Oak Ridge Today

ORPD: Four shots fired at woman who pointed pistol at officer

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Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

Three counts of aggravated assault pending against woman; officers on administrative leave

Two Oak Ridge police officers fired four shots at a woman who pointed a pistol at one of them on Saturday night, authorities said.

The woman, who had reportedly threatened to commit suicide, pointed the semi-automatic pistol at Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Leslie Miller after authorities had ordered her to put down the gun, a press release said.

Fearing for her safety, Miller fired one round, while another responding officer, Christopher Carden, fired three shots at the at the woman, Anna King, who fell backwards, the ORPD press release said.

Police responded to the home at 123 Jonathan Lane at about 11:37 p.m. Saturday after King’s boyfriend called police to report that King had threatened to commit suicide. The boyfriend said King had access to several weapons, including a pistol, a rifle, and a shotgun. Besides Miller and Carden, Officer Kenneth Prickett was also dispatched to the home to check King’s welfare, the press release said. [Read more…]

OREPA has names, remembrance ceremony at Y-12 on Wednesday

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OREPA Peace Cranes at Y-12

Sharon O’Hara-Bruce of Lake Orion, Mich., ties a peace crane to a fence set up in front of the Y-12 National Security during a ceremony last year recalling the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945, near the end of World War II.

An Oak Ridge peace organization will mark the 69th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, with a names and remembrance ceremony across from the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex on Wednesday morning.

It’s an annual ceremony for the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance that commemorates the bombing of Hiroshima near the end of World War II. Uranium for that bomb, code-named Little Boy, was enriched in Oak Ridge.

The Names and Remembrance Ceremony will be held directly across from the East Bear Creek Road entrance to Y12, starting at 6 a.m. and continuing until 9 a.m., a press release said.

“The ceremony, intended to be a solemn and non-confrontational remembrance, is an effort to join our voices to the voices of the hibakusha—the dwindling band of courageous survivors of the bombing of Hiroshima to say ‘Never again!'” the press release said. “We remember so we do not repeat.” [Read more…]

Wounded veteran finds new way to serve by training for career in 3D printing

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Joseph Grabianowski

Joseph Grabianowski

New training program prepares veterans, others to enter advanced manufacturing workforce

While 26-year-old wounded veteran Joseph Grabianowski has inspired Americans with his harrowing war story, someday he may be nationally known for building highly efficient exhaust systems for cars and trucks using 3D printing technology.

Grabianowski—pictured at left at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in front of a 3D printer holding a 3D-printed DOE seal and the plastic material from which it was made—is part of the Energy Department’s inaugural Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advanced Manufacturing Internship. The pilot program is designed to provide accelerated, hands-on career training for veterans and next-generation engineers to prepare them to immediately enter the workforce of the growing advanced manufacturing industry.

Grabianowski stepped on an IED while deployed with his Army unit in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, in May 2012. Damage from the blast required a rare, radical amputation of his lower body. He had long dreamed of being a U.S. Marshal but knew his path would now lead in a new direction. In a December 2013 interview with USA Today, Grabianowski said, “I still love my country…even though I can’t go be a marshal now, I can still go do something that would be a good service to my country.”

Barely two years later, his successful recovery is a testament to his personal will and determination. This self-proclaimed techie now envisions a career for himself in what he calls the “future of manufacturing,” which is additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. Through this pioneering program offered by the Energy Department’s Advanced Manufacturing Office, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Pellissippi State Community College, and ORNL, Grabianowski is receiving the training needed to make his career goals a reality and prepare him to succeed in the additive manufacturing world.

“Where this industry is going to boom is right here in Oak Ridge,” Grabianowski said, “and the best engineers in the field are available through this program to teach me.” [Read more…]

Sheriff’s Department seeks police impersonator who stopped driver

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Anderson County Sheriff Logo

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a police impersonator who stopped a female driver on Laurel Road near Clinton on Monday night.

The impersonator pulled over the motorist at about 10 p.m. Monday using a red flashing light on his dash but turned the light off after they stopped, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy.

The vehicle was described as a dark-colored late ’90s Chevrolet Lumina, Lucas said. The impersonator was described as a white male, mid-30s to mid-40s, 5’10” to 5’11”, and about 200 pounds, with a stomach that hung slightly over his belt. He had ear-length brown hair, combed to one side, balding on top of the head with a receding hairline and a graying mustache. He was wearing a white button-up shirt with dark dress pants and had a gold- or brass-colored badge on his left side and a revolver in a dark-colored soft holster on his right side. [Read more…]

Fitness expert to lead ‘Hike and Bike’ at Haw Ridge on Aug. 15

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Covenant Health Missy Kane

Missy Kane

A Covenant Health fitness expert will lead a “Hike and Bike” at Haw Ridge on Friday, August 15.

“Get ready to hit the trail for fitness,” a press release said.

The “Hike and Bike” will be led by fitness expert Missy Kane. Participants will enjoy a three- to five-mile hike with different length options. They can drive or ride bikes to Riverside Grille afterward for an optional lunch.

During that lunch, Kane will share personal tips for health and fitness. She will be joined by Karen Lacey, a registered dietitian for Methodist Medical Center. Lacey will discuss healthy eating and how to fuel your body for exercise.

[Read more…]

MMC offers classes for expectant parents, getting in shape, improving health

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From classes for expectant parents to getting in shape and improving your health, Methodist can help you keep your cool as the summer heats up!

Classes will be held at the hospital, located at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, unless otherwise noted. For more information and registration, call (865) 835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767. [Read more…]

Honors: ORNL retiree receives top national award from Women in Nuclear

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Peggy Emmett ORNL Researcher

Peggy Emmett (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory retired researcher Peggy Emmett is the recipient of the 2014 U.S. Women in Nuclear Leadership Award, the organization’s highest honor. The award caps a 51-year distinguished career for Emmett, who was recently recognized at a ceremony in Boston.

The award is in recognition of a U.S. WIN member who has made significant contributions and demonstrated leadership in the organization’s three core values: supporting an environment in nuclear energy and nuclear technologies in which both women and men are able to succeed; providing a network through which women in these fields can further their professional development; and providing an organized association through which the public is informed about nuclear energy and nuclear technologies.

Members of the award committee noted Emmett’s contributions to the education of the next generation and encouragement of STEM careers as evidenced by her creation of the SHADES program as well as numerous other activities. SHADES, a statewide project initiated in 1991, is a series of math and science programs for middle school-age girls and their math and science teachers. The program’s goal is to show girls that the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields are fun and interesting and provide excellent career opportunities. [Read more…]

Baby’s Best Fest celebrates World Breastfeeding Month

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Like ice cream and a summer day, some things are just made for each other. That’s how we feel about breastfeeding, too.

Breast milk is made especially for your baby. Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, La Leche League, and WIC encourage all new mothers to consider breastfeeding for your baby’s health and development. Remember, breast is best for baby!

To celebrate World Breastfeeding Month, Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, La Leche League, and WIC will host Baby’s Best Fest, a free event featuring a family ice cream social, children’s activities, community resources, and more. Baby’s Best Fest will take place Tuesday, August 5, from 6-7 p.m. at the Bissell Park Playground, located at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Ice cream quantities are limited. Bring your picnic blanket, your family, and your friends and show your support for breastfeeding and giving your baby the best start possible!

For more information, call (865) 835-4662.

Fee deadline is Aug. 11 for registered Roane State students

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Roane State Community College Harriman Campus

The main Roane State Community College campus in Harriman. The college also has a branch campus in Oak Ridge.

Registration is under way for the fall 2014 semester at Roane State Community College.

Students need to be aware when they register that the college has an August 11 fee deadline. Students who have registered must pay their fees by August 11 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern to keep their class schedules.

Students can pay fees at www.roanestate.edu. They need to log in to RaiderNet and click “Your Account” to get started.

Students can pay by phone using major credit or debit cards. The number is (865) 882-4515. Students may also pay by personal check, money order, or major credit or debit cards at any Roane State campus or by mailing payments to the Business Office, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN 37748-5011. Students are advised to please not mail cash and to include their student ID number (called their “R number”) with their mailed payment. [Read more…]

Final two ‘After Dark’ entertainment events feature comedy, superhero film

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Oak Ridge After Dark

The final two installments of this year’s Oak Ridge After Dark Series will feature comedy and a superhero film. The two entertainment events are scheduled for August 8 and 15 in A.K. Bissell Park.

Oak Ridge After Dark is presented by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau.

On August 8, local comedy improv troupe Einstein Simplified will take the Performing Arts Pavilion stage for a free family-friendly show beginning at 7 p.m., a press release said. Einstein Simplified has been entertaining in the Knoxville area for more than 18 years. The act relies heavily on audience participation and gives everyone the chance to become part of the show.

Comedy night is sponsored by Classic Hits 93.1. No glass containers or alcohol will be allowed on site. Concessions will be available for sale. [Read more…]

State: New law will save local governments money on prisoner health care costs

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A new state law is expected to provide relief to government budgets in mandated health care costs for inmates, a press release said.

Tennessee Senator Mike Bell, R-Riceville, and Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank recently held a news conference in Knoxville to discuss the benefits to taxpayers that will result from the legislation, the release said. They were joined by Candace Allen from the Helen Ross McNabb Center.

The press release said the legislation was a result of a brainstorming session sponsored by the Tennessee Association of Professional Bail Agents in East Tennessee late last year. Sheriffs, district attorneys, county executives, judges, corrections administrators, health professionals, and bail bondsmen representing more than 32 Tennessee counties gathered to discuss the shared concern of jail overcrowding and costs threatening county budgets across the state.

“This new law sets out a framework and legal basis for counties to reduce medical expenses for inmates who receive medical care outside of a jail,” said Bell, who is chairman of the Senate Government Operations Committee. “While it does not solve all the issues surrounding the rapidly- increasing costs of incarceration in Tennessee, it will provide some immediate relief to government budgets that are spending more to address these issues at the detriment of other needs.” [Read more…]

Enrollment open for fall swimming lessons

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department fall swimming lessons will begin August 19. This session will be on Tuesdays each week and will end on October 7.

The classes include Preschool Aquatics, which will allow children to start developing good attitudes and safe practices around the water and separate from their parents; Parent-Child, which is for children six months to three years with their parents; and additional levels of 1-4 and adult.

The fall session consists of eight classes, and each class is 30 minutes. The fee is $65, with a $10 non-resident fee for children who reside outside Oak Ridge. Registration is at the Civic Center front desk, with payment due at the time of registration. [Read more…]