Oak Ridge Today

AC, Clinton schools closing early Friday; police prepare for presidential visit

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President Barack Obama

President Barack Obama

Schools in Clinton and Anderson County will close early on Friday so buses can miss the traffic congestion and closed roads that are expected when President Barack Obama visits.

Dozens of intersections along the motorcade’s expected route will have to be covered, Clinton Police Chief Rick Scarbrough told WYSH Radio.

Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Biden’s wife Jill will visit Clinton manufacturer Techmer PM after the president speaks at Pellissippi State Community College in west Knox County. The visit to Clinton will be the first for a president. [Read more…]

Angel Tree recipients visit Clinton police

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Angel Tree at Clinton Police

Angel Tree recipients at Clinton Police Department. (Submitted photos)

 

Six area children will have a little bit brighter Christmas this year, thanks to the efforts of Clinton Police Department officers.

On Tuesday, the kids, ranging in age from two to 12 years, went to the Police Department, where Santa had left several large bags of toys. Officers were there to help them unwrap a big assortment of games, dolls, videos, and more, a press release said.

Patrolman Anthony Godwin obtained the names of the children from the Clinton City Schools Angel Tree, then asked his fellow officers to donate. Godwin says the response was great. Nearly $800 was collected to purchase gifts. [Read more…]

Clinton school board member inducted into TSBA Quarter Century Club

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Jim Webster Retires

Longtime Clinton Board of Education member Jim Webster, center, was honored for his dedicated service to Clinton City Schools at a reception before the November school board meeting. Among those who gathered to honor Webster were past Board Chairman Don Elledge, third from right; Mayor Scott Burton, second from left; City Manager Roger Houck, right; Councilman Jerry Shattuck, left; other longtime friends, and four of his children. (Photo courtesy Clinton City Schools)

 

Longtime Clinton Board of Education member was inducted into the Tennessee School Board Association’s Quarter Century Club during a recent TSBA Annual Convention awards luncheon in Nashville.

The two school board members who were inducted have served 25 years on their local boards of education. Those individuals received honorary life membership in the Tennessee School Boards Association. The other 2014 inductee was Harold Garrett of Haywood County.

[Read more…]

Anderson County partners come together to celebrate tobacco prevention

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Choose Not to Use Tobacco

Kelli Kent, Emma Berry, Reagan Wolfe, Noah Carter, Jake Wade, Sarah Thomas, Hope Hicks, and Courtney Sharp dance as Snow White helps the seven side effects to #ChooseNotToUse tobacco products. (Submitted photo)

 

The Anderson County Health Department and community partners Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) of Anderson County, Anderson County Schools, Clinton City Schools, and Oak Ridge City Schools have made great strides in tobacco prevention since nearly $65,000 was awarded to Anderson County earlier this year.

At the Tobacco Initiative Reception held on Wednesday, October 22, those strides were recognized. Art Miller, director of the Anderson County Health Department, said “this is the first time tobacco settlement funds are being used to fund tobacco prevention.”

More than 40 attendees watched as the ASAP Youth Coalition demonstrated why they “Choose Not To Use” tobacco through a special presentation of a skit they wrote and produced titled “Snow White and the Seven Side Effects.” During the skit, the dangers of tobacco use—such as cigarettes being the leading cause of house fires with more than 7,600 each year in the U.S. and losing teeth after the use of chewing tobacco—were highlighted. [Read more…]

Guest column: PSI offers reading program

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PSI Reading Program

From left to right are General Sessions Judge Don Layton, Tammy Garner, Daniel Hamby, and Chad McNabb. (Submitted photos)

The greatest challenge people can face is themselves. Two people, Tammy Garner and Daniel Hamby, have accepted and conquered that challenge. These two individuals under the voluntary instruction of Betty McCarty and Peggy Tiner have been learning to read.

PSI and General Sessions Judge Don Layton have partnered to provide an opportunity to instruct basic reading skills to probationers.

“The ability to read is essential to acquiring a better job and quality of life,” Layton said. “It is our hope that courageous example of Tammy and Daniel will cause others to seek the ability to read, notwithstanding their age or life conditions.” [Read more…]

Five confirmed bullying cases in Oak Ridge last year, state report says

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Oak Ridge Schools School Administration Building

Oak Ridge Schools reported five confirmed cases of bullying in the 2012-2013 school year. The Oak Ridge Schools’ School Administration Building is pictured above.

There were five confirmed cases of bullying in Oak Ridge Schools last year, a number that is much lower than in many other school districts across the state and in some other nearby districts.

The numbers were reported in a new, first-of-its kind report that said there were 7,555 reported cases of bullying in Tennessee schools last year. Nearly 73 percent of them—or 5,478 cases—were confirmed after investigation.

The report said Oak Ridge Schools had 14 bullying cases reported in the 2012-2013 school year, but only five were confirmed after investigation. All five of those were related to sex or gender discrimination, the report said. [Read more…]

ORAU awards $39,000 in education grants to East Tennessee schools

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ORAU Education Grants

Oak Ridge Associated Universities awards 27 teachers from 17 East Tennessee schools more than $39,000 during a recent grants ceremony. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge Associated Universities awarded more than $39,000 to more than two dozen teachers in 17 schools in Oak Ridge, Clinton, Norris, and Anderson County in a recent grants ceremony.

It was the 12th annual ORAU Education Grants ceremony, and 27 teachers received awards, a press release said.

The grant money can be used to buy educational materials and equipment such as microscopes, iPads, robotics kits, and computers that will help teachers “continue to meet rigorous, state-wide curriculum standards and enhance the learning experience of their students,” the release said. [Read more…]