Oak Ridge Today

One person seriously injured in Wednesday crash

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Two people were taken to a hospital, one with serious injuries, after a crash between a dump truck and a sport utility vehicle in Oak Ridge on Wednesday evening.

The crash was reported at about 7 p.m. Wednesday at Melton Lake Drive and Edgemoor Road (State Route 170). The Oak Ridge Police Department, Fire Department, and Public Works Department all responded, and so did Anderson County EMS (the ambulance service).

The crash involved a commercial vehicle (a privately owned dump truck) and a passenger vehicle (a mid-size SUV), the City of Oak Ridge said.

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge EM prepared for cold weather to prevent failures

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

From DOE Office of Environmental Management’s “EM Update” newsletter

UCOR employees Andy Rodgers, left, and Alex Johnson install heat tracing to protect systems at the Environmental Management Waste Management Facility during the holiday 2022 cold snap in Oak Ridge. Temperatures did not reach above freezing for more than four consecutive days. (Photo courtesy UCOR/DOE EM)

UCOR employees Andy Rodgers, left, and Alex Johnson install heat tracing to protect systems at the Environmental Management Waste Management Facility during the cold snap in Oak Ridge. Temperatures did not reach above freezing for more than four consecutive days.

Much of the nation experienced an extreme cold snap over the recent holidays, and Tennessee was no exception with temperatures dipping to nearly zero degrees in Oak Ridge. Despite the bitter weather, preparations and recent upgrades helped prevent infrastructure failures during that time.

Many employees with EM cleanup contractor UCOR reported to work over the holidays to ensure issues were resolved at several essential facilities. (EM stands for environmental management.)

At the Environmental Management Waste Management Facility, advanced planning and preparation protected critical water management systems during the deep freeze over the nearly weeklong cold snap, including a 6.5-hour unplanned power outage.

[Read more…]

Covenant Health donating land for Roane State health science center

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Covenant Health is donating about 10 acres of land for Roane State Community College’s new $75 million regional health science training center in west Knox County.

The Knox Regional Health Science and Simulation Center will be along Sherill Boulevard, across the street from Parkwest Medical Center. That hospital and medical center is near the intersection of Interstate 40 and Pellissippi Parkway (State Route 162).

Officials from Roane State Community College, the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville, and Covenant Health will celebrate the land transfer on Friday.

The new center was announced in early 2022. Roane State said project construction is expected to begin later this year.

[Read more…]

School board approves aviation career path

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge school board on Monday unanimously approved an aviation career pathway that could eventually allow students to get a private pilot’s license. The board also approved a contract extension for Superintendent Bruce Borchers and the purchase of a truck for a mobile STEM laboratory.

Regarding the aviation path, school administrators said aviation programs can prepare students for a range of possible careers, including as pilots, aircraft engineers, air traffic control specialists, aircraft mechanics, and airline statisticians.

The rest of this story is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or contributor to Oak Ridge Today.

Already a member? Great! Thank you! Sign in here.

Not a member? No problem! Subscribe here:

Basic

Pro

Temporary

If you prefer to send a check, you may do so by mailing one to:

Oak Ridge Today
P.O. Box 6064
Oak Ridge, TN 37831

We also have advanced subscription options. You can see them here.

We also accept donations. You can donate here. A donation of $50 or more will make you eligible for a subscription.

Thank you for reading Oak Ridge Today. We appreciate your support!

Free dental, vision, medical services in February

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Remote Area Medical (RAM)—a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision, and medical care to those in need—will have a free, two-day clinic in Oak Ridge in February.

The clinic is scheduled February 18-19 at the Oak Ridge Civic Center at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The clinic is in collaboration with the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

All RAM services are free, and no identification is required, a press release said. Free dental, vision, and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

[Read more…]

Extreme Classroom Makeover applications due Jan. 31

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The deadline to submit a video application is about one week away (it’s Jan. 31, 2023) in a contest that awards $25,000 to improve STEM education in public schools in the Oak Ridge region. (Photo by ORAU)

The deadline to submit a video application is about one week away in a contest that awards $25,000 to improve STEM education in public schools in the region.

ORAU’s Extreme Classroom Makeover is open to third-grade to 10th-grade math and science teachers in public schools within 50 miles of Oak Ridge. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The $25,000 can be used for new equipment to update classrooms with new technology, ORAU said.

A runner-up will receive $5,000 in new equipment.

[Read more…]

Residents discuss Dollar General in Marlow

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Anderson County residents have expressed mixed opinions in government meetings about a reported proposal to build a Dollar General store next to Oliver Springs Highway in Marlow. The area is pictured above at Marlow Circle on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A handful of Anderson County residents have expressed mixed opinions in government meetings about a reported proposal to build a Dollar General store next to Oliver Springs Highway in Marlow, but the Anderson County Commission has voted 13-1 in favor of a rezoning that could allow it.

A few property owners and Anderson County Commissioner Jerry White, who represents Marlow, supported the project, saying, among other things, that it would be convenient for rural residents who need quick access to groceries and other items.

The rest of this story is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or contributor to Oak Ridge Today.

Already a member? Great! Thank you! Sign in here.

Not a member? No problem! Subscribe here:

Basic

Pro

Temporary

If you prefer to send a check, you may do so by mailing one to:

Oak Ridge Today
P.O. Box 6064
Oak Ridge, TN 37831

We also have advanced subscription options. You can see them here.

We also accept donations. You can donate here. A donation of $50 or more will make you eligible for a subscription.

Thank you for reading Oak Ridge Today. We appreciate your support!

ORCSGirls resumes in-person classes in Oak Ridge, Maryville

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Computer Science Girls (ORCSGirls) will resume their free in-person coding classes for girls in grades 5-10. (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge Computer Science Girls (ORCSGirls) is resuming their free in-person coding classes for girls in grades 5-10, a press release said.

In March 2020, all classes were switched to be virtual events in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In person classes resumed in January and are offered at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge and at the Blount County Public Library in Maryville, the press release said.

All in-person events follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to keep everyone safe, the press release said. ORCSGirls also continues to offer virtual sessions. Current classes and signup can be found at www.orcsgirls.org/classes.

[Read more…]

Read city manager’s retirement letter

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Mark Watson

This is a copy of the January 17 retirement letter from Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson to the seven Oak Ridge City Council members.

Since August of 2010, I have been proud to serve the City of Oak Ridge as its City Manager.

During that time, I have engaged the community in visionary changes that move the City toward a bright future creating economic vitality, jobs for our citizens, and a stronger quality of life for all.

Over the past twelve years, we have seen major changes and improvements to our internal organization and our external relationships with surrounding communities. This year, I was recognized for 45 years of public service by my profession. It is now time for me to announce my retirement. Serving in four states, eight cities, seven city manager positions and working for over 100 mayors and city council members, I believe it is time to begin the process of selecting a successor for Oak Ridge.

[Read more…]

Tickets on sale for Flatwater Storytelling Festival

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Rev. Robert B. Jones

The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival in June will feature three nationally acclaimed storytellers: Lyn Ford, Bil Lepp, and Rev. Robert B. Jones.

“Well-known to audiences throughout the country for their wit and wisdom, these three performers are guaranteed to make audiences laugh, cry, and reminisce,” a press release said.

The annual festival is scheduled June 2-3 at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge.

The storytellers will perform different stories at each show. Two special workshops will be offered preceding the performances.

Tickets are now on sale at Eventbrite or in person at the Ferrell Shop in Oak Ridge (cash or check only). You can take advantage of the Early Bird Special and get a discount when you buy tickets for both the afternoon and evening shows on Saturday, the press release said.

[Read more…]

Roane to Tech paves path for transfer students

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Cheyenne McAbee

A relatively new program called Roane to Tech allows students to transfer from Roane State Community College to Tennessee Tech University to complete their last two years of college, and it provides students additional opportunities, a press release said.

The program began in 2021, and it guarantees all Roane State graduates admission to Tech, the press release said. It also provides a smooth transition for those students. The transfer students are known as the Golden Raiders, a combination of Tech’s Golden Eagles and RSCC’s Raiders.

The average savings for those who participate in the program would be close to $6,000 per year for tuition, according to TTU Director of Admissions Frank Tittle.

“There are several benefits to the Roane to Tech program, such as a waived Tennessee Tech application fee, students have access to a university advisor, their degree plans are predefined, dual admission to tech, access to special events, and free Roane to Tech gear,” Tittle said.

[Read more…]

Bird courtship to be discussed in UT Arboretum Society program

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Bird courtship will be discussed in a pre-recorded program of the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society in February.

“Bird courtship has begun!” a press release said. “Either from new partnerships being formed or existing pairs renewing their bonds, it is that time of year when birds are looking for a mate. Each species is slightly different with some feeding, some grooming and some snuggling. But can we call it love? Join us for this pre-recorded program to discuss bird courtship.”

Michelle Campanis, education coordinator at the University of Tennessee Arboretum, and naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales will discuss aspects of avian pair bonding in a pre-recorded program for February’s First Thursday Nature Supper Club, the press release said.

“This is one of our favorite and most requested programs!” the press release said.

[Read more…]