Oak Ridge Today

Give the gift of hope through financial donations to Ecumenical Storehouse

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Your end-of-the-year financial donation can help make a big difference for Ecumenical Storehouse, an organization that is best known for seeking donations of household items for distribution to people in need.

But what many don’t know is that financial contributions are always greatly appreciated by the nonprofit, volunteer organization to help pay for scarce items in high demand, such as heaters and blankets during cold weather and for help with operating expenses.

Many of the clients served are from among the vast number of Appalachian poor in the area. Others have lost everything in a fire or natural disaster. Still others were formally in abusive situations and need emergency assistance to establish a new home. Clients are referred to Ecumenical Storehouse by various social service agencies and churches. [Read more…]

DOE secretary to attend AMSE land transfer ceremony on Dec. 30

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Ernest Moniz

Ernest Moniz

Note: This story was last updated at 12:10 p.m.

U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz will attend the land transfer ceremony for the American Museum of Science and Energy property in Oak Ridge next week.

The ceremony is scheduled for Friday, December 30. Also expected to attend are U.S. Congressman Chuck Fleischmann and City of Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch.

It’s a signing ceremony to formally transfer the roughly 17-acre AMSE site from the U.S. Department of Energy to the City of Oak Ridge.

Under an agreement unanimously approved by Oak Ridge City Council on December 13, the city is then expected to transfer the property in two phases to a company set up by RealtyLink, the South Carolina firm building Main Street Oak Ridge at the site of the former Oak Ridge Mall. [Read more…]

TechShopz for middle school girls are coming to Oak Ridge

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Great opportunities for middle school girls interested in learning more about coding and technology are coming to Oak Ridge.

The first two events are “You Can Code” held on January 21 and “Infographics” held on January 28 at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge. For more information and to sign up, visit www.orcsgirls.org.

These TechShopz are powered by TechGirls (www.techgirlz.org), a 501(c) nonprofit dedicated to reducing and ultimately eliminating the gender gap in technology occupations. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools: State assessment results announced

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Oak Ridge Schools is pleased to announce that we have received our results from high school end of course assessment for the 2015-2016 school year. Only high school results have been released because testing was canceled for grades 3-8 last school year due to difficulties with the state’s assessment vendor.

We are delighted to report that Oak Ridge Schools excelled in high school achievement and growth as compared to the state. In fact, we outperformed the state in every subject area in every subgroup and in every single subscore.

Here are a few highlights: [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools receives $15K grant to implement Naval National Defense Cadet Corp

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Oak Ridge Schools Naval National Defense Cadet Corp Check

Oak Ridge Schools recently received a $15,000 check to implement a new Naval National Defense Cadet Corp program at Oak Ridge High School.
The check was presented by Jessica Steed, third from right, executive director of Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation, or ORPSEF, and Kristin Waldschlager and Gene Sievers, both of CNS Y-12. Also pictured, at left, is Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers. (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge Schools recently received a $15,000 check to implement a new Naval National Defense Cadet Corp program at Oak Ridge High School.

The check was presented by Jessica Steed, executive director of Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation, or ORPSEF, and Kristin Waldschlager and Gene Sievers, both of CNS Y-12.

The check was presented at a December 9 meeting of the Oak Ridge Schools Advisory Board. [Read more…]

Trial for Cromwell, defendant in fatal July 4 parking lot crash, set for Feb. 13

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

 

CLINTON—The trial for Lee Harold Cromwell, the defendant in a fatal parking lot crash after fireworks in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2015, has been set for the week that starts Monday, February 13, 2017.

The trial will be in Anderson County Criminal Court in Clinton. Tennessee Senior Judge Paul G. Summers has been appointed to hear the case.

Officials expect that the trial could last at least four days. The plea deadline is 5 p.m. February 3.

Cromwell, 67, is accused of killing one person and injuring 11 others when he backed his Dodge Ram pickup truck through the crowded parking lot at the Midtown Community Center on July 4, 2015, after fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park. [Read more…]

Update: Community rallies behind kids, drops off replacement toys; thieves still on loose

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Information from WYSH Radio

As WYSH Radio first reported on Friday, a real-life Grinch struck in Anderson County on Thursday. But thanks to the generosity of the community, this holiday tale had a happy ending.

The co-founder of Toys for Rocky Top, Tennessee Kids—Joe Paris—and his brother were going home after an event on Thursday, where volunteers had wrapped hundreds of toys to be distributed to children in need during their annual Christmas party set for this past Saturday night.

The men had loaded up their respective trucks with the Christmas gifts and were on their way home when Paris’s brother’s truck—which had a bad alternator to begin with—broke down by the side of Briceville Highway. The men decided to lock the truck and come back for it the next day, leaving about 150 gifts in the back of the truck, along with a photo backdrop loaned to them by a Clinton photography studio and a new alternator the men had purchased earlier in the day to replace the one in the green Ford Ranger that ultimately broke down. [Read more…]

Updated: Authorities suspend search for suspects in Claxton

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Law enforcement used K-9s to search extensively for about five hours for suspects who crashed a rental van on Edgemoor Road in Claxton on Sunday night, but they were not able to locate anyone and the search has been suspended, authorities said Monday.

A Sheriff’s Department K-9 bloodhound tracked all the way across Chestnut Ridge to West Wolf Valley Road, but the track ended abruptly and it appears the suspects were picked up by a car, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy.

Around midnight, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department also helped Oak Ridge Police Department search the east end of Oak Ridge for about two hours with a K-9 and other deputies looking for a suspicious person that had been reported. It is not clear if that person was involved with the burglary suspects, Lucas said. [Read more…]

Manhunt in Claxton follows incident in west Knox, chase, crash

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CLAXTON—The manhunt in Claxton on Sunday evening is related to a possible vehicle break-in or attempted break-in at Concord Park in west Knox County, followed by a possible chase by a victim down Pellissippi Parkway and Edgemoor Road, and then a crash on Edgemoor Road, authorities said.

Authorities reported that there might have been three or four men in the rental van that was chased and then crashed on Edgemoor Road at Ozella Lane, just east of Bull Run Fossil Plant.

The incident was reported at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy. [Read more…]

ORPD: Manhunt underway for three people in Claxton area

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A manhunt is under way for three people in the Claxton area, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Sunday evening.

Residents in the area of Edgemoor Road and Melton Lake Drive should use caution and lock their doors, the ORPD said.

Also, motorists should avoid picking up any person who is on foot, and use caution. [Read more…]

Energy Communities Alliance publishes recommendations for Trump transition team

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The Energy Communities Alliance, an organization whose members include local governments adjacent to or affected by U.S. Department of Energy activities, has submitted its transition priorities and recommendations for the incoming Trump administration. They are included in “A Roadmap for Successful Local Government and Community Engagement.”

The document includes nine key priorities, each with their own set of recommendations, for the new administration to adopt as it engages in discussions regarding ongoing U.S. Department of Energy operations and performance, a press release said.

Here are the nine priorities, grouped into three areas: [Read more…]

Christmas tree recycling available in Oak Ridge

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Two drop-off locations will be available for residents who want to recycle their Christmas trees after the holidays. The program is offered by the City of Oak Ridge.

Signs will be posted in both locations. The drop-offs are:

  • Big Turtle Park, 2525 Oak Ridge Turnpike (parking lot)
  • Solway Park, 205 Edgemoor Road (parking lot near the boat launch)

Trees will be accepted any time through January 29, 2017. On Saturday, January 14, and Saturday, January 21, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department employees will be available to assist with unloading trees at the Big Turtle Park drop-off location from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., a press release said. [Read more…]