Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge peace group has vigil today despite plans for fence at Y-12

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The government’s decision to erect a new fence in front of the Y-12 National Security Complex could affect plans for an annual spring demonstration next Saturday, but the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance announced it will have its weekly Sunday vigil today.

The group said the decision by the National Nuclear Security Administration to close off the area immediately outside the Y-12 gates at the intersection of East Bear Creek and Scarboro Roads is “aimed at preventing demonstrations and peace vigils by the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance and others.” [Read more…]

Household trash pickup starts Monday

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The Oak Ridge household trash pickup program starts Monday.

Household rubbish, old appliances, and minor remodeling materials will be picked up. Compressors must be removed from refrigerators and air conditioners, however.

A city press release said workers will follow the schedule as closely as possible, but it is a general guide and can vary considerably from the actual schedule due to weather conditions and the amount of trash left by residents. [Read more…]

Civitan Club has membership lunch Wednesday

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The Civitan Club of Clinton will hold its annual membership lunch at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Shoney’s Restaurant near Interstate 75 in Clinton.

The speaker will be Tammy Pearson, governor of the Appalachian District of Civitan International. [Read more…]

Reader pic: Kiwanis presents credit union check to Emory Valley Center

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Kiwanis Club and Emory Valley Center

Oak Ridge Kiwanis President Mark Hembree, right, presents a check from Enrichment Federal Credit Union employees for the Emory Valley Early Learning Center to Kim Perkins, center, and Georgia Brownfield. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge Kiwanis President Mark Hembree recently presented a check from Enrichment Federal Credit Union employees for the Emory Valley Early Learning Center to EVC employees Kim Perkins and Georgia Brownfield.

The money will be used by the Early Learning Center.

It’s part of a Kiwanis service project, a press release said. The check presentation occurred after a program at the March 12 Kiwanis meeting. During that program, Perkins and Brownfield talked about the Emory Valley Center, the press release said.

‘Understanding Evolution’ at Lunch with League on Tuesday

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A licensed professional counselor will discuss evolution during “Lunch with the League” on Tuesday.

Friederica “Freddie” Nechtow will be the guest speaker, and her presentation will focus on “understanding evolution and the evidence for it rather than a debate of the pros and cons,” a press release said. [Read more…]

Learn about electronic lending at Oak Ridge library Thursday

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A Thursday seminar at the Oak Ridge Public Library will focus on using Kindles to check out audiobooks and eBooks.

The free class will be taught by Joan Kearney, and it starts at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the library’s auditorium. [Read more…]

ORPD hosts mid-April seminar on preventing tragedy

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James T. Akagi

James T. Akagi

The Oak Ridge Police Department will host a mid-April seminar on preventing tragedies. The seminar is scheduled four months after the December massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

“The recent tragedy in Newtown, Conn., has stimulated a broad nationwide discussion aimed at preventing future such events,” a city press release said. “This seminar is designed to make citizens aware of possible warning signs of violent behavior and a plan for how to alert the proper agency. Topics of discussion will be mental and emotional health, precautions, and solutions.”

The release said residents, employers, and employees are encouraged to attend. The seminar is titled “Preventing Tragedy: A Community United.” It’s scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 15, at New Hope Center at the Y-12 National Security Complex. [Read more…]

Anderson Chamber has workers’ compensation seminar Wednesday

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This month’s seminar at the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce will feature a discussion of workers’ compensation reform.

Led by Amanda Inman Lowe, it’s scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the chamber office in Clinton. [Read more…]

ORPD chief to talk to Women’s Interfaith Dialogue on Monday

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James T. Akagi

James T. Akagi

Oak Ridge Police Chief James Akagi will discuss vulnerable populations in the community on Monday.

Akagi will speak to the Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge at 2 p.m. at Grace Covenant Church.

“He will explore various new ways we as citizens can help and will welcome suggestions from the attendees as well,” a press release said.

Akagi has been Oak Ridge police chief since July 2011. He is retired from the U. S. Drug Enforcement Agency as an assistant special agent in the Oklahoma City District Office, the press release said. He is a native of Kansas, where he formerly served as a police officer. [Read more…]

Clinton man convicted of child rape

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Information from WYSH Radio

A Clinton man was convicted by an Anderson County jury on Wednesday on one of the three counts of child rape against him.

Michael David Hernandez, 44, was taken into custody, where he will remain until his sentencing on June 10 in Anderson County Criminal Court. [Read more…]

KPD: Clinton woman killed in wrong-way Knox wreck

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Knoxville Police Department said one of the drivers involved in a crash that killed a Clinton woman last week could face charges in connection with that accident.

The wreck occurred on Wednesday, March 20, at about 8:30 a.m. on Clinton Highway. [Read more…]

Judges say resigning jail alternatives director made ‘no real attempt’ to work with them

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Mike Baker

Mike Baker (Photo by D. Ray Smith)

Note: This story was updated March 31 to add a link to the judge’s letter.

Mike Baker, the director of Anderson County’s alternatives to jail program, was critical of the judiciary and the county mayor when he announced his resignation last week, saying he didn’t have their support.

This week, though, three Anderson County judges said Baker, whose last day is April 4, had made “no real attempt” to work with them. When Baker started his job about a year ago, they said, he lacked knowledge of Tennessee laws related to prisoner release programs, and he had no relevant experience in the state or Anderson County. [Read more…]