjunction with the UMW Bake Sale/Mini-Bazaar. Thelma Douglass, center, will bake her famous apple stack cake. Beautiful Fair Trade items such as the scarves worn by Debbie Shope, left, and Ashley Lockridge, right, will be offered for sale, and Santa, back, will be available for free pictures. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted

Kern United Methodist Church will hold its annual Alternative Gift Fair Saturday, December 5, in the church’s Family Life Center from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

“Shop the World Gifts” of Englewood, Tennessee, a Fair Trade ministry, will have booths full of beautiful, useful gifts for everyone on your list. Fair Trade is a global ministry that has been fighting world poverty and hunger successfully for more than 60 years. They help some of the poorest people in the world…third world artisans who certainly are among “the least of these.” These artisans have been blessed with tremendous artistic ability but have no market for their products. Every purchase makes a difference. By bringing these handmade creations (e.g., jewelry, purses, pottery, woven goods, baskets, table linens, musical instruments, shawls, scarves, skirts, etc.) to their customers, “Shop the World Gifts” helps these artisans feed and educate their children and build better lives. Their customers benefit by receiving a unique quality product at a reasonable price, knowing there was no forced or child labor involved and that the product was made in an environmentally sustainable manner.

At the Heifer International booth, shoppers may choose to donate farm animals to help families around the world become self-reliant. In honor of Heifer, a live llama will visit Kern Church during the Alternative Gift Fair. Your favorite Fair Trade Equal Exchange coffees and chocolates will be available for purchase. Local programs that serve people in our community and beyond will also have items for sale. All proceeds go to support ministries and programs for people in need. [Read more…]

Higgins, only the second Mr. Football from OR, on Ch. 12 Locker Room tonight

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Some of the winners of the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football awards for 16 backs and linemen in eight classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association are pictured above at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015. Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins is wearing a Tennessee Titans jersey with the number 5 on it. (Photo by Martin McDonald)

 

Note: This story was updated at 8:25 p.m.

Tee Higgins, who is only the second Mr. Football from Oak Ridge, will be on The Locker Room Chat on BBB-TV, Comcast Channel 12, at 7 p.m. today (Wednesday, December 2).

Higgins, a 6-foot-5 junior at Oak Ridge High School who plays football and basketball, won a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award during a luncheon at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Monday. He was named Back of the Year in Class 5A.

There have been other Mr. Football finalists from Oak Ridge, but only won other player has won the award. Greg Woofter won the Lineman award in 1998, according to broadcaster David Clary of Prepradio.com.

The last finalist that didn’t win was Spencer Gulmire in 2005, Clary said. [Read more…]

Updated: Power restored in east Oak Ridge

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Note: This story was updated at 12:48 p.m.

There was a power outage in parts of Rivers Run, along Edgemoor Road, and off of Edgemoor Road, Oak Ridge officials said late Wednesday morning.

But power was restored to residents on the east side of the city early Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

“If you are still are without power, please call the Electric Department at (865) 425-1803,” the City of Oak Ridge said. “Thank you for your patience during this outage.”

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Weather: 24 non-injury crashes, 12 trees down, four roads under water

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High Water

From Friday through Wednesday morning, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department responded to several weather-related incidents due to the heavy rain, authorities said.

There have been 24 reported crashes, none of which involved injury, Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said. There have been 12 reports of trees that have fallen across roadways.

As of Wednesday morning, there were three roads in the county that were impassable due to high water: Irwin Mill Road off Sinking Springs Road, Bacon Springs Road in the Marlow community, and Airport Road near Oliver Springs. Offutt Road at Offutt Spur Road in the Medford community is also flooded.

“Motorists are advised to use caution while driving even after the rain ends today,” Lucas said. “The saturated ground may cause more trees to fall, and water may continue to rise in low-lying areas near creeks and streams.”

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Game-changer: JMS, RMS trying laptops now, more students could soon

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More than 300 convertible laptops were given to Oak Ridge middle school students for educational use in November. About 190 are being used by seventh-grade students at Robertsville Middle School, pictured above, and roughly 130 were distributed to sixth-grade students at Jefferson Middle School. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

In what was described as a “game-changer,” more than 300 convertible laptops were given to Oak Ridge middle school students for educational use in November.

The laptops, which must be returned at the end of each school year, are part of a new program named Access Oak Ridge.

About 190 seventh-grade students at Robertsville Middle School and roughly 130 sixth-grade students at Jefferson Middle School are trying the devices this month, and they could be “rolled out” to all middle school students, grades 5 to 8, in January, Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers said.

The students are using Lenovo Yoga 11e convertible laptops that can be used as laptops, tablets, tents, or stands. The children can use the computers for all subjects.

“When implemented well, the research shows an increase in student engagement and achievement,” Borchers said. [Read more…]

CNS, ATLC reach tentative agreement

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Y-12 National Security Complex Aerial View

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is pictured above. (File photo)

 

On Monday, negotiation teams from Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC and the Atomic Trades and Labor Council reached tentative agreement on a new five-year labor agreement for work at the Y-12 National Security Complex. The tentative agreement will go to ATLC members for a ratification vote on Thursday, December 3.

CNS and ATLC began negotiating a new labor agreement on October 26. The current agreement is scheduled to expire December 8. If ratified by ATLC membership, the agreement will be in effect Tuesday, December 8.

The ATLC is the bargaining unit for 13 local unions representing approximately 1,100 employees at Y-12.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Five Wildcats score 10 or more in 85-51 win over Clinton

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Oak Ridge junior Tajion Jones (3) led the Wildcats with 22 points in an 85-51 win over Clinton at Wildcat Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Five Wildcats scored 10 points or more as Oak Ridge beat Clinton 85-51 in the first district game of the basketball season on Tuesday.

The Wildcats (8-0, 1-0 District 3-AAA) were led by junior Tajion Jones, who scored 22 points, including on four three-pointers. Jones also had three rebounds.

Junior Tee Higgins, who was named most valuable player in a basketball tournament in the Bahamas on Thanksgiving weekend and was named Mr. Football in Class 5A in Tennessee two days later, on Monday, finished with 16 points. Higgins knocked down three three-pointers in the third quarter, and he also had five rebounds and six assists.

Oak Ridge hit nine three-point shots, compared to one for Clinton. That’s a difference of 24 points. [Read more…]