Oak Ridge Today

Aggravated robbery charge dismissed, Oak Ridge man will get gun back

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Xyrius Jaeren Dickerson

Xyrius Jaeren Dickerson

An aggravated robbery charge filed against an Oak Ridge man in June was dismissed on Tuesday, and the man will get his gun back, court records said.

A hearing had been scheduled for Xyrius Jaeren Dickerson, 21, in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge on Tuesday afternoon.

But the charge was dismissed, attorney David Stuart said. The alleged victim has refused to appear, he said.

Prosecutors had no choice but to not oppose the motion to dismiss, Stuart said.

The defense also got an order to get Dickerson’s gun back, Stuart said. The gun had been placed into evidence at the Oak Ridge Police Department. Its return to Dickerson is subject to a few conditions, including proof of ownership and compliance with city rules and regulations. [Read more…]

MMC: Renovations under way on third Hospitality House for visiting patients, families

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To help the renovation efforts, employees from National Strategic Protective Services, or NSPS, have put in many hours of hard labor at Methodist Medical Center’s soon-to-be third Hospitality House. (Submitted photo)

To help the renovation efforts, employees from National Strategic Protective Services, or NSPS, have put in many hours of hard labor at Methodist Medical Center’s soon-to-be third Hospitality House. (Submitted photo)

 

The Methodist Medical Center Foundation and the Hospitality Houses are adding a third Hospitality House near Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

The Hospitality Houses are located just minutes from MMC, and they primarily serve patients and families visiting for cancer care, wound care, intensive care, cardiac critical care, or certain short stays related to specific tests and procedures. There are no charges for guests staying at the Hospitality Houses. All costs are covered by charitable contributions raised through annual fundraising events and by food and related necessities donated by caring individuals, area churches, civic clubs, and businesses, a press release said.

Last year, 211 guests spent 1,787 nights in Methodist’s two existing Hospitality Houses. They came from 18 Tennessee counties and 14 different states. One guest with a family member in Intensive Care Unit came all the way from France, the press release said. [Read more…]

Anderson County Democrats will watch convention July 28 at Swifty’s

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The Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club will gather at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 28, for a meeting and to watch the Democratic National Convention at Swifty’s Atomic Bar and Grill at 119 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

The Anderson County Democratic Party will join the women’s club to watch the convention after a 6 p.m. ribbon cutting to open the new Democratic Party Headquarters at 136 South Illinois Avenue, across the street from Swifty’s. [Read more…]

DOE investing $19 million in building efficiency, with four of 18 awards to ORNL

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Ernest Moniz

Ernest Moniz

The U.S. Department of Energy announced Friday that it is investing $19 million to improve the efficiency of the nation’s homes, offices, schools, hospitals, restaurants, and stores. The projects will develop advanced building technologies that will help American consumers and businesses save money on their utility bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs, a press release said.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory received four of the 18 awards.

Buildings are the largest energy consumer in the nation—accounting for more than 40 percent of the nation’s total energy demand and greenhouse emissions, and resulting in an annual energy bill totaling $430 billion, the press release said. On average, nearly a third of this energy is wasted. It’s estimated that if the U.S. reduced energy use in buildings by 20 percent, the nation could save nearly $80 billion annually on energy bills.

The 18 innovative projects announced Friday will develop sensors and energy modeling tools to make buildings smarter, reduce refrigerant leaks and improve the efficiency of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems, and produce a low-impact, gas-powered heat pump that can operate efficiently in colder climates. The projects will also support renewable energy market penetration through energy storage, pinpoint air leaks and reduce energy losses through the building envelope, and cut electricity use by transmitting sunlight to building interiors, the press release said. [Read more…]

Yager announces Senate re-election bid

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Ken Yager

Ken Yager

Information from WYSH Radio

Tennessee Senator Ken Yager, a Kingston Republican, recently announced his bid for re-election to the Tennessee Senate. Yager, unopposed in his reelection bid, is seeking his third term to the state Senate.

“It is an honor to serve,” Yager said. “I take my responsibility to serve very seriously and am guided by one—and only one—principle: Constituents come first.”

The 12th Senatorial District is one of the largest in the state geographically.

“I represent seven of the finest counties in East Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland region, and work hard to make sure each receives its fair of state funding and grants,” Yager said. “I have been proud to be able to announce millions of dollars in grants, road projects, and new funding which will improve the lives of all of our citizens.” [Read more…]

Roane budget passes with no tax increase

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Roane County Commission passed its 2016-17 budget on Monday, July 11, with no increase in the property tax rate.

The budget was passed unanimously by the 15 members present.

There were no raises for county employees in this year’s budget, but a committee looking into benefits and insurance could possibly bring a recommendation back to the full commission next month that could potentially save the workers enough on their insurance costs to equal a 1 percent raise. [Read more…]

Donate $10, spray paint on part of old mall—money goes to Blankenship Field

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Main-Street-Oak-Ridge-Celebration-1

As part of the Main Street Oak Ridge groundbreaking on Wednesday, you will have a chance to spray paint on part of the old mall in exchange for a $10 donation, and the money raised will be used for the Blankenship Field Renovation Project.

It’s part of the Main Street Oak Ridge celebration at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. The City of Oak Ridge is helping to raise the money for Blankenship Field.

“The fundraising opportunity will be one of the last items in the program, after the groundbreaking and ceremonial demolition we have planned,” a city statement said. “Participants will be asked to donate $10 to the field renovation project. In return, they’ll get to spray paint a designated area on the outside of the old mall building. People can write whatever they’d like (as long as it’s tasteful), but we see this as a special opportunity for the community to bid the ‘mall’ farewell.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge shows support for police; department emphasizing de-escalation

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ORPD Flowers Cake July 12 2016

An ambush of police in Dallas on July 7, 2016, killed five officers, and after the shooting, East Tennessee residents showed support for the Oak Ridge Police Department, sending cake, flowers, and food, and buying lunches, among other things. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

After an ambush of police in Dallas killed five officers on July 7, the Oak Ridge community rallied around its police department, and Police Chief Jim Akagi said he’s thankful.

People bought lunches for officers anonymously, and residents and organizations dropped off or sent hot meals, cakes, snacks, flowers, and pastries, Akagi said during a July 12 interview. Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch addressed the department during a roll call last week, and someone bought the chief’s lunch as well.

“I cannot thank them enough,” Akagi said of the show of community support. “It’s just the little things: They mean a lot to us.”

Akagi said Oak Ridge is lucky to have a police department with the scale, the talent, and the officers that it has.

But, “the Oak Ridge Police Department is even more lucky to have a community that supports them and has their back,” he said. [Read more…]

Oliver Springs budget approved

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Oliver Springs budget for the fiscal year that began on July 1 has been approved.

The budget includes no property tax rate increase, but officials said that could change next year as the town continues to address needed upgrades to its sewer system and the continuing increase in the cost of employee healthcare. [Read more…]

WYSH: ‘Suspicious package’ turns out to be woman sleeping on picnic table

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Clinton Police Department

Information from WYSH Radio

Last week, the Clinton Police Department responded to a call about what was described as a suspicious package, but officers instead discovered a woman sleeping on a picnic table at Lakefront Park.

Police were called after seeing suspicious items and a pair of shoes near a table by the tennis courts at about 7 a.m. Wednesday, July 13. Initial reports indicated that a dufflebag was on the table and that at one point it had moved.

Officers responded and found a woman wrapped from head to toe in a blanket asleep on the picnic table. Officer Trevor Smith made contact with the woman, later identified as 43-year-old Pam Reid of Jellico, who told him that she had been walking the night before and had stopped there to rest. [Read more…]

Reminder: Roane County Candidate Forum tonight in Oak Ridge

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Reminder: There will be a Roane County Candidate Forum in Oak Ridge tonight. The forum starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, in the Oak Ridge Civic Center A/B Room.

Those who have been invited to participate are candidates for property assessor, road superintendent, County Commission District 6, School Board District 5/6, Ninth Judicial District Criminal Court judge, and Part One General Sessions judge.

Residents of Roane County can vote early from July 15 to July 30 at the First Christian Church, 100 Gum Hollow Road in Oak Ridge. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. [Read more…]

Dale Carnegie ‘How to Win Friends, Influence People in Digital Age’ seminar at Oak Ridge Chamber

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The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce has once again teamed up with Dale Carnegie of Tennessee to offer a workshop series on Leadership Essentials. A discount is available for members of the Chamber. The next session will be held on July 28 from 8-10 a.m. at the Chamber, located at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The session was postponed from an earlier date in June.

The July 28 session is entitled, “How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age.” According to the description of the seminar: “The digital age is changing how we work, play, communicate, and think. It is an exciting frontier that rewards those who leverage the power that it presents. This workshop provides and introduction to the tools needed to develop the attitudes of success necessary to move to new levels of effectiveness in the digital age.”

The cost for members of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce is $30. The cost for non-members is $50. [Read more…]