Oak Ridge Today

UT-Battelle extends American Centrifuge agreement for uranium enrichment

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American Centrifuge Technology Manufacturing Center

The American Centrifuge Technology Manufacturing Center in south Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Photo courtesy USEC/Centrus Energy Corp.)

UT-Battelle, the contractor that operates Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has added another six months to an agreement being used to develop new uranium-enrichment technology through operations in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Piketon, Ohio.

The six-month extension was announced Friday by Centrus Energy Corporation, formerly known as USEC. UT-Battelle has exercised its option to extend the American Centrifuge Technology Demonstration and Operations Agreement, or ACTDO Agreement, by six months from March 31 to September 30, 2015, Centrus said.

ORNL had previously exercised an option to extend the agreement through March 31, 2015.

The six-month extension allows the continued demonstration and operation of the only uranium enrichment technology in the United States, Centrus said in a press release. [Read more…]

Officials decline comment on federal agent, police presence at Oak Ridge business

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Federal Agents at Berthold Technologies

Federal agents and police declined to comment on why they were at Berthold Technologies on Midway Road in Oak Ridge on Thursday morning.

 

Federal officials would not comment and company executives were not immediately available to comment Thursday morning on why there appeared to be roughly a dozen agents and police at the Berthold Technologies building on Midway Road in south Oak Ridge.

It wasn’t clear exactly which agencies were at the business. Some wore black jackets with lettering on the back that said Federal Agent and at least had one with lettering that said Police. The agents were seen entering and leaving Berthold Technologies through a few doors in the single-story building, and also going in and out of a large warehouse or garage area at the rear of the building.

It wasn’t clear if any employees were at the building. Oak Ridge Today was not able to reach anyone by phone at Berthold Technologies or to immediately reach the general manager listed on the company’s website by email. [Read more…]

Avisco, a DOE contractor, to wind down operations after 30 years

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Avisco Inc. Logo

Avisco, a long-term U.S. Department of Energy contractor based in Oak Ridge, has announced a plan to phase out of their existing contracts and eventually close the company after 30 years of operations.

In a Tuesday press release, company owner Avis A. Phillips said she decided it was time to wind down Avisco after long discussions with her family.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed all the years we’ve worked with a terrific group of clients and a wonderful team of employees,” Phillips said. “It’s the association with our great staff that makes this decision particularly difficult. I can never thank them enough.” [Read more…]

ORAU, MCLinc donate services to Emory Valley Center Capital Campaign

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ORAU Survey Team

An environmental survey team from ORAU partnered with Materials and Chemistry Laboratory Inc. to provide sampling and laboratory analysis for Emory Valley Center, which is in the initial stages of demolishing an old building on its campus to make room for a new facility. The ORAU survey team consisting of Tim Vitkus, Adam Kirthlink, Jason Lee, Daniel Edds, Evan Harpeneau, and Mark Berkheimer donated their time and performed sampling to identify any contaminants that may be present at the site. (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge Associated Universities and Materials and Chemistry Laboratory Inc. recently joined together to donate a total of $9,000 in services to Emory Valley Center in support of their Capital Campaign for a new facility.

The new building will incorporate many features to enhance the lives of people with disabilities being served, including a Job Training Center, Life Enrichment Classrooms, Adult Day Center, Medical Clinic, Speech, Physical and Occupational Services, Gym, and more, a press release said.

An environmental survey team from ORAU partnered with Oak Ridge-based Materials and Chemistry Laboratory Inc., or MCLinc, to provide sampling and laboratory analysis for Emory Valley Center, which is in the initial stages of demolishing an old building on its campus to make room for the new facility. [Read more…]

ORNL Federal Credit Union raises $65K for United Way

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ORNL FCU Donation to United Way

Pictured above from left to right are Chris Outland (ORNL FCU title services manager), Lydia Birk (2014 UWAC campaign chair), Ben Jones (ORNL FCU Maryville Branch manager), and Bethany Rush (branch floater). (Photo courtesy United Way)

 

ORNL Federal Credit Union raised $64,861 for the United Way of Anderson County’s annual giving campaign, bringing the total for the last two years to more than $131,000, a press release said.

“At ORNL Federal Credit Union, we are committed to making a difference by giving back and helping to improve the quality of life for others in our communities,” said Colin Anderson, ORNL FCU executive vice president and chief financial officer. “An investment in the United Way is an investment in our community.”

Donations to UWAC are an investment in the community, a United Way press release said. [Read more…]

Start off 2015 with ‘Dine and Donate,’ help ADFAC

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Dine and Donate at Dean's

Oak Ridge High School students Keegan Yearwood and Camille Mauk-Olson know the best way to beat the winter chill: Dine and Donate! By dining out at Dean’s Restaurant and Bakery on Monday, January 12, the pair get to choose from a variety of hot home-cooked favorites including savory beef pot roast, pulled park barbecue, and turkey and dressing. Dean’s is located in Jackson Square. (Photo courtesy ADFAC)

 

On Monday, January 12, several local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC. As the first ‘Dine and Donate’ of the new year, this special event gives local residents the opportunity to start off 2015 by supporting local eateries as well as raising funds to help the needy in our community.

Restaurants participating on Monday, January 12 are:

  • Dean’s in Oak Ridge,
  • Hoskins in Clinton,
  • Mediterranean Delight in Oak Ridge,
  • Papa Murphy’s in Oak Ridge,
  • Razzleberry’s in Oak Ridge,
  • Riverview Grill in Clinton, and
  • Salsarita’s in Oak Ridge.

[Read more…]

Sponsored: Insurance agent honored by National Society of CIC

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Cyndi Jeffers

Cyndi Jeffers

Cynthia C. Jeffers, CIC, of S&R Insurance Services, was recently recognized for professional leadership and advanced knowledge by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC), a leading national insurance professional organization.

Jeffers was awarded a certificate marking more than 25 years of participation as a designated CIC, which requires annual completion of advanced education and training.

“Cyndi’s ongoing allegiance and support of the CIC Program is a testament to the value she places on ‘real world’ education and customer satisfaction,” said William T. Hold, CIC, CPCU, CLU, president of the Society of CIC.

The CIC Program is nationally recognized as the premier continuing education program for insurance professionals, with programs offered in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the Society of CIC is a not-for-profit organization and the founding program of The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research.

Learn more about S&R Insurance Services here.

Construction work starts on $1 million rebuild at Jackson Square

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Jackson Square Parking Lot Fencing

A work crew began installing construction fencing between the city-owned parking lot and the sidewalk in front of businesses at the U-shaped Jackson Square shopping center on Monday. It’s the start of a $1 million rebuild of the parking lot in the city’s original town center. 

 

Construction work has started on the $1 million rebuild of the parking lot area at Jackson Square, Oak Ridge’s original town center.

Crews started putting up construction fencing on Monday. Project executives and city officials plan to complete the work in 180 days, or roughly six months—before the Lavender Festival in June.

The construction contract was awarded to Rich Construction Inc. of Lenoir City by the Oak Ridge City Council in October. [Read more…]

Kristy Neckowicz appointed president of InVizion LLC, a Pro2Serve subsidiary

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Kristy Neckowicz

Kristy Neckowicz

Professional Project Services Inc., or Pro2Serve, has appointed Kristy Tan Neckowicz as president of its software subsidiary, InVizion LLC.

Neckowicz has served as the senior vice president of InVizion since March 2014.

“InVizion develops and markets project portfolio management (PPM) applications that allow executives and managers to rapidly address the impact of changing resource constraints, objectively develop and optimize revised execution strategies, and clearly communicate resulting critical decisions to stakeholders,” a press release said. [Read more…]

Gas sells for less than $2 per gallon in Clinton, Anderson County

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Git 'N Go Gas Station in Clinton

Gas was selling for $1.98 per gallon at several stations near Interstate 75 on State Route 61 in Clinton on Thursday, including at this Git ‘N Go Market, right, and at a BP station, left, across the street.

 

Gas was selling for less than $2 per gallon at several gas stations in Clinton and Anderson County on Thursday.

At least three gas stations near Interstate 75 and State Route 61 in Clinton were selling regular unleaded gasoline for $1.98 per gallon. Several other gas stations in Anderson County along SR 61, which turns into Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, were also selling fuel for $1.98. [Read more…]

Sen. McNally receives Champion of Commerce award from state, city chambers

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Randy McNally

Randy McNally

The Tennessee and Oak Ridge chambers of commerce have awarded the Champion of Commerce award to Senator Randy McNally, a press release said.

It said the award is presented locally in coordination with the Tennessee Chamber and local chambers of commerce.

“The prestigious award recognizes individuals that exemplify outstanding achievement promoting business and free enterprise during the 2013–2014 108th General Assembly,” the release said. [Read more…]

Thanks to your support, Oak Ridge Today traffic up 30-40 percent in 2014

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We hope everyone has enjoyed their holidays, and we also want to wish you a Happy New Year! We also want to share some good news: Thanks to your support, Oak Ridge Today continues to grow.

We checked our Google Analytics website statistics for 2014, and here’s what they show:

  • Oak Ridge Today had 435,187 users in 2014;
  • 927,739 sessions; and
  • 1.75 million page views.

[Read more…]