Oak Ridge Today

Clinton schools director honored by peers

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Vicki Violette

Vicki Violette

Information from WYSH Radio

Earlier this month, Vicki Violette, the director of the Clinton city school system, was named the 2015 Superintendent of the Year by the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents for the Eastern District during a ceremony held in Pigeon Forge.

This is the second time that Violette has been recognized by her peers with this award, which she also won in 2012. Violette gave the credit for her honor to the hard work of the students, teachers, school board members, and central office staff as well as to the support of the entire community.

CASA’s Evening with the Arts to help abused, neglected children

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An October fundraiser will feature food and music, and it will benefit the work of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland, which works with abused and neglected children.

It’s CASA’s fifth annual Evening with the Arts, and it’s scheduled from 7-10 p.m. Friday, October 10, in a beautiful lighted tent at Melton Lake Park in Oak Ridge, a press release said. Tickets include wine and New Orleans-style food.

“Enjoy listening and hitting the dance floor with an amazing NOLA jazz quartet,” the press release said.

A silent auction will feature local art pieces, including a Bill Capshaw raku vase, locally created jewelry, and unique photography pieces. [Read more…]

Chamber forms Progress PAC, two Council members seek legal action

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Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

Note: This story was updated at 10:30 a.m.

Two Oak Ridge City Council members have requested a special meeting this week to consider litigation against the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, seeking to prevent the business organization from conducting political activities on public property, including through a new political action committee.

The special meeting, which would be open to the public, has been requested by Oak Ridge City Council members Trina Baughn and Anne Garcia Garland. Baughn said she requested the meeting to “vote upon initiating litigation against the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce so that the city may seek either injunctive relief and/or a temporary restraining order with regards to their conducting political activities on public property.”

Stephen Whitson

Stephen Whitson

On Friday, the Chamber announced it had formed a political action committee named the Progress PAC. The multi-candidate PAC will support candidates in the November elections for Oak Ridge Board of Education and City Council, a press release said.

Stephen Whitson of Oak Ridge has been elected Progress PAC chair, and David Bradshaw, also of Oak Ridge, has been named treasurer. Both are past chairs of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

In the press release, Whitson said the Progress PAC will only consider supporting candidates who respond to an issue-based written questionnaire and participate in an interview with Progress PAC members. [Read more…]

NNSA names chief of defense nuclear security

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Nuclear Security Administration has named Jeffrey Johnson the chief of defense nuclear security and associate administrator for the NNSA’s Office of Defense Nuclear Security. The announcement was effective Monday.

In this role, he will be responsible for the development and implementation of security programs for the NNSA, a press release said.

“Jeffrey brings a wealth of experience to NNSA and is eminently qualified to take on the challenges of his new position,” said DOE Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Frank G. Klotz. “I am pleased he will serve our nation in this new role, and I am confident that he will use his expertise to ensure that the security is maintained at all NNSA facilities.” [Read more…]

Company manager renovating Alexander Inn to talk to Altrusa on Wednesday

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Alexander Inn in September 2014

Construction work on the historic Alexander Inn, which is being converted from a hotel to an assisted living center, could be complete later this year.

 

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Rick Dover, general manager of Family Pride Corporation, will be the guest speaker for the Altrusa International meeting on Wednesday, September 24. Dover, an ardent historic preservationist, has acquired and revamped numerous properties in the Knox County, including an abandoned 1930s hospital and a handful of buildings in downtown Loudon, a press release said.

The Alexander Inn of Oak Ridge, which is “near and dear” to many of us, is presently being renovated. It is scheduled to open this year, as the Alexander Inn Guest House. Dover will share his story of the long, involved process of obtaining and renovating the property, keeping in mind the historical value and creating a desirable and pleasant senior living community. This is a story you won’t want to miss! [Read more…]

County mayor to host community forum on broadband Internet access

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Anderson County Terry Frank and Steve Heatherly

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, left, and Steve Heatherly, co-chairman of the Rural 6 organization’s Community/Government Relations Council, look over a map of Anderson County. (Photo courtesy Anderson County Government)

 

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank will host a community meeting to organize efforts to bring broadband Internet access to unserved areas in Anderson County.

The community meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 23, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Community Room at the Norris Community Building, located at 20 Chestnut Drive.

“As mayor, I want to continue to work on efforts to see people in our communities have access to the Internet,” Frank said in a press release. “Expanding access will expand educational opportunities and resources, will help attract more families to choose Anderson County as a place to live, and will increase our economic opportunities. [Read more…]

League, AAUW have registration events on Voter Registration Day

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The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge and the American Association of University Women, Oak Ridge Branch, will host National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 23.

“This major registration event will help people to register to vote or update their voter registration if they have moved or changed names,” a press release said.

The registration will be held at Oak Ridge High School, Clinton High School, and Anderson County High School during lunch periods. Roane State Community College registration will be held on both September 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration at this site will be open to the public.

“Voter registration is the front door to voting in U.S. elections,” the press release said. “Research has shown that the majority of eligible voters who register, turn out to vote. Oak Ridgers and Tennesseans have much at stake this year with our many community elections and with the proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution.” [Read more…]

AC Election Commission: 23 registration drives on Voter Registration Day

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Vote Logo

The Anderson County Election Commission will have 23 voter registration drives at 23 locations on Tuesday, September 23, as part of National Voter Registration Day. The goal is to register as many new voters as possible within a 23-hour period.

“It is our goal to provide every Anderson County resident with the opportunity to register to vote,” an Election Commission press release said. “We will be located in various parts of the county in schools, restaurants, and businesses, giving Anderson County residents the opportunity to be a part of the democratic process!” [Read more…]

RMS one of three new STEM Scouts Labs in East Tennessee

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Robertsville Middle School

Robertsville Middle School in Oak Ridge is one of three additional schools in East Tennessee that have opened STEM Scouts labs.

Robertsville Middle School in Oak Ridge is one of three other schools in East Tennessee that have opened STEM Scouts Labs. The other two new participants are Karns Middle School and Stanford Eisenberg Knoxville Jewish Day School.

That brings the total number of STEM Scouts Labs in the area to seven, a press release said. Oak Ridge High School and Clayton-­Bradley STEM Academy already have STEM Scouts Labs.

STEM Scouts is a co-­ed after-­school program by the Boy Scouts of America that uses hands-­on learning to show youth from elementary through high school how to apply STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) in their everyday lives and encourages them to develop those experiences into a future career, the press release said. The program uses the Scout Oath and Scout Law as its cornerstone.

“We are very happy to see STEM Scouts growing, “ said April McMillan, national co-director of STEM programs for the Boy Scouts of America. “We are the first in the nation to test this program, so we are pleased to see it taking off like this. We’ve had very positive feedback from students, teachers, and parents. We hope to open several more labs before the end of the year.” [Read more…]

Sitel to add 125 jobs in Oak Ridge

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Sitel Logo

Sitel on Monday announced a major hiring effort of more than 125 new employees at the company’s Oak Ridge facility. Newly hired associates will provide inbound customer service support for a leading loan acquisition and servicing provider. The hiring effort will continue within the local community for the next 60 days, a press release said.

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication the Sitel Oak Ridge staff has provided our clients, we’re able to bring more job opportunities to the Oak Ridge community,” said Oak Ridge Site Director Cassidy Klundt. “We look forward to expanding our current team and continuing to provide high-quality customer service support on behalf of our clients.” [Read more…]

NNSA welcomes new assistant deputy for military application

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Nuclear Security Administration on Friday welcomed Brigadier General Stephen L. Davis of the U.S. Air Force as principal assistant deputy administrator for military application.

Davis will assist Don Cook, NNSA’s deputy administrator for defense programs, in directing the Stockpile Stewardship Program, which maintains the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile without underground nuclear testing, a press release said.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Brigadier General Davis since he was a lieutenant and I have seen first-hand his commitment to excellence and service above self,” said U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Frank G. Klotz. “I am confident that he will excel as the senior uniformed officer in the Department of Energy. I also want to thank General Jim Dawkins for his superb service at NNSA and wish him the best of luck in his new and extraordinarily important position as director of strategic capabilities policy at the National Security Council.” [Read more…]

Presidential museum, heritage tourism experts to be featured in AMSE meetings

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Alan Lowe

Alan Lowe

The director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas will be featured in a community meeting in October on the future of the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge.

During that Thursday, October 9 meeting, Alan Lowe will discuss the process of developing and managing facilities that function as both research libraries and historical museum attractions, a press release said.

The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is located inside the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. In his role as director, Lowe oversees millions of presidential records as well as exhibits related to the important issues and events of the Bush Administration, a press release said. [Read more…]