Oak Ridge Today

Run on Saturday will support autism organization

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Joe Judkins, right, of Oak Ridge, gets a high-five from Seth Krichinsky, an adult with autism who cheers on participants and helps hand out awards. Judkins came in first in his age group in the 5K run last year. (Submitted photo)

Joe Judkins, right, of Oak Ridge, gets a high-five from Seth Krichinsky, an adult with autism who cheers on participants and helps hand out awards. Judkins came in first in his age group in the 5K run last year. (Submitted photo)

 

The 12th annual Breakthrough Run for Autism will be held April 21, with Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville inviting individuals, teams, and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate.

The 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 21, at Regal Cinemas Pinnacle Stadium 18 in Farragut’s Turkey Creek. The run, held during National Autism Awareness Month, supports Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville, a nonprofit organization committed to helping adults facing the challenges of autism in the East Tennessee region.

Lori Tucker, WATE-TV news anchor, will serve as honorary chair of the run and will be the emcee during the awards ceremony. Happy Lee, a Breakthrough volunteer, is the race director.

Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville invites any individual with a disability to register for the run or walk as a “breakthrough buddy,” a press release said. A “buddy” may request to participate with a volunteer, who will run or walk the course with the buddy. Breakthrough buddies receive special recognition during the award ceremony. [Read more…]

Interior Department protects 75,000 acres from surface mining, including in Anderson County

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U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell

U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell

 

A federal decision announced Wednesday designates about 75,000 acres of mountain ridge lines, including in Anderson County, as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations, a press release said.

The decision, which affects mountains in East Tennessee, was announced by Interior Secretary Sally Jewell.

“Today’s action helps protect a spectacular area of eastern Tennessee that is critical to the region’s tourism and outdoor recreation economy, provides valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and supports a healthy watershed,” the press release said.

The release said the Interior Department designated the mountain ridge lines as unsuitable for surface coal mining at the request of the State of Tennessee. Besides Anderson County, the other affected counties include Campbell, Scott, and Morgan. [Read more…]

Governor announces resignation of Children’s Services commissioner

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Governor appoints Commissioner Jim Henry as interim

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced that Department of Children’s Services Commissioner Kate O’Day has resigned from her post.

“Kate has informed me that she felt the time was right to step down,” Haslam said. “She was concerned that she had become more of a focus than the children the department serves.

I appreciate Kate’s service to this administration and to our state. She has done a lot of good work in identifying longstanding problems that have hampered the department, and we will build on those efforts as we move forward.”

[Read more…]