Oak Ridge Today

ORUUC Annual Holiday Craft Fair is Sunday

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Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church

The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Annual Holiday Craft Fair will be held on Sunday, December 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

A tradition in the community and a holiday favorite, the Craft Fair has become a source of inspiration and a place of diversity for those “one of a kind” gifts on one’s gift giving list, a press release said. Featured will be work of some of the region’s finest artisans working with glass, clay, wood, quilts, and other hand sewn items, and photographs.

A percentage of the sales will benefit the Senior High class. The class will hold a fund raiser lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For more information call the ORUUC church office at (865) 483-6761.

CNS creates community investment fund; grant applications accepted

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Applications for grants from the Consolidated Nuclear Security Y-12 Community Investment Fund are being accepted. The application process started November 30.

Nonprofit organizations in CNS Y-12’s 20-county service area with projects or programs that address community needs and economic development opportunities are encouraged to apply for one-year grants, a press release said. The 20-county service area includes, but is not limited to, Anderson, Roane, and Knox counties.

CNS has established the fund through the East Tennessee Foundation as part of its commitment to Oak Ridge and surrounding counties, the press release said.

“With the leadership of the employee-based CNS Y-12 Investment Advisory Committee, CNS employees will have the opportunity to grant support where the need is greatest and the resources ae best allocated,” the release said.

Funding preferences include: [Read more…]

Alternative Gift Fair, Bake Sale/Mini-Bazaar at Kern Church on Saturday

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Kern-Church-Santa-12-5-15

Kern Church will host its annual Alternative Gift Fair Saturday, Dec. 5, in conjunction with the UMW Bake Sale/Mini-Bazaar. Thelma Douglass, center, will bake her famous apple stack cake. Beautiful Fair Trade items such as the scarves worn by Debbie Shope, left, and Ashley Lockridge, right, will be offered for sale, and Santa, back, will be available for free pictures. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted

Kern United Methodist Church will hold its annual Alternative Gift Fair Saturday, December 5, in the church’s Family Life Center from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

“Shop the World Gifts” of Englewood, Tennessee, a Fair Trade ministry, will have booths full of beautiful, useful gifts for everyone on your list. Fair Trade is a global ministry that has been fighting world poverty and hunger successfully for more than 60 years. They help some of the poorest people in the world…third world artisans who certainly are among “the least of these.” These artisans have been blessed with tremendous artistic ability but have no market for their products. Every purchase makes a difference. By bringing these handmade creations (e.g., jewelry, purses, pottery, woven goods, baskets, table linens, musical instruments, shawls, scarves, skirts, etc.) to their customers, “Shop the World Gifts” helps these artisans feed and educate their children and build better lives. Their customers benefit by receiving a unique quality product at a reasonable price, knowing there was no forced or child labor involved and that the product was made in an environmentally sustainable manner.

At the Heifer International booth, shoppers may choose to donate farm animals to help families around the world become self-reliant. In honor of Heifer, a live llama will visit Kern Church during the Alternative Gift Fair. Your favorite Fair Trade Equal Exchange coffees and chocolates will be available for purchase. Local programs that serve people in our community and beyond will also have items for sale. All proceeds go to support ministries and programs for people in need. [Read more…]

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.

Weather: 24 non-injury crashes, 12 trees down, four roads under water

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High Water

From Friday through Wednesday morning, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department responded to several weather-related incidents due to the heavy rain, authorities said.

There have been 24 reported crashes, none of which involved injury, Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said. There have been 12 reports of trees that have fallen across roadways.

As of Wednesday morning, there were three roads in the county that were impassable due to high water: Irwin Mill Road off Sinking Springs Road, Bacon Springs Road in the Marlow community, and Airport Road near Oliver Springs. Offutt Road at Offutt Spur Road in the Medford community is also flooded.

“Motorists are advised to use caution while driving even after the rain ends today,” Lucas said. “The saturated ground may cause more trees to fall, and water may continue to rise in low-lying areas near creeks and streams.”

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.

Game-changer: JMS, RMS trying laptops now, more students could soon

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Robertsville-Middle-School-Device-Rollout-Nov-3-2015

More than 300 convertible laptops were given to Oak Ridge middle school students for educational use in November. About 190 are being used by seventh-grade students at Robertsville Middle School, pictured above, and roughly 130 were distributed to sixth-grade students at Jefferson Middle School. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

In what was described as a “game-changer,” more than 300 convertible laptops were given to Oak Ridge middle school students for educational use in November.

The laptops, which must be returned at the end of each school year, are part of a new program named Access Oak Ridge.

About 190 seventh-grade students at Robertsville Middle School and roughly 130 sixth-grade students at Jefferson Middle School are trying the devices this month, and they could be “rolled out” to all middle school students, grades 5 to 8, in January, Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers said.

The students are using Lenovo Yoga 11e convertible laptops that can be used as laptops, tablets, tents, or stands. The children can use the computers for all subjects.

“When implemented well, the research shows an increase in student engagement and achievement,” Borchers said. [Read more…]

CNS, ATLC reach tentative agreement

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Y-12 National Security Complex Aerial View

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is pictured above. (File photo)

 

On Monday, negotiation teams from Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC and the Atomic Trades and Labor Council reached tentative agreement on a new five-year labor agreement for work at the Y-12 National Security Complex. The tentative agreement will go to ATLC members for a ratification vote on Thursday, December 3.

CNS and ATLC began negotiating a new labor agreement on October 26. The current agreement is scheduled to expire December 8. If ratified by ATLC membership, the agreement will be in effect Tuesday, December 8.

The ATLC is the bargaining unit for 13 local unions representing approximately 1,100 employees at Y-12.

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…]

Woman, 80, rescued after being trapped overnight in wrecked car

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Joiner-Hollow-Road-Crash-Nov-30-2015

Roane County emergency workers rescued an 80-year-old woman on Monday who had been trapped overnight in a car that traveled about 250 feet from from the road, down an embankment, and into a creek, authorities said. (Photo by Roane County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook)

 

Roane County emergency workers rescued an 80-year-old woman on Monday after she was trapped overnight in a car that traveled about 250 feet from the road, down an embankment, and into a creek, authorities said.

Roane County mail carrier Kathy Payne noticed the vehicle in the wood line while on her route on Joiner Hollow Road on Monday, the Roane County Sheriff’s Office said. Payne called 911.

Roane County Sheriff’s Office Captain Tim Hawn stopped to investigate while on patrol on Joiner Hollow Road. Hawn said he heard someone crying for help, and he climbed down the embankment and discovered an 80-year-old female who was pinned in her vehicle, the RCSO said in a Facebook post.

The woman was able to speak, and she asked Hawn if he was there to get her out.

“Hawn said that he was there to help her and promised her that they would get her out,” the Sheriff’s Office said. [Read more…]

Updated: Two teens injured in ATV crash in Morgan County

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UT-Lifestar-Oliver-Springs-Nov-27-2015

Two teenagers were injured in an ATV crash in Coalfield in Morgan County at about 3:16 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, and one was flown to a hospital by a UT Lifestar medical helicopter that landed in Oliver Springs, authorities said. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 9 a.m. Nov. 28.

OLIVER SPRINGS—Two teenagers were injured in a two-vehicle ATV crash in Coalfield in Morgan County on Friday afternoon, and one of them was flown to a hospital by a medical helicopter that landed in Oliver Springs, authorities said.

The teenager flown to the hospital is a 14-year-old who had been driving a 2007 Suzuki Eiger 400 on Back Petros Road at about 3:16 p.m. Friday, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said. It was headed in the same direction as a second all-terrain vehicle, a Honda Recon driven by another 14-year-old.

But the right front tire of the Suzuki ran into the left rear tire of the Honda as the two vehicles were going around a curve, a THP preliminary report said.

The 14-year-old driving the Suzuki then lost control of the ATV, and it overturned, the THP said. The driver was wearing a helmet, but had multiple injuries, the THP said. A 15-year-old passenger in the Suzuki was not wearing a helmet and was injured, the report said. [Read more…]

Man injured in truck fire; others OK as fuel ignites

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Pickup-Truck-Fire-Briarcliff-Nov-27-2015

The driver of a pickup truck that caught on fire on Friday afternoon, Nov. 27, 2015, was taken to the hospital with minor burns, and emergency workers were not injured when fuel vapors ignited after the fire was first extinguished, authorities said. Pictured above are ORFD Battalion Chief Eric Rackard, left, and ORPD Officer Christopher Wallace. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The driver of a pickup truck that caught on fire Friday afternoon was taken to the hospital with minor burns, and emergency workers were not injured when fuel vapors ignited after the fire was first extinguished, authorities said.

The 62-year-old man tried to open the hood of the blue Ford Ranger and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, said Oak Ridge Fire Department Battalion Chief Eric Rackard. The man, who was not identified, received minor burns on both hands.

The cause of the fire at Diversicare of Oak Ridge, on Elmhurst Drive near Hank’s Market on Emory Valley Road, was unknown.

But a fuel line on the engine ruptured, and gasoline vapors ignited while emergency workers tried to plug the line.

“Anytime you see that, you worry,” Rackard said. [Read more…]

Driver gone, but reports to ER later after vehicle goes off road, ignites

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South-Illinois-Avenue-Crash-Nov-20-2015

The driver was gone but reported to an emergency room later after a Ford Explorer went about 40 feet down an embankment along South Illinois Avenue and started on fire on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, authorities said. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The driver was gone when firefighters responded, but the driver reported to an emergency room later after a Ford Explorer went about 40 feet down an embankment along South Illinois Avenue and started on fire last Friday, authorities said.

The vehicle went down an embankment on the right side of the road headed down a big hill into central Oak Ridge, just south of Scarboro Road/Lafayette Drive, on Friday, November 20. The Explorer went sideways down the embankment as it went down the hill and ended up next to a culvert, Oak Ridge Fire Department Battalion Chief David Harrington said.

The northbound lanes of South Illinois Avenue were temporarily blocked as firefighters put out the vehicle fire. [Read more…]