Oak Ridge Today

Anderson County Democrats have candidate forum Thursday

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The Anderson County Democratic Party will have a candidate forum at Oak Valley Baptist Church in Oak Ridge from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2018. (Submitted photo)

The Anderson County Democratic Party will have a candidate forum at Oak Valley Baptist Church in Oak Ridge from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2018. (Submitted photo)

 

The Anderson County Democratic Party has a candidate forum in Oak Ridge on Thursday.

The forum is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Oak Valley Baptist Church.

Candidates expected to attend include Ebony Capshaw, Richard Dawson, Mark Lucas, Alden Souza, and Nathaniel Varner, an event notice said.

Capshaw and Lucas are both running unopposed in the May 1 primary for Anderson County Democrats. Capshaw is running for Anderson County trustee, and Lucas is running for Anderson County sheriff. After the May 1 elections, they will face the winners of the Republican Party primaries, which are also on May 1, in the August 2 county general election for trustee and sheriff. [Read more…]

UT MBA team to present Rails to Trails study findings

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The former CSX railway is pictured near Jefferson Middle School in central Oak Ridge on Dec. 30, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The former CSX railway, which could be converted into a bike and pedestrian greenway, is pictured near Jefferson Middle School in central Oak Ridge on Dec. 30, 2016. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A team of graduate students from the University of Tennessee’s Master of Business Administration program will present recommendations next week to the City of Oak Ridge from a recent project that focused on how the city can promote its proposed Rails to Trails program.

The presentation, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, will be in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom on South Tulane Avenue. It is open to the public.

The Rails to Trails project in Oak Ridge would convert about 4.85 miles of unused CSX railroad into a pedestrian and bicycle trail. The city has received a $1.2 million grant for the project and approved a $1.5 million contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, but there is still much work to be done, including acquiring the property and designing and building the trail. Officials suggest it could be several years at least before the project is completed.

The former railroad starts at Elza Gate Park at Melton Lake Drive in east Oak Ridge, runs past the Emory Heights neighborhood and Jefferson Middle School, crosses Emory Valley Road near Hank’s Market, and then continues through the Hendrix Creek neighborhood along Lafayette Drive before ending near South Illinois Avenue, Scarboro Road, and the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The study of the Rails to Trails program took the group of four MBA students about seven weeks to complete, a press release said. [Read more…]

Retired pilot, former Democratic Party chair running for Tennessee House

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Richard Dawson

Richard Dawson

 

Richard Dawson, a retired pilot who flew helicopters in Vietnam and is a former Democratic Party chair, is running for Tennessee House of Representatives in Anderson County.

Dawson is running in Tennessee’s 33rd District, which includes most of Anderson County, including Clinton and the Anderson County portion of Oak Ridge. Dawson lives in Clinton, and he is a native Oak Ridger, a press release said.

“My dad was an electrical maintenance supervisor at K-25 for 20 years and was able to provide enough for my mom, sister, and me to live comfortably,” Dawson said in the press release. “Republicans have been in power in Tennessee for years, but their policies have only made it more difficult for people who work hard, like my dad, to take care of their families. I am running because Anderson County and Tennessee deserve better.”

The press release said Dawson was raised in Oak Ridge, and he and his family lived and experienced the “American Dream.” He benefitted from the top-notch public education in Oak Ridge and when he graduated, Dawson felt called to serve, the press release said. He voluntarily enlisted in the Army, flying helicopters in Vietnam. Returning home, he used the GI Bill to earn a degree in labor and industrial relations from East Tennessee State University, the press release said. [Read more…]

Ebony Capshaw running for Anderson County trustee

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Ebony Capshaw

Ebony Capshaw

 

Ebony Capshaw has announced that she is seeking election to the office of Anderson County trustee.

Capshaw said her local background and sense of community, combined with her organizational experience and management skills, have led to her interest in local government and public office.

“I love to serve the people,” Capshaw said in a press release. “I have a servant’s heart, and you can trust me to get the job done. With my auditing background and code of ethics within a multibillion-dollar company, I feel confident I can do this job and serve the people of Anderson County with enthusiasm.”

Capshaw is unopposed on the ballot in the Democratic primary election on May 1. She will face the winner of the Republican primary in the August 2 general election. The office is presently held by Myron Iwanski, former Anderson County Commissioner, who was appointed by his fellow commissioners to fill the office following the resignation of Rodney Archer. Archer left to take the position of executive director for the County Officials Association of Tennessee. Iwanski is not seeking election as trustee. [Read more…]

Lynch names Bradshaw as campaign treasurer

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David Bradshaw and Rex Lynch

David Bradshaw and Rex Lynch

Former Oak Ridge Mayor and local bank official David Bradshaw has been named treasurer of the Rex Lynch for Circuit Court Clerk Campaign. Bradshaw served as mayor of Oak Ridge while Rex Lynch was mayor of Anderson County.

“I have known Rex for more than 20 years and have a great deal of respect for Rex and his family,” Bradshaw said in a press release earlier in the campaign. “Rex worked closely with the City of Oak Ridge while serving as Anderson County mayor, and I believe he will do a great job as Circuit Court clerk.”

Lynch is seeking the Republican nomination for Anderson County Circuit Court clerk in the May 1 primary. [Read more…]

Cole names Stephen McNally as treasurer

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Stephen McNally

Stephen McNally and family

 

Anderson County Clerk Jeff Cole, who is running for re-election, has announced that Stephen McNally is his campaign treasurer.

“I am pleased to announce my friend, Stephen McNally as my campaign treasurer,” Cole said in a press release. “Stephen and I share the same commitment to important values including faith, family, and community.”

The press release said McNally is a lifelong resident of Anderson County and currently lives in Clinton with his wife Christina and their two children. He worships and serves as a deacon at First Baptist Church, the press release said. [Read more…]

Arowood names treasurer, donates to students in South Florida

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Leesa and Chad Arowood

Leesa and Chad Arowood

 

Anderson County clerk candidate Leesa Arowood has named her campaign treasurer and announced a $250 donation to the Stoneman Douglas Victims’ Fund in South Florida to show support for students and families affected by the mass shooting in February.

Arowood, a Republican who is challenging Jeff Cole, the incumbent, has named her son Chad to serve as treasurer for her campaign for Anderson County clerk, a press release said.

“Chad is working hard and doing a great job in supporting our campaign for Anderson County Clerk,” Leesa Arowood said in the press release. “I’m very proud of him and appreciate his help to win this important election.”

Her son is pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Tennessee Tech University after earning his associates degree at Roane State Community College, the press release said. He also works at Appalachian Underwriters in human resources and maintains a property and casualty insurance license and an affiliate real estate broker license. [Read more…]

Anderson County Deputy Kim Lay named SRO of the Year

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Anderson County Sheriff's Department Deputy Kim Lay has been named School Resource Officer of the Year for Anderson County Schools by The Education Foundation of Clinton City and Anderson County Schools. (Submitted photo)

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Kim Lay has been named School Resource Officer of the Year for Anderson County Schools by The Education Foundation of Clinton City and Anderson County Schools. (Submitted photo)

 

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Kim Lay has been named School Resource Officer of the Year for Anderson County Schools by The Education Foundation of Clinton City and Anderson County Schools.

Lay is a 16-year law enforcement veteran, and she has served as a school resource officer, or SRO, for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department for the last eight years.

“She is truly a dedicated, experienced law enforcement professional,” a press release said. [Read more…]

JMS robotics team headed to world competition

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Three robotics teams from Jefferson Middle School competed in the FIRST Lego League East Tennessee State Championship at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville on February 10. The Atomic Eagles qualified to represent Jefferson Middle School and Tennessee at the FIRST LEGO World Championships in Houston this month. (Submitted photo)

Three robotics teams from Jefferson Middle School competed in the FIRST Lego League East Tennessee State Championship at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville on February 10. The Atomic Eagles qualified to represent Jefferson Middle School and Tennessee at the FIRST LEGO World Championships in Houston this month. (Submitted photo)

 

Three robotics teams from Jefferson Middle School competed in the FIRST Lego League East Tennessee State Championship at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville on February 10. The Atomic Eagles qualified to represent Jefferson Middle School and Tennessee at the FIRST LEGO World Championships in Houston this month.

To compete in the state championship, teams must first qualify at either the Knoxville, Nashville, Tullahoma, Bristol, or Johnson City competitions. The Atomic Eagles, JMS Master Builders, and Radioactive Brix all qualified in Knoxville on December 10, 2017, at Hardin Valley Academy.

At the East Tennessee Championship, the Radioactive Brix (team # 3131), including members Johnny Clark, Abby Ellis, Christopher Gorsuch, Roxanne Farahi, Eden Hatmaker, Wesley Hixson, Henry Landau, and Colby Lawson, finished the robot challenge game with a high score of 135. The team coach is Norma Franco and the team mentor is Justin Lawson. [Read more…]

Roane State forum on Wednesday will discuss learning, immersive technology such as virtual reality

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A HoloLens, worn here by Roane State director of EMS programs David Blevins, is one of the immersive learning technologies that will be discussed at an April 25 forum at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus. (Submitted photo)

A HoloLens, worn here by Roane State director of EMS programs David Blevins, is one of the immersive learning technologies that will be discussed at an April 25 forum at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus. (Submitted photo)

 

How immersive technology such as virtual reality can enhance learning will be the topic of Roane State Community College’s Social and Behavioral Sciences Forum on Wednesday, April 25, at the Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Avenue.

Stephanie Shipley with Roane State’s Center for Teachings Arts and Technology will present the topic “Learning in 3D: Adding a New Dimension.” The forum will be from 3-4:30 p.m. in the City Room (A-111) of the Coffey-McNally Building.

A new generation of virtual reality headsets and software promises to revolutionize learning in the classroom, a press release said. During this presentation, participants will be introduced to concepts of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality that will include important technological and educational considerations and implications in all learning environments.

Pedagogical concepts and principles will be discussed, as well as how immersive technologies can be utilized in specific courses and disciplines, the press release said. Additionally, this presentation will include a demonstration of various immersive technologies such as VR headset apps and the Microsoft HoloLens, the release said. [Read more…]

Chamber’s Primetime event is Thursday; public invited

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Participants at the Spring 2017 Primetime Fiesta event are pictured above. This year's Fiesta will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018, from 4-6 p.m in the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Parking lot. The event is free and open to the public. (Submitted photo)

Participants at the Spring 2017 Primetime Fiesta event are pictured above. This year’s Fiesta will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018, from 4-6 p.m in the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Parking lot. The event is free and open to the public. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Spring Primetime networking opportunity is Thursday, and the public is invited to attend, a press release said.

More than 45 Chamber-member organizations have already reserved exhibit space for the event, which is titled “Fiesta Primetime.” Primetime will be held under the tent in the parking lot of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Primetime is one of the Chamber’s biggest networking events of the year. There is no charge to attend. Anyone—Chamber member or not—is encouraged to attend, the press release said.

Primetime will from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, April 19. [Read more…]

Holocaust Remembrance Program is Sunday in Oak Ridge

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Mira Kimmelman

Mira Kimmelman

There will be a Holocaust Remembrance Program at the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge on Sunday.

It’s presented by the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. The Holocaust Remembrance Service is sponsored by the Oak Ridge Interfaith Partnership, and the public is encouraged to attend, a press release said. The City of Oak Ridge has proclaimed April 15 to be Holocaust Remembrance Day for 2018, the press release said.

The Holocaust Remembrance Program will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge Sanctuary, which is at 101 West Madison Lane. There will be a candle lighting ceremony, songs, readings by members of both congregations, and prayers, the press release said. [Read more…]