Oak Ridge Today

Spring maintenance planned for Big Turtle Dog Park

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Photo by City of Oak Ridge

Photo by City of Oak Ridge

 

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will be conducting turf maintenance at Big Turtle Dog Park in west Oak Ridge starting in early March. The dog park will remain open to the public during the project.

Big Turtle Dog Park is at 2525 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

During the maintenance project, areas of turf being renovated will be closed off with orange construction fencing, a press release said. The fence will be removed once the new grass has become established. [Read more…]

Homicide trial starts for Cromwell, could last three days

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The trial for Lee Cromwell, 67, the defendant in a fatal parking lot crash in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2015, has been set for the week that starts Monday, February 13, 2017. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—The homicide trial for Lee Harold Cromwell, the defendant in a fatal parking lot crash after fireworks in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2015, started Monday in Anderson County Criminal Court in Clinton.

The trial started with jury selection. About 115 potential jurors received instructions from Senior Judge Paul Summers on Monday morning.

A jury of 12 people and three alternates will be selected from among the 115 potential jurors.

Summers, appointed to hear the case after Judge Don Elledge recused himself because of liens filed by Cromwell, said he expects the trial to last three days, although that is not guaranteed.

The plea deadline for Cromwell was February 3.

The witnesses that are expected to testify include current and former Oak Ridge Police Department officers, victims of the crash, and Julia Robinson, the wife of James Robinson, 37, the Knoxville man who died in the crash.

[Read more…]

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Dine & Donate on Monday

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Surrounded by friends Jane Palmer, Cande Seay, and Nancy Gray, Becky Rushton celebrated her birthday at Dean’s Restaurant & Bakery last month. Even Dean’s employee Duncan joined in the festivities! Dean’s has been a loyal Dine & Donate restaurant for many years, and we’re so glad they are part of “A Year of Dine & Donate!” (Photo submitted by ADFAC)

Surrounded by friends Jane Palmer, Cande Seay, and Nancy Gray, Becky Rushton celebrated her birthday at Dean’s Restaurant & Bakery last month. Even Dean’s employee Duncan joined in the festivities! Dean’s has been a loyal Dine & Donate restaurant for many years, and we’re so glad they are part of “A Year of Dine & Donate!” (Photo submitted by ADFAC)

 

On Monday, February 13, eleven local restaurants will “share the love” by donating a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC. ADFAC’s February Dine & Donate event provides an early opportunity to treat loved ones to a special meal, all while supporting ADFAC’s charitable work and community restaurants, a press release said.

The participating restaurants are: [Read more…]

‘Handful’ of ORNL scientists from countries included in travel ban, but no effect so far

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory Sign

Photo by Oak Ridge National Laboratory

 

Note: This story was updated at 1:30 a.m. Feb. 12.

A “handful of scientists” working at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are citizens of the seven countries that were barred from entering the United States for up to 90 days under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last month, but so far, the travel ban hasn’t had an effect at the lab, officials said Friday.

ORNL is a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory. It’s DOE’s largest science and energy laboratory, and it has foreign nationals working there as well as visiting scientists.

The seven countries included in the president’s travel ban, which was issued January 27, were Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

“Only a handful of scientists working at ORNL are citizens of those seven countries,” the lab said in response to questions. “We’re not aware of any effects of the order here to date.” [Read more…]

Eight Teachers of the Year announced by Oak Ridge Schools

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Teachers of the Year were announced Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, by Oak Ridge Schools. From left top row, they are Amy Brewer, Ashley Branson, Emily Haverkamp, and Julie Kinder-McMillan; and from left bottom row, they are Kristi Boruff, Lars Handoff, Tom Froning, and Glenda Bergener. (Photos by Oak Ridge Schools/Composite by Oak Ridge Today)

Teachers of the Year were announced Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, by Oak Ridge Schools. From left top row, they are Amy Brewer, Ashley Branson, Emily Haverkamp, and Julie Kinder-McMillan; and from left bottom row, they are Kristi Boruff, Lars Hondorf, Tom Froning, and Glenda Bergener. (Photos by Oak Ridge Schools)

 

Eight Teachers of the Year were announced Friday by Oak Ridge Schools.

Here is the Teacher of the Year at each Oak Ridge school:

  • Glenwood Elementary School—Kristi Boruff
  • Linden Elementary School—Glenda Bergener
  • Willow Brook Elementary School—Ashley Branson
  • Woodland Elementary School—Amy Brewer
  • Jefferson Middle School—Emily Haverkamp
  • Robertsville Middle School—Julie Kinder-MacMillan
  • Oak Ridge High School—Tom Froning
  • Secret City Academy—Lars Hondorf

[Read more…]

Senior Center offers free guitar lessons

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Guitar Intermediate Class

Free guitar lessons for senior citizens will begin with an orientation class on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at 9 a.m. at the Oak Ridge Senior Center, which was recently relocated to the Oak Ridge Civic Center at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike. This is a picture of last year’s intermediate guitar class. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

Free guitar lessons for senior citizens will begin with an orientation class on Friday, February 24, at 9 a.m. at the Oak Ridge Senior Center, which was recently relocated to the Oak Ridge Civic Center at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Regular classes will begin the following Friday, March 3, and are open to area seniors ages 50 and older. All levels of guitar players are welcome. Beginner’s lessons start at 9 a.m., with intermediate lessons following. Bass guitar lessons are also included. [Read more…]

Altrusa to award scholarships for women who are non-traditional students

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Altrusa International of Oak Ridge is offering scholarships starting at $1,000 to deserving women to support their pursuit of education and/or training, a press release said.

The Sarah Ketron Scholarship is intended for women who are non-traditional students and have interrupted their studies for work or family obligations and are returning to school to complete their education. It is named in honor of the late Sarah Ketron, Altrusa president in 1973-74. She was for many years a school counselor in Oak Ridge as well as a community leader and volunteer, the press release said.

The Altrusa Scholarship is available for women who are continuing their education, post-high school, at an institution of higher learning, such as a university, community college, or technical college. [Read more…]

Roane State students will collect donations for Central American countries at Feb. 10 Princess Theatre movie night

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Sixteen Roane State Community College students are traveling to the most impoverished areas of two Central American countries to deliver greatly needed items, and they are seeking the community’s help.

The Service Learning in World Cultures class is seeking contributions of all types of school supplies and clothing. Students will be at the entrance of the historic Princess Theatre in downtown Harriman beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, February 10, to receive donations.

The college’s Arts and Lectures Committee is holding a free viewing of the film “Do the Right Thing” at 7 p.m. that night at the theater, located at 421 North Roane Street.

That award-winning comedy-drama, directed by Spike Lee, is often listed as among the greatest films of all time. The public is invited to view Friday’s screening. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge teen wins youth of year honor from Boys & Girls Clubs of Clinch Valley

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Jordan Hannah

Jordan Hannah

 

Oak Ridge High School senior Jordan Hannah has been named the Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of the Clinch Valley. Hannah was selected from among a group of four outstanding youth, a press release said.

He will now compete for the Tennessee Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle, the press release said. Now in its 70th year, the Youth of the Year program honors the nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed, and inspire.

“Jordan is a terrific young man and will represent his club and community well at the state competition,” said Adam Wilson, chief operating officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Clinch Valley. [Read more…]

Y-12, Pantex donate $1.2 million to local United Way campaigns

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United Way contributions at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, totaled roughly $1.2 million, Consolidated Nuclear Security, the managing and operating contractor, announced Thursday. Contributions from employees, retirees, and the corporation were gathered during the sites’ recent campaigns, a press release said.

The campaigns also added more than 500 Leadership Givers, who have pledged to donate $1,000 or more. Corporate gifts of some $155,000 also added to the total. Funds also were raised through special events, such as silent auctions, and the sales of jewelry, books, and food items, the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools closed Friday due to illness

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Oak Ridge Schools are closed Friday due to illness.

More staff members have been reporting that they are ill, and the school system is not able to provide enough substitutes to fill in for teachers, teacher assistants, and transportation and food service workers, Oak Ridge Schools said in a Thursday afternoon statement.

“Due to this lack of available substitutes, we have decided to close school and the school administration on Friday, February 10,” the statement said.

The school system said student learning and safety are its main priorities, and officials have been monitoring the number of students and staff that have been unable to attend school due to illness. [Read more…]

Opposed to building preschool there, park supporters having party Saturday

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Elm Grove Park Oct. 21, 2015

Elm Grove Park in east Oak Ridge is one of two proposed sites for a new preschool. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

People opposed to building the new preschool at Elm Grove Park plan to show their support for the park on Saturday. They are having a Save Elm Grove Park Party at the park from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, February 11.

“We are inviting all members of the community who wish to show their support, as well as the members of the Oak Ridge City Council and Board of Education, so that they may see firsthand how the community feels about this historic site,” said Jordon Bell, who started a Save Elm Grove Park petition.

Elm Grove Park is on East Tennessee Avenue in east Oak Ridge. It’s owned by the city, and it once had a school. It was initially the preferred site for the new Oak Ridge Schools Preschool, which has been on the city’s wish list for many years.

But Elm Grove Park is now one of two possible sites for the new preschool. The other is Scarboro Community Center in central Oak Ridge. A day care center recently closed at the center, and city officials are now considering whether to add on to that city-owned building on Carver Avenue to house the preschool. [Read more…]