Oak Ridge Today

Nolan announces Republican candidacy for Tennessee House

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Caitlin Nolan

Caitlin Nolan

She lobbied the state legislature for anti-bullying legislation as a high school freshman eight years ago, and now Republican Caitlin Nolan is seeking a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Nolan would challenge incumbent John Ragan of Oak Ridge in the Republican primary in the state’s 33rd District, presuming Ragan seeks re-election to a third two-year term. The 33rd District includes Oak Ridge, Clinton, and most of Anderson County.

The Republican primary is Aug. 7, 2014. [Read more…]

Alexander Inn groundbreaking, press conference Thursday

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Alexander Inn Ballroom Demolition

In June, workers had demolished the ballroom at the Alexander Inn, a historic, dilapidated two-story hotel that has been vacant for years and is now being converted into an assisted living facility. (File photo)

Local, state, and federal officials will join nonprofit and business executives for a formal groundbreaking and press conference on Thursday at the historic Alexander Inn, which is being converted into an assisted living center.

The press conference will start at 10 a.m. at the Guest House at the Alexander Inn Senior Living, which is at 210 E. Madison Road on the northwest side of Jackson Square. Representatives from the City of Oak Ridge, U.S. Department of Energy, Tennessee Historical Commission, East Tennessee Preservation Alliance, and Family Pride Corp. are all expected to take part.

The iconic two-story hotel had been unused for about two decades and fallen into disrepair. Family Pride Corp. has been rehabilitating the Manhattan Project-era building since May. It’s been stabilized, but the building will not be completed until mid-2014, a press release said. [Read more…]

Johnson Gap Road bridge repair, replacement under study

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Information from WYSH Radio

Anderson County Law Director Jay Yeager has offered an update on the status of the Johnson Gap Road Bridge, owned by CSX Railroad and closed since earlier this year due to structural concerns found by the state during a routine investigation.

The bridge is owned by the railroad, and it is the only entity that can legally make the repairs and get the bridge back open. Many people in that area, which is northwest of Clinton, depend on that bridge to get to and from their homes.

The latest update, according to Yeager, is that the bridge replacement or repair is under analysis by CSX’s property asset division. No decisions have been made. Yeager says that he has spoken to railroad officials three times by telephone and in several emails. [Read more…]

Tennessee state parks offer special discounts to veterans

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Frozen Head State Park

Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg is pictured above. (Photo by Tennessee State Parks)

Veterans Day designated a Free State Park Day for Tennessee veterans

NASHVILLE – Tennessee State Parks announced Tuesday it will have its annual free state parks day for all Tennessee veterans, offering one free night of camping and/or a complimentary round of golf with appropriate identification. Veterans Day is Monday, Nov. 11.

“On Veterans Day, we honor the many brave men and women who have served our country,” Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill said in a press release. “The state parks family invites all of Tennessee’s veterans to visit us on Nov. 11 and enjoy a day in one of our beautiful parks.”

A few of the parks closest to Oak Ridge include Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg, Cove Lake State Park in Caryville, and Big Ridge State Park in Maynardville. (See the Tennessee State Parks website for information on all the parks.) [Read more…]

Five confirmed bullying cases in Oak Ridge last year, state report says

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Oak Ridge Schools School Administration Building

Oak Ridge Schools reported five confirmed cases of bullying in the 2012-2013 school year. The Oak Ridge Schools’ School Administration Building is pictured above.

There were five confirmed cases of bullying in Oak Ridge Schools last year, a number that is much lower than in many other school districts across the state and in some other nearby districts.

The numbers were reported in a new, first-of-its kind report that said there were 7,555 reported cases of bullying in Tennessee schools last year. Nearly 73 percent of them—or 5,478 cases—were confirmed after investigation.

The report said Oak Ridge Schools had 14 bullying cases reported in the 2012-2013 school year, but only five were confirmed after investigation. All five of those were related to sex or gender discrimination, the report said. [Read more…]

Winning $250,000 lottery ticket sold in Oak Ridge

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Tennessee Lottery said that someone purchased a winning lottery ticket worth $250,000 in Oak Ridge.

The ticket was bought for last weekend’s $55 million jackpot, which no one won. The winning ticket holder has not yet come forward, but we will let you know when they do.

See the Tennessee Lottery website for more information.

Appeals Court rules against rock quarry foes

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Tennessee Court of Appeals late last week ruled against a group of citizens who had sued the city of Clinton and the Rogers Group over the city’s rezoning of land near the Bethel community to allow for the road-paving company to reopen its controversial rock quarry.

Citizens for Safety and Clean Air had filed the suit, alleging that the city’s rezoning of the land to M-2—or heavy industrial use—had been capricious and arbitrary and that it had constituted illegal spot zoning.

Anderson County Chancellor William Lantrip ruled against the plaintiffs earlier this year, and the case was appealed. [Read more…]

Great Smoky Mountains National Park to reopen tonight

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Cades Cove

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation’s most visited national park, will reopen for five days starting tonight and continuing through Sunday.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation’s most visited national park, will reopen for five days starting tonight (Tuesday night/Wednesday morning) and continuing through Sunday, Gov. Bill Haslam said.

The park has been closed because Congress has failed to pass a spending bill in the fiscal year that started Oct. 1. The closure came during the peak fall tourist season.

“The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited national park, and for the Smokies and the people around it, the month of October is the most important time of the year,” Haslam said. “I remain hopeful that an end to the federal government shutdown will come this week.”

The park will reopen at 12 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, Oct. 16, and stay open until until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 20, if the shutdown has not ended by then. [Read more…]

Alexander introduces bill to reimburse Tennessee for reopening Smokies

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Cades Cove in the Fall

Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is pictured above in the fall of 2010.

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander on Tuesday introduced legislation in the Senate to reimburse states within 90 days for all state funds used to reopen national parks while the federal government is shut down.

“I voted against shutting down the government, and I’m doing all I can to reopen it—and assuring states that the federal government will reimburse them for funds used to reopen our national treasures is a good step in the right direction,” said the senator, a Tennessee Republican. “For the surrounding communities, the Smokies closing is like a BP oil spill for the Gulf. This is the prime tourist season for the Smokies, when many of the small businesses around the park make most of their money, and I urge Congress to pass this legislation quickly.”

Alexander said the shutdown of the federal government has affected Tennessee’s other national park facilities in addition to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge deer hunt canceled due to government shutdown

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has announced that the deer hunt at the Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area scheduled for Oct. 19-20 was canceled as a result of the federal government shutdown.

Earlier this week, U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Operations began what they call “an orderly shutdown in support of obtaining a safe and secure status.” TWRA said 1,125 hunters had been selected via a lottery system for the hunt. Any fees they paid to participate are non-refundable.

There are two more deer hunts scheduled in November and December, but no decision has been made about them yet. Hunters may contact the Oak Ridge WMA check station on Saturday, Oct. 12, at (865) 576-2380 from 7 a.m. EST until noon. For any additional questions concerning the cancellation, contact the TWRA Region III Office at (931) 484-9571. TWRA will announce how the priority point totals will be handled as soon as a decision has been made.

Fire Prevention Week: State reminds Tennesseans to prevent kitchen fires

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Submitted

It’s Fire Prevention Week this week, and from Oct. 6-12 the State Fire Marshal’s Office is joining forces with the National Fire Protection Association to remind local residents to “Prevent Kitchen Fires.” During this year’s fire safety campaign, fire departments will be spreading the word about the dangers of kitchen fires—most of which result from unattended cooking—and teaching local residents how to prevent kitchen fires from starting in the first place.

According to the latest NFPA research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Two out of every five home fires begin in the kitchen—more than any other place in the home. Many of these fires occur within minutes of residents leaving the kitchen.

“Cooking fires are the second leading cause of fatal fires in Tennessee so far this year,” said State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak. “Fifteen percent of fire victims died from fires caused by cooking. To prevent these tragedies, we must be mindful in the kitchen.” [Read more…]

Tennessee officials announce commitment to increase teacher pay

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Governor Bill Haslam

Bill Haslam

Tennessee officials on Thursday announced a goal of becoming the fastest-improving state in the nation when it comes to teacher salaries.

The announcement was made by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman.

“We’re asking our students to be the fastest improving in the nation in education achievement, and the data is showing that we’re making real progress,” Haslam said in a press release. “Teachers are the single most important factor in student achievement, and higher accountability for teachers and proven results should be met with better rewards.” [Read more…]