Oak Ridge Today

Wicks appointed Criminal Court judge in 9th District, which includes Roane

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Jeffery-Wicks

Jeffery H. Wicks

NASHVILLE—Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam on Thursday appointed Jeffery H. Wicks of Rockwood as Criminal Court judge for the Ninth Judicial District, replacing Judge E. Eugene Eblen, who is retiring effective December 31.

The Ninth Judicial District serves Loudon, Meigs, Morgan, and Roane counties.

Wicks, 52, has served as General Sessions Court judge in Roane County since 2006. He was an attorney in Kingston from 2003 to 2006, operating a law practice that included criminal, civil domestic, juvenile, and probate matters, a press release said.

“We are fortunate to have a public servant with such a depth of experience as Judge Wicks to fill this role,” Haslam said. “He will serve the Ninth Judicial District well in this capacity.” [Read more…]

She alleges abuse, imprisonment, Sharia law; he cites immigration as possible motive for claims

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The wife of a city employee has alleged that she has essentially been held captive in a home that operates under Sharia law, been physically abused, not allowed to work or go to school, and deprived of food and medical care.

But her husband, an Oak Ridge Electric Department project manager, said he can prove that the charges are unfounded. He called the allegations, which were publicized in a newspaper story last month, “salacious accusations.” The allegations sparked a social media backlash against the city employee, Oak Ridge Electric Department Project Manager Ardo Isma Ba.

The Oak Ridge Police Department has investigated some of the allegations against Ba, including the charge that he held his wife, Madina Sall, against her will for the past three years. That information was reported to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, where Ba is a reserve deputy.

Ba was not charged after the investigation. Officers said Sall’s definition of abuse is different than what is defined in Tennessee law. Also, detectives appeared to have questions about the accuracy of some of the information, and they warned Sall of the consequences of reporting false information to law enforcement.

“The matter did appear to be a non-criminal matter due to the initial information given to (the Knox County Sheriff’s Office) not being accurate and no proof that any physical abuse has occurred,” the ORPD said. [Read more…]

Democrats host holiday party Tuesday

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Anderson County Democrats are hosting a winter holiday party at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 8, a press release said.

The gathering, sponsored by the Anderson County Democratic Women and Anderson County Democratic Party, will be held at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The release said the main dish and drinks will be provided, and guests attending are invited to bring a side dish to share.

Guests are also invited to contribute to the Free Medical Clinic, the local nonprofit organization that will benefit from this year’s holiday party.

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

City sewer rehab continues in December

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Sewer rehabilitation work continues in Oak Ridge in December. Morgan Contracting, working under contract for the City of Oak Ridge, is rehabilitating sewer collection pipes within city easements in yards and in roadways.

Residents should have already received letters on colored paper (green for Morgan Contracting) and door hangers providing general information and contractor contact information, a press release said.

“Motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists are urged to use extra care and caution when traveling on the streets with sewer work areas,” the release said. “Temporary road repairs will be made, and loose gravel should be expected until the patches are permanently paved.”

The release said construction work is subject to change based on factors like the weather, equipment, and access issues. Here is the construction work that was scheduled for the week beginning November 30: [Read more…]

Oak Ridge has meetings on Dec. 10, 14 for Community Development Block Grant program

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City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee—Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Notice of Public Hearings for Potential Projects For Program Year 2016/Fiscal Year 2017

July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017

The City of Oak Ridge will hold two public meetings in the coming weeks to gather community input for activities associated with the Community Development Block Grant program for the 2016 program year.

The funding must meet a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) national objective and benefit low/moderate income individuals.

The first meeting will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (323 Vermont Avenue) in their Columbus Hall (next to the gym), on Thursday, December 10, from noon to 1:30 p.m. [Read more…]

Senior Citizens Holiday Reception is Friday

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Oak Ridge Senior Center Holiday Party

A previous holiday party at the Oak Ridge Senior Center. (File photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Senior Center is having a Holiday Reception for area senior citizens on Friday, December 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., a press release said.

“Come join us for a light lunch of sandwiches, chips, and cookies as well as holiday music and fellowship,” the release said. “The Senior Center guitar group will be playing live Christmas music. Bingo will be offered, and door prizes given away. Goodie bags will be given out while they last. The event is sponsored by the Oak Ridge Senior Center and made possible by many generous donations from area businesses.”

Like the Oak Ridge Senior Center on Facebook, visit the website at http://orrecparks.oakridgetn.gov/, or call them at (865) 425-3999 for more information about this or other programs offered by the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department.

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

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.

Land Bank ‘ahead of curve’ in repairing, redeveloping blighted homes

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Matt Widner and Charlie Jernigan Nov. 6, 2015

Matt Widner, Oak Ridge Community Development housing specialist, left, and Charlie Jernigan, board chair for the Oak Ridge Land Bank Corp., are pictured above during a housing work session on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A two-year-old effort to repair or redevelop blighted and abandoned homes in Oak Ridge is making above-average progress, an official said in November.

The Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation, the first of its kind in Tennessee, has sold two homes and donated two and has more listed, board chair Charlie Jernigan said.

Other land banks around the country haven’t had any sales until their third year.

“We’re ahead of that curve,” Jernigan said after a November 6 work session on housing at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the second this year. [Read more…]

McNally warns of telephone scam

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Randy McNally

Randy McNally

Submitted

NASHVILLE—Tennessee Senator Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican, is once again warning area residents to be on the lookout for scam attacks. The latest attack is a phone scam that targets taxpayers who are told they owe money to the United States Treasury, which must be paid promptly by giving the caller bank account information.

“I received one of these calls at my own home and was very concerned that there would be citizens who would take action to comply with their directions,” McNally said. “This is not the way that the U.S. Treasury or Internal Revenue Service works. Whenever the caller claims to be from the government and asks for bank information, credit card numbers, or requests a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer, you should be the very wary that this is a scam.”

Last month, McNally warned citizens about email phishing scams after receiving information that unscrupulous operators were working in the area. He said that holidays are particularly targeted for such scams, including lotteries, which are the most common types of fraudulent practices that hit email inboxes. [Read more…]

Baker Center: Roadway quality at risk unless new funding found

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Tennessee spends less on a per-capita basis than almost any other state on its highways and roads, yet enjoys roadways that are better than those in most states. But according to a new paper produced by researchers at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, roadway quality is now at risk unless new funding is found.

Fuel tax rates are among the lowest in the nation, yet Tennessee boasts a roadway network that has better pavement, better bridges, and less congestion than most comparable state systems. Concerns are mounting that these benefits are at risk because of a funding outlook that continues to deteriorate.

The state’s gasoline tax was last raised—from 16 to 20 cents per gallon—more than 25 years ago, in 1989.

Currently, the state’s gasoline tax of 21.4 cents a gallon (which includes a special petroleum products tax) ranks 12th lowest in the U.S., and Tennessee is one of only five states that are free of highway-related debt. Gasoline and diesel tax revenues not only support state roadways but are shared with cities and counties across the state. [Read more…]

Options for county courthouse in Oak Ridge: Extend lease, stay put, move to govt. building

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Anderson-County-General-Sessions-Court-Exterior-Nov-19-2015

The lease on Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II, on Bus Terminal Road in Oak Ridge expires Dec. 31, but officials will ask for a one-year lease extension while courthouse options are considered. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—Several alternative locations have been proposed, including a city-owned building at A.K. Bissell Park and a county-owned building on Emory Valley Road, but for now, the Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge could remain at a privately owned building on Bus Terminal Road.

Once housed at the Oak Ridge Municipal Building, the General Sessions, Division II, courthouse has been on Bus Terminal Road since January 2009.

But the lease expires December 31.

On Monday, November 16, the Anderson County Commission voted 15-0 on a voice vote to ask for a one-year lease extension with no penalty and to work with Oak Ridge to share courthouse costs.

“That year buys us time to look at all the options,” said County Commissioner Myron Iwanski, who represents District 8, which includes Emory Valley, Woodland, and Hendrix Creek. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Budget, Finance Committee meets Dec. 14

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The Oak Ridge Budget and Finance Committee will meet at 2 p.m. Monday, December 14, in the Mayor’s Office in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building at 200 South Tulane Avenue.

The Budget and Finance Committee consists of City Council members Kelly Callison, Charlie Hensley, and Ellen Smith.