Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge from Thursday, February 5, and continuing through February 11.
This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau: [Read more…]
Baughn asks for investigation of police chief; Hensley seeks reprimand of Baughn
Trina Baughn
Charlie Hensley
Note: This story was updated at 7:08 p.m.
On one hand is Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn. She’s called for an investigation of the police chief.
On the other is City Council member Charlie Hensley. He wants the seven-member Council to reprimand Baughn.
It’s not clear which side, if either, will prevail during the Monday night meeting of the Oak Ridge City Council.
The two Council members, who have a strained relationship, have dueling resolutions that could be considered on Monday. Either one would require a second from another Council member to be discussed and four votes to be approved.
Both resolutions follow more than one week of accusations and allegations that have roiled and divided the community. They have focused, in particular, on the management of the Oak Ridge Police Department by Chief Jim Akagi and raised questions about the turnover rate and whether it is high. Some of the most blistering criticisms have come from former Oak Ridge Police Chief David Beams, who said he still visits the city. [Read more…]
Sheriff: Two arrested on child pornography charges
Mario Luis Castilla
Two Anderson County men have been arrested in unrelated child pornography cases, authorities said.
Mario Luis Castilla, 29, of Offutt Spur Road in Rocky Top, was indicted by the Anderson County Grand Jury on three counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and arrested January 8, Sheriff Paul White said.
Jeremy Keegan Cosgrove, 30, of Jersey Lane in Oak Ridge, was indicted on two counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and arrested January 31, White said. [Read more…]
Haslam makes case for Insure Tennessee
Governor Bill Haslam is pictured above during a visit by President Barack Obama at Pellissippi State Community College on Friday, January 9. (Photo by Rob Welton)
Governor says his plan provides health care coverage to more Tennesseans at no cost to the state
NASHVILLE—Tennessee Govenor Bill Haslam on Monday evening addressed a joint convention of the 109th General Assembly as legislators began an extraordinary legislative session to consider his Insure Tennessee plan.
The proposal, a two-year pilot program to provide market-based health care coverage to more than 250,000 Tennesseans who currently don’t have access to health insurance or have limited options, does not create any new taxes for Tennesseans and will not add any state cost to the budget, the governor’s office said.
“Two years ago, the General Assembly made two requests of us,” Haslam said in a press release. “First, to bring a unique and specific plan to Tennessee that met the needs of our citizens and was financially responsible for our state and the country, and secondly, to bring that plan back to the General Assembly for a vote.
“I have done both of those things. This plan is overwhelmingly supported by Republicans and Democrats in our state. Tonight, I am asking for your vote to help Insure Tennessee.” [Read more…]
Johnson Gap Road bridge being repaired
The Johnson Gap Road Bridge is pictured above closed on January 1, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari)
Information from WYSH Radio
Note: This story was updated at 12:45 p.m. Feb. 3.
Work on the long-awaited project to repair the CSX Railroad-owned bridge on Johnson Gap Road in the Dutch Valley community has finally begun.
Anderson County Commission Chairman Robert McKamey told WYSH Radio in Clinton that the railroad has assured him the work should be done within the next three to four weeks.
Crews on Monday began the long-awaited repair of the bridge. [Read more…]
Regions Foundation donates $20,000 for new Emory Valley Center building
Pictured above from left are Dottie Thompson, Emory Valley Center Capital Campaign co-chair; Jenks Bostic, Regions Bank consumer banking executive for East Tennessee and North Carolina presenting check to Emory Valley President Jennifer Enderson; Janet Wood, Emory Valley Center development director; Gene Caldwell, Emory Valley Center Capital Campaign co-chair; and Kevin Crateau, Regions Bank East Tennnessee and North Carolina Area marketing director. (Submitted photo)
Regions Foundation recently presented a check for $20,000 to President Jennifer Enderson for Emory Valley Center’s Capital Campaign for a new building on Emory Valley Road.
Jenks Bostic, Regions Bank consumer banking executive for East Tennessee and North Carolina. and Kevin Crateau, Regions Bank East Tennessee and North Carolina area marketing director, recently participated in a tour of Emory Valley Center and were inspired by the people supported by the agency to request a donation from Regions Foundation.
Bostic also has a personal connection to Emory Valley Center. His mother, Bertie Bostic, was a well-respected, longtime teacher at the Daniel Arthur Rehabilitation Center (DARC) and his father, Paul Bostic, was the superintendent of Anderson County Schools under whose administration both the DARC and the Emory Valley School operated for many years. Bostic is well acquainted with the work and mission of Emory Valley Center, a press release said. [Read more…]
Electric, Public Works directors at Lunch with League on Tuesday
Jack Suggs
Submitted
As we go about daily life in Oak Ridge, we don’t ordinarily think about where wastewater goes or where the electricity we use comes from. When the monthly utility bill arrives from the City of Oak Ridge, the cost of electricity, water, and sewer may surprise us and make us wonder about the cost and changes in rates.
Gary Cinder, director of Oak Ridge Public Works, and Jack Suggs, Oak Ridge Electric Department director, will be the guest speakers at Lunch with the League on Tuesday, February 3, and they will provide insights into their departments’ activities and responsibilities. The program will be held at noon Tuesday in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church’s new location at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]
Child safety seat checkpoint on Tuesday
There will be a child safety seat checkpoint on Tuesday, February 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Clinton Fire Station #1 on Longmire Road in Clinton.
This event is sponsored by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Clinton Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department. [Read more…]
Tennessee Titans VP to headline DOE Oak Ridge Women’s Workshop
Jenneen Kaufman
Jenneen Kaufman, vice president and chief financial officer of the Tennessee Titans, will give the keynote speech at the annual Oak Ridge Women’s Workshop in March.
The workshop will be presented by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office Federal Women’s Program, or FWP, and the Oak Ridge Chapter of Federally Employed Women, or FEW. It’s on Thursday, March 12 at the New Hope Center at 602 Scarboro Road in Oak Ridge.
In conjunction with the annual FWP Workshop on March 12, the FEW Southeast Region will offer its annual Regional Training Program from March 11 to 13, a press release said. [Read more…]
Oak Ridge Schools announces three teachers of the year
Oak Ridge Schools has announced three teachers of the year.
The three building-wide teachers of the year are:
- Amelia Bell, Glenwood Elementary School;
- Amy Fuqua, Linden Elementary School; and
- Lisa Meidl, Willow Brook Elementary School.
In a press release, school officials said they will soon announce the selection of the system-wide Teacher of the Year, selected from one of these three candidates. [Read more…]
IDB meets Feb. 2
The Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, February 2, in the Municipal Building Training Room.
See the agenda here: IDB Agenda for February 2, 2015.
Light snow falling in Oak Ridge
Images courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown
A light snow fell in Oak Ridge on Monday morning, and the forecast called for a 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 2 p.m.
The forecast near Oak Ridge calls for mostly cloudy skies, with a steady temperature around 34, and a northwest wind of 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
The snowfall was expected to be concentrated mainly in the higher elevations. [Read more…]
