Oak Ridge Today

‘Cash mob’ at Cutie Patootie’s on Thursday

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Cutie Patootie's Repeat Boutique

Cutie Patootie’s Repeat Boutique

 

ORNL Federal Credit Union will have its next cash mob at Cutie Patootie’s Repeat Boutique in historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge on Thursday.

The cash mob is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. The first 30 customers will receive a $20 gift card to use within the store, courtesy of ORNL Federal Credit Union, a press release said. There is a limit of one gift card per family or couple.

Cutie Patootie’s Repeat Boutique is at 209 Jackson Square.

“Founded by owner and single mom, Wendy Holloway, Cutie Patootie’s Repeat Boutique in Oak Ridge is the epitome of small business with its local feel, loyal customers, and personalized service,” the press release said. “The resale boutique has been serving the Oak Ridge community for several years by offering new and gently used items for babies, children, teens and women, including toys, handmade hair bows and accessories, jewelry, shoes, clothing, and more. [Read more…]

Anderson County receives award for financial reporting

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Anderson County Courthouse

The Anderson County Courthouse on Main Street in Clinton is pictured above.

CLINTON—The Anderson County government announced Wednesday that its Accounts and Budgets Office has again received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the county’s comprehensive annual financial report, or CAFR, for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2013.

The Certificate of Achievement has been awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. According to records, it is believed that Anderson County consecutively has received the award from GFOA for 20 years, a press release said.

“Our accounting office continues to exhibit a standard of excellence,” Anderson County County Mayor Terry Frank said. “I want to commend them all for their hard work on behalf of good government and a better Anderson County. I can’t say enough how proud I am of their hard work.” [Read more…]

Anderson County school officials revoke rejection of Oak Ridge Head Start application

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Anderson County Board of Education

Members of the Anderson County Board of Education pictured above are, from left, Steve Fritts and Scott Gillenwaters, Schools Director Larry Foster, Board Chair John Burrell, Vice Chair Greg Crawford, and member Dail Cantrell.

 

CLINTON—Anderson County school officials have revoked a decision that could have resulted in the loss of about $700,000 in funding for the Head Start program in Oak Ridge in the next school year.

The Anderson County Board of Education rejected Oak Ridge’s Head Start application on April 10 over concerns about the falsification of federal data, specifically reports on the motor skills of children.

But since then, officials from Anderson County and Oak Ridge schools have met and hammered out a 10-point plan that could be put into place for the 2014-2015 school year. The agreement would allow Oak Ridge to continue to receive funding for the city’s Head Start program through Anderson County.

The agreement between the two systems, which would have the city and county work together to hire a new preschool principal or director in Oak Ridge, was considered during a brief special meeting of the Anderson County Board of Education in Clinton on Tuesday. The board unanimously agreed to rescind their April 10 rejection and accept Oak Ridge’s proposal. [Read more…]

Secret City Festival concert tickets on sale today

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Kix Brooks with Mic

Country artist Kix Brooks performs at the Great Eastern Exposition in West Springfield, Mass., on Sept. 27. (Submitted photos)

Eddie Money and Kix Brooks to headline 2014 concerts

It’s Secret City Festival time again in Oak Ridge! The bands have been selected, the schedule is filling up, and tickets to this year’s headliner concerts go on sale today (Tuesday, April 29). Tickets are priced at an early bird rate of $18. After May 30, ticket prices go up to $20. Children 10 and under are free with a paying adult.

Grammy-nominated ’80s rocker Eddie Money will bring his blue-collar brand of rock ‘n’ roll to the concert main stage on Friday, June 13, at 7 p.m. The Friday night concert also features local band Jada Blade.

Legendary country music artist Kix Brooks will bring his high energy, hit-filled show to the main stage Saturday, June 14, at 7 p.m. The Saturday night concert will feature opening band Phoenix Drive. [Read more…]

DOE, ORNL report estimates more than 65 gigawatts of hydropower

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory Sign

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Sign

Energy Department report finds major potential to increase clean, sustainable U.S. hydropower

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory on Tuesday released a renewable energy resource assessment detailing the potential to develop new electric power generation in waterways across the United States. The report estimates that there are more than 65 gigawatts (GW) of potential new hydropower development across more than three million U.S. rivers and streams. That’s nearly equivalent to the current U.S. hydropower capacity, a press release said.

The release said the findings demonstrate one of the ways the United States can further diversify its energy portfolio with sustainable and clean domestic power generation.

“The United States has tremendous untapped clean energy resources and responsible development will help pave the way to a cleaner, more sustainable and diverse energy portfolio,” Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said. “As the Energy Department works with industry, universities, and state and local governments to advance innovative hydropower technologies, the resource assessment released today provides unparalleled insight into new hydropower opportunities throughout the country.” [Read more…]

Emory Valley Center ‘Celebrates Spring’ with Capital Campaign fundraiser on Friday

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Emory Valley Center Logo

Emory Valley Center Logo

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Make plans now to join Emory Valley Center on Friday, May 2, for a “Celebrate Spring” fundraising event. Proceeds will benefit the ongoing Capital Campaign for a new building to better serve children and adults with disabilities.

The Knights of Columbus of St. Mary’s Church are partnering with Emory Valley Center for the event, which will be held in the St. Mary’s Church Gym from 6–8:30 p.m. and feature a full-course meal they will prepare. Tickets are currently on sale and only $25 each. Attendees will be served their buffet-style meal by youth of St. Mary’s Church, enjoy musical entertainment by the band Early Bird Special, and have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction. Some of the silent auction items donated by local supporters and friends include jewelry, a variety of art items, golf rounds, restaurant certificates, area attraction tickets, “themed” baskets, and more. The event is casual, so plan to come after work and bring your family, friends, and colleagues. [Read more…]

Ninja 5K Race to support Wounded Warriors, Graduation Celebration

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Ninja 5K Race Logo

Registration is now open for the inaugural Ninja 5K race coming to Oak Ridge on June 28. Organizers said the race was created to raise funds for our local Graduation Celebration event, while also supporting the Wounded Warriors Project.

The Ninja 5K is a 3.1-mile race and walk that is planned for the Horizon Center in west Oak Ridge. The race course is very flat and accessible for all ages and abilities, a press release said. The race will be timed, but both runners and walkers are encouraged to participate.

“Martial arts groups will be on hand doing demonstrations, and everyone is encouraged to dress up ninja-style for the event,” a release stated. “Events like this one are sweeping the country because people are looking for something fun to do as a family. We hope to see the whole family dressed out in martial arts uniforms, or as Ninja Turtles, Karate Kid, Kung Fu Panda, etc.” [Read more…]

School board approves balanced calendar

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Oak Ridge Board of Education

The Oak Ridge Board of Education and school administrators are pictured above during a recent meeting.

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

The Oak Ridge Board of Education on Monday approved a new balanced calendar for the 2015-2016 school year. The balanced calendar, which is different than the traditional school calendar, gives students about nine weeks of classroom instruction at a time. This will be the first time that Oak Ridge has had a balanced calendar.

The school board approved the change in a 4-1 vote on Monday. Board member Jenny Richter was opposed.

A separate motion to outsource substitute teachers died with little discussion.

The vote on the balanced calendar came after input from three community members who were opposed to the change from the traditional calendar, which is now being used at most Oak Ridge schools. The board discussed the calendars for nearly an hour before the vote. [Read more…]

Roane County Chamber honors 2014 business award winners

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Roane Chamber 2014 Business Winners

From left to right are Jude Miller, Danice Turpin, Ann Davis, Becky Butler, Kathy Parks, Melinda Bertram, and Sharon Templeton. (Submitted photo)

 

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The Roane County Chamber’s business awards were presented Friday night during the 68th Annual Banquet. One of the largest crowds in recent years attended the event, with their fellow Chamber members being honored for outstanding service. The Chamber’s business awards are an integral part of the annual banquet. The awards presented include:

  • Betty Mowrer, of Kingston, named Volunteer of the Year;
  • The Bridge at Rockwood, named 2014 Business of the Year;
  • Jude Miller, Active Family and Sports Chiropractic, received the Paul E. Goldberg Young Professional Award;
  • Danice Turpin, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, was named Roane Chamber Woman of the Year for her years of dedicated community service; and
  • The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Sharon Templeton, of EnergySolutions, who was honored for her outstanding contributions both to Roane County and the Chamber. [Read more…]

Forecast: Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain; tornado, flood watches issued

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NWS Severe Thunderstorms, Rain, Wind

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown.

 

Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and flooding are possible in the region starting Monday evening and continuing through Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

Isolated tornadoes are possible, mainly across the Cumberland Plateau and southern half of the Tennessee Valley, the Weather Service said. A tornado watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. Monday for southwestern Virginia and East Tennessee. The watch includes Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, and Scott counties, among others.

The flood watch is in effect from 8 p.m. today until 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The National Weather Service said its main concerns are the isolated tornadoes, widespread damaging winds that could cause power outages due to fallen trees and power lines, and heavy rainfall producing flash flooding. Large hail is also possible.

The forecast near Oak Ridge calls for a 60 percent chance of heavy rain this afternoon, with a 100 percent chance of severe thunderstorms tonight. [Read more…]

Mason to brief feds on UPF alternatives report today

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Ernest Moniz, Lamar Alexander, Thom Mason, Joe DiPietro, Jimmy Cheek at University of Tennessee

From left are UT President Joe DiPietro, Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, and ORNL Director Thom Mason.

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

KNOXVILLE—Federal officials have expressed concerns about increasing cost projections and delayed construction dates for a new Uranium Processing Facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex, and a so-called Red Team has drafted an alternative approach that could keep the project at $6.5 billion or less—and help workers get out of the aging Building 9212 at Y-12 by 2025.

Thom Mason, the director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, chaired the Red Team, and he is expected to brief federal officials in Washington, D.C., today (Monday) on the team’s report. The report will then go to Congress, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said in a media briefing at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center at the University of Tennessee on Friday.

Among the questions that could be answered are which old production buildings at Y-12 should be replaced and which can be refurbished. Y-12 was built to enrich uranium as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II as the United States raced to beat Germany to build the world’s first atomic weapons. [Read more…]

ORHS again ranked sixth-best in state

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Oak Ridge High School

Oak Ridge High School is pictured above.

Oak Ridge High School has again been ranked sixth in Tennessee in an annual ranking of the best high schools in the state.

The ranking by U.S. News and World Report said ORHS is among the Top 1,000 high schools in the nation, ranking No. 894.

At 13:1, Oak Ridge High School has a smaller-than-average student-to-teacher ratio, and it is above the state average in college readiness and student proficiency in algebra and English. [Read more…]