Oak Ridge Today

Crossroads Ministry director to discuss helping young, at-risk single mothers

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The director of Crossroads Ministry will discuss how the agency helps young, at-risk single mothers from Anderson and surrounding counties during a Friday morning presentation.

Cora Rhew, founder and executive director of Crossroads Ministry, will explain how her agency helps the mothers face the challenges of mothering while learning to set goals, make good decisions, and develop job skills, a press release said. Rhew will share news about the progress of transitional housing for at-risk single mothers, the release said. She will also talk about the court-ordered training that her agency provides to single parents, both men and women, in the greater Anderson County area. [Read more…]

AARP Senior Driver’s Safety Program on Wednesday, Thursday

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The AARP Senior Driver’s Safety Program is being offered at the Oak Ridge Senior Center on Wednesday and Thursday.

The eight-hour class will be held in two sessions from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, and it is open to drivers in Oak Ridge and the area who are 50 and older. You do not have to be a member of AARP to attend. [Read more…]

Roane State ACE program hosts presentation on composites in the construction industry

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An expert on replacing traditional construction materials with composite materials spoke to representatives from the construction industry during a forum hosted by Roane State Community College’s Advanced Composite Employment program.

Isaac Diggs, president of Longhouse Enterprise Group, has more than 30 years of experience in civil construction projects. ACE and the East Tennessee Economic Council partnered to host Diggs’ Sept. 24 presentation at the University of Tennessee Outreach Center. The event is an example of how the ACE program raises awareness about the potential for composite materials in a variety of industries. [Read more…]

Clinton receives $112,000 hiring grant for community policing

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Clinton has received a hiring grant valued at about $112,000 for community policing.

It was one of three awards announced Friday in the Eastern District of Tennessee by U.S. Attorney William C. Killian in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS.

[Read more…]

ORNL employees to work Tuesday even if federal government shuts down

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Thom Mason

Thom Mason

It’s still not clear if Congress will pass a budget and keep the government open past midnight Monday, but UT-Battelle employees should report to work Tuesday even if the government shuts down, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason said.

Mason addressed the potential government shutdown in a message on staff cuts that he sent to employees Thursday morning.

Mason said ORNL has enough funding to continue operations even if federal employees have to stop work on Oct. 1. [Read more…]

Literacy grant applications now available from Altrusa, Breakfast Rotary

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Applications are now available for about $17,000 worth of literacy grants awarded by Altrusa International of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club.

The grants are used to help improve literacy in Oak Ridge and Anderson and Roane counties, and they will be awarded to selected recipients. Applications and award criteria may be found on the Altrusa International website or Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club website. Hard copies are also available at the Oak Ridge Public Library.

Applications must be submitted by Nov. 1.

[Read more…]

Applications available for 2014 city boards and commissions

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It’s that time of year again. With only a few months remaining for the 2013 calendar year, the city is excited to be gearing up to begin the end-of-year recruitment for board and commission members. The recruitment process begins Oct. 1.

This year’s process is similar to previous years in that interested residents must complete a Boards and Commissions application and may attach additional documents that includes cover letters, references, and resumes. The application allows residents to choose and rank their top three board choices for membership consideration. [Read more…]

Man breaks into car of police chief’s wife, arrested

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James T. Akagi

James T. Akagi

Information from WYSH Radio

A 20-year-old man remains behind bars after he allegedly broke into the wrong car Friday night in Oak Ridge.

Late Friday night, Oak Ridge Police Department Chief James Akagi was at home when he heard his dog barking and went to investigate. He found several items from his wife’s unlocked car in his driveway and spotted an unfamiliar vehicle parked nearby. [Read more…]

Fiscal prudence requires ORNL to prepare for smaller budgets, director says

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Thom Mason

Thom Mason

Many budget questions remain unresolved heading into the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1 and there could be another $100 million drop in funding, so Oak Ridge National Laboratory is implementing plans to further reduce overhead spending and opening a voluntary separation program that could reduce the workforce by up to 475 jobs, Director Thom Mason said Thursday.

Employees can apply for the Voluntary Separation Program, or VSP, from Oct. 1 to Nov. 14. Those employees who are accepted will leave the payroll by Dec. 31.

Lab officials emphasized that they hope the number of staff cuts is smaller than 475. ORNL has about 4,400 to 4,500 employees. [Read more…]

ORNL could trim staff by up to 475, but officials hope for fewer cuts

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory Central Campus

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s central campus is pictured above. (Courtesy of Oak Ridge National Laboratory/U.S. Department of Energy)

With the federal budget under pressure, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has permission to reduce its staff by up to 475 employees, but officials hope they don’t have to make that many cuts.

The workforce reduction could come through what is known as a voluntary separation program, or VSP. Those who apply and are accepted would leave the payroll Dec. 31, ORNL Communications Director David Keim said Thursday.

Keim said the lab had to ask the U.S. Department of Energy for permission to make the cuts, and ORNL sought the highest number of possible reductions. [Read more…]

ORFD launches home escape plan announcement tonight, public invited

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Darryl Kerley

Darryl Kerley

The Oak Ridge Fire Department will host a community viewing of a new public service announcement on home escape plans at 6:30 p.m. today (Thursday).

The announcement is titled “Be Prepared: Home escape plans save lives!” The public viewing at Fire Station No. 3 is open to everyone, and it’s supported by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

“This program is going to give the fire service the opportunity to show how important having a home escape plan is and how the plan can be implemented by people of all ages,” ORFD Chief Darryl Kerley said. [Read more…]

Town Hall meeting in Lake City to focus on proposed theme park

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Information from WYSH Radio

There will be a Town Hall meeting in Lake City at 3:30 p.m. today (Thursday), during which attendees will be able to see and hear a presentation from Knoxville Businessman Buddy Warren—owner of several companies including Rocky Top Beer and Rocky Top Moonshine as well as the right to the name “Rocky Top, Tennessee”—to discuss his proposal to build a Rocky Top theme park and relocate his bottling company, brewery, and distillery to the Lake City area.

The proposed park would include a Rocky Top sports museum, a coal miners’ theater for live music, an emporium, a restaurant, a 100-bed lodge, an Interactive 3D theater, an indoor water park, and several other amenities, including a new studio for our sister station Merle FM.

[Read more…]