Oak Ridge Today

Archives for May 2012

ETTP waste processor files for bankruptcy

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IMPACT Services Inc., a company that processes low-level radioactive waste in west Oak Ridge, has filed for bankruptcy, Tennessee officials said Friday morning.

The company has about one million pounds of waste at East Tennessee Technology Park, the former K-25 site. State officials said workers are at the site to ensure the materials are safe.

“It should be reiterated that the material at the facility is secure and a radiation safety officer remains onsite,” said Meg Lockhart, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

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DOE public bus tour starts June 4

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DOE public bus tour

The DOE Oak Ridge facilities public bus tour kicks off on June 4 and continues through Aug 31. (Photo submitted by DOE)

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge facilities public bus tour begins June 4 and continues through August 31.

The three-hour tour starts at the American Museum of Science and Energy and travels to landmarks at the three DOE sites: East Tennessee Technology Park (the former K-25 site), Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y-12 National Security Complex.

The tour provides visitors with historical facts and updates on the world-class missions under way in Oak Ridge.

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Sheriff’s supporters want more money, wheel tax

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Anderson County Budget Hearing

Citing the quick response time to a recent shooting, Anderson County Sheriff's Department Lt. Kenny Sharp objects to a proposal to reduce the number of take-home vehicles during a budget hearing Thursday.

CLINTON—Anderson County Sheriff’s Department employees and their supporters made impassioned pleas Thursday for more money to hire jailers, avoid service cuts, and cover higher operating costs.

They also objected to a proposal to cut the number of take-home vehicles for employees. Several said they would support a wheel tax to raise money for the Sheriff’s Department and other critical county services.

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Sheriff plans vehicle safety stops Memorial Day weekend

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The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department is taking part in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and the “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaigns by conducting saturation patrols during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a press release said. Saturation patrols have a large number of officers concentrated into a small geographic area.

These safety stops are an effort to decrease the number of impaired drivers and seat belt law violators. Deputies will be focusing on enforcing state laws concerning driving under the influence, speeding, seat belt use, and aggressive driving, the press release said.

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School budget cuts jobs, restores reading specialists

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School Board Budget Meeting

Oak Ridge Board of Education members approve a budget Thursday. From left are board member Dan DiGregorio, Parliamentarian Jenny Richter, Chair Keys Fillauer, Treasurer Angi Agle, and Vice Chair Bob Eby.

The five-member Oak Ridge Board of Education unanimously approved a balanced budget Thursday that cuts some staff positions but restores reading specialists.

The staff reductions include a technology technician, maintenance staff member, district-wide custodian, the full-time equivalent of 6.5 teaching assistants, and some teaching positions.

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Fifth week of citywide brush pickup starts Monday

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The fifth week of Oak Ridge’s citywide brush pickup starts Monday. The schedule is as follows.

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New Roane State building has June 5 groundbreaking

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Roane State Community College Drawing

An artist's rendering shows the new Allied Health Sciences and Technology Building that will be built at Roane State's Oak Ridge campus.

Roane State Community College will have a June 5 groundbreaking ceremony for the new Allied Health Sciences and Technology Building at the Oak Ridge campus.

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the campus, which is located at 701 Briarcliff Ave.

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Iwanski seeks re-election to Anderson County Commission

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Myron Iwanski

Iwanski

Interim Anderson County Mayor Myron Iwanski has announced that he will seek re-election to Anderson County Commission in District 8, which now includes the Woodland, Emory Valley, and Hendrix Creek precincts.

Iwanski is a former Anderson County commissioner who served as chairman of the commission for three terms. He has also served 14 years on the Anderson County Budget Committee.

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School board considers budget tonight

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The Oak Ridge Board of Education will consider next year’s budget on second and final reading during a special meeting today.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the School Administration Building on New York Avenue.

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Mother bear and cub last seen west of Y-12

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After almost two days of bear sightings in Oak Ridge, Y-12 National Security Complex workers reported Wednesday night that a mother black bear and cub were last seen before 7 p.m. on the west end of Bear Creek Road.

Earlier in the day, an employee reported that a bear was spotted on the north side of Y-12.

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Officials, bike riders celebrate Melton Lake Greenway extension

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Melton Lake Greenway Ceremony

Oak Ridge residents Christopher Van Hook, right, and Zoe Van Hook, center, ride on the new Melton Lake Greenway IV after a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday. Behind them are their parents Jennifer and Mark Van Hook and Mark's co-worker, Pete Xiques.

Planned for years, a 2.4-mile extension of the Melton Lake Greenway in Oak Ridge is complete, and local and state officials celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.

The new greenway allows pedestrians, bicyclists, and runners to travel from a new parking lot at Solway Park East to the Edgemoor Road bridge over the Clinch River near the Bull Run Fossil Plant.

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Gooch opens mayoral campaign headquarters Thursday

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Warren Gooch

Gooch

Warren Gooch, who is running for Anderson County Mayor, opens his campaign headquarters on Thursday. The public has been invited to a reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at 25 East Tennessee Ave.

Gooch, an attorney and business leader, is seeking the County Mayor’s office in a special election for a two-year term on August 2. Early voting in the special election begins July 13 and continues through July 28.

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