Oak Ridge Today

Archives for June 2012

Secret City Greenway runners raise money for park benches

Posted at
By 11 Comments

Battle for the Secret City Greenway

Runners get ready to start at the Battle for the Secret City Greenway on Melton Lake Greenway Sunday morning. The top three finishers are in the front row: Ed Wright of Oak Ridge, left; James Grufferty from Ireland, center; and Jeremy Sexton of Clinton, right.

About 175 athletes competed in a 4.2-mile fundraising run and walk on Melton Lake Greenway on Sunday morning.

The first annual Battle for the Secret City Greenway Run/Walk raised money for park benches on a recent extension of the trail, said Frank Chmielewicz, race director and former president of the Oak Ridge Track Club. It also raised awareness of the new 2.4-mile extension, which starts at the Edgemoor Road bridge over the Clinch River and ends at Solway Park East.

[Read more…]

Sewer smoke testing in Emory Valley starts Monday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge work crews will continue smoke testing the sanitary sewer system in the Emory Valley area starting Monday and continuing through Friday, June 29, as part of an ongoing system study.

The smoke testing helps find leaks.

[Read more…]

Road, lane closures required for asphalt resurfacing

Posted at
By 1 Comment

Asphalt resurfacing work expected to begin this week will require lane or road closures on South Illinois Avenue, Robertsville Road, and Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The project, which could last two weeks, could start around Thursday, a city press release said.

[Read more…]

Robert Earl Rosser

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Robert Earl Rosser

Robert Earl Rosser

Robert Earl Rosser, age 60, of Oak Ridge, went to be with Jesus on June 14, 2012.

He was born April 9, 1952 in Oak Ridge, the son of Howard and Evelyn Rosser.

[Read more…]

Federal Building in Oak Ridge closed due to asbestos problem

Posted at
By 1 Comment

The Federal Building in Oak Ridge has been closed after an inspection found asbestos-containing insulation that had “dislodged into parts of the heating and cooling units,” according to a notice posted on Facebook by the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office.

“As a precautionary measure, the Federal Building is closed until we have additional information,” the notice said. “We are working closely with GSA, which owns the building, to determine the appropriate path forward.”

[Read more…]

Officials launch new Top Secret Trail driving tour

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Top Secret Trail Launched at Secret City Festival

Oak Ridge and Tennessee officials launch a Top Secret Trail self-guided driving tour during the Secret City Festival’s opening ceremony Friday.

Oak Ridge and Tennessee officials launched a new 465-mile Top Secret Trail—a self-guided tour across 10 counties— during the opening ceremonies for the Secret City Festival Friday morning.

The Top Secret Trail allows travelers to explore Middle and East Tennessee, touring fascinating towns from Oak Ridge, a Secret City during World War II, to Rugby, one of the most authentically preserved historic villages in America, a state press release said.

The trail has 111 points of interest highlighted in a 27-page brochure. It starts in Knoxville and has stops in Clinton, Norris, Huntsville, Jamestown, Harriman, Wartburg, and Oliver Springs, and it showcases the region’s history, culture, music, and food.

[Read more…]

Sen. Alexander co-sponsors National Parks bill that includes Oak Ridge

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander announced on Thursday that he has co-sponsored a bill that would turn several Manhattan Project sites, including areas of Oak Ridge, into a National Historical Park.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a New Mexico Democrat.

[Read more…]

Iwanski proposes solution to budget standoff over jailers, taxes

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Editor’s note: Anderson County Interim Mayor Myron Iwanski has proposed a solution to a budget standoff between county officials who don’t want to raise taxes and Sheriff Paul White, who says he needs at least 13 jailers to open a 128-bed minimum security dormitory. Here’s the proposal that Iwanski sent to county commissioners and staff members on Wednesday.

After last night’s meeting, I had a chance to talk to some of you, Sheriff White, and Avery Johnson about the sheriff’s budget. Based on your, the sheriff’s, and Avery’s input, I would like to offer a no-tax-increase solution for the sheriff’s budget that will allow the jail dormitory to be open and also address the longer term jail expansion staffing needs.

My proposal authorizes the sheriff to hire the 13 jailers he said he needs to open the new dormitory—but has some conditions that County Commission and the sheriff would need to agree to for us to do it in a fiscally responsible way.

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge is not one of 15 dog park finalists

Posted at
By 5 Comments

Despite the best efforts of some local residents, Oak Ridge has not been included in a list of 15 finalists in a contest to win $100,000 for a dog park.

The first phase of voting in the contest, called “Bark for Your Park,” ended June 13, and the winning cities will be announced Aug. 3.

[Read more…]

Secret City Festival begins today

Posted at
By 2 Comments

The Secret City Festival begins today at 11:30 a.m. and goes through 7 p.m. Saturday at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

It features children’s activities, a youth area, music, food, history exhibits, bus tours, arts and crafts, and a World War II re-enactment.

[Read more…]

Lavender Festival at Jackson Square this weekend

Posted at
By 5 Comments

The 14th annual Lavender Festival in historic Jackson Square is happening this Friday and Saturday, and it features herbs, music, food and crafts.

There will also be demonstrations, such as information about growing  your own lavender, “Herbs for Radiant Skin,” and learning about extracting botanical waters.

[Read more…]

Tennessee Creates arts and crafts fair Friday, Saturday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

A juried arts and craft fair called Tennessee Creates will feature original arts and crafts from regional artists during this weekend’s Secret City Festival.

Sponsored by the Oak Ridge Art Center, the free arts and crafts fair is called Tennessee Creates. Now in its sixth year, it runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday.

[Read more…]