Oak Ridge Today

After setbacks, workers start installing ‘In God We Trust’ signs at Anderson courthouse

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In God We Trust Courthouse Signs

Workers from Island Home Granite, Signs, and Monuments install the first of four black granite “In God We Trust” signs over the entrances at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

CLINTON—Several setbacks put the project behind schedule on Monday, delaying the work for several hours, but by Monday evening, workers from a Knoxville company began installing the first of four black granite signs emblazoned with the national motto “In God We Trust” over the entrances at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

Plans had called for completing the work by Monday night, but it wasn’t clear if that would be possible. Among the setbacks were rain, a traffic jam, a hydraulic hose that popped off a hydraulic lift, and a drill that ran into rebar in the rock-solid courthouse walls.

Still, those who supported the project—with the work being done by Island Home Granite, Signs, and Monuments of Knoxville—were pleased to see it was under way. [Read more…]

Roane County school board makes budget cuts

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Information from WYSH Radio

On Thursday, the Roane County School Board voted to make several deep cuts to balance its budget for this year.

The cuts became necessary earlier when the Roane County Commission rejected the school system’s request for a 14-cent property tax increase to make up a $1.5 million shortfall. The deepest cut was to funding for the purchase of new textbooks to the tune of about $1 million. [Read more…]

Anderson County schools to dismiss early on Wednesdays

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Information from WYSH Radio

When the new school year begins in the Anderson County school system on Aug. 7, parents and students alike will notice a big difference in dismissal times on Wednesdays.

Students in the county system will now be dismissed 90 minutes early on Wednesdays. School leaders say that shortening one day a week will give teachers more time to review student data and to work on Common Core training and implementation. The Common Core curriculum requires students to learn at a higher level of rigor and in a more in-depth fashion. [Read more…]

Wednesday fire at European Import Auto Parts said to be accidental

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Information from WYSH Radio

Investigators say that it appears that Wednesday’s fire that destroyed the European Import Auto Parts salvage yard on Clinton Highway was an accident, as they had initially believed. Officials said Thursday that they believe the fire started in a vehicle in the garage with a leaky gas tank, gas from which is believed to have been ignited by a stray spark. The fire spread quickly and set off several explosions before destroying the business.

One Claxton firefighter had to be taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion but was released Wednesday night. No one else was injured.

Tennessee sales tax holiday is Aug. 2-4

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This year’s sales tax holiday in Tennessee is scheduled to start at 12:01 a.m on Friday, Aug. 2, and end Sunday, Aug. 4, at 11:59 p.m.

The sales tax holiday is held every year on the first Friday in August and ends the following Sunday night. For more information, visit http://tn.gov/revenue/salestaxholiday/.

‘In God We Trust’ signs to be installed on Anderson courthouse today

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Public Hearing on In God We Trust Motto

Philip Warfield of Andersonville says county residents should be able to decide what goes on the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton during a March committee hearing on putting the national motto “In God We Trust” on the three-story building.

New granite signs engraved with the national motto “In God We Trust” are scheduled to be installed on the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton this afternoon.

The Anderson County Commission approved the signs this spring after hours of discussion and five meetings.

They will be installed above the four courthouse doors starting at about 1:30 p.m. today, the Anderson County Mayor’s Office said in a media advisory. The work will be done by employees from Island Home Granite and Signs. [Read more…]

Perma-Fix announces new VP of Nuclear Services Business Development

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Richard Macon

Richard Macon

Perma-Fix Environmental Services Inc. has announced the promotion of Richard Macon to vice president of Nuclear Services Business Development.

In this role, Macon will be responsible for pursuing opportunities, developing proposal “win themes,” and forming strategic partnerships to further company growth, a press release said. Macon will continue to cultivate relationships with Perma-Fix’s new and existing clients, including the U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Defense, commercial nuclear industry, and Canada. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has presentation on NOAA weather station

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UT Arboretum Weather Station

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society is sponsoring a presentation this evening on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s weather station at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge. (Image courtesy of UT)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society is sponsoring a presentation this evening (Monday, July 22) on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s weather station located at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge.

The program will be led by Tilden Meyers, deputy director of the Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division of NOAA.  A scientist with NOAA for nearly 28 years, Meyers has worked on issues related to acid deposition, air quality, and climate change. Much of his research is focused on land-atmosphere interactions, particularly the role various land surface types (grasslands, forests, crops) play in both the water and carbon cycles and how these are affected by significant climatic events such as droughts and extreme temperature events, a press release said. [Read more…]

Girls softball camp in Oliver Springs on July 29-30

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A two-day softball camp for girls ages 4-13 starts Monday, July 29, at Arrowhead Park in Oliver Springs.

The camp is scheduled from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, July 29, and Tuesday, July 30. It costs $40.

The camp includes individual instruction on softball fundamentals, including throwing, catching, fielding, position play, offense, and base running, a press release said. All instruction will be age- and experience-appropriate. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools announces dates for registration and school orientations

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Oak Ridge High School

Oak Ridge Schools have announced registration and school orientation information, including for Oak Ridge High School, pictured above.

All students, with the exception of those attending Willow Brook and the Preschool, who are new to the Oak Ridge elementary and middle schools, need to register at their respective schools Monday, July 29, through Wednesday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Parents who pre-registered kindergartners in May also need to complete the registration process on those dates.

Registration for new students in grades 9-12 will be made by appointment only. Appointments may be made Tuesday, July 23, through Tuesday, July 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by calling (865) 425-9607. The registration process should be completed no later than Tuesday, July 31. Registration materials can be picked up at the Oak Ridge High School guidance office starting Monday, July 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. [Read more…]

Boys and Girls Club raffle features Coach Gaddis, $10,000 grand prize

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Joe Gaddis

Football coach Joe Gaddis will be the master of ceremonies at a July 27 reverse raffle for the Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy D. Ray Smith)

The Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge is holding a reverse raffle on Saturday, July 27, at Lincoln’s Sports Grille. The grand prize is $10,000.

The special guest master of ceremonies is Oak Ridge High School Football Coach Joe Gaddis.

“If anyone hasn’t had the opportunity to welcome Coach Gaddis back, this would be a great opportunity to do so,” said Ann Likens, chief volunteer officer of the Oak Ridge Unit Board. “This is always a fun event for the people that attend, and we think this year will be even more so. We really want the community to come out, have some fun, and support the Boys and Girls Club.” [Read more…]

State approves $1.4 million worth of renovations at Norris Dam park

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Norris Dam State Park

Norris Dam State Park (Image courtesy Tennessee State Parks)

Tennessee officials have approved new renovation plans valued at $1.4 million at Norris Dam State Park in Anderson County, two state legislators said Friday.

The State Building Commission has approved the restoration of the Tea Room, the Linen House, and 19 cabins built in the 1930s, said representatives John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican, and Dennis Powers, a Jacksboro Republican. [Read more…]