Oak Ridge Today

ORPD: Junior Police Academy applications now available

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Junior Police Academy Logo

The Third Annual Junior Police Academy is being offered again by the Oak Ridge Police Department.

This year, the ORPD will offer two separate academies. The Junior Class is designed specifically for middle school students, and it’s scheduled from July 14-18. All Oak Ridge middle school students and rising fifth graders may attend. The Senior Class is designed for high school students, and it’s scheduled from July 21-25. All Oak Ridge High School students and rising ninth graders may attend.

Cadets will be given presentations by several Oak Ridge Police Department officers on topics that include K9 and SWAT operations, traffic stops, and much more. Cadets will also visit the prestigious Law Enforcement Innovation Center, Anderson County Detention Facility, and Oak Ridge Police Department, and they will be given a presentation by the Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention in reference to substance abuse through awareness, and education. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge could become first EPA-designated Green Power community in Southeast

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

The City of Oak Ridge is on the verge of being selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Green Power Community, the first in the Southeast, a press release said.

The EPA’s Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy renewable energy. To be designated as a Green Power Community, a local government must purchase or produce green power in amounts that meet EPA minimum purchase requirements as determined by community electricity usage.

Green power is defined as electricity generated from renewable resources, such as wind, solar, biogas, biomass, and low-impact hydropower. Oak Ridge Electric Department customers can buy Green-e Energy certified renewable energy through the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Green Power Switch program.

To qualify, local governments must also initiate a community-wide green power campaign to encourage renewable energy purchases. The City of Oak Ridge, playing off its nickname as the Secret City due to its historical origins, created a campaign called, “The Secret’s Out: Oak Ridge Loves Green Power,” to encourage residents and businesses to buy green power. [Read more…]

Supply of 2013 tax forms will be limited at Oak Ridge Library

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The Oak Ridge Public Library has supplied the community with federal and state tax forms for the past several years. This year, the Internal Revenue Service is limiting the amount and type of forms the library and other institutions can order for the public.

For the tax year 2013, the 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ forms and instruction booklets will be available after Jan. 1, 2014, as well as Schedules A, B, C, and D and other miscellaneous individual tax forms. Most tax forms not available at the library can be printed for the cost of 10 cents a page. Tennessee state tax forms and instructions are always available at the library for no charge. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge has Children’s Halloween Party on Oct. 24

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Halloween Flyer

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2013 Children’s Halloween Party on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. Activities will be planned for every room in the Civic Center, and a hay ride will be offered in A.K. Bissell Park, weather permitting.

There will a scary room, games, prizes, food, crafts, face painting, and many other fun activities. Tickets must be purchased for each activity, and each ticket costs $0.25 each. All access armbands are available and cost $5 each. Armbands give unlimited access to all activities; however, this does not include sale items or food.

For more information call the Oak Ridge Civic Center at (865)425-3450. For more information about this and other events, visit the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks website at www.orrecparks.org.

Applications available for 2014 city boards and commissions

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It’s that time of year again. With only a few months remaining for the 2013 calendar year, the city is excited to be gearing up to begin the end-of-year recruitment for board and commission members. The recruitment process begins Oct. 1.

This year’s process is similar to previous years in that interested residents must complete a Boards and Commissions application and may attach additional documents that includes cover letters, references, and resumes. The application allows residents to choose and rank their top three board choices for membership consideration. [Read more…]

TVA designates Oak Ridge a ‘platinum’ community

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The City of Oak Ridge has achieved platinum status in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s new “Valley Sustainable Communities” program. This designation will enhance the city’s competitiveness for new investments and jobs when companies are looking to grow in new or expanded locations.

The program is sponsored by TVA and developed and administered by consultant Boyette Strategic Advisors.

“The platinum designation recognizes that the Oak Ridge community has made a significant and comprehensive commitment to sustainability and also has thoroughly integrated economic development into its sustainability efforts,” said Del Boyette, BSA president and chief executive officer. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge accepting race applications for 2014

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is now accepting race applications for 2014. Organizations that wish to host 5Ks, triathlons, marathons, walks, or fun runs next year are strongly encouraged to contact the department to inquire about available dates and courses.

The popularity and frequency of races is increasing. For this reason, the City of Oak Ridge has developed guidelines to permit safe racing on the city’s streets and highways. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Public Library offers help with Affordable Care Act

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The Oak Ridge Public Library is joining libraries across the country as the starting point for people who will be participating in the Affordable Care Act.

The Marketplace opens Oct. 1, and it can be accessed through the website www.healthcare.gov. President Obama has called upon libraries with public Internet access to help fill the need of the estimated one in five Americans who do not have Internet access. [Read more…]

Sewer rehab work starting in east Oak Ridge

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Within the next week, residents and businesses located in the east end of Oak Ridge should be receiving an information letter in the mail from the City of Oak Ridge concerning sewer rehabilitation work in the area. The letter is on orange paper and provides general information concerning the sewer work.

Hurst Excavating LLC is currently conducting preconstruction work in the area. This work includes tasks such as locating manholes and walking the terrain of the area, so residents may see workers in their yard or along the greenbelt. [Read more…]

Officials, volunteers celebrate new Cedar Barren kiosk near JMS

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Oak Ridge Cedar Barrens Celebration

Officials and volunteers celebrate a new kiosk with a ribbon-cutting at Oak Ridge Cedar Barrens near Jefferson Middle School on Aug. 17. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Cedar Barren has a new kiosk, thanks to Thomas Crout and his Eagle Scout project. There was a ribbon cutting on Saturday, Aug. 17, followed by a brief interpretive tour and some cleanup work.

Located next to Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge, this barren is a joint project of the City of Oak Ridge, the State Natural Areas Division, and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning. This area is one of just a few cedar barrens in East Tennessee.

Children’s Halloween Party scheduled, game booth sponsors needed

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2013 Children’s Halloween Party on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. This annual event will be attended by hundreds of children and their parents. Activities will be planned for every room in the Oak Ridge Civic Center, and a hay ride will be offered in A.K. Bissell Park, weather permitting.

Businesses and organizations are invited to sponsor a game booth for the event. Sponsors will supply two to four volunteers to operate the game throughout the event. The Recreation and Parks department will provide the games and prizes unless sponsors wish to provide their own. Games should be age-appropriate for children age 10 and under. Applications can be emailed or picked up at the Civic Center front desk. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge fire officers receive national accreditation

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Darryl Kerley

Darryl Kerley

Josh Waldo

Josh Waldo

The Center for Public Safety Excellence recognized four officers of the Oak Ridge Fire Department for their national accreditation at the Fire Rescue International Conference-CPSE annual Accreditation banquet in Chicago this month.

Fire Chief Darryl Kerley and Assistant Fire Chief Josh Waldo have been approved for the designation of chief fire officer. Kerley has held the designation of chief fire officer, or CFO, since 2004 and was notified that his designation has been renewed. He is required to renew his CFO designation every three years and submit a package outlining his career progress for the past three years to ensure he is continuing to work toward professional excellence through continued education, training, and community service. [Read more…]