Oak Ridge Today

ORHS Reunion supports Emory Valley Center Campaign

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

ORHS Class of 1964 EVC Check Presentation

First row, from left to right, are Cathy Thompson, Dottie Thompson, ORHS Class of 1964 Reunion Chairman Tommy McIntyre presenting the final check to EVC President Jennifer Enderson, Mary Kahaida Lowery, and EVC Development Director Janet Wood. Second row, from left to right, are Gene Caldwell, Janice Pugh Craft, Michele Craft, Glenda Carringer Langenberg, Judy McGown Russell, Reverend Robert “Bob” Cantrell, and Phillip Boatner. (Submitted photo)

 

Last September’s 50th Reunion for Oak Ridge High School Class of 1964 was typical in many respects. Somewhat unusual was the class commitment to a reunion service project. Before, during, and after the Reunion, class members contributed financial support to the Emory Valley Center Capital Campaign.

On February 2, Reunion Committee Chairman Tommy McIntyre and several Committee members presented $550 to Emory Valley Center President Jennifer Enderson as the final class campaign contribution for this reunion year. The check brought the total contribution to $8,190.

Representing the Center with Enderson were Cathy Thompson, Phillip Boatner, and Michele Craft, who receive support from the Center; Boatner’s Caregiver Kathy Bunch; EVC staff members Janet Wood and Daisy Mullins; and Campaign Co-Chairs Gene Caldwell and Dottie Thompson. [Read more…]

Hardin Valley Academy’s Feldman receives 2015 UT-Battelle Scholarship

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

UT-Battelle Scholarship 2015

ORNL Director Thom Mason, left, congratulates UT-Battelle scholarship recipient Samuel Feldman. (Photo: Jason Richards)

 

By Chris Samoray

High school senior Samuel Feldman of Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville has earned the 2015 UT-Battelle Scholarship to attend the University of Tennessee.

The scholarship, given to a graduating senior planning to study a science field at UT, is renewable for four years and is worth a total of $20,000. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student who has a parent who works at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Samuel’s parents are Matthew and Laura Feldman of Knoxville. His father, Matthew, works in ORNL’s Reactor and Nuclear Systems Division. Sam’s grandparents are Mary and Jim Luttrell of Oak Ridge and Nancy and the late Melvin Feldman, who retired from ORNL, also of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Six ORNL researchers receive SAE International awards

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

ORNL SAE Award Recipients

ORNL award recipients at the SAE International World Congress are, from left, Derek Splitter, Sujit Das, Jim Szybist, Brian West, Scott Sluder, and Scott Curran. (Submitted photo)

 

Six researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory received awards at last week’s Society of Automotive Engineers International, or SAE, World Congress.

Scott Sluder received SAE’s Lloyd L. Withrow Distinguished Speaker Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding presentation skills. Recipients must have previously received SAE’s Outstanding Oral Presentation Award more than twice. Sluder was elected a fellow of SAE International in 2014.

Scott Curran, Sujit Das, and Derek Splitter were presented the Forest R. McFarland Award for their role in facilitating technical information dialogue by planning and organizing technical meetings, conferences, and professional development programs in adherence with the SAE engineering meetings board. [Read more…]

Three ORHS seniors win Brad Sturm scholarships

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Brad Sturm Scholarship Winners

Two Rotarians and the winners of the Bradley Sturm Memorial Scholarships are, from left, Barry Stephenson, chair of the Brad Sturm scholarship selection committee, Rotary Club of Oak Ridge; Diane “Grace” Malone; Megan Pitz; Holly Gubanc; and Mel Sturm, scholarship sponsor. (Submitted photo)

 

The three Oak Ridge High School seniors who won the Bradley Sturm Memorial Scholarships for 2015 are Holly Gubanc, Diane “Grace” Malone, and Megan Pitz.

Mel Sturm, a local businessman for years, said he started the endowment for the scholarship fund in 1976 for two reasons. He wanted to give back to the community that had supported his businesses. And he was determined to combat the tendency of Oak Ridge students, many of whom have parents who work for the federal government or government contractors, to view “free enterprise” and the “profit motive” with suspicion.

The scholarship program is administered by a Rotary Club of Oak Ridge committee consisting of Barry Stephenson, chair, and Jim Sumner, Larry Beeman, Jim Charles, Hal Schmitt, and Mel Sturm. ORHS economics teachers Beverly Baumann and Teresa Seals play key roles in the program. [Read more…]

Roane State participating in prestigious Achieving the Dream National Reform Network

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Chris Whaley

Chris Whaley

Roane State Community College is now a part of the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network, becoming one of the first community colleges in Tennessee selected for this nationwide network working to improve student success.

The Achieving the Dream National Reform Network includes more than 200 community colleges. The network is led by Achieving the Dream Inc., a national nonprofit considered one of the most comprehensive, non-governmental education reform organizations in the country.

“We are honored to participate in the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network,” Roane State President Chris Whaley said. “Through our participation in the network, we will learn evidence-based best practices from other colleges and from the network’s team of experts. Participation in Achieving the Dream gives us an opportunity to learn from the best, and to bring those ideas to Roane State to help our students succeed.” [Read more…]

Prom and graduation reminders from the Sheriff’s Department

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Paul White

Paul White

By Sheriff Paul White

Proms and graduations are traditions for our young students and the community. These times celebrate achievements, reflect on the past, and take the first steps into adulthood. Unfortunately, some teenagers believe the deadly mix of alcohol and driving is also a part of this tradition. Too many are injured or killed after the prom or graduation.

Our students headed to the prom and from graduations are reminded not to drink and drive. Deputies with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department will be out in force on prom nights and after graduations. Driving under the influence (DUI), illegal drugs, and underage drinking will get you a ride to jail.

The Sheriff’s Department also reminds teens that getting caught drinking while under the age of 21 can result in losing your driver’s license, getting suspended from school, ejected from sports teams, and even banned from graduation ceremonies. [Read more…]

Outdoor pool opens Memorial Day weekend, full time May 30

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Municipal Pool

Hundreds of swimmers enjoy the cool water at the Oak Ridge Municipal Pool on Memorial Day, 2012. (File photo)

The Oak Ridge Municipal Swimming Pool is scheduled to open full time May 30 and close August 2. Season passes, swimming lessons registration, and ORCA swim team registration all open May 1 at the Oak Ridge Civic Center front desk.

The Municipal Swimming Pool will have some new activities and schedule changes this summer. On May 23, 24, and 25, the pool will be open noon-6 p.m. for Memorial Day weekend. On May 29, the pool will be open to the public from 1 to 6 p.m. for “The Last Day of School” celebration.

On May 30, the pool will open full time with new hours. Saturday and Sunday, the pool will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, the pool will be open to the public from noon-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, the pool will be open for lap swim only on the 100-meter course from 11 a.m. to noon. Wednesday nights, the pool will re-open from 7:30-9:30 p.m. for public swimming under the lights. Other than Wednesdays, the pool is available for private party rentals from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Visit the website at www.orrecparks.org for information on all of the swimming classes, swimming level guides, pricing, and Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department programs.

North Boundary Hike on Saturday, May 16

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

North Boundary Hike 2015

The North Boundary Hike is from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16. It’s a six-mile hike of the North Boundary Trail.

Hikers will leave the West End Guard Shack parking area at 9 a.m. May 16. They will follow the Quarry trail, make a right onto Hunley, a right onto North Boundary, and down the Big Oak Ridge connector that will take them back to the West End Guard Shack.

The hike is considered moderate in difficulty due to varied elevations and length. [Read more…]

Asher named executive director of United Way of Anderson County

Posted at
By 1 Comment

Naomi Asher

Naomi Asher

Naomi Asher has been selected as the next executive director of the United Way of Anderson County. She starts Monday, May 4.

Asher was picked for the position by the United Way of Anderson County Board of Directors.

“Ms. Asher has the unique set of experiences the Search Committee was looking for in candidates,” said Tom Hilton, incoming president of the United Way Board of Directors. “She knows the community and can hit the ground running on May 4.”

The organization conducted a national search.

“We advertised the position nationwide and were very pleased that we found the perfect match for the organization in our own backyard,” said Greta Ownby, outgoing president of the United Way Board of Directors. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge branch of Y-12 FCU will remain closed Wed., re-open Thursday

Posted at
By 1 Comment

Oak Ridge Police Department at Y-12 Federal Credit Union

Oak Ridge Police Department officers were at the Y-12 Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge on Tuesday morning. The branch will remain closed Wednesday and reopen Thursday, although the credit union’s headquarters will be open on Wednesday.

 

The Oak Ridge branch of the Y-12 Federal Credit Union will remain closed Wednesday and re-open Thursday, a spokesman said. The branch was closed Tuesday during an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, and Oak Ridge Police Department into a report of a bank robbery, kidnapping, and extortion.

Police responded to the Oak Ridge branch at about 9:15 a.m. Tuesday. There were at least a half-dozen officers and detectives at the scene, and they blocked the entrance to the credit union.

Customers were not able to use the bank while authorities investigated. Chris Smith, vice president of marketing at Y-12 Federal Credit Union, said officials were only allowing staff and investigators to enter on Tuesday morning.

He said the Credit Union branch will remain closed Wednesday and reopen for normal hours on Thursday. But employees remain at the Oak Ridge headquarters, which shares a five-story building with the branch, and all staff will report to work on Wednesday, Smith said Tuesday afternoon. [Read more…]

Police respond to Y-12 Credit Union, which closes, but not clear why

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Police Department at Y-12 Federal Credit Union

Oak Ridge Police Department officers were at the Y-12 Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge on Tuesday morning. The credit union was cordoned off and then closed, but it’s not clear why.

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:42 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Police Department responded to the Y-12 Federal Credit Union on Tuesday morning, and the bank was cordoned off and then closed but it’s not clear why.

The ORPD has referred questions to the FBI office in Knoxville and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

The call to the ORPD came in at about 9:15 a.m. Tuesday. Officers blocked the entrance to the credit union, and at one point, they visually checked cars in a parking lot across Midland Road from the bank.

ORPD detectives were at the scene and remained there for at least a few hours afterward. The Credit Union is near the intersection of Lafayette Drive and South Illinois Avenue. [Read more…]

Anderson County reappraisal shows overall 4 percent drop in total assessments

Posted at
By 14 Comments

John K. Alley Jr.

John K. Alley Jr.

By Anderson County Property Assessor’s Office

The 2015 reappraisal in Anderson County shows an overall drop in total assessments.

“In the past, values have always increased,” Anderson County Property Assessor John K. Alley Jr. said. “I promised a fair and accurate assessment for Anderson County, and I feel that is what I have delivered to the property owners.”

The primary purpose of this article is to explain the reappraisal process and set the guidelines for making an appeal, if desired.

2015 is a reappraisal year for Anderson County. [Read more…]