A project to improve the city’s sewer system will require a temporary closure on busy Rutgers Avenue in central Oak Ridge starting Sunday.
Rutgers Avenue connects South Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike, and it runs between the Woodland neighborhood and J.C. Penney and Walmart.
A city press release said a gravity sewer line running from east to west under the north end of Rutgers Avenue must be relocated as part of the rehabilitation work. [Read more…]
President Barack Obama
Traffic in Oak Ridge could be disrupted during the Friday afternoon visit to west Knox County and Clinton by President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Biden’s wife Jill.
The City of Oak Ridge sent out the traffic advisory on Thursday morning.
“The City of Oak Ridge is advising the public that traffic may be disrupted in Oak Ridge Friday afternoon due to the president’s visit to East Tennessee,” the advisory said. “Motorists should plan accordingly to arrive at their destinations on time. [Read more…]
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…]
The City of Oak Ridge Wellness Committee and Oak Ridge Coordinated School Health will kick off their 2015 Biggest Loser competition at 12:30 p.m. today (Monday, January 5) in the Oak Ridge Civic Center Social Room.
Employees with the City of Oak Ridge and Oak Ridge Schools will compete against one another during a three-month weight loss challenge. A winner from each organization will be awarded, as well as overall male and female Biggest Loser. The competition will run from January 5 through April 6, a press release said.
Today’s first official weigh-in of the challenge will feature Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch and members of Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers, Oak Ridge Schools Director of Pupil Services Larrissa Henderson, and municipal and school employees.
Been eating way too many sweet treats over the holiday season? Then begin the New Year right by getting some much-needed exercise at the Oak Ridge Senior Center.
The Center is offering a Zumba Gold class beginning on January 13. [Read more…]
Jon Hetrick
Jon Hetrick has been appointed director of the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department, City Manager Mark Watson announced Friday. Hetrick has been the acting director since Josh Collins retired in October.
As director, Hetrick will manage and direct the activities the city’s recreation and parks programs, services, and facilities, including the Civic Center, and Scarboro and Senior centers, as well as the Centennial Golf Course. His work responsibilities will include overseeing summer programs and supervising a staff of more than 80 seasonal and regular employees. [Read more…]
Pictured above from left to right in front are Marie Denorme and Hannah Oran; second row are Camille Martinez, Claire DiFazio, Ovi Kabir, Caroline Bradshaw, Elizabeth Bradshaw, Shichen Zhang, Lauren Collier, Riley Mosby, Catherine Humphries, and Candace Pang; and back are Julie Heten, Kolton Reedy, Peter Magill, Kevin Reedy, Curtis Rookard, Tyler Boullie, Wesley Robinson, Stella Powell, Mandy Pitz, Brent Robinson, Brandon Stanley, Lewis Wang, and Masa Kato. (Submitted photo)
The Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board members recently voted to spend time and money Christmas shopping at Kmart for area children through Mission of Hope.
The board raises funds at various events throughout the year to make this possible, a press release said.
The board spent a total of $1,664.73 on gifts. [Read more…]
First Row: Jack Copeland, Rosevelt Gilliland, Lu Ann Christy, Ken Carter, Wendall Cook, Instructor, Don Snouffer. Second Row: Dee Williams, Don Bourgrand, George Davis, Bobby Neal, John Dorflinger, Roe Sutherland, Charlie Orr, Billie Joe Campbell. Third Row: Ernie Blair, Jim Sells, Joe Henderson, Unidentified Visitor, Ken Newton. (Submitted photo)
Free guitar lessons for senior citizens will resume on Friday, January 9, at 9 a.m. at the Oak Ridge Senior Citizen Center on Emory Valley Road.
All levels of guitar players are welcome, a press release said. Beginner’s lessons start at 9 a.m. and intermediate lessons at 10 a.m. Wendall Cook, who has many years of experience playing and teaching, conducts the lessons. [Read more…]
More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue this week, starting Monday, December 22.
The work is being done by Hurst Excavating and Morgan Contracting under contract with the City of Oak Ridge. It includes rehabilitating sewer collection pipes within city easements in yards and in roadways, a press release said. [Read more…]
One of two large picnic areas at Clark Center Park. The park also includes a small playground, two ball fields, boat ramp, fishing trails, and beach. (File photo)
The City of Oak Ridge Wellness Committee and Oak Ridge Coordinated School Health will kick off the new year with a January Jaunt at Gallaher Bend Greenway and Clark Center Park. The community is invited to take part, a press release said.
The January Jaunt is a beautiful hike and walk that will showcase the greenway and park, the press release said. It will start at 9 a.m. January 10.
“The Gallaher Bend Greenway offers a quiet, forested trail with lovely vistas of Melton Lake,” the release said. [Read more…]
Mark Watson
By Mark S. Watson, Oak Ridge City Manager
The City of Oak Ridge is one that prides itself on the interest, knowledge, and involvement of its citizens in local government. Oak Ridgers are always willing to add a different perspective, technical information, and just darn good opinions on topics that affect them.
On January 12, 2015, the Oak Ridge City Council will appoint citizen volunteers to fill vacancies on boards and commissions that have occurred due to term expiration and attrition from the board membership.
Applications must be received in the City Clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31.
Over the past years, the City Council has found it sometimes challenging to fill the vacancies of its various boards. People are busy, and getting busier! Some feel that many governmental matters require special knowledge. Others have not thought of providing their talents to shape their community. [Read more…]
Waste Connections Inc. will not pick up trash or recyclables in Oak Ridge on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, or on New Year’s Day, Thursday January 1, 2015.
For both weeks, the regular Thursday routes will be picked up the following day on Friday, and the regular Friday routes will be picked up the following day on Saturday.
Please have all refuse and recyclables out by 7 a.m. for the Friday and Saturday routes. [Read more…]
