April 6 - 19, 2023
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6-year-old still in Farmhouse Community Center gets green light Ridge Town Council critical condition Oak voted 3-2 to accept the low Jaxson Franklin was struck by a car while trying to board a school bus on the morning of March 30 by PATTI STOKES STOKESDALE – On Thursday, April 6, Stokesdale Elementary students, staff and volunteers will be decked out in orange, the favorite color of kindergartner Jaxson Franklin. That’s just one of the ways they’re showing support for the 6-year-old who loves dinosaurs, Super Mario, Poke’mon and Star Wars. Jaxson is in critical condition and on life support at Brenner Children’s Hospital after being struck by a car early on the morning of March 30 as he was trying to board his school bus. Despite the bus having its flashing lights on and mechanical arm extended, the driver did not notice them. As news of last week’s accident spread,
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IN THIS ISSUE
bid of $630,000 to refurbish the historic Redmon house after a lengthy discussion over costs by CHRIS BURRITT
OAK RIDGE – Despite objections over higherthan-expected costs, Oak Ridge Town Council voted 3-2 last week to accept the low bid of $630,000 for the renovation and expansion of the historic Redmon house into community meeting space. More than 50 supporters and opponents Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO of the Farmhouse Community Center project During the March 30 Oak Ridge Town Council meeting, council crowded the council’s chambers last Thursday, member Spencer Sullivan (far right) explains his opposition to movMarch 30. The public wasn’t allowed to speak ing forward with a contractor’s $630,000 bid to restore and expand until after the council’s vote, drawing criticism the Redmon house in Town Park for use as a community center while from some opponents and an outburst that Mayor Ann Schneider (far left) and council member Martha Pittman lisprompted Mayor Ann Schneider to threaten to ten. Sullivan, who was joined by Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman in voting summon law enforcement. against accepting Bar Construction Co.’s bid, advocated for delaying a As part of the motion to accept Bar Construc- council vote until citizens had been given more time to weigh in on the tion Co.’s bid for the project, town leaders and cost of the project. the project’s architect hope to identify cost reducmeeting. Noting the history of the circa 1930s house and tions in negotiations with the Greensboro-based company. its potential as a community gathering place, she joined The lowest of three bids, Bar’s proposal came in $175,000 higher than the $455,000 the council had appropriated this Mayor Ann Schneider and councilman George McClellan in voting to accept the bid. fiscal year for restoration of the deteriorating structure. Citing costs, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Kinneman and “The value of this project cannot be measured in dollars,” council member Martha Pittman said during the ...continued on p. 4
Water tank on horizon for Oak Ridge?.................. 2 S’field mum on de-annexation fight’s next steps..3 Your Questions .......................................................... 4 Oak Ridge March 30 Town Council meeting ...... 6 Welcome to our new advertisers ......................... 10 BOE confirms Goebel as District 3 rep ................ 12
Pets & Critters ........................................................... 13 Horse show: tradition with new twists .................. 14 NWO Kids’ Korner .................................................... 17 Adoptable Pets ........................................................ 18 Canine Capers lets the dogs out......................... 19 Community Calendar ...........................................22 Thumbs up, down on Redmon house ................24 Youth Sync................................................................ 27
Crime/Incident report ............................................ 31 Grins and Gripes ..................................................... 32 Letters/Opinions ......................................................33 Facebook Comments............................................34 Classifieds ................................................................35 Index of Advertisers ................................................ 39 NWO On The Go ......................................................40