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Lady Wildcats end seven-game losing streak to Powell with 55-43 win

Posted at 1:32 am December 9, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Wildcats-Dowdell-Powell-Dec-8-2015

Oak Ridge sophomore post Mykia Dowdell (34) scored a game-high 21 points for the Lady Wildcats during a 55-43 win at Powell on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

POWELL—The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats ended a seven-game losing streak to Powell with a 55-43 win over the Lady Panthers on Tuesday.

Oak Ridge was led by sophomore Mykia Dowdell, who tied her season high of 21 points. Dowdell got off to a hot start, scoring eight points in the first quarter.

Lady Wildcats Coach Paige Green said the girls played four quarters of basketball and kept their composure, even when Powell narrowed the lead. The score at halftime was 27-24, but Oak Ridge (5-2, 3-0 District 3-AAA) was able to widen it in the second half.

“Our defense was huge in the fourth quarter,” Green said. The Lady Wildcats were also able to get the ball inside to Dowdell and attack the rim, she said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: High School, Slider, Sports, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Brooke Huffaker, Desiree Bates, Haley Schubert, Jada Guinn, Jasmine Hembry, Jaymi Golden, Keelie Lusby, Lady Panthers, Lady Wildcats, Mykia Dowdell, Oak Ridge, Paige Green, Powell

She alleges abuse, imprisonment, Sharia law; he cites immigration as possible motive for claims

Posted at 2:47 pm December 8, 2015
By John Huotari 2 Comments

The wife of a city employee has alleged that she has essentially been held captive in a home that operates under Sharia law, been physically abused, not allowed to work or go to school, and deprived of food and medical care.

But her husband, an Oak Ridge Electric Department project manager, said he can prove that the charges are unfounded. He called the allegations, which were publicized in a newspaper story last month, “salacious accusations.” The allegations sparked a social media backlash against the city employee, Oak Ridge Electric Department Project Manager Ardo Isma Ba.

The Oak Ridge Police Department has investigated some of the allegations against Ba, including the charge that he held his wife, Madina Sall, against her will for the past three years. That information was reported to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, where Ba is a reserve deputy.

Ba was not charged after the investigation. Officers said Sall’s definition of abuse is different than what is defined in Tennessee law. Also, detectives appeared to have questions about the accuracy of some of the information, and they warned Sall of the consequences of reporting false information to law enforcement.

“The matter did appear to be a non-criminal matter due to the initial information given to (the Knox County Sheriff’s Office) not being accurate and no proof that any physical abuse has occurred,” the ORPD said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Anderson County, Front Page News, Government, Knox County, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County chancellor, Anderson County Chancery Court, Ardo Ba, Ardo Isma Ba, City of Oak Ridge, David Stephens, Jack Suggs, Kevin Craig, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Lauren R. Biloski, M. Nichole Cantrell, Madina Sall, Oak Ridge Electric Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, order of protection, ORPD, Patrick B. Slaughter, Sharia law, Williams Weaver

Santa makes early visit to Oak Ridge: Pancakes with Santa

Posted at 7:45 am December 8, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Santa-Lee-Morris-Dec-2015

Santa (aka: Lee Morris, of Oak Ridge) will be at Applebee’s Restaurant this Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, from 8 to 10 a.m. (Submitted photo)

 

Santa will make an early stop in Oak Ridge this Saturday, December 12, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Applebee’s Restaurant.

The public is invited to join Santa (aka: long time Oak Ridge resident Lee Morris) for a pancake breakfast to benefit CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee.  Breakfast and an opportunity for a picture with Santa is $5.

Applebee’s is at 1213 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge churches founded CONTACT in 1973, and the nonprofit agency now serves Knoxville and surrounding communities as well. Volunteers field approximately 10,000 calls per year. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, Health, Meetings and Events, Nonprofits, Top Stories Tagged With: Bruce Marshall, CONTACT, CONTACT Care Line, crisis line, Lee Morris, Oak Ridge, Pancakes with Santa, Santa

Roane State campuses closed Dec. 19-Jan. 2 for holidays

Posted at 4:19 pm December 7, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Roane State Community College Harriman Campus

The main Roane State Community College campus in Harriman. The college also has a branch campus in Oak Ridge.

 

Roane State Community College campuses will be closed Saturday, December 19, through Saturday, January 2, for the holidays.

The college will reopen Monday, January 4, and spring classes will begin on Tuesday, January 19.

The Cumberland Business Incubator, located on the Cumberland County campus, will be closed December 24-January 1.

Registration and other self-service options are available through the Roane State website at www.roanestate.edu.

For more information, visit www.roanestate.edu or call 1-866-GO2-RSCC (1-866-462-7722).

Filed Under: College, Education, Front Page News, Top Stories Tagged With: Cumberland Business Incubator, holidays, Roane State Community College

Looking ahead: SNS users visit to discuss next-generation target station at ORNL

Posted at 1:43 pm December 6, 2015
By Oak Ridge National Laboratory Leave a Comment

SNS-Second-Target-Station

More than 200 scientists from around the world met from October 27 to 29 at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory to provide input on the scientific instruments that would be installed at a proposed Second Target Station, or STS, at the Spallation Neutron Source, which is pictured above. (Aerial photo and overlay by ORNL)

 

More than 200 scientists from around the world met from October 27 to 29 at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory to provide input on the scientific instruments that would be installed at a proposed Second Target Station, or STS, at the Spallation Neutron Source.

The workshop—which was organized by ORNL’s Neutron Sciences Directorate and drew researchers from 56 universities, research institutions, and other national laboratories—aimed to define the capabilities needed to ensure the next-generation neutron source meets the biggest science challenges.

The Spallation Neutron Source is a DOE Office of Science User Facility that provides the most intense pulsed neutron beams in the world for scientific research and industrial development. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Alan Tennant, Boris Khaykovich, Brookhaven National Laboratory, DOE, HFIR, High Flux Isotope Reactor, John Tranquada, Ken Herwig, long wave neutrons, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, neutron scattering, Neutron Sciences, Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Office of Science, ORNL, Second Target Station, SNS, Spallation Neutron Source, STS, U.S. Department of Energy

Celebrate Christmas with Community Band on Dec. 13

Posted at 10:02 pm December 5, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Community-Band-Canterfield-Christmas-2014

Members of the Oak Ridge Community Band perform at Canterfield Senior Living in December 2014. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band/Wind Ensemble will perform in a free sing-along concert on Sunday, December 13.

“Come ring in the Christmas season,” a press release said.

The performance begins at 3:30 p.m. December 13 in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church at 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Dress is casual, and there will be refreshments at the end of the program, the press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Entertainment, Front Page News, Meetings and Events, Music, Nonprofits, Top Stories Tagged With: Christmas carols, Dale Pendley, First Baptist Church, Lisa Michaels, Oak Ridge Community Band, sing-along, Wind Ensemble

ORHS Orchestra performs in Winter Concert on Thursday

Posted at 8:31 pm December 5, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak-Ridge-High-School-Orchestra-Logo

Oak Ridge High School Orchestra will present its 2015 Winter Concert on Thursday, December 10. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Thursday at ORHS Auditorium.

The concert will feature something for everyone, including Christmas concertos by Corelli and Torelli, as well as rocking contemporary music by Trans Siberian Orchestra, a press release said.

Tickets are on sale at the door for $3 each. All proceeds benefit the ORHS Orchestra program and help purchase and repair string instruments.

For more information, visit www.orhsorchestra.org.

Filed Under: Education, Entertainment, Front Page News, K-12, Meetings and Events, Music, Top Stories Tagged With: Oak Ridge High School Orchestra, ORHS Auditorium, ORHS Orchestra, Winter Concert

Y‑12 recycles asphalt from UPF site to fix, pave rough roads

Posted at 1:52 pm December 5, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Recycled-Asphalt

The recycled asphalt is good for fixing potholes and ruts and can be used to “pave” a gravel road. (Photo by Y-12)

 

Some 23,000 tons of asphalt removed during work this summer at the site of the proposed Uranium Processing Facility has been put to use throughout the Y-12 National Security Complex, officials said.

Potholes and gravel roads are now “paved” with the recycled asphalt that has been ground into a material called base course. Unlike gravel, the material tends to rebind into a solid form as it is packed down, thus sending it back to its former life as asphalt.

“With the tough winter we had earlier this year, we needed to fix some roads around the site,” said Y-12 Road and Grounds Manager Brian Hutson. “This material is good not only for fixing potholes and ruts, but it can be used to essentially pave a gravel road, and that makes it much easier for us to maintain it. Washouts are a big problem on some of our gravel patrol roads.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Brian Hutson, Oak Ridge Reservation, recycled asphalt, uranium processing facility, Y-12 National Security Complex

Basketball photos: Oak Ridge and Central

Posted at 11:55 pm December 4, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Wildcats-Higgins-Central-Dec-4-2015

Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins (5) scored 15 points for the Wildcats in a 94-66 win over Central at home on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats beat the Central Bobcats 94-66 at Wildcat Arena on Friday. The Wildcats are now 9-0 and will play at Powell on Tuesday.

Here are photos from the Friday night game by Julio Culiat.

Wildcats-Gee-Central-Dec-4-2015

Oak Ridge senior guard Geevantay Gee (12) had 10 assists for the Wildcats during a 94-66 win over Central at home on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Media, Photos, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Anthony Gibson, Central Bobcats, Darel Middleton, E.J. Bush, Geevantay Gee, Julio Culiat, Oak Ridge Wildcats, photos, Tajion Jones, Tee Higgins

Playing for team, Middleton scores 18, rebounds 15 in blowout over Central

Posted at 10:46 pm December 4, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Wildcats-Middleton-Central-Dec-4-2015

Playing for his team, senior post Darel Middleton (33) had one of his best games as an Oak Ridge Wildcat, scoring 18 points and picking up 15 rebounds during a 94-66 win over Central on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:30 p.m.

Playing for his team, senior Darel Middleton had one of his best games as an Oak Ridge Wildcat, scoring 18 points and picking up 15 rebounds during a 94-66 win over Central on Friday.

It was the most memorable performance by Middleton, a 6-foot-6 post, since he scored 14 points and pulled down 10 rebounds against Memphis East in the state quarterfinal game in March.

“I just felt like I owed my team,” said Middleton, who said he’s gotten into a little trouble this year. “I gave them my all tonight and from now on.”

Oak Ridge Coach Aaron Green said Middleton is playing a lot harder this year than he did last year.

“He played well,” Green said. “He’s been playing well.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Aaron Green, Anthony Gibson, Bobcats, Central, Darel Middleton, E.J. Bush, Geevantay Gee, Isaiah Hinton, Jada Guinn, Jaquez Johnson, Jasmine Hembry, Lady Bobcats, Lady Panthers, Lady Wildcats, Mykia Dowdell, Oak Ridge Wildcat, Paige Green, Panthers, Powell, Shatryah Copeland, Tajion Jones, Tee Higgins, Tyshawn Young

Lady Wildcats lose lead in final seconds, falling to Farragut 32-31

Posted at 10:57 pm December 3, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Wildcats-Dowdell-Shoots-Admirals-Dec-3-2015

Oak Ridge sophmore Mykia Dowdell (34) led the Lady Wildcats with a game-high 16 points in a 32-31 loss to Farragut at Wildcat Arena on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Oak Ridge had the basketball and a one-point lead with 13.4 seconds to go. But the Lady Wildcats struggled to get the ball inbounds in their own end, and Farragut regained possession on a jump ball. The Lady Admirals quickly scored on a layup by senior Miranda Burt to take a one-point lead with about six seconds left.

Oak Ridge was unable to score again, and the Lady Wildcats lost to the Lady Admirals 32-31 at Wildcat Arena on Thursday. It’s the second loss to Farragut in the past two weeks. But this game was closer than the earlier match on Monday, November 23, when Oak Ridge fell to the Lady Admirals 52-39.

The Lady Wildcats (3-2, 1-0 District 3-AAA) had six turnovers in the first quarter on Thursday but were only behind by two, 7-5, after a low-scoring first quarter. The Wildcats came back in the second quarter and took a 16-11 halftime lead. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: basketball, Brooke Christian, Courtney Ellison, Desiree Bates, Farragut, Jaiden McCoy, Jason Mayfield, Jaymi Golden, Lady Admirals, Lady Wildcats, Maegan Hudson, Miranda Burt, Mykia Dowdell, Oak Ridge

Y-12 union workers ratify five-year contract with 3 percent annual wage increases

Posted at 9:42 pm December 3, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Steve Jones

Steve Jones

Note: This story was last updated at 10:02 p.m.

Union workers at the Y-12 National Security Complex ratified a new five year-contract on Thursday that includes 3 percent annual wage increases and a $2,500 signing bonus, an official said.

The first 3 percent wage increase goes into effect on Monday, December 7.

The new contract, the first “full-blown” contract since 2004, expires on June 22, 2020, said Steve Jones, president of the Atomic Trades and Labor Council, or ATLC.

Negotiation teams from the ATLC and Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, which operates Y-12 for the National Nuclear Security Administration, had reached a tentative agreement on Monday on the new five-year labor agreement. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Atomic Trades and Labor Council, contract, Steve Jones, wage increases, Y-12 National Security Complex

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