Oak Ridge Today

Cromwell sentencing delayed as public defender appointed

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Lee Cromwell

Lee Cromwell

Note: This story was last updated at 12 p.m. April 12.

CLINTON—The sentencing hearing for Lee Harold Cromwell, who has been convicted of vehicular homicide for a fatal parking lot crash after fireworks in 2015, was postponed Tuesday after Cromwell said he no longer wanted attorney James Scott to represent him.

A public defender will be appointed, although the public defender will need time to review the case and the trial transcript. It’s not clear when the rescheduled sentencing hearing will be held, but it could be this summer.

Scott had represented Cromwell in court hearings, including a preliminary hearing in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge in January 2016 and a three-day trial in Anderson County Criminal Court in Clinton in February 2017.

In court papers, Cromwell has called Scott incompetent and ineffective. On Tuesday, Scott entered Anderson County Criminal Court before the sentencing hearing and asked Cromwell if he wanted to go into a back room and talk, an attorney-client conference. [Read more…]

Baseball: Oak Ridge beats Anderson County 11-1

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Oak Ridge Caldwell Pitch Anderson County Baseball April 10 2017 Web 2

Pitcher Seth Caldwell of Oak Ridge (0) threw a complete game, throwing 71 pitches during an 11-1 win over Anderson County on Monday, April 10, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats beat the Anderson County Mavericks 11-1 in five innings on Monday.

The game ended on the run rule, which finishes a game if a team is up by 10 runs or more after five innings.

Anderson County is a good opponent, and Oak Ridge doesn’t normally run rule them, Wildcats Coach Mark Garrison said. In fact, until Monday, Anderson County had won five of the last six games between the two teams, dating back to 2014. The Wildcats last beat the Mavericks twice in one season in 2013.

But Oak Ridge scored seven runs in the fourth inning against Anderson County at Bobby Hopkins Park on Monday. They had one run in the first inning, tying the game until the fourth inning, and three in the fifth. Oak Ridge shortstop Logan Williams hit a single that allowed center fielder Jaycen McGhee to score the winning run in the fifth inning, Garrison said.

With the win, the Wildcats are now 8-8 overall and 3-3 in District 3-AAA, right in the middle of the district standings. [Read more…]

City Council agrees to give $30K per year for five years to General Sessions Court

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Anderson-County-General-Sessions-Court-Interior-Oak-Ridge-Nov-19-2015

The Oak Ridge City Council agreed on Monday, April 10, 2017, to contribute $30,000 per year for five years to continue operating Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge. The interior of the current courthouse on Bus Terminal Road is pictured above. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council agreed on Monday to contribute $30,000 per year for five years to continue operating Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge.

The money will be used for court operations and capital costs for Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II, in Oak Ridge.

Council approved the funding in a 6-0 vote, with Council member Hans Vogel absent.

The city and the Oak Ridge City Council have supporting having the General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge since it started in 1993, according to City Manager Mark Watson.

“We believe that it is important to have that here,” Watson said. “It does save us a little bit of time.” [Read more…]

Senior Advisory Board recommends Senior Center west of Civic Center

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This site option was unanimously recommended for a new Oak Ridge Senior Center by the Senior Advisory Board on Monday, April 10, 2017. (Image courtesy Studio Four Design/City of Oak Ridge)

This site option was unanimously recommended for a new Oak Ridge Senior Center by the Senior Advisory Board on Monday, April 10, 2017. (Image courtesy Studio Four Design/City of Oak Ridge)

 

Note: This story was updated at 1:20 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Senior Advisory Board has recommended that the new senior center be built on the west side of the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The board unanimously recommended the site on a voice vote during a special meeting on Monday morning.

The site was one of two options presented to the board during Monday’s meeting. The board had been presented four options earlier, but one of those had been ruled out and two others had been combined.

The proposed site west of the Civic Center could have a building of about 15,000 square feet. It could include a kitchen and administrative space; game and exercise rooms; a large multi-purpose room for activities such as dancing, bingo, and card games; and billiard/pool and media rooms. Dancing is the most preferred activity, according to surveys, said Pat Gengozian, chair of the Senior Advisory Board, or SAB.

The site could be considered by the Oak Ridge City Council in May. The site is just west of the indoor pool and south of the parking lot on the west side of the Civic Center. [Read more…]

Shutting door may have helped contain house fire

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Shutting a door may have helped contain a house fire on East Wolf Valley Road on Sunday night. The fire was reported at 9:33 p.m. Sunday, April 9, 2017, at 885 East Wolf Valley Road in Heiskell, east of Clinton Highway and west of Interstate 75. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Shutting a door may have helped contain a house fire on East Wolf Valley Road on Sunday night. The fire was reported at 9:33 p.m. Sunday, April 9, 2017, at 885 East Wolf Valley Road in Heiskell, east of Clinton Highway and west of Interstate 75. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

HEISKELL—Shutting a door may have helped contain a house fire on East Wolf Valley Road on Sunday night.

The fire was reported at 9:33 p.m. Sunday at 885 East Wolf Valley Road in Heiskell, in Anderson County northeast of Clinton Highway and west of Interstate 75.

It was confined to one room at the front of the house, and to a mattress in a bedroom, said Matthew Burrell, chief of the Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department.

The homeowner shut the bedroom door and put towels or blankets under the door, Burrell said.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze with a single hose. Damage was limited to about 10 percent of the home, Burrell said.

There were no injuries to residents or firefighters. The cause had not been determined as of Sunday night. [Read more…]

Today: Dine & Donate helps ADFAC

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Gondolier in Clinton has an extensive menu including Italian pasta favorites, pizza, salads, sandwiches, and much more. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert, though. Gondolier also offers delicious cakes and pastries! (Submitted photo)

Gondolier in Clinton has an extensive menu including Italian pasta favorites, pizza, salads, sandwiches, and much more. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert, though. Gondolier also offers delicious cakes and pastries! (Submitted photo)

 

Eleven local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales today to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

“Dine & Donate Mondays are always an easy way to treat loved ones (or yourself!) to a special meal that also gives back to the community,” a press release said.

Here are the restaurants participating today (Monday, April 10). [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Baseball Complex could be re-named in honor of volunteer

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The Oak Ridge Baseball Complex on Wilberforce Avenue could be re-named the Joe Mason Baseball Complex in honor of long-time community volunteer Joe Mason.

The Oak Ridge City Council will consider the re-naming during its Monday night meeting.

Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Director Jonathan Hetrick said administrators at Oak Ridge Schools and the Baseball Boosters Association have requested the re-naming.

“Mr. Mason is a 1958 graduate of Oak Ridge High School, where he lettered in baseball and football,” Hetrick said. “He has continued to support high school athletics in Oak Ridge, especially baseball, throughout his life. He spent many years coaching youth baseball in Oak Ridge. For over 30 years, he has led the maintenance efforts of the home field for the high school baseball team, Bobby Hopkins Field, along with the other ballfields at the complex. [Read more…]

Reminder: Egg Hunt is Saturday in A.K. Bissell Park

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A previous Oak Ridge Egg Hunt is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

A previous Oak Ridge Egg Hunt is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

Reminder: The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2017 Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8, at 11 a.m. Hundreds of children are expected to participate in this annual spring event, a press release said. More than 15,000 candy and prize-filled eggs will be hidden in Alvin K. Bissell Park with a first-, second-, and third-place prize egg in each age group.

This event will be held rain or shine, so participants should dress for the weather, the press release said. If severe weather prevents hiding the eggs outdoors, they will be given away in the gym and a drawing will be held for the prizes.

Participants should arrive early and assemble in the Civic Center gymnasium prior to 11 a.m. The children will be divided into separate age groups and will be escorted to their respective hunt areas. The hunt is targeted for children age four through fourth grade. [Read more…]

Retired Oak Ridge school teacher, historian to discuss pre-Oak Ridge women

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The 1920's brought significant progress for women. (Submitted photo)

The 1920s brought significant progress for women, a press release said. (Submitted photo/ORHPA)

 

A retired Oak Ridge school teacher and historian will discuss the women who lived in this part of East Tennessee before Oak Ridge was built during World War II.

Eugene Pickel will also pay tribute to retired Oak Ridge teacher Catherine Ledgerwood during his talk to the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association on Thursday.

“Women are more equal today than ever in history,” Pickel said in a press release. “I thought I would describe women generally as they were in our area—Kingston, Clinton, Oliver Springs—before Oak Ridge was created. Then I thought I would go to Catherine Ledgerwood—the most creative change agent I have ever known. Her impact on young people was, and still is, remarkable!”

Oak Ridge was built during World War II as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project, a federal project to make the world’s first atomic weapons. The Manhattan Project production site that became Oak Ridge displaced century-old family farms and small crossroads communities: Scarborough, Wheat, Robertsville, and Elza. (Some have historical markers.)

The Thursday night ORHPA meeting starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Midtown Community Center at 102 Robertsville Road in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Manhattan Project program: Celebrate National Junior Ranger Day at AMSE on April 15

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MAPR JR RANGER

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park encourages families to visit the park this week as part of National Park Week.

“Kids of all ages are invited to come learn how to explore, learn, and protect your national park on April 15, and become an official Junior Ranger,” a National Park Service press release said.

Visit https://www.nps.gov/mapr/oakridge.htm for a preview of the planned activities.

All participants will receive Junior Ranger badges or patches and a certificate upon completion of the program, the press release said. Junior Ranger activity guides may be obtained at the park visitor desk located in the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge.

“The program is designed for kids ages 8 to 12 years old, but is available to anyone young at heart,” the press release said. “Come out to explore, learn, and protect your national park.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Environmental Management has community budget workshop on Wednesday

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OREM Community Budget Workshop 2017

The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management has a community budget workshop on Wednesday.

The annual workshop is scheduled from 4:30-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, in the U.S. Department of Energy Building 2714-G at 235 Laboratory Road in Oak Ridge.

Topics include the federal budget process, near-term priorities and plans, a question-and-answer session with the audience, and how to build on Oak Ridge’s recent cleanup successes.

Roane board to discuss school consolidation plans this evening

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Roane County School Board will have a work session at 6:30 p.m. today (Thursday, April 6) to revisit an earlier decision to begin the process of consolidating the five high schools in Roane County into one larger school.

The work session will be in the auditorium of Roane County High School in Kingston.

The board is meeting at the high school due to what is expected to be a large crowd. The proposal to consolidate the high schools has met with vocal resistance, especially from parents of students attending Midway and Oliver Springs high schools, who say the proposal would seriously affect travel time to and from school, making trips for students there much longer. [Read more…]