Oak Ridge Today

Reception for General Sessions Judge Murch on Thursday

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Ron Murch

Ron Murch

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Supporters of Ron Murch, Anderson County General Sessions Judge, Division II, are having a reception for him on Thursday. It’s from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Holiday Inn Express at 114 Tulsa Road in Oak Ridge.

The host committee includes Jim and Mary Normand, Terry and Debra Mullins, Warren and Judy Gooch, Lawrence and Barbara Hahn, Jack and Janie Pope, Phil and Cathy Wallace, and James Powers.

The public is invited to come by and meet Judge Ron Murch, a press release said. Contributions are not required but will be accepted at the door for anyone wishing to contribute, the release said.

Roane State Concert Choir earns honor in international competition

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Roane State Concert Choir

The Roane State Concert Choir won a silver award at the Canta en Primavera festival in Malaga, Spain. From left are music director Geol Greenlee, students Amanda Cole, Kela Oberloh, Amber Delk, Mason Van Horn, Paul Davis, Jeremiah Jacks, Eddie Rivera, Amanda Holly, Trisha Davidson, Judy Rivera, and Ashley Sherrill, and choral director Brenda Luggie. (Submitted photo)

 

Roane State Community College’s Concert Choir won a silver award at an international choral festival held in Malaga, Spain.

The choir traveled to Malaga, a seaport on the Andalusian coast of southern Spain, last month during spring break. Under the direction of Brenda Luggie and accompanied by Geol Greenlee, the 11-member choir performed in the Canta en Primavera (Sing in Spring) festival.

“The group was the only ensemble from the U.S., and in their first international competition, scored silver (level 9), less than two points from the winner’s score,” Luggie said. “Their success is not just a feather in their caps, but a memory they will cherish for the rest of their lives.” [Read more…]

Honors: Free Medical Clinic founder honored at surprise reception

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Free Medical Clinic Founder Honored

John Auxier, left, is welcomed by FMCOR Co-Medical Director Dr. Jim Michel at a surprise reception held in his honor. (Submitted photo)

 

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While the waiting room often gets crowed at the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge (FMCOR), it was packed to capacity on a recent Sunday afternoon. People huddled together not to see a doctor, but to surprise the person whose efforts led to the clinic’s opening nearly four and a half years ago.

John and Mary Lou Auxier arrived at the clinic with John’s sister for a pre-arranged tour by Executive Director Teresa Brittain. Instead, John was surprised by more than 60 friends, colleagues, and clinic volunteers who gathered for a reception to honor him for turning his dream into a reality, a free clinic that provides basic medical care to the uninsured or to those who can’t afford to pay for medical care. Since opening, more than 3,500 residents of people who reside in Anderson, Roane, or Morgan counties have received care in more than 15,000 visits. [Read more…]

Red Cross to honor heroes at luncheon on Tuesday

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American Red Cross Logo

The American Red Cross in Oak Ridge will recognize individuals who exemplify courage, kindness, and unselfish character at its 15th Annual Heroes Luncheon at noon Tuesday at the DoubleTree Hotel.

The Red Cross will honor local heroes from nominations submitted by the community. Those honored will include military, police, fire, first responders, and other local heroes, a press release said.

Nominees are people who have responded to a crisis to provide comfort or leadership and/or have provided an example to others in the community about dedication to the community in a time of need. Categories include Professional Rescuer/Responder (police, EMT, firefighter), Youth Good Samaritan (21 and younger), and Community Service.

Since 2000, the annual event has recognized hundreds of Anderson County heroes. [Read more…]

Church Women United celebrates friendship, service

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Church Women United invites the public to a program entitled “Through God Our Hands Can Serve” on Friday, May 2, in the parish hall of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 212 N. Tulane Ave. in Oak Ridge. The program celebrates May Friendship Day by focusing on the gifts that God has provided each of us to serve others.

Fellowship begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by a brief meeting and program at noon. A potluck lunch will be held afterward. Please bring something to share. Reservations are appreciated but not required.

CWU was founded in 1941 as a national interdenominational women’s movement to bring together women of diverse races, cultures, and traditions in closer Christian fellowship, prayer, advocacy, and service to strengthen communities and build peace with justice. For more information, contact Gay Marie Logsdon at (865) 483-7940.

Honors: Norwood Elementary Classworks All-Stars

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Norwood Elementary Classworks All-Stars

Pictured above are Norwood Elementary School students Ronnie Rigney, Kristin Lindsay, Landan Lowery, and Jason Bolden. (Submitted photo)

 

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Congratulations to Norwood Elementary School students Ronnie Rigney, Kristin Lindsay, Landan Lowery, and Jason Bolden. They have been selected as Classworks All-Stars. This honor is only given to 500 students nationwide. This award is for math and reading achievement on the Classworks program sponsored by Anderson County Schools.

Splitting UPF project into two buildings could save money, senator says

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U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander

Lamar Alexander

Money could be saved on the new Uranium Processing Facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex by splitting up the project into two buildings rather than one, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander said during a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

One building could be used for high-security work, Alexander said during a hearing of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee. That high-security building would cost several times as much as a second building used for low-security work, Alexander said.

Not all of the work has to be conducted in a high-security facility, the Tennessee Republican said, and some of it could be conducted in the low-security building.

It wasn’t immediately clear if the two-building proposal is included in a so-called Red Team Review of the UPF project. That report could be made public this week. Federal officials and members of Congress have already been briefed on it. [Read more…]

Sexual act offered to investigator during prostitution investigation, sheriff says

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Young Hwa Park

Young Hwa Park

An employee at a spa in Anderson County offered a sexual act to a Sheriff’s Department investigator in exchange for money during an undercover prostitution investigation on Tuesday, authorities said.

Two women from Duluth, Ga., were arrested and charged with prostitution offenses, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said in a Wednesday afternoon press release.

The investigation at the recently opened “spa” called King Accupressure on Andersonville Highway started after the Sheriff’s Department was notified by the Law Director’s Office, White said. The investigation led Sheriff’s Department officials to believe that prostitution activity was occurring, White said.

An undercover operation was conducted Tuesday, and an employee of the business offered a sexual act to an investigator in exchange for money, the sheriff said. [Read more…]

Y-12, Pantex workforce reductions could total about 170 jobs

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Y-12 National Security Complex Scarboro Road Entrance

The Scarboro Road entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above.

Workforce reductions at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, are expected to total about 170 jobs, officials said this week.

That’s about 2 percent of the roughly 7,900 workers at the two nuclear weapons plants.

The workforce reductions are expected to come through a voluntary separation program, or VSP.

The majority of the reductions, or 140 positions, would be at Y-12. The other 30 would be at Pantex.

The VSPs are being considered as a new federal contractor, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, prepares to take over at Y-12 and Pantex on July 1. CNS, which was first announced as the new consolidated contractor in January 2013, has promised to save the federal government more than $3 billion during the next decade. [Read more…]

Two arrested after prostitution investigation, Sheriff’s Department says

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Anderson County Detention Facility

The Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton is pictured above.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department arrested two people Tuesday afternoon after a prostitution investigation at a recently opened spa on Andersonville Highway near Norris, Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said this morning.

The Sheriff’s Department is working with Anderson County District Attorney General Dave Clark on some additional enforcement action on the business, Lucas said, and more information should be released later today.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

‘Cash mob’ at Cutie Patootie’s on Thursday

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Cutie Patootie's Repeat Boutique

Cutie Patootie’s Repeat Boutique

 

ORNL Federal Credit Union will have its next cash mob at Cutie Patootie’s Repeat Boutique in historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge on Thursday.

The cash mob is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. The first 30 customers will receive a $20 gift card to use within the store, courtesy of ORNL Federal Credit Union, a press release said. There is a limit of one gift card per family or couple.

Cutie Patootie’s Repeat Boutique is at 209 Jackson Square.

“Founded by owner and single mom, Wendy Holloway, Cutie Patootie’s Repeat Boutique in Oak Ridge is the epitome of small business with its local feel, loyal customers, and personalized service,” the press release said. “The resale boutique has been serving the Oak Ridge community for several years by offering new and gently used items for babies, children, teens and women, including toys, handmade hair bows and accessories, jewelry, shoes, clothing, and more. [Read more…]

Anderson County receives award for financial reporting

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Anderson County Courthouse

The Anderson County Courthouse on Main Street in Clinton is pictured above.

CLINTON—The Anderson County government announced Wednesday that its Accounts and Budgets Office has again received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the county’s comprehensive annual financial report, or CAFR, for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2013.

The Certificate of Achievement has been awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. According to records, it is believed that Anderson County consecutively has received the award from GFOA for 20 years, a press release said.

“Our accounting office continues to exhibit a standard of excellence,” Anderson County County Mayor Terry Frank said. “I want to commend them all for their hard work on behalf of good government and a better Anderson County. I can’t say enough how proud I am of their hard work.” [Read more…]