Oak Ridge Today

Sen. McNally part of effort to drug test judges

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Randy McNally

Randy McNally

Information from WYSH Radio

Tennessee Sen. Randy McNally and Rep. Ryan Haynes will introduce legislation that calls for drug testing all Tennessee judges, the two legislators announced Friday.

McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican, made the announcement after meeting Thursday with Knox County Prosecutor Leland Price and the families of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom. Christian and Newsom were raped, tortured, and murdered by Lemaricus Davidson, Letalvis Cobbins, George Thomas, and Vanessa Coleman seven years ago.

“For a family to have to go through one trial where it involves the torturous murder of their loved one is far too painful for anyone to endure,” McNally said. “But, to have to go through two trials is inconceivable and inexcusable. This legislation addresses this so that no one will have to endure this kind of lengthy and excruciatingly painful court process again due to drug abuse by a judge.” [Read more…]

McNally, Yager named honorary members of Roane State Foundation board

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Randy McNally

Randy McNally

Ken Yager

Ken Yager

State senators Randy McNally and Ken Yager have been named honorary members of the Roane State Foundation’s board of directors.

McNally and Yager have lengthy records of civic involvement, a press release said. McNally has received the Legislative Hero 2012 award from Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations; received the CASA President’s 2012 Award; was named a Rotary International Paul Harris fellow; and received the 1996 Distinguished Service Award from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy.

Yager serves as a board member of the Community Reuse Organization of East Tennessee and the Roane County Heritage Commission. In addition, he is a member of the chambers of commerce in Dayton and Spring City, and in Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Pickett, Roane, and Scott counties. He was named 2013 Legislator of the Year by the East Tennessee Development District. [Read more…]

Local legislators featured at Monday morning forum

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Randy McNally

Randy McNally

John Ragan

John Ragan

A Monday morning legislative forum in Clinton will feature Sen. Randy McNally and representatives John Ragan and Dennis Powers. They will update constituents and answer questions about recent legislation, a press release said.

The forum is sponsored by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, and it is open to the public. It is scheduled from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Clinton Community Center at 101 S. Hicks St. in Clinton.

CASA celebrates 25th anniversary

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CASA 25th Anniversary

Tennessee Sen. Randy McNally, left, and Naomi Asher, CASA executive director, during a 25th anniversary celebration in May. (Submitted photo)

CASA of the Tennessee Heartland celebrated its 25th anniversary in May by giving out cupcakes at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce and hosting an awards banquet at the Riverside Grille.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates and has served as an advocate for more than 270 children since July 1, 2012, in Anderson, Blount, and Scott counties, a press release said.

All the volunteers were acknowledged for their hours of service, including Horace Friedman, who has served since the inaugural class in 1988. Horace received a lifetime of achievement award, the press release said. [Read more…]

‘Breakfast with Legislators’ on Monday

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This month’s ”Breakfast with the Legislators” will be on Monday morning at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The hour-long breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. in the Oak Ridge Civic Center Social Room. A free, light continental breakfast will be served. [Read more…]

‘Breakfast with the Legislators’ on Monday

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This month’s “Breakfast with the Legislators” will be Monday morning at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The hour-long breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. in the Oak Ridge Civic Center Social Room. A free, light continental breakfast will be served.

[Read more…]

State legislators, county mayor tour ORNL

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Kelly Beierschmitt and Terry Frank at ORNL

Kelly Beierschmitt, Oak Ridge National Laboratory associate lab director for neutron sciences, talks with Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank in the target building at the Spallation Neutron Source. (Photos courtesy of ORNL)

Five Tennessee legislators and Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank recently toured Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Frank toured the Spallation Neutron Source, the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors, and the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility. She had a briefing from Thom Mason on the modernization of ORNL as well as the lab’s regional economic impact, a lab statement said.

[Read more…]

Monthly ‘Breakfast with Legislators’ starts Jan. 28

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Randy McNally

Randy McNally

John Ragan

John Ragan

This year’s monthly “Breakfast with the Legislators” starts Monday, Jan. 28.

The series is held at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on the last Monday of each month while the Tennessee General Assembly is in session each year. It’s sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, and it gives residents a chance to meet local representatives and ask questions about legislative issues.

[Read more…]

Anderson County Hall of Fame dinner, ceremony on Thursday

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The Class of 2012 that will be inducted into the Anderson County Hall of Fame on Thursday includes an athlete, coach, educator, elected official, military member, minister, visionary, and business and community leaders.

One person will also be recognized for lifetime achievement.

The sixth annual dinner and induction ceremony starts at the First Baptist Church of Clinton at 5:30 p.m. Thursday with a silent auction, followed by a 6 p.m. dinner and 7 p.m. induction ceremony.

Joan Cronan, women’s athletic director and former interim vice chancellor and athletic director of the University of Tennessee, will serve as the keynote speaker, a press release said.

Here is the Class of 2012:

  • Nikki Caldwell — athlete
  • Sam Dean — ministry
  • Keys Fillauer — K-12 educator
  • Lester Fox — business leader
  • Lawrence Hahn — coach/youth mentor
  • Helen Hammer — visionary
  • Tom Kim — medical doctor, community leader
  • Claude Martin — military
  • Randy McNally — elected official
  • Bear Stephenson — lifetime achievement.