Oak Ridge Today

Tonight in Clinton: Retired Army major general to discuss current, future national security concerns

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John R. D'Araujo Jr.

John R. D’Araujo Jr.

A retired Army major general will discuss current and future national security concerns at a presentation in Clinton tonight (Tuesday, October 4).

The presentation by Major General John R. D’Araujo is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. at the Clinton Community Center, which is at 101 Hicks Street in Clinton. The presentation will include a question-and-answer session.

D’Araujo was invited by Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, a press release said.

“I hope our community will take advantage of this excellent opportunity to take part in discussion of some of the major issues of national security concern with an expert of General D’Araujo’s caliber,” Frank said in the press release. “I am extremely thankful he is joining us to deliver a presentation, and also appreciative of his willingness to give the people of Anderson County an opportunity to ask questions about national security and our military.” [Read more…]

Football photos: Jefferson vs. Robertsville in City Championship

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Jefferson Middle School quarterback Mitchell Gibbons (17) threw a 19-yard touchdown pass and scored twice on quarterback keepers on two-point conversions during a 16-12 win over Robertsville Middle School in the City Championship on Blankenship Field on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Jefferson Middle School Eagles won the City Championship for the second year in a row, beating the Robertsville Middle School Rams 16-12 in a game of fourth-quarter drama on Blankenship Field on Thursday. Here are photos from the game. [Read more…]

Football: Jefferson Eagles win City Championship for second year in row

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The Jefferson Middle School Eagles won the City Championship for the second year in a row, beating the Robertsville Middle School Rams 16-12 on Blankenship Field on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. Pictured above is JMS eighth-grader Jonathan Stewart (2), who caught a 19-yard pass for a touchdown in the first quarter. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Jefferson Middle School Eagles won the City Championship for the second year in a row, beating the Robertsville Middle School Rams 16-12 in a game of fourth-quarter drama on Blankenship Field on Thursday.

Jefferson took the lead late in the first quarter and held it until midway through the fourth quarter, when the Eagles led by 8-6.

But then RMS sixth-grader Jayden Williams intercepted a JMS pass at about the Eagles 25 and weaved his way into the end zone, giving Robertsville its first lead of the evening, a 12-8 lead with 4:27 remaining.

But after the two-point conversion failed, the Eagles regained the lead 17 seconds later, when eighth-grader Jonathan Stewart, who scored both touchdowns for Jefferson, returned a kickoff for six points.

This time, the Eagles kept the lead for good. Jefferson quarterback Mitchell Gibbons, who also played defense, intercepted Robertsville quarterback Ky Hirsch on the Rams’ next and final drive, helping to preserve the Eagles’ win. [Read more…]

Football photos: Oak Ridge vs. Karns

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Oak Ridge sophomore Kai’Reese Pendergrass (12) stretches to try to make a catch during a 56-6 win over Karns on Senior Night on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The undefeated Oak Ridge Wildcats beat the winless Karns Beavers 56-6 at home on Blankenship Field on Friday. Here are photos by Julio Culiat. [Read more…]

ADFAC to honor Stephenson, Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award winner, on Oct. 25

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From left, past Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award recipients Ray Smith and Cande Seay share the great news with Bear Stephenson, the 2016 Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Awardee. (Submitted photo)

From left, past Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award recipients Ray Smith and Cande Seay share the great news with Bear Stephenson, the 2016 Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Awardee. (Submitted photo)

 

William “Bear” Stephenson has been unanimously chosen as the 2016 winner of ADFAC’s Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award.

Stephenson is a dedicated volunteer and advocate, a press release said He was chosen as the Bow Tie Award winner earlier this year. He will be recognized this month by ADFAC, or Aid To Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties Inc., at the Fourth Annual Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Celebration and Fundraiser.

Previous winners of the prestigious award have been Ray Smith, the late Tim Myrick, and Cande Seay.

The celebratory fundraising event will be from 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 25, at St. Mary’s Parish Life Center in Oak Ridge.

“Our community will come together to honor Stephenson, and we hope family, friends, past coworkers, and the many businesses and nonprofit organizations he has been involved with through the years will join us,” the press release said. “The dynamic and entertaining Elaine Graham will serve as the evening’s emcee while the music will be provided by the Mt. LeConte Jug Band.” [Read more…]

Stanley, a doctor running for Charter Commission, supports term limits

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David Stanley

David Stanley

David Stanley, a doctor running for Anderson County Charter Commission, supports term limits for the county mayor and the County Commission, as well as more active citizen participation, a press release said.

Stanley is running for the District 7 seat on the eight-member Charter Commission in the November 8 election. District 7 includes the Highland View, Glenwood, and Pine Valley voting precincts.

Stanley was born and raised in Maryville, the press release said. After obtaining his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and graduating from medical school in Memphis, Stanley spent time as a medical missionary in Laos, where he founded a modest hospital on the border of Cambodia and Laos, bringing modern medicine to the area for the first time, the press release said.

Once he returned to the United States, he moved his young family to Oak Ridge, where he built his medical practice from the ground up, the release said. [Read more…]

Ward, an attorney running for Charter Commission, supports term limits

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Hugh Ward Jr.

Hugh Ward Jr.

Hugh B. Ward Jr., an attorney running for Anderson County Charter Commission, supports term limits for county mayor and county commissioners, a press release said.

Ward is running for the District 6 seat on the eight-member Charter Commission, which will be elected November 8. District 6 includes the Oak Ridge City Hall, Robertsville, and West Hills precincts.

“Charter government has worked well for the City of Oak Ridge since November 7, 1962; the City of Clinton since 1954; Knoxville; Knox County; and other East Tennessee cities,” the press release said. “I think it’s time we modernize and allow Oak Ridge citizens to have the same level of citizen input in county government as our own fine city government. I favor a charter government, including term limits for county commissioners and the office of county mayor. For stability, I believe we need to establish staggered terms of office for commissioners as occurs in our city and surrounding municipalities.”

If elected, Ward said, his priorities will include transparency and open government, citizen participation on county committees, and ensuring charter proposals are consistent with the state constitution and general laws. [Read more…]

Motorcycle ride Saturday to help Wyrick, injured in August crash

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Brandon Wyrick

Brandon Wyrick (Photo courtesy James Brooks)

A motorcycle ride that starts in Oak Ridge on Saturday will help with medical expenses for Brandon Wyrick, a motorcyclist injured in an August collision with an Oak Ridge Electric Department utility truck.

The Ride for Brandon starts at Oak Ridge High School on Saturday and ends at Tennova North in Powell. Registration at ORHS begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, and “kickstands up” is at 1 p.m., said James Brooks, Brandon’s brother.

Wyrick was flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville after the August 14 crash at Oak Ridge Turnpike and Illinois Avenue. He was reported to be in critical condition after the crash and has had several surgeries.

Brooks said his brother, who graduated from Oak Ridge High School, is in better condition than he was, “but he’s still got a very long way to go.” Wyrick has since been transferred to Tennova North.

The motorcycle ride on Saturday will help offset the costs of medical treatment. All proceeds will be given to Brandon’s parents at the end of the ride, Brooks said. [Read more…]

Come watch artists chalk the walks Saturday

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2014ouitanorthcutt

This chalk painting by Ouita Northcutt received the People’s Choice Award and first prize in the professional category at the 2014 Street Painting Festival. Last year’s festival was rained out. This year’s festival is Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

The 16th annual Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival is drawing near—it will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (rain day on Sunday) at the Oak Ridge Campus of Roane State Community College.

Dozens of artists will be brushing up on their skills as they transform concrete sidewalk squares into colorful chalk paintings. The public is invited to this free festival organized by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge in conjunction with Roane State.

While would-be Rembrandts are chalking the walks, young children will enjoy free activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Kid Zone.

Music will be provided by Roane State music groups. [Read more…]

Tuesday forum to feature candidates for City Council, Board of Education

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A forum in Oak Ridge on Tuesday will feature candidates for Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Board of Education, and city judge.

The forum will start at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 4, in the Oak Ridge High School Amphitheater at 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike. It’s been organized by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge.

Candidates for Oak Ridge City Council [Read more…]

Middle school football: Jefferson, Robertsville play in City Championship on Thursday

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The Jefferson Middle School Eagles and Robertsville Middle School Rams play in the City Championship game on Blankenship Field on Thursday, September 29. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.

Events start earlier, and there is an Eighth Grade Recognition Night Ceremony at 5:30 p.m.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Reminder: School board candidate forum is Thursday morning

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Reminder: The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce has a forum for candidates for Oak Ridge Board of Education on Thursday morning.

It’s the second of three candidate forums for the November 8 election.

The Board of Education candidate forum will start at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, September 29, in the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Joyce Conference Room. It’s free and open to the public.

There are three candidates for two seats on the school board: the incumbents, Angi Agle and Keys Fillauer, and challenger Myra Mansfield. [Read more…]