Oak Ridge Today

Police chief declines to comment on use of his memo in Baughn’s letter

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James T. Akagi

James T. Akagi

A memo he wrote in May was used by an Oak Ridge City Council member who wrote a controversial letter that has sparked a heated, week-long debate about drugs and violence in the city’s schools.

But Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi declined to elaborate on the memo on Monday—or discuss how it was used in the letter published last week by Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn. Her letter, which also relied on conversations with current and former school staff members and parents of students, alleged drugs are rampant in many schools, children are at risk of being assaulted, and a “culture of terror” has saturated the system.

Asked for his views on the letter, which was sent to new superintendent Bruce Borchers, Akagi said he couldn’t comment. [Read more…]

Debate erupts over drugs, violence in Oak Ridge schools

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Oak Ridge Schools Press Conference

Keys Fillauer, Oak Ridge Board of Education chair, left, and Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan reject allegations by City Council member Trina Baughn that, among other things, there is a “culture of terror” in Oak Ridge Schools and students are at risk.

The fiery debate erupted last week, with one Oak Ridge City Council member alleging drugs are rampant in many schools, students are at risk of being assaulted, and a culture of terror has saturated the school system.

It continued this week, with two school officials and the city’s mayor holding a press conference at the Oak Ridge High School to rebut the allegations. They were joined by a throng of several dozen administrators, officials, and teachers.

Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn sparked the debate last week in a letter to new school superintendent Bruce Borchers, who started June 18. Baughn told Borchers that countless parents, school staff, and students have shared stories with her that paint a picture of an “inner-city school system run amuck.”

“I’ve heard so many stories of assaults occurring at the middle schools and high school that I am heartbroken,” Baughn said.

But a half-dozen other local officials—including City Council members, school board members, and teachers—said they haven’t heard many complaints, if any, from parents regarding drugs and assaults in Oak Ridge Schools. They called some of Baughn’s claims inaccurate, exaggerated, or untrue. [Read more…]

City, education officials to respond today to Baughn letter on schools

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Oak Ridge municipal and school officials will have a 2 p.m. press conference today to respond to a recent letter written by Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn to new superintendent Bruce Borchers.

The press conference will include Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan and Oak Ridge School Board Chairman Keys Fillauer. It will be held in the lobby of Oak Ridge High School at 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

DOE asks for more information on $2 million CROET grant

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The U.S. Department of Energy has requested additional information as it tries to close out a $2 million grant awarded 16 years ago to a nonprofit organization that owns, develops, and manages former DOE property.

The grant was issued in 1997 as part of a larger grant that the Community Reuse Organization of East Tennessee requested from DOE, said Lawrence Young, CROET president and chief executive officer. Most of the money was used for a high-risk loan program for small businesses. The purpose was to create jobs and promote economic development in East Tennessee, said Mike Koentop, spokesman for the DOE Oak Ridge Office. [Read more…]

UT names solar nanotechnology expert, ORNL deputy as Governor’s Chair

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Ramamoorthy Ramesh

Ramamoorthy Ramesh

KNOXVILLE—Ramamoorthy Ramesh, an authority in the physics of functional materials, has been named the 12th University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Governor’s Chair. He has also been appointed as deputy director for science and technology at ORNL.

Ramesh will serve as Governor’s Chair for Nanomaterials Engineering, based in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He began on June 1. [Read more…]

Pictures: Flooding on Windrock Road in Oliver Springs

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Windrock Road Flooding

Flooding along Windrock Road in Oliver Springs on Sunday afternoon after days of heavy rain.

Days of heavy rain that tapered off Sunday flooded streams and roads in East Tennessee, and caused many cities to reschedule their July 4 fireworks shows.

Here are two pictures of flooding along Windrock Road in Oliver Springs on Sunday afternoon. [Read more…]

Council considers smaller ORCVB contract

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

The Oak Ridge City Council has already agreed to cut funding for the city’s main tourism organization by 25 percent under the budget approved in May.

On Monday, Council members will officially consider a one-year contract for the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau that would set funding at a maximum of $300,000, down from $410,000 last year. [Read more…]

Council asked to remove Beer Board member

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Alleging that one of its members is disruptive, a city board has taken the unusual step of asking city officials to remove him.

The Oak Ridge City Council will consider the request to remove Pedro Otaduy from the Oak Ridge Beer Permit Board during a Monday evening meeting. Council appoints Beer Board members, and it is the only body that can remove them. [Read more…]

Fireworks still scheduled for tonight as heavier rains move out of area

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July 4 Fireworks Setup

Workers set up fireworks at A.K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge for a Sunday evening (July 7) show. (Photo by Darryl Kerley)

The Oak Ridge fireworks show is still scheduled for this evening, and crews were loading the fireworks Sunday morning, Oak Ridge Fire Department Chief Darryl Kerley said.

The July 4 fireworks were rescheduled for 10 p.m. today (Sunday, July 7) because of forecasts calling for heavy rain before and on Independence Day.

The event itself starts at 7 p.m. today at A.K. Bissell Park. Radio host Jack Ryan will be transmitting live from the park beginning at 6 p.m. and will conclude the live broadcast on Merle 96.7 FM with a patriotic medley as the fireworks are shot, according to a city press release last week. [Read more…]

Quilters’ gifts bring warmth, encouragement to cancer patients at Hospitality Houses

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Ritzy Thimble Quilters Guild Group Picture

Members of the Ritzy Thimble Quilters’ Guild gather around the quilts they made and donated to Methodist’s Hospitality Houses. (Submitted photo)

The Hospitality Houses of Methodist Medical Center have been a refuge for thousands of visitors as they travel to the hospital for treatment. The houses provide a welcoming, home-like atmosphere for cancer patients and their families who must travel at least 30 miles to receive cancer treatment.

The Hospitality Houses are supported through generous donations from the community. For the last 10 years, one community organization, the Ritzy Thimble Quilters’ Guild, has offered a unique kind of support to the cancer patients at the Hospitality Houses. [Read more…]

CASA celebrates 25th anniversary

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CASA 25th Anniversary

Tennessee Sen. Randy McNally, left, and Naomi Asher, CASA executive director, during a 25th anniversary celebration in May. (Submitted photo)

CASA of the Tennessee Heartland celebrated its 25th anniversary in May by giving out cupcakes at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce and hosting an awards banquet at the Riverside Grille.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates and has served as an advocate for more than 270 children since July 1, 2012, in Anderson, Blount, and Scott counties, a press release said.

All the volunteers were acknowledged for their hours of service, including Horace Friedman, who has served since the inaugural class in 1988. Horace received a lifetime of achievement award, the press release said. [Read more…]

Methodist Medical Center announces July classes

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Methodist Medical Center is offering classes this month that can help you get in shape, prepare for the birth of a baby, or find support from others going through a similar experience.

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 (800) 468-6767. [Read more…]