Oak Ridge Today

Family identifies woman who died after falling into Civic Center fountain

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Oak Ridge Civic Center Fountain

Family members have identified an Oak Ridge woman who fell into the fountain at the Civic Center in June and died in the hospital 13 days later.

Family members have identified an Oak Ridge woman who fell into the fountain at the Civic Center in June and died in the hospital 13 days later.

Sarah Christine McAdams, 26, was found floating face down in the murky brown water, which is about 14” inches deep, on June 3. Two people reported the incident to the Civic Center staff, while a third tried to pull McAdams out of the water, city officials said.

Rescuers tried to resuscitate her immediately, and McAdams, who lived on Manhattan Avenue in the Woodland neighborhood, was rushed to Methodist Medical Center, city officials said at the time, without identifying the woman.

She died June 16, according to records provided by her mother, Lori Holt, of Murrell’s Inlet, S.C., which is south of Myrtle Beach. [Read more…]

NNSA: Two Y-12 security police officers injured in accidental discharge of firearm

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Y-12 National Security Complex Aerial View

Two security police officers received minor injuries this past evening when a firearm accidentally discharged at the Y-12 National Security Complex, pictured above. (Submitted photo)

Two security police officers received minor injuries as a result of an accidental discharge of a firearm at the Y-12 National Security Complex last evening, a federal spokesman said Sunday.

The two employees received first aid on site and were taken to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, where they were treated and released, said Steven Wyatt, public affairs manager for the National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office at Y-12. [Read more…]

Methodist Medical Center ranked sixth-best in Tennessee

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Methodist Medical Center

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge has been ranked sixth-best in Tennessee by U.S. News and World Report.

All three of Covenant Health’s major hospitals—Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, Fort Sanders Regional, and Parkwest Medical Center—have been named among the best hospitals in Tennessee by U.S. News and World Report. Each is ranked in the Top 10, a press release said.

Methodist Medical Center is ranked sixth-best in the state, the release said.

It said the annual Best Hospitals ranking recognizes hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients. [Read more…]

Methodist Medical Center announces July classes

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Methodist Medical Center is offering classes this month that can help you get in shape, prepare for the birth of a baby, or find support from others going through a similar experience.

Classes will be held at the hospital, located at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, unless otherwise noted. For more information and registration, call (865) 835-4662 or (800) 468-6767. [Read more…]

Baughn request: Sell golf course, Chamber property; request payments from tax-exempt organizations

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Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

Note: This story was updated at 11:38 p.m.

Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn has proposed that the city sell Centennial Golf Course, and terminate the lease agreement with the Chamber of Commerce and sell the property.

Those proposals would convert city-owned assets into taxable properties, Baughn said.

Baughn has also asked the seven-member Council to consider setting up a team that could negotiate voluntary payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements with tax-exempt organizations that “are most able to afford paying for city services that are currently paid for by the taxpayer.” Those organizations could include Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Utility District, Tech 2020, Roane State Community College, and the University of Tennessee, Baughn said in a May 5 e-mail to Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson and City Clerk Diana Stanley. [Read more…]

Community health check screening held at Methodist Medical Center

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Covenant Health is offering a community program on Tuesday with free screenings and reduced-cost blood work, a press release said.

The health check will be from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Ridge Conference Room at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

Free screenings will include blood pressure, body composition and body mass index, heart rhythm, carotid artery ultrasound, and vision.

[Read more…]

Anderson Emergency Planning Committee meets Tuesday

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The Anderson County Local Emergency Planning Committee will hold its annual membership meeting on Tuesday at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

There will be a presentation by Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS). All Anderson County and Oak Ridge area companies who handle hazardous and radioactive materials or wastes are invited to send a representative, a press release said.

[Read more…]

Celebrating Obama’s inauguration, King’s birthday

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John Hamilton Sings with Collizjion

John Hamilton, center, sings with Knoxville band Collizjion at a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at the Midtown Community Center in Oak Ridge on Monday. Also pictured, from left, are Xzavian Wrushen, Taylor Warren, Mackcell Rodgers, and Brandon Anderson.

As millions of people across the country watched the inaugural ceremony for President Barack Obama, many others celebrated the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

Ceremonies in the past week to honor the slain civil rights leader included a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Monday at the Midtown Community Center.

It was sponsored by Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, and it included music, a brief presentation on King’s life and work, and remarks by Connie Martin, MMC vice president and chief support officer.

[Read more…]

MMC, DOE to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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Hospital staff members and federal workers and contractors will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in two separate events on Wednesday, Jan. 16, and Monday, Jan. 21.

The U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office has its annual event Wednesday morning at the American Museum of Science and Energy.

The program is titled “50 Years Later: The Evolution of the Dream.” It’s scheduled from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, and it’s open to the public.

[Read more…]

Eight-point buck, three-car collision, two injuries on Christmas Eve

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Toyota Scion at Oak Ridge Turnpike at Wiltshire Drive

Three cars collided on Oak Ridge Turnpike on Christmas Eve, injuring two people, after two vehicles stopped for an injured deer in the eastbound lanes. (Photos by Tom Scott)

Two people were injured in a three-car collision on Oak Ridge Turnpike on Christmas Eve after two vehicles stopped in the eastbound lanes for a deer in the roadway and a third vehicle hit the first two.

The 6:55 p.m. accident occurred just east of Wiltshire Drive. A 2007 Lexus car driven by Paula Arlene Flowers, 44, of Oak Ridge, and a 1993 Nissan pickup driven by Bryan Keith Roberts, 42, of Clinton, had stopped for an eight-point buck that had reportedly been hit in the westbound lanes of Oak Ridge Turnpike and staggered across to the eastbound lanes.

[Read more…]

Cheerleaders decorate MMC hospitality homes for cancer patients

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Oak Ridge High School Cheerleaders at Hospitality Houses

Cheerleaders from Oak Ridge High School helped to decorate the Hospitality Houses of Methodist Medical Center for Christmas. The houses offer temporary lodging to patients and families who must travel for extended care at Methodist, even during the holidays. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge High School cheerleaders recently decorated two hospitality homes at Methodist Medical Center for Christmas.

The Hospitality Houses provide a home away from home for cancer patients and families receiving extended medical care at Methodist Medical Center.

“But just because some guests can’t be home during the holiday season doesn’t mean they have to miss the festive feel of garland-draped porches and trees glittering with lights,” a press release said.

[Read more…]

Methodist Medical Center announces 2012 MMCer of the Year

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Bobby Abshire Thumbs Up

After receiving the MMCer of the Year Award, Bobby Abshire gives his co-workers a thumbs-up for their hard work, too. Also pictured are Mike Belbeck, Methodist’s president and chief administrative officer, and Connie Martin, vice president and chief support officer.

Bobby Abshire, an attendant and member of the “lift team” in the Transport department at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the 2012 MMCer of the Year.

Hospital employees cast their votes for MMCer of the Year among the candidates who received MMCer of the Month during the year, and Abshire, who was named MMCer of the Month in November, received the greatest number of votes to earn this special distinction.

Upon receiving the award for MMCer of the Year, Abshire, who was in a Transport department staff meeting at the time, looked to his co-workers with a thumbs-up and gave them credit for their hard work and support.

[Read more…]