Oak Ridge Today

Thursday: Manhattan Project Park presents ‘The Mysterious World of Lightning Bugs’

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National Park Service

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park will present a program on “The Mysterious World of Lightning Bugs” on Thursday evening at the University of Tennessee Arboretum in Oak Ridge.

The program is scheduled from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, June 16, at the UT Arboretum, which is at 901 South Illinois Avenue.

“We will discuss the lifecycle of the firefly, what makes them glow, different species within the area, how to identify them by their flashes, and how they have been used in the past for military uses and current scientific research,” a press release said. “As the sun begins to set, we will move outside (weather permitting) and attempt to catch and observe fireflies. All fireflies will be released at the end of the evening.  If you bring a flashlight, please keep it turned off during the program or use a red light.  White light has been known to cause fireflies to stop flashing.” [Read more…]

Work under way at new Hobby Lobby store

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Hobby Lobby Renovations at Kroger June 15 2016 1

Construction work was scheduled to start this month on the new Hobby Lobby store at the former Kroger on South Illinois Avenue, and workers are pictured above at the site of the new Hobby Lobby store on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Construction work was scheduled to start at the beginning of this month at the new Hobby Lobby store in Oak Ridge, and workers have been seen at the site in the past few weeks. Construction fencing was up around the new store, which will be at the former Kroger on South Illinois Avenue, as early as May 28.

On Friday, Bob Miller, Hobby Lobby communications coordinator, said plans show a store of 62,800 square feet. Miller said he does not have a projected opening date at this time.

The new store was announced in April.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Hobby Lobby Renovations at Kroger June 15 2016 2

Construction work was scheduled to start this month on the new Hobby Lobby store at the former Kroger on South Illinois Avenue, and workers are pictured above at the site of the new Hobby Lobby store on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

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Couple escape with their dog from house fire

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Wayside Road Fire June 15 2016 1

The Oak Ridge Fire Department puts out a house fire at 106 Wayside Road on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 10 a.m. June 16.

An Oak Ridge man and woman and their dog escaped from a fire that heavily damaged a home on Wayside Road on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

The fire was reported at about 5:32 p.m. Wednesday.

The couple and their dog were reported to be out of the house and in a neighbor’s yard when firefighters arrived. No injuries were reported.

The fire appeared to have started at a propane grill on a back porch, although the cause hasn’t been determined, said Eric Rackard, Oak Ridge Fire Department battalion chief. [Read more…]

Area lawmakers announce $72,190 in arts grants in Anderson County

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Tennessee lawmakers announced this month that six arts grants worth a total of $73,010 have been awarded to five organizations in Anderson County.

The grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission include two awards with a combined total of $18,600 for the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge in the categories of Arts Education-Community Learning and Partnership Support.

Other grants include $23,110 to the Oak Ridge Community Playhouse in the category of Partnership Support, $16,900 to the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association in the category of Partnership Support, $11,620 to the Oak Ridge Community Art Center in the category of Partnership Support, and $2,780 to the Tennessee Mountain Writers in the category of Art Project Support. [Read more…]

TVC honors Earl Gohl, Wayne Cropp for commitment to region

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Earl Gohl

Earl Gohl (Submitted photo)

 

Two long-time supporters of the Tennessee Valley Corridor were presented the organization’s top award at the TVC’s National Summit held June 1-2 on the campus of Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee.

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl and Chattanooga attorney J. Wayne Cropp were honored with the Corridor Champion Award in recognition of their leadership to enhance the TVC’s national visibility, high-tech economic development, and collaborative efforts within the five-state region, a press release said.

“Wayne Cropp chaired the TVC first two Summits in 1995 and 1996 in Oak Ridge and Chattanooga and has been an active leader since,” said Board Chair Steve Cope from Tullahoma. “He has been a true champion for our region’s efforts to promote its federal missions and to leverage those investments for high tech economic development. [Read more…]

Council approves budget with no tax increase, more money for schools

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Note: This story was updated at 1:15 p.m. June 16.

The Oak Ridge City Council approved a budget on Monday that does not include a property tax rate increase, but it does include more money for schools. The budget anticipates increases in the trash fee and water and sewer rates.

It was the second and final vote on the budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. The first vote, or reading, was Monday, June 6.

The property tax rate will stay at $2.52 per $100 of assessed value. It’s the ninth year in a row without a property tax rate increase by the city, although the tax rate had to be adjusted last year after five-year reappraisals.

The budget, which has about $22.8 million in the general fund, includes a 3 percent pay adjustment that will move municipal employees along their pay scales, helping to separate those who have worked for the city for a while from those who have just started. [Read more…]

Lavender Festival: Hot peppers, thyroid health, city chicks, TN wine!

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Lavender Festival 1

Photography by Shawn Millsaps

 

Hot peppers, thyroid health, city chickens, and cooking with Tennessee wine are the topics of special presentations at the 18th annual Lavender Festival on Saturday, June 18, in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. Lavender Festival is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, with more than 100 artisan vendors. Festival admission and special presentations are free, except where noted, a press release said.

Indoor Presentations

Location: In the white building in the southeast corner of the square near the stairs [Read more…]

Attendees make their own sunshine at Methodist’s Survivor Sundae

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Guests of all ages enjoyed building ice cream sundaes at Methodist Medical Center’s third annual Survivor Sundae event, which is held to honor cancer survivors and educate the public on cancer prevention and screening. (Photo submitted by MMC)

Guests of all ages enjoyed building ice cream sundaes at Methodist Medical Center’s third annual Survivor Sundae event, which is held to honor cancer survivors and educate the public on cancer prevention and screening. (Photo submitted by MMC)

 

National Cancer Survivors’ Day is an annual, worldwide celebration of life where cancer survivors unite to show the world what life after cancer looks like. On Sunday, June 5, Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge honored these cancer survivors, their family, and friends by hosting its third annual Survivor Sundae, an ice cream social celebrating National Cancer Survivors’ Day.

Cancer survivors, caregivers, and the community gathered to enjoy the free event, make ice cream sundaes, connect with other survivors and cancer support organizations, and listen to music by the Mt. LeConte Jug Band, which was sponsored by the Cooperative Agreement of Labor and Management, or CALM.

“Sometimes people have a negative idea of what life after cancer looks like,” said Kim Maes, manager of Methodist’s Cancer Support Services and event organizer. “But the reality is that more people are living longer and having better quality lives after cancer than ever before. Survivors are showing us that life after cancer can be meaningful, exciting and filled with joy.” [Read more…]

Sound Company Choir has auditions in July, August; singers in grades 1-12 encouraged to audition

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Sound Company Children's Performing Choir of Oak Ridge performing at their May 2016 show. (Photo by Linda Ripley)

Sound Company Children’s Performing Choir of Oak Ridge performing at their May 2016 show. (Photo by Linda Ripley)

 

Sound Company, the Children’s Performing Choir of Oak Ridge, has announced audition dates for its 2016-2017 season. Sound Company is seeking singers who will be in grades 1-12 this fall.

Auditions will be held on three dates: Friday, July 1, and Friday, July 15, between noon and 2 p.m., following the group’s annual Show Camp events, and on Saturday, August 27, beginning at 9 a.m. The auditions will be at the Historic Grove Theater/High Places Community Church at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

Those who are interested in auditioning should contact Janelle Bell at (865) 387-1583 or info@soundcompanytn.net. Online registration and additional information is available at www.soundcompanytn.net. [Read more…]

TML recognizes Clinton Fire Department, Rocky Top government

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Tennessee Municipal League handed out its annual awards on Tuesday morning in Gatlinburg.

The Clinton Fire Department received the TML’s Award for Excellence in Fire Safety for its recent efforts to improve response times and the overall fire service in the city. Those efforts have paid off in the form of the department’s ISO rating improving from a “4” to a “2.” The lower ISO rating translates into lower homeowner’s insurance premiums for those within the city limits.

Clinton Fire Chief Archie Brummitt has said that the improvements that were made would not have been possible without the support of the City Council, the mayor, the city manager and the men and women of the Clinton Fire Department. [Read more…]

Roane State dental hygiene students earn honors

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Roane State dental hygiene students Kim Palmer (left) and Crystal Morse won first place at a state competition for their display on silver diamine fluoride. (Photo by RSCC)

Roane State dental hygiene students Kim Palmer (left) and Crystal Morse won first place at a state competition for their display on silver diamine fluoride. (Photo by RSCC)

 

Two Roane State Community College dental hygiene students won first place at the annual Tennessee Dental Hygiene Association table clinic competition in Chattanooga.

Students from five dental hygiene programs presented displays that represented their research on a dental hygiene topic. Roane State students Kim Palmer of Lenoir City and Crystal Morse of Friendsville won for their display on silver diamine fluoride.

“I am very proud of our students and their hard work,” program director Melinda Gill said. “This is the third year our dental hygiene students have competed, and we have placed every year.” [Read more…]

Some of nation’s most accomplished STEM teachers selected as Albert Einstein Educator Fellows

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Teachers representing 10 states, District of Columbia will apply classroom experience to congressional, federal executive branch offices

Thirteen accomplished K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, teachers from across the United States have been named 2016-2017 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows. The fellows will spend 11 months serving in a federal agency or U.S. congressional office in Washington, D.C., engaged in the national STEM education arena.

The Albert Einstein Distinguished Education Fellowship, or AEF, Program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 STEM educators to apply their extensive classroom knowledge and experience to their host offices to inform federal STEM education efforts.

The 2016-17 Einstein Fellows are as follows: [Read more…]