Oak Ridge Today

Memorial Day Concert to honor veterans, military personnel

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Oak Ridge Community Band July 4 2014

Oak Ridge Community Band leader Dale Pendley directs the Community Band in a summer concert in 2015. (Photo courtesy Barbara Gritzner)

 

Special recognition will be given to area veterans and to the men and women currently serving in the United States Armed Forces at the Memorial Day Concert performed by the Oak Ridge Community Band on Monday evening, May 30. This concert will start at 7 p.m. Monday at A.K. Bissell Park.

The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for outdoor seating. There is no admission fee for this concert, but donations are gratefully appreciated to help offset band expenses.

Also present in the park will be Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab, which will continue its tradition of providing refreshments during the community band summer concert season, a press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge soccer season again ends in Tri-Cities, this time at Dobyns-Bennett

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Oak Ridge Robinson Dobyns-Bennett May 21 2016

Oak Ridge junior midfielder Brent Robinson (6) heads the soccer ball during a 3-1 loss to Dobyns-Bennett in a Class AAA sectional in Kingsport on Saturday, May 21, 2016. (Photo credit: Allen Greene/TriCitiesSports.com)

 

KINGSPORT, Tenn.—Oak Ridge saw its season end for the second straight year in the Tri-Cities, this time on the pitch at Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett’s Indian Highland Park.

Last year, the Wildcats (14-9) fell 3-1 at Johnson City Science Hill, and they fell Saturday by the same result to the Indians (20-1-1), who advance for the first time in a quarter century to the TSSAA state tournament. Oak Ridge last made it to the state tournament in 2008.

“The match was not a piece of art at all,” Oak Ridge Coach Jeff Trombly said. “It was a pretty scrappy affair.”

Dobyns-Bennett was keen on possessing the ball and hoping for a defensive breakdown in its game plan. [Read more…]

Soccer photos II: Oak Ridge-Bearden in Region 2-AAA championship

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Wildcats-Clowers-Warmbrod-Bearden-Garcia-May-19-2016

Oak Ridge senior defender Blake Clowers (3) scored the one goal for the Wildcats during a 4-1 loss at Bearden in the Region 2-AAA championship on Thursday, May 19, 2016. Also pictured are Bearden senior Kelvin Garcia (10) and Oak Ridge senior Matt Warmbrod (5). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

KNOXVILLE—Oak Ridge finished as Region 2-AAA runner-up at Bearden on Thursday, and the Wildcats play Dobyns-Bennett in a sectional soccer game in Kingsport this afternoon (Saturday, May 21). Here are more photos from Thursday’s game.

The winner of today’s game will advance to the Class AAA state tournament in Murfreesboro next week.

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Bearden senior Jameson Elmore (21) goes for a shot during a 4-1 win over Oak Ridge at Bearden on Thursday, May 19, 2016. Also pictured from left are Oak Ridge senior goalkeeper Joel Turner, junior midfielder Brent Robinson (6), and senior defender Blake Clowers (3). (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Oak-Ridge-Robinson-Header-Bearden-Alvarez-May-19-2016

Oak Ridge junior midfielder Brent Robinson (6), at right), heads the ball past Bearden senior Gabe Alvarez during a 4-1 loss for the Wildats at Bearden in the Region 2-AAA championship on Thursday, May 19, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/oak Ridge Today)

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Soccer photos I: Oak Ridge-Bearden in Region 2-AAA championship

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Oak Ridge junior midfielder Brent Robinson (6) and Bearden senior Jameson Elmore (21), who had an assist on the Bulldogs’ first goal, go for a header during the Region 2-AAA championship game at Bearden on Thursday, May 19, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

KNOXVILLE—Oak Ridge finished as Region 2-AAA runner-up at Bearden on Thursday, and the Wildcats play Dobyns-Bennett in a sectional soccer game in Kingsport this afternoon (Saturday, May 21). Here are photos from Thursday’s game.

The winner of today’s game will advance to the Class AAA state tournament in Murfreesboro next week.

Bearden-Alvarez-Smiley-Oak-Ridge-Robinson-May-19-2016

Oak Ridge junior midfielder Brent Robinson (6) and Bearden senior Gabe Alvarez (33), who scored two goals, battle for the soccer ball during a 4-1 win for the Bulldogs at Bearden on Thursday, May 19, 2016. Behind Alvarez is Bearden senior Spencer Smiley (7), who also scored two goals. Oak Ridge senior Blake Clowers (3), right, had the one goal for Oak Ridge. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Oak-Ridge-Turner-Save-Bearden-Smiley-Shot-May-19-2016

Bearden kept Oak Ridge senior goalkeeper Joel Turner busy, peppering him with 31 shots, with 18 of those on goal during a 4-1 win for the Bulldogs in the Region 2-AAA championship at Bearden on Thursday afternoon, May 19, 2016. Turner makes the save here against Bearden senior Spencer Smiley, who scored two goals for the Bulldogs. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

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Children’s minister, local residents among those arrested, cited in human trafficking operation

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Jason Kennedy

Jason Kennedy

Note: This story was last updated at 2:30 p.m. May 23.

A three-day operation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and detectives with the Knoxville Police Department to combat human trafficking in Knoxville has resulted in the arrest of 32 men and women on prostitution and human trafficking-related charges. Two of the men, including a children’s minister, responded to ads for what they thought were girls under the age of 18.

TBI identified Knoxville’s Jason Kennedy, 46, as the children’s minister arrested for patronizing prostitution and human trafficking. Kennedy was a minister at Grace Baptist Church in Karns, but he has now been terminated.

The TBI said there is a warrant out on a trafficking charge for Zubin Parakh, 32, of Oak Ridge. A spokesperson at Lifehouse Church in Oak Ridge said Parakh serves as a volunteer and “creative pastor” there, according to WBIR, a Knoxville television station. The church told the television station that Parakh has never worked with children.

Grace Baptist released a statement to the media after the Friday news of Kennedy’s arrest.

“The children’s pastor of Grace Baptist Church has been terminated as as result of an arrest in a police sting related to prostitution and human trafficking,” the church said. “The actions of the children’s pastor for which he has been arrested were part of his life outside the church, and we have received no questions or concerns related to his conduct within the church or its ministries.

“The children’s pastor was hired two-and-a-half years ago. The church’s background check turned up no issues that indicate any previous problem. In fact, the children’s pastor in his application affirmed that he had no issues in his background of a criminal or other nature.

“We are praying for his family and will continue to provide the services of our ministry to them.”

Oak Ridge Today has not been able to reach LifeHouse Church for comment.

The TBI said the arrested men also include an engineer and a volunteer firefighter.

Kennedy has been charged and booked. Most of the others were charged on a citation, the TBI said. [Read more…]

Wildcats end spring practice with scrimmage at UT today

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Joe Gaddis

Joe Gaddis, head coach of the Oak Ridge Wildcats football team

The Oak Ridge Wildcats football team ends spring practice with a scrimmage against Seymour at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville today (Friday, May 20).

Oak Ridge will scrimmage against Seymour, Wildcats Coach Joe Gaddis said. The scrimmage is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., and it’s in the UT indoor practice facility.

That’s generally a closed facility, but since high schools are scrimmaging there family members and parents can attend, Gaddis said. A few fans might be able to as well, but they better get there early, and they need to bring chairs, Gaddis said.

“It’s not made for spectators,” he said. [Read more…]

Four ORHS seniors sign to continue athletics in college

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Rizk Welsh Thompson and Beckett Signings May 2016

Jasmine Rizk, Katie Welsh, Caelyn Thompson, and Daniel Beckett are pictured above from left at signings to continue their athletic careers in college in May 2016. (Submitted photo)

 

Four Oak Ridge High School seniors recently signed to continue their athletic careers in college.

Daniel Beckett signed to run cross country with Maryville College. Caelyn Thompson signed to compete in track and field at Milligan College. Jasmine Risk signed to play girls soccer with Carson Newman College. And Katherine “Katie” Welsh signed to play girls soccer with Centre College.

Daniel Beckett Signing May 2016

Daniel Beckett signed to run cross country with Maryville College. (Submitted photo)

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Animal Shelter has viewing party Saturday for Nat Geo WILD ‘Unlikely Animal Friends’

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Batman and Pumpkin

Batman, a Dumbo rat, left, and Pumpkin, a FIV-positive cat, two mascots at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, will be featured on National Geographic (Nat Geo) WILD’s “Unlikely Animal Friends” airing 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

Two mascots at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, Pumpkin and Batman, will be featured on National Geographic (Nat Geo) WILD’s “Unlikely Animal Friends,” which airs Saturday, May 21, at 8 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter will premiere the show at Pizza Inn, which is located at 1501 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Saturday for the show at 8 p.m.

“Please join the City of Oak Ridge for this event highlighting the community on national television,” a press release said.

For more information about the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, please visit http://animalshelter.oakridgetn.gov/ or call (865) 425-3423.

Students, including in Oak Ridge, Clinton schools, donate more than 22 tons to Goodwill

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Hamblen-Winning-Class

The class in Hamblen County that won an ice cream party by donating the most to Goodwill of all Hamblen County classrooms. (Submitted photo)

 

Elementary and middle school students across Anderson, Knox, and Hamblen County—including Clinton City Schools and Oak Ridge Schools—recently participated in the Annual Goodwill Sack Pack material drives. More than 1,600 students from all three counties brought in an approximate total of 44,910 pounds of donations for Goodwill Industries-Knoxville.

From May 9 through 13, students were encouraged to bring donations of gently used clothing, toys, and other household goods to school to benefit Goodwill Industries, a press release said. In exchange for their donations, students were rewarded with free snacks from McDonald’s, free passes to the American Museum of Science and Energy, and/or the opportunity to win two free passes to Dollywood. A third-grade class at Hillcrest Elementary won an ice cream party from Keep Morristown-Hamblen Beautiful for having the most participation of all Hamblen county classrooms. [Read more…]

School board approves budget that includes pay raises, seeks additional funding

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The Oak Ridge Board of Education approved a budget on Wednesday that includes 3 percent salary increases and a request for an additional $538,048 from the city. That’s a 3.6 percent increase in city funding.

The budget was approved unanimously in the first of two readings this month. The second and final reading is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 23.

As approved in the first reading during a 15-minute meeting Wednesday, the budget includes the reduction of the full-time equivalent of four teachers and an increase in five technology positions. It includes experience-based pay increases known as step increases for staff. And it includes money to fund a 6.2 percent increase in health insurance rates and another 10 percent for dental insurance. [Read more…]

Photos by Greene: Oak Ridge at Section I track, field championship

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This photo is property of Allen Greene. Unauthorized use of this photo is not permitted without consent.

Oak Ridge senior Jordan Hardy qualified for state by finishing third in the boys long jump in a Section I meet at Science Hill on Saturday, May 14, 2016. (Photo by Allen Greene Photography)

 

Eleven Oak Ridge athletes qualified for this month’s state tournament in seven track and field events at the Section I Championship at Science Hill in Johnson City on Saturday. Here are pictures by Allen Greene Photography.

See the story on the championship meet and the results here.

This photo is property of Allen Greene. Unauthorized use of this photo is not permitted without consent.

Oak Ridge senior Caelyn Thompson is pictured above in the girls high jump at the Section I track and field championship at Science Hill High School in Johnson City on Saturday, May 14, 2016. (Photo by Allen Greene Photography)

 

This photo is property of Allen Greene. Unauthorized use of this photo is not permitted without consent.

Oak Ridge freshman Jada Guinn finished fifth in the girls high jump and just missed qualifying for state during the Section I track and field championship at Science Hill High School in Johnson City on Saturday, May 14, 2016. (Photo by Allen Greene Photography)

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ORHS Choral Department has Spring Concert on Thursday

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ORHS Choral Department Collage

The Oak Ridge High School Choral Department will present its annual Spring Concert on Thursday, May 19, 2016. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge High School Choral Department will present its annual Spring Concert on Thursday, May 19.

Students representing the five high school choirs will take the audience on a musical journey around the world, a press release said. Elizabethan motets, German art songs, Motown favorites, a selection or two from “Pitch Perfect,” and the ever-popular “Rainforest Sound Scape.”

“Join the ORHS Choral Department as we celebrate the school year and say farewell to our seniors,” the press release said. [Read more…]