Oak Ridge Today

Donate $10, spray paint on part of old mall—money goes to Blankenship Field

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Main-Street-Oak-Ridge-Celebration-1

As part of the Main Street Oak Ridge groundbreaking on Wednesday, you will have a chance to spray paint on part of the old mall in exchange for a $10 donation, and the money raised will be used for the Blankenship Field Renovation Project.

It’s part of the Main Street Oak Ridge celebration at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. The City of Oak Ridge is helping to raise the money for Blankenship Field.

“The fundraising opportunity will be one of the last items in the program, after the groundbreaking and ceremonial demolition we have planned,” a city statement said. “Participants will be asked to donate $10 to the field renovation project. In return, they’ll get to spray paint a designated area on the outside of the old mall building. People can write whatever they’d like (as long as it’s tasteful), but we see this as a special opportunity for the community to bid the ‘mall’ farewell.” [Read more…]

Local AYSO region rebrands uniforms with classic Oak Ridge colors

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge AYSO Uniform Colors July 2016

The new Oak Ridge AYSO uniform in classic community colors. (Submitted photo)

By Gerry Palau

The kids playing AYSO soccer in Oak Ridge this fall will be sporting new uniforms—featuring the classic Oak Ridge color palette that includes maroon, silver, and white.

The local AYSO Region Board listened to feedback from parents and the community that the uniform style that’s been worn for years would benefit from an update. While considering options for a new uniform style, a factor that stood out as important was to have uniforms that create an AYSO identity that links to the Oak Ridge community. The new jerseys will echo the colors associated with high school sports in our community, and the new jersey style brings a fresh, modern design to our AYSO teams.

With the start of the new soccer season in September, local AYSO players will get to wear these new jerseys and new colors—both for their home games in Oak Ridge, as well as for the away matches that the older age groups play throughout East Tennessee. [Read more…]

State park naturalist to lead adventure at Fall Creek Falls State Park on Saturday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Join Randy Hedgepath, the state naturalist for Tennessee State Parks, on July 23 for an adventure at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Participants will meet at the park Inn and carpool to the Piney Falls area.

“The plan is to hike out the Lower Cane Creek Loop Trail for about a half-mile and learn about the forest of this part of the Cumberland Plateau,” Hedgepath said. “Then, the real adventure begins.

“We will not cross the suspension bridge, but go down under and explore the streambed down to the top of the falls. The forest along the stream is very different from the plateau top. There will be lots of chances to cool off in the stream, lots of scenic bluffs, and a dramatic view into the gorge. The return trip will backtrack to the bridge and out to the vehicles.” [Read more…]

Council to discuss city marketing, eighth rowing lane, housing, Main Street

Posted at
By 8 Comments

SIRA-Regatta-April-17-2016-6

Officials and referees monitor races on the seven-lane rowing course at the 2016 SIRA Championship Regatta in Oak Ridge on Sunday, April 17, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council on Tuesday will discuss city marketing, the potential eighth lane at the rowing course, housing, and Main Street Oak Ridge.

The issues will be discussed during a non-voting work session of the Oak Ridge City Council at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, in the Multipurpose Room of the Central Services Complex on Woodbury Lane, which is behind the Kmart shopping center.

There are other agenda items that could also be discussed: pending U.S. Department of Energy projects and public comment requests, and updates on the Oak Ridge Senior Center and Friendship Bell.

The report on visitation marketing will be presented by Marc DeRose, executive director of Explore Oak Ridge (the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau). [Read more…]

Higgins talks to Clemson Insider, feels at home at Clemson

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Wildcats Tee Higgins Clinton Dragons

Junior receiver Tee Higgins (5) celebrates his first touchdown catch for the Oak Ridge Wildcats at 11:16 in the second quarter against the Clinton Dragons on Friday, Aug. 21, 2015. Higgins had three catches for 57 yards and two touchdowns. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Tee Higgins, a five-star wide receiver at Oak Ridge High School who has committed to Clemson, talked to The Clemson Insider about his experience at The Opening finals in Beaverton, Oregon, last week. You can read the interview with The Clemson Insider here.

Among other things, Higgins said his relationship with Tigers coach Dabo Swinney and wide receivers coach Jeff Scott were important factors in his decision to commit to Clemson.

“They were a big part,” Higgins told The Clemson Insider. “They made Clemson feel like I was at home.”

Higgins competed with other top high school football prospects from across the country at the Nike Football The Opening Finals in Beaverton, Oregon, from July 5-10. He was listed as a top 10 performer on Day Two by Scout.com. [Read more…]

Higgins competes with other top football prospects at Nike Football Opening in Oregon

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Tee Higgins and Soddy Daisy Brandon Davis Nov. 5, 2015

Oak Ridge junior wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) makes a catch behind Brandon Davis (3) of Soddy Daisy during a 45-33 win for the Wildcats in a Class 5A football playoff game on Blankenship Field on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015. (File photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Tee Higgins, a rising senior and wide receiver at Oak Ridge High School, is competing with other top high school football prospects from across the country at the Nike Football The Opening Finals in Beaverton, Oregon. He was listed as a top 10 performer on Day Two by Scout.com.

The five-day competition, which takes place at Nike’s World Headquarters, brings together 166 of the nation’s top high school football prospects after months of highly competitive training and testing, according to Scout.com. It’s from July 5-10.

Scout.com listed Higgins, a Clemson commit, as a top 10 performer on Day Two on Thursday. You can read the report here. [Read more…]

Reminder: Oak Ridge Wildcats Basketball Skills Camp starts Monday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Basketball Camp Logo

Reminder: The Oak Ridge Wildcats Basketball Camp had a Shooting Camp in June, and there is a Skills Camp this week, from Monday, July 11, to Wednesday, July 13.

All camps are scheduled from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Learn more about the camps and registration here: Oak Ridge Basketball Camp 2016. [Read more…]

Duhamel one of three male athletes of year for Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Tennessee School for Deaf Duhamel Run at State Track Meet May 27 2016 Moore

Gashaw Duhamel, who ran cross country for Oak Ridge High School in the fall and track for Tennessee School for the Deaf this spring, has been named one of three male athletes of the year by the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame. Duhamel, left, an Oak Ridge resident and senior at Tennessee School for the Deaf, finished second in the Class A-AA 3,200-meter run in the state track and field meet in Murfreesboro on Friday, May 27, 2016. (File photo by Kindell Moore)

 

Gashaw Duhamel, who ran cross country for Oak Ridge High School in the fall and track for Tennessee School for the Deaf this spring, has been named one of three male athletes of the year by the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.

Duhamel, a high school senior and Oak Ridge resident, was selected based on his track accomplishments, said Jimmy Hyams, sports director at WNML Radio Knoxville.

Also selected were Sevier County pitcher Zach Linginfelter and Fulton High School football/basketball player Kentell Williams, who made All-State twice in two sports, Hyams said.

Duhamel finished second on May 27 in the boys’ state championship 3,200-meter run in Class A-AA in the state track and field championship meet in Murfreesboro. Before that, he finished second in the Class A-AA East Section Finals on May 19 at Christian Academy of Knoxville. [Read more…]

Tee Higgins commits to Clemson

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Wildcats Tee Higgins Catch at Ooltewah Nov. 13, 2015

Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins (5), shown making a playoff catch against Ooltewah on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, announced Monday, July 4, 2016, that he has committed to Clemson. (File photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Oak Ridge Wildcats wide receiver Tee Higgins has committed to Clemson. Higgins, who will be a senior this fall, announced his decision in a Bleacher Report video posted on Twitter on Monday.

The video shows Higgins, a five-star receiver who had once been committed to Tennessee, at a barbecue cookout with friends and family. It ends with orange and purple fireworks in the sky.

The 247Sports Composite lists the 6-foot-5, 188-pound Higgins as the nation’s third-ranked wide receiver in the 2017 class. Prep Xtra at the Knoxville News Sentinel reported that he is considered the number one overall player in Tennessee.

Higgins, who won a Mr. Football award in November and was also a Mr. Basketball finalist, chose the Tigers over finalists Ohio State, Florida State, Tennessee, and Ole Miss. [Read more…]

TWRA: Take a lesson from the kids, wear your life jacket

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

From left to right above are Sasa the dog, Trina Ward, 5-month-old Aiden Ward, Tom Werkema with 2-year-old Makaylyn Ward, 5-month-old Collin Ward, and Jake Ward. (Photo courtesy TWRA)

From left to right above are Sasa the dog, Trina Ward, 5-month-old Aiden Ward, Tom Werkema with 2-year-old Makaylyn Ward, 5-month-old Collin Ward, and Jake Ward. (Photo courtesy TWRA)

 

By Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

The biggest boating weekend of the year is among us, and officers from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency are already busy investigating too many serious injury and fatal boating accidents.

At least eight of the fatal accidents that have occurred on Tennessee waters resulted in drownings and in most cases, if not all, a properly worn personal flotation device would have saved lives. Let’s take a lesson from the kids and see why, thankfully, we don’t lose many of them to drowning while boating.

The answer is simple: In Tennessee and in most other states, children ages 12 and under are required by law to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on the open deck of a recreational boat except while anchored, moored, or aground. [Read more…]

Photos: Tennessee Paracycling Open in Oak Ridge, II

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Tennessee Paracycling Open June 26 2016

The Tennessee Paracycling Open was in Oak Ridge on June 25 and June 26, 2016. It was a three-race event for disabled cyclists. This year’s registration list included many national champions and U.S. National Team members, who used the event to prepare for the July 2 Rio Paralympic Trials. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The Tennessee Paracycling Open held in Oak Ridge this weekend was a three-race event for disabled cyclists. Here are more photos by Julio Culiat.

It was Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26, and there was a learn-to-race class on June 24 for new riders.

This year’s registration list included many national champions and U.S. National Team members, who used the event to prepare for the July 2 Rio Paralympic Trials, a press release said.

The athletes, many of whom were disabled veterans, competed in several classes, on handcycles (for those with amputations or paralysis), tandem bicycles (with visually impaired stokers on the back, and sighted pilots on the front, and both powering the bike), and upright bicycles, for those with amputations of one or more limbs, neurological deficits, or other disabilities. [Read more…]

Photos: Tennessee Paracycling Open in Oak Ridge, I

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Tennessee Paracycling Open June 26 2016

The Tennessee Paracycling Open was in Oak Ridge on June 25 and June 26, 2016. It was a three-race event for disabled cyclists. This year’s registration list included many national champions and U.S. National Team members, who used the event to prepare for the July 2 Rio Paralympic Trials. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The Tennessee Paracycling Open held in Oak Ridge this weekend was a three-race event for disabled cyclists. Here are photos by Julio Culiat.

It was Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26, and there was a learn-to-race class on June 24 for new riders.

This year’s registration list included many national champions and U.S. National Team members, who used the event to prepare for the July 2 Rio Paralympic Trials, a press release said.

The athletes, many of whom were disabled veterans, competed in several classes, on handcycles (for those with amputations or paralysis), tandem bicycles (with visually impaired stokers on the back, and sighted pilots on the front, and both powering the bike), and upright bicycles, for those with amputations of one or more limbs, neurological deficits, or other disabilities. [Read more…]