Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge starting Thursday, Nov. 7, and continuing through Nov. 13.
This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau: [Read more…]
State school report cards show growth in Anderson, Clinton, Oak Ridge
Information from WYSH Radio
On Wednesday, the Tennessee Department of Education released the annual state Report Card and local school systems made significant gains.
In Anderson County, assessment scores in elementary and middle schools scored As in math and social studies and Bs in reading and science. A year ago, the system received Bs in math and social studies, a C in reading, and a B in science. [Read more…]
B&W seeks investors on program to build small nuclear reactors in Oak Ridge
The Babcock and Wilcox Co. has invested more than $360 million in a project that could result in a small nuclear reactor at the former Clinch River Breeder Reactor Site in west Oak Ridge, pictured above. (Photo courtesy Tennessee Valley Authority)
The Babcock and Wilcox Co. has already invested more than $360 million in a project that could result in a small nuclear reactor in west Oak Ridge, and now the North Carolina company is looking for investors and possibly majority owners.
The mPower small modular reactor, or SMR, program is expected to have a nuclear power plant operating at the former Clinch River Breeder Reactor Site by 2022. Initially, it could have two small reactors, a “twin pack,” and produce 360 megawatts.
On Wednesday, Marshall Cohen, B&W vice president for government affairs and communications, said the company is seeking major corporations who are interested in taking a “strong position,” up to and including ownership, including majority ownership.
“We would reduce our ownership to one that really matches the scope of work going forward,” Cohen said. [Read more…]
Nolan announces Republican candidacy for Tennessee House
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
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…]
Oak Ridge recruiting residents for Land Bank board
Oak Ridge is now accepting applications from residents who want to serve on the board of directors of the new Oak Ridge Land Bank Corp.
The board will have seven directors, and one of those will be an Oak Ridge City Council member. All directors must be residents and taxpayers in the City of Oak Ridge, a press release said. Preference may be given for applicants in the following fields: banking, real estate, and legal. [Read more…]
Apply for city boards, commissions by Friday
The deadline to apply for openings on Oak Ridge city boards and commissions is Friday.
The city began recruiting for the positions on Oct. 1. There are roughly 46 expiring or vacant terms on various boards and commissions, a press release said. [Read more…]
New dog park could have ribbon-cutting soon, city manager says
City Manager Mark Watson says there could soon be a ribbon-cutting for the new dog park at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge. The entrance to the dog park is pictured above in this Oct. 25 photo and so is the fencing that was then under construction.
The city is about to have a “soft opening” for the new dog park at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge, and there could soon be a ribbon-cutting, an official said Tuesday.
Construction has been under way since this summer at the city’s first dog park, which is being built with help from a $100,000 donation from Radio Systems Corp. through Legacy Parks.
The park will include a “gorgeous entrance” and fenced-in fields for large and small dogs, and it will allow dogs to socialize and build community through resident interactions, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said during a “State of the City” presentation at Lunch with the League on Tuesday. [Read more…]
What’s happening in Oak Ridge from Nov. 7 to 13
Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge starting Thursday, Nov. 7, and continuing through Nov. 13.
This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau: [Read more…]
What’s happening in Oak Ridge from Oct. 31 to Nov. 6
Here is a summary of events happening in Oak Ridge starting Thursday, Oct. 31, and continuing through Nov. 6.
This weekly listing of events is compiled by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau: [Read more…]
On Senate floor, Alexander honors nuclear workers, Bill Wilcox, Calutron Girls
Lamar Alexander
Sen. Lamar Alexander spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday in honor of nuclear weapons program workers. Among those he honored were Bill Wilcox and the Calutron Girls.
Wilcox was a Manhattan Project veteran, former technical director at the K-25 site and Y-12 National Security Complex, and Oak Ridge city historian.
Wednesday was the fifth annual National Day of Remembrance for nuclear weapons program workers. It had been recognized under a resolution that Alexander cosponsored earlier this year.
Here are the senator’s full remarks: [Read more…]
Two taken to UT hospital after five-vehicle crash between Clinton, Oak Ridge
Two people were taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center after a five-vehicle crash on State Highway 61 between Oak Ridge and Clinton on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
The collision occurred at about 3:30 p.m. on SR 61 near Old Tacora Road, in front of Gibbs Ferry Park. According to preliminary information, it appears an elderly female was traveling eastbound on Highway 61 when she drifted across the center line and into oncoming traffic, said Dalya Qualls, public information officer for the Tennessee Department of Safety. The woman attempted to swerve back into her lane when she struck a Chevrolet pickup truck, Qualls said. [Read more…]
