Oak Ridge Today

Anderson County teachers disappointed as commissioners delay vote on budget, pay raise

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Anderson County Budget Committee and Rachel Minardo, Chris Phillips, and Connie Aytes

Rachel Minardo, right, a first-grade teacher at Claxton Elementary School and president of the Anderson County Education Association, asks for a 4 percent pay raise for county teachers and school staff during a May 28 public hearing on the county budget. Also pictured are Chris Phillips, left, director of accounts and budgets for Anderson County, and Connie Aytes, deputy budget director.

 

CLINTON—Anderson County teachers were disappointed as they watched county commissioners postpone a vote on the budget and a possible 4 percent pay raise on Tuesday.

But they’ll be back on Monday, June 29, for the next meeting of the Anderson County Commission, said Rachel Minardo, a first-grade teacher at Claxton Elementary School and president of the Anderson County Education Association.

It’s not clear if the 16-member Commission will agree to fund the school system’s request for a 4 percent raise for all teachers and staff. That’s what the Anderson County Board of Education unanimously recommended last month. The request could require the equivalent of an 18-cent increase in the property tax rate.

But during debate over proposed pay raises for some county employees on Tuesday, several commissioners said they want to be consistent and fair to all workers. [Read more…]

CHS offensive coordinator to take over Powell football program

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Information from WYSH Radio

Clinton High School football offensive coordinator Rodney Ellison has been named the new coach at Powell High School in Knoxville.

He previously was head coach at Wartburg for one season in 2011 before coming to Clinton, where he helped revitalize the Dragon program with an up-tempo, spread-style offense.

Lady Wildcats win District 3 Championship, play for regional title Tuesday

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Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats Volleyball District Champions

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats volleyball team won the District 3-AAA championship on Wednesday night at Central High School and will play for a regional title at Bearden High School on Tuesday. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted by Coach Carmen Foster

The Oak Ridge High School Lady Wildcats volleyball team went into the District 3-AAA volleyball tournament undefeated.

The Lady Wildcats faced the winner of Powell and Central for their first match last week. Powell overcame a scrappy Central team to advance into the District Round.

The Lady Wildcats beat Powell in straight sets: 25-9, 25-15, and 25-13. They were led by a wonderful serving game led by senior captain Rachel Card and freshmen Reagan Dickens with nine and 10 service aces, respectively. Sophomore Alex Sherles had the most kills of the evening with 10. Sophomore Beth Wyatt, who is currently replacing the injured Emily Lawless in the setter position, added 32 assists. [Read more…]

Clinton Homecoming highlighted by Wall of Fame inductions

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Clinton High School Header

 

Information from WYSH Radio

Tonight (Friday, September 26) is Homecoming at Clinton High School, and among the festivities taking place this evening will be the induction of four new members into the school’s Wall of Fame.

Thomas Underwood graduated from CHS in the late ’30s after playing football and later served in World War II, where he was shot down during combat and earned a Purple Heart, among other medals, for his service. Underwood also served in the Korean conflict before retiring as a lieutenant colonel. [Read more…]

League, AAUW have registration events on Voter Registration Day

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The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge and the American Association of University Women, Oak Ridge Branch, will host National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 23.

“This major registration event will help people to register to vote or update their voter registration if they have moved or changed names,” a press release said.

The registration will be held at Oak Ridge High School, Clinton High School, and Anderson County High School during lunch periods. Roane State Community College registration will be held on both September 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration at this site will be open to the public.

“Voter registration is the front door to voting in U.S. elections,” the press release said. “Research has shown that the majority of eligible voters who register, turn out to vote. Oak Ridgers and Tennesseans have much at stake this year with our many community elections and with the proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution.” [Read more…]

Tuskan honored as SADD National Advisor of the Year

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Mary Tuskan and Julie Strike

Above are Clinton High School counselor Mary Tuskan, left, and Julie Strike, SADD state coordinator for Tennessee.

Mary Tuskan, counselor at Clinton High School, was chosen from a large number of qualified applicants as the SADD National Advisor of the Year, a press release said.

SADD President and Chief Executive Officer Penny Wells said that Tuskan, through her work at Clinton High School, has “exemplified our idea of a successful SADD advisor,” the press release said.

It said Tuskan led the members of the SADD chapter and Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) of Anderson County Youth Coalition to CHS’s repeat victory in this past January’s Red Ribbon Rivalry and continues to support the students in their efforts such as the “Will you stay sober with me?” prom campaign.

Anderson County Director of Schools Larry Foster said: “We were very pleased to hear the news of Ms. Tuskan being named National SADD Advisor of the Year. She is very deserving of such an honor. She has worked extremely hard with our students in Anderson County. Her commitment and dedication to substance abuse prevention is outstanding and she is always giving of her time. Her work is recognized throughout our system and is very much appreciated.” [Read more…]

ASAP Youth Coalition joins other young leaders at Teen Institute

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ASAP Youth Coalition at Tennessee Teen Institute

Front row from left to right are Olivia Kelly, Reagan Wolfe, and Courtney Sharp.
Second row from left to right are Emma Berry, Hope Hicks, Jake Wade, and Kaylee Hunley.
Third row from left to right are Mary Tuskan, Jacob Reed, Ryan Wiggins, and Gabe Merritt.
Top row from left to right are Michael Beal, Cameron Moore, and Michael Foster. (Photo courtesy ASAP)

 

Students from Anderson County joined more than 400 youth leaders from across the state at a recent Tennessee Teen Institute. The Tennessee Teen Institute is a five-day youth leadership and prevention camp sponsored by the Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency.

The Anderson County Health Department and ASAP (Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention) sponsored two teams of six youth to participate in TTI, one from Anderson County High School and one from Clinton High School.

“This is the third year we have been able to sponsor youth to attend the Teen Institute, and it has shown an excellent return,” said Stephanie Strutner, ASAP executive director. “Students return energized to serve as peer leaders and make positive changes in their schools.”

This was the 27th year of the Teen Institute Program in Tennessee, a press release said. The program addresses teen issues such as bullying, violence, suicide, teen pregnancy, distracted driving, teen health, and substance abuse prevention through a five-day, peer-led prevention camp designed to provide teen participants with the skills and education necessary to develop and implement alcohol and drug abuse prevention programs in their own communities. [Read more…]

Anderson Commission Chair Fritts seeks re-election

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Chuck Fritts

Chuck Fritts

Chairman Chuck Fritts is seeking re-election to the Anderson County Commission, representing District 1. District 1 includes the Bull Run and Claxton precincts.

“It has truly been an honor and a privilege to represent the residents of District 1 on the Anderson County Commission,” Fritts said in a press release. “I take very seriously the trust that you have placed in me, and it is my desire that you will allow me to continue to serve you and, working with my fellow commissioners, to move Anderson County forward.”

First elected in 2002, Fritts said he brings valuable experience, knowledge, and leadership to the Anderson County Commission and has worked hard to represent the residents of District 1.

“He has taken this position very seriously and has worked long hours to do the job he felt he was elected to do,” the press release said. “He is not only well-known throughout Anderson County, but also throughout the state of Tennessee.” [Read more…]

Robert McKamey to seek re-election to County Commission

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Robert McKamey

Robert McKamey

Robert McKamey, Anderson County commissioner from District 5, will seek re-election in the August 7 general election.

The Fifth District includes the Clinton High School, Dutch Valley, Marlow, and Norwood precincts.

McKamey, 64, served in the old Third District from 1982 until 1994 and has served in the Fifth District since 2006. McKamey serves on several committees, including Operations, Legislative, Nomination, Highway, Human Resource, and Veterans Advisory Committee.

McKamey previously served as chair on the Insurance Sub-Committee, Jail Projects Superintendents Committee, and Legislative Committee, and Long Range Planning Subcommittee. McKamey also served as chairman of the Redistricting Committee, E-911 board of directors, and CASA board of directors. [Read more…]

Former ORHS Principal Goins headed home

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Jody Goins

Jody Goins

Information from WYSH Radio

Former Oak Ridge High School and now-former Knox Central High School principal Jody Goins left his Knox County post after just one year in order to take over the reins of Claiborne High School in his family’s native Claiborne County.

The 32-year-old Goins announced last week he was leaving Central after just one year, but initially, his new destination was not revealed.

Goins said that the move to Claiborne was done so that both he and his wife could be closer to their respective families. Goins, a Clinton High School graduate, worked at Oak Ridge High School beginning in 2004 before being named principal in 2009. At the time, he was the state’s youngest principal.

Goins departs Knox Central

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Jody Goins

Jody Goins

Information from WYSH Radio

Former Oak Ridge High School principal Jody Goins has resigned from the job that lured him away from the Atomic City after just one year to accept another job.

Goins, a Clinton High School graduate, was appointed principal at Knox Central High School last year. His resignation letter to the Knox County School Superintendent did not indicate where he is going.

When he was appointed principal at Oak Ridge in 2009, he was the youngest high school principal in the state. Prior to being named ORHS principal, he served as a social studies teacher, assistant basketball coach, and assistant principal beginning in 2004.

WYSH: Storm damage follow-up; EF0 tornado confirmed in Kingston

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Mike Marsh Home Storm Damage

One of several pictures showing the storm damage Tuesday to the home of Mike and Wanda Marsh on Timbercrest Drive in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy Mike Marsh)

 

Information from WYSH Radio

The National Weather Service has confirmed the powerful storms that rolled through the area on Tuesday included an embedded tornado in Kingston.

Officials with the NWS office in Morristown assessed the damage and said an EF-0 tornado touched down along 3rd Street in Kingston. The winds of an EF-0 tornado are around 65-85 miles per hour.

The NWS said the widespread damage throughout East Tennessee was almost entirely from straight-line winds and down-bursts. Kingston is the only site suspected of sustaining tornado damage.

The Weather Service says straight-line winds estimated at 80 mph packed a destructive punch in Clinton, which appeared to bear the brunt of the damage from Tuesday’s severe weather. [Read more…]