Oak Ridge Today

Digital transformation: Rollout of convertible laptops starts at Robertsville

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Robertsville Middle School

Robertsville Middle School is pictured above in this file photo.

 

The digital transformation at Oak Ridge Schools starts Tuesday with the rollout of convertible laptops at Robertsville Middle School, officials said. It will continue Thursday at Jefferson Middle School.

“This is an exciting day for Oak Ridge Schools,” officials said in a press release. It marks the “first step in the digital transformation that will impact teaching and learning in our 21st century classrooms,” the release said.

“We aim to close the digital divide and ensure access to powerful technology tools for all Oak Ridge Schools students,” the press release said.

Here are some specific plans: [Read more…]

Fire destroys home on West Outer Drive

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West Outer Drive Fire Oct. 31, 2015

A fire destroyed an unoccupied rental home on West Outer Drive early Saturday morning, authorities said. (Submitted photo)

 

A fire destroyed an unoccupied rental home on West Outer Drive early Saturday morning, authorities said.

The fire was reported at about 4:25 a.m. Saturday, October 31, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

Flames were coming through the roof of the house when the Oak Ridge Fire Department arrived, the press release said.

The city said the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and the cause is still under investigation. [Read more…]

Apartment resident pulled to safety during fire, treated for smoke inhalation

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East Tennessee Avenue Fire Oct. 28, 2015

An apartment resident on East Tennessee Avenue was pulled to safety and taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation after his food caught fire on a stove on Wednesday, October 28, authorities said.

 

An apartment resident on East Tennessee Avenue was pulled to safety and taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation after his food caught fire on a stove on Wednesday, October 28, authorities said.

The resident, identified as Earnest Hurd, was cooking supper when he fell asleep at approximately 10:19 p.m. Wednesday, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. People passing by saw smoke coming from the apartment and called 911 dispatchers, who then dispatched the Oak Ridge Fire Department and Oak Ridge Police Department.

ORPD was the first to arrive and saw Hurd lying on the floor of the apartment, the press release said. ORPD opened the door and pulled the occupant to safety just as ORFD arrived. [Read more…]

Football photos: Oak Ridge and Campbell County

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Wildcats Tee Higgins Catch against Campbell County Oct. 30, 2015

Oak Ridge junior wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) hauls in a catch near the left sideline during a 45-6 win over Campbell County on Blankenship Field on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The Oak Ridge defense shut down Campbell County, and the Wildcats used an opportunistic offense and great punt returns in a 45-6 rout of the Cougars on Friday. Here are photos by Julio Culiat.

See a story on the game here. See stats here.

Wildcats Darel Middleton against Campbell County Oct. 30, 2015

Oak Ridge senior wide receiver Darel Middleton (9) stretches to catch a pass that was slightly overthrown by senior quarterback Logan Fadnek during a a 45-6 win over Campbell County on Blankenship Field on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

[Read more…]

Today: City planner to discuss demographic changes in Oak Ridge

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Sherith Colverson

Sherith Colverson

Sherith Colverson, senior planner for the City of Oak Ridge, will discuss the changing demographics of Oak Ridge at the Women’s Interfaith Dialogue meeting on Monday, November 2, at 11 a.m. The program will be held in the social hall of Grace Covenant Church, Trinity Center, 320 Robertsville Road.

Colverson will focus on the historical and current demographics of the city, a press release said. In a synopsis of her presentation, she said that these demographics tell the story of how Oak Ridge has changed, “both in form and function, throughout the past seven-and-a-half decades.”

She will also discuss how the city’s current demographics can help shape the future of our neighborhoods.  Colverson said she is also very interested in ideas of how to gain more involvement from all citizens in the future social and structural development of the city. [Read more…]

Photo: Halloween home decoration

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Briarcliff Halloween Decoration Oct. 31, 2015

A home decorated for Halloween in the Briarcliff neighborhood in Oak Ridge in October 2015. (Photo by Rob Welton)

 

Here is impressive Halloween decoration work by an enthusiastic homeowner in the Briarcliff neighborhood in Oak Ridge, with the photo courtesy of Rob Welton.

Football stats: Oak Ridge and Campbell County

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Oak Ridge Wildcats and Campbell County Cougars Oct. 30, 2015

The Oak Ridge Wildcats defense stifled the Campbell County Cougars’ running game on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, allowing only 33 yards rushing on Blankenship Field. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The Oak Ridge defense shut down Campbell County, and the Wildcats used an opportunistic offense and great punt returns in a 45-6 rout of the Cougars on Friday. Here are preliminary stats by Mark Haste. See photos by Julio Culiat here.

TEAM STATISTICS

Oak Ridge

Campbell Co.

FIRST DOWNS

11

 Total 8

9

 By rushing 1

1

 By passing 7

1

 By penalty 0
RUSHING

31

 Attempts 16

297

 Yards gained 43

6

 Yards lost 10

291

 Net yards 33
PASSING

4

 Completions 19

6

 Attempts 33

66.67%

 Percentage 57.58%

0

 Intercepted 0

65

 Net yards 141
TOTAL OFFENSE

356

 Net yards 174
PUNTS

2

 Attempts 8

28.5

 Average 34.38
RETURN YARDS

126

 Punt returns 0

4

 Kickoff returns 0

0

 Interception returns 0
FUMBLES

2

 Total 0

1

 Fumbles lost 0
PENALTIES

5

 Total 7

30

 Yards lost 60

[Read more…]

Photos: Halloween at Oak Ridge Preschool

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Oak Ridge Preschool Halloween Oct. 30, 2015

Students and staff at Oak Ridge Preschool dressed up in costumes for Halloween, and the children received candy on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Students and staff at Oak Ridge Schools Preschool dressed up for Halloween on Friday, and the children received candy. Here are pictures by John Huotari. These children are pre-K students (3-4 years old) in Linda Dalton’s class.

Oak Ridge Preschool Halloween Oct. 30, 2015

Students and staff at Oak Ridge Preschool dressed up in costumes for Halloween, and the children received candy on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

[Read more…]

ORHS boys win Region 2 cross country championship

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ORHS Cross Country Region 2 Champions 2015

The Oak Ridge High School boys cross country team won the Region 2 championship in Knoxville on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015. (Photo courtesy ORHS Cross Country/ORHS Dance Cats)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 7:20 p.m.

For the second year in a row, the Oak Ridge High School boys cross country team has won the Region 2-AAA championship. The boys finished first in Knoxville on Thursday.

Oak Ridge senior Gashaw Duhamel finished first in the 5k race. Senior Tyler Boullie finished third, senior Thomas Colburn was sixth, junior Jacob Etheridge was seventh, and senior Daniel Beckett finished ninth.

Here are their times:

  • Duhamel—16:18.55 (first)
  • Boullie—16:24.13 (third)
  • Colburn—16:43.09 (sixth)
  • Etheridge—16:50.34 (seventh)
  • Beckett—16:54.68 (ninth)

Oak Ridge finished with 26 points, and the other two teams in the top three, Maryville and Hardin Valley, both finished with 72. A lower score is better.

The Oak Ridge boys team will compete in the state meet on Saturday, November 7, at Percy Warner Park Steeplechase Course in Nashville. [Read more…]

Reminder: EmiSunshine show is Friday at Grove Theater, benefits United Way

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Emi Sunshine at Grove Theater

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On Friday, October 30, the historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge will return to its roots, hosting a benefit concert headlined by 10-year-old EmiSunshine, the newest talent to take the country music world by storm. Knoxville band Handsome and the Humbles will open the concert, proceeds of which will benefit United Way of Anderson County.

EmiSunshine was born in Madisonville, Tennessee, and grew up listening to Tom Petty and June Carter Cash, sounds which have influenced her current style. From the official EmiSunshine website: “Whether she’s performing on the ‘Today’ show or the Grand Ole Opry or taking the stage at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, she is fearless, confident, and firm in her musical direction. As she says, she sings ‘old-time music,’ but it’s her own unique blend of roots music that is equal parts Americana, bluegrass, gospel, and country, with a little bit of blues thrown in for good measure.”

Since a video of her singing on a street went viral, EmiSunshine has amassed an impressive fan base and has given repeat performances in some of the top cities and venues in East Tennessee. However, her motivation remains simple. “I love how I get to sing to people and make them happy,” she says. “I’m really blessed that I get to do this. It makes me feel amazing, like I’m touching somebody’s life.” [Read more…]

Hayes, a former RMS principal, City Council member, dies at 76

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Tom Hayes Gym Dedication

On Thursday, January 16, 2014, Robertsville Middle School recognized former Principal Thomas W. Hayes, third from left, by naming the school gymnasium in his honor. (Photo by Oak Ridge Schools)

 

Tom Hayes, a former middle school principal and city council member in Oak Ridge, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, according to his obituary. He was 76.

Hayes, who lived in Oak Ridge, was a former principal at Robertsville Middle School and a former member of the Oak Ridge City Council.

A native of Parsons, Tennessee, Thomas Warren Hayes was born November 2, 1938, and he graduated from Riverside High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in social studies and a master’s degree in education supervision from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. [Read more…]

Knoxville man dies after pickup crash on Bethel Valley Road

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Bethel Valley Road Crash Chevy Oct. 27, 2015

Victor Gujmuit, 25, of Knoxville, was driving westbound in this green Chevy S10 pickup truck on Bethel Valley Road on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 27, 2015, when he lost control and collided with an eastbound Ford Ranger pickup. He was treated at the scene and taken to UT Medical Center, where he later died. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 3 p.m. Oct. 29.

A Knoxville man died after he was ejected from his pickup truck in a multi-vehicle crash on Bethel Valley Road on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department has identified the driver as Victor Gujmuit, 25, of Knoxville.

The ORPD said Gujmuit was driving west on Bethel Valley Road in a 1997 Chevrolet S10 pickup when he lost control and entered the inside eastbound lane of the four-lane roadway. His truck collided with a 1996 Ford Ranger pickup driven by Kurt Marcotte, 52, of Knoxville. Gujmuit was ejected onto the roadway in the outside eastbound lane and hit by a 2003 Dodge pickup truck driven by Raymond Lenoir, 57, of Powell, authorities said.

Gujmuit and Marcotte were treated at the scene and taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, where Gujmuit later died, the ORPD said. Police have not determined the cause of his death. [Read more…]