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Letter: Shares Heitman story, encourages support for loved ones

Posted at 12:20 am May 24, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Letters 2 Comments

To the Editor:

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website, 41,149 lives were taken in 2013 from suicide. According to the website of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, people who kill themselves exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do. The more warning signs, the greater the risk!

Talk

If a person talks about:

  • Killing themselves
  • Having no reason to live
  • Being a burden to others
  • Feeling trapped
  • Unbearable pain

Behavior

A person’s suicide risk is greater if a behavior is new or has increased, especially if it’s related to a painful event, loss, or change:

  • Increased use of alcohol or drugs
  • Looking for a way to kill one’s self, such as searching online for materials or means
  • Acting recklessly
  • Withdrawing from activities
  • Isolating from family and friends
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
  • Giving away prized possessions
  • Aggression

Mood

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:

  • Depression
  • Loss of interest
  • Rage
  • Irritability
  • Humiliation
  • Anxiety

These are shocking. I should know. I was married to a man, who was smart, driven, and someone who, on the outside, had a very laid-back demeanor, and was extremely confident. I had known this man for 13 years. I was married to him for three before he ended his own life. You might be very familiar with this man. There have been some who have taken to the Internet to blog about him and his situation, and there has been some press about him over the last 3.5 years since his passing. Sadly, there have been a number of half-truths and pointing of fingers, and that process has defamed the characters of some citizens and a respectable city.

I am not writing to point fingers, or to publicly humiliate anyone. I want to raise awareness in hopes it helps someone else—awareness about Alex Heitman and what he experienced. I will also add that the information that I am providing is not new information and has been shared with all parties involved at one point or another since Alex’s passing. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Letters, Opinion Tagged With: Alex Heitman, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, audit, awareness, behavior, Cocke County, Kristie Heitman, Mental Health Awareness Month, MOOD, Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge School, suicide, talk

Award-winning author of ‘Bomb’ to visit Oak Ridge, stop at AMSE

Posted at 7:31 pm September 28, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Bomb

By Scot Smith

The American Museum of Science and Energy will host award-winning author Steve Sheinkin on Tuesday, October 7. Among other books, Sheinkin has written “Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon.”

Sheinkin’s presentation at AMSE is scheduled for 6 p.m. October 7. His other public presentation will be for the University of Tennessee’s Center for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. That lecture will take place on Monday, October 6, at 7 p.m. in the Hodges Library Auditorium on the UT campus, a press release said. Books will be available for purchase and signing at both events.

During his stay in East Tennessee, Sheinkin will also present programs for students at Oak Ridge School and Jefferson and Robertsville Middle Schools, the Webb School, and the Episcopal School of Knoxville. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Education, Entertainment, Front Page News, K-12, Writing Tagged With: American Museum of Science and Energy, AMSE, atomic bomb, author, bomb, Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, Hodges Library, Jefferson, Manhattan Project, Oak Ridge School, Robertsville Middle School, Steve Sheinkin, Steven Sheinkin, United States, University of Tennessee, World War II

Oak Ridge property tax bills delivered

Posted at 1:55 am July 20, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 1 Comment

The City of Oak Ridge announced last week that all property tax bills have been mailed and should have been delivered to property owners for this year.

Taxes go to support the operation of many city services from street maintenance to the library, a press release said. The police and fire departments, refuse removal and disposal, recreation and parks, and many other city activities are all supported by the property tax. A portion of the tax also goes to support the Oak Ridge School system.

The Business Office is ready for the annual rush, according to Manager Marlene Witt.

“Paying taxes is no one’s favorite thing to do,” she said. “With trained, helpful staff and specialists who can answer your detailed questions, we hope to make the task, if not pleasant, at least as painless as possible.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Government, Oak Ridge Tagged With: Business Office, City of Oak Ridge, city services, Marlene Witt, Oak Ridge School, property owners, property tax bills, tax

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Classifieds

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

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