Oak Ridge Today

Welsh named to 2015 All-State soccer team; Hardin Valley, Farragut players also named

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Hardin Valley Paige Hewitt and Lady Wildcats Katie Welsh Sept. 23, 2015

Oak Ridge senior defender Katie Welsh (5) was named to the 2015 AAA All-State Team. Above, Welsh defends against junior Paige Hewitt (14) of Hardin Valley on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Oak Ridge senior defender Katie Welsh has been named to the 2015 AAA All-State Team in soccer.

The All-State team was selected by the Tennessee High School Soccer Coaches Association.

Four players from Hardin Valley and Farragut were also named to the team: senior midfielder Gabby Powers of Hardin Valley, senior defenders Dominique Rowe and Kelsey Klett of Hardin Valley, and junior defender Grace Sommi of Farragut.

Hardin Valley Gabby Powers and Lady Wildcats Kate Hausladen Sept. 23, 2015

Hardin Valley senior midfielder Gabby Powers (17) of Hardin Valley was named to the 2015 AAA All-State Team. Above, Powers battles freshman Kate Hausladen (20) of Oak Ridge on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

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Nominations being accepted for Anderson County Ally of the Year

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Do you know someone who lives, works, does business, or worships in Anderson County who cares for its citizens and is passionate about creating a healthy and productive Anderson County? Then consider nominating them for Anderson County Ally of the Year.

ASAP’s Anderson County Ally of the Year campaign is a fundraising competition during January, coinciding with the Red Ribbon Rivalry among a select group of individuals in the community. While each candidate conducts their own campaign, all candidates are united by one goal: to use their leadership, influence, and communication skills to raise funds to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in Anderson County.

ASAP (Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention) of Anderson County has made significant reductions in the number of Anderson County students who have used alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. However, ASAP relies on the generosity of individuals and business to continue these efforts. By accepting the nomination, candidates will have from December 14, 2015, to January 28, 2016, to accumulate the most “votes.” Every dollar raised counts as one vote. The individual who raises the most votes during the campaign will be named the Anderson County Ally of the Year at the Awards Luncheon on January 29, 2016. [Read more…]

CNS, UT chemical sensing technology wins R&D 100 Award

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ChIMES CNS and UT RD100

The ChIMES team’s investigators each brought unique expertise to the project. (Photo courtesy CNS)

 

An inexpensive, small, and portable chemical sensor developed by Consolidated Nuclear Security researchers at the Y-12 National Security Complex and the University of Tennessee received a prestigious R&D 100 Award.

ChIMES, which is short for Chemical Identification by Magneto-Elastic Sensing, was selected as a revolutionary technology by a panel of 70 independent judges. This low-cost sensor has virtually limitless applications, including detection of chemical and biological warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, explosives, and illegal drugs, a press release said.

The sensor is the product of a three-year collaborative effort between CNS and scientists from the University of Tennessee. Y-12 researcher Vincent Lamberti, who managed the project, said: “The R&D 100 award reflects the importance in having strong partners in the advancement of a new technology. ChIMES surely would not have succeeded without the steady stream of innovations that were created in our collaboration with UT.” [Read more…]

Manhattan Project Park: ‘Hanford’s Pioneers’ tour launches

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U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz shortly after they signed a memorandum of agreement and created the 409th park in the National Park System, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The park was authorized by Congress in December 2014. The park will have three sites in Los Alamos, New Mexico; Hanford, Washington; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The ceremony took place at the South Interior Building in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015. (NPS Photo by Anthony DeYoung)

 

By Atomic Heritage Foundation

The Atomic Heritage Foundation has launched an online program called “Hanford’s Pioneers,” where visitors can hear first-hand accounts of the people who lived on the Bruggemann ranch and other pre-war sites. This release is timely as the Manhattan Project National Historical Park was officially established last week, on Tuesday, November 10.

In a signing ceremony in Washington, D.C., Secretary of Energy Ernie Moniz and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell made the park official. One of the original sponsors of the legislation, Senator Maria Cantwell, spoke of the importance of creating the park, which includes many pre-war sites.

Besides Hanford, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park also includes Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Los Alamos, New Mexico.

The “Hanford’s Pioneers” tour allows visitors to listen to stories from people who grew up in the towns of Hanford and White Bluffs and the Bruggemann farm, or lived in the Hanford construction camp. Visitors can choose from more than 30 short audio/visual vignettes. [Read more…]

Record funding in federal budget could help Oak Ridge, senator says

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Lamar-Alexander-Warren-Gooch-Terry-Frank-Nov-20-2015

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican, at a brief press conference with Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch, center, and Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank at the Oak Ridge Municipal Building on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The federal budget expected to be complete by mid-December should have record funding, and the money could help Oak Ridge in areas ranging from mercury and Cold War cleanup to scientific research and the proposed Uranium Processing Facility, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander said Friday.

The Oak Ridge area now receives about $3 billion per year in federal funding, and the level will be increased although he doesn’t have a number yet, said Alexander, a Tennessee Republican.

Alexander held a brief press conference at the Oak Ridge Municipal Building on Friday.

He said the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, which provided $1.4 billion to Oak Ridge National Laboratory this year, will have a record level of funding. [Read more…]

Parking lot sweeps at ORHS designed to ensure safe, healthy campus, principal says

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Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Rick Coley and his police dog Justus help conduct a safety check at Oak Ridge High School on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The random parking lot sweeps conducted several times per year at Oak Ridge High School with officers and police dogs are meant to help ensure a safe, healthy campus, an official during one sweep Friday.

The school conducted the Friday sweep with help from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and Oak Ridge Police Department and several canine officers.

Officials said it was a successful operation, although they declined to give specific information, including because the searches involve juveniles.

It was the first parking lot sweep since new ORHS Principal Martin McDonald replaced David Bryant, who retired this summer. [Read more…]

Today: Comedy at the Grove

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Comedy-Grove-Nov-20-2015

Comedy at the Grove is back at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge today (Friday, November 20). The show starts at 8 p.m.

Janet Williams, “The Tennessee Tramp,” will be performing along with Oak Ridge’s own Danny Whitson and Knoxville’s Jake James as host, a press release said. Tickets are $10 per person, and you must be 18 to enter.

Birdwell Catering is also returning to suit your refreshment needs, the press release said. You must be 21 to buy and consume alcohol.

“Join us for a fun filled night full of laughs!” organizers said.

Here is more information on the performers from the press release: [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Symphony performs Saturday

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Oak Ridge Symphony with Dan Allcott

The Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra is pictured above with conductor Dan Allcott. (Photo by ORCMA)

 

The Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra will perform this Saturday. The “Baroque to Modern” concert will feature Telemann’s “Don Quixote,” Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella,” and Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings.”

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 21, at First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge. The church is at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The concert is free to all students 18 and under, and special discount tickets are available to young adults, 19-29.

“It will be a fun, family-friendly concert—all are welcome!” organizers said. [Read more…]

Tree removal to temporarily close Clark Center Park, Bull Bluff Road

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Clark Center Park Picnic Area

One of two large picnic areas at Clark Center Park. The park also includes a small playground, two ball fields, boat ramp, fishing trails, and beach. (File photo)

 

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office will temporarily close Clark Center Park and Bull Bluff Road in Oak Ridge from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both Monday, November 30, and again on Tuesday, December 1.

The temporary closure is due to tree removal that has been identified as potential safety hazards for travelers and visitors on the road and throughout Clark Center Park, which is in south Oak Ridge. Closure of the road during this work allow performance of the work in the most safe and efficient manner, a press release said.

The Oak Ridge Office roads and grounds contractor will allow any emergency vehicles access in the event of an emergency while the work is being performed. Normal opening of Bull Bluff Road and Clark Center Park will resume on December 2 at 5 a.m.

Wildcats open basketball season with wins over Grace

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Boys Basketball Team Nov. 17, 2015

Members of the Oak Ridge Wildcats boys basketball team are pictured above during an 87-67 season-opening win over Grace Christian at home on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. From left are juniors Tyshawn Young (15), Tajion Jones (3), and E.J. Bush (2); seniors Geevantay Gee (12) and Javien Johnson (11); junior Deandre Gibson (10); and senior Darel Middleton (33), who did not play Tuesday. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12:15 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Wildcats boys and girls basketball teams opened the regular season with wins over Grace Christian on Tuesday.

The boys won 87-67, and the girls won 39-27. It was the first game for new coach Paige Green, who replaced former girls coach David Scott in June. Paige Green is married to Aaron Green, the boys basketball coach.

The Oak Ridge teams play at home again tonight (Thursday, November 19) against the Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK). The girls game starts at 6 p.m., and the boys game begins at 7:30. [Read more…]

Wanted fugitive arrested in joint operation with ACSD, ORPD SWAT team

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A wanted fugitive was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 18, 2015, in a joint operation by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and the Oak Ridge Police Department. The operation involved the deployment of the ORPD SWAT team at a home on Robertsville Road. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A wanted fugitive was arrested Wednesday afternoon in a joint operation by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and the Oak Ridge Police Department. The operation involved the deployment of the ORPD SWAT team at a home on Robertsville Road.

ACSD Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said deputies received information that Jesse Lee Shackelford, 32, was in the home. Shackelford was wanted on seven outstanding warrants that included felony charges and was reported to be armed with a handgun, Lucas said.

Jesse-Lee-Shackelford

Jesse Lee Shackelford

Deputies and officers surrounded the home, and ORPD SWAT was called to the scene. ORPD SWAT members entered the residence and arrested Shackelford without incident, Lucas said. He said Shackelford was found to be armed with not one but two handguns.

Additional charges for drug and weapons offenses will be forthcoming, Lucas said. Shackelford was also wanted in Knox County on warrants. [Read more…]

Booms heard Wednesday were explosives training for officers at UT Arboretum

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The booms heard in Oak Ridge on Wednesday were from explosives training for law enforcement officers at the University of Tennessee Arboretum on South Illinois Avenue, an official said.

Twenty-nine officers from across the country are training in a 10-week National Forensics Academy course offered by the UT Law Enforcement Innovation Center in Oak Ridge. That course includes crime scene investigation, and one aspect of that training involves investigating car bombs, suicide bombers, and improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, said Don Green, executive director of the Law Enforcement Innovation Center. On Wednesday, an explosives ordinance team from the Knoxville Police Department used explosives to show officers what they would have to go through at that type of scene.

The explosives training session was on Wednesday only. [Read more…]