Oak Ridge Today

Snow falls in Oak Ridge

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Pembroke Road in the Woodland neighborhood is pictured after more than an inch of snow fell in Oak Ridge on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

More than an inch of snow fell in Oak Ridge on Sunday.

The snow started falling at about 1 p.m. Sunday and continued until about 9. Oak Ridge Today measured close to 1.5 inches of snow in central Oak Ridge.

Northwestern Avenue in the Woodland neighborhood is pictured after more than an inch of snow fell in Oak Ridge on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Some side streets were still snow covered at about 10 p.m. Sunday, but heavily traveled roads and main roads such as South Illinois Avenue were mostly clear except for some slush. That raised the possibility that some surfaces might freeze overnight with the low forecast around 26 degrees Fahrenheit.

There is a 40% chance of snow in the Oak Ridge area before 2 a.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

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NWS issues winter storm warning

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This map by the National Weather Service in Morristown shows a snowfall forecast between Sunday morning, Jan. 16, and Monday morning, Jan. 17, 2022.

A winter storm warning is in effect for Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, and Scott counties.

The National Weather Service in Morristown issued the winter storm warning Sunday morning, and it is in effect through Monday morning.

Heavy snow is expected, with between 1 to 5 inches of snow possible and 6 to 9 inches at the highest elevations.

“Travel could be very difficult,” the NWS said. “The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.”

You can get the latest road conditions by calling 511. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency,” the NWS said.

The Oak Ridge forecast calls for rain before noon, then rain and snow between noon and 4 p.m., with snow after 4 p.m. The temperature will fall to around 32 degrees Fahrenheit by 4 p.m., the NWS said. The chance of precipitation is 90%. Close to an inch of snow is possible, forecasters said.

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$1.3 million project will rebuild ORHS track

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An image by Cope Architecture of Knoxville showing what the rebuilt Ben Martin Track will look like at Oak Ridge High School.

A $1.3 million project is under way to rebuild the Ben Martin Track at Oak Ridge High School by June. The asphalt base of the eight-lane track dates back to the 1950s, the rubber surface is washing away, and holes are visible in the disintegrating and patched lanes. The pole vault has been unusable since 2017, and track coaches and athletes from other schools have recently declined to compete in Oak Ridge because of the conditions.

That is expected to change with the new renovated facility, which could host large invitational, sectional, and college track meets, according to those involved. The renovation project will rebuild the asphalt base of the track, add a new rubberized surface, and replace underground utilities. All field events except pole vault will move to the infield. Shot put and discus rings will be on the north end of the football practice field, while long jump and triple jump will be along the straight section of track nearest the bleachers. The pole vault will remain on the south side of the track, but it will move to the west end near the field house.

Average number of daily COVID cases again passes 100

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A daily snapshot of COVID-19 cases in Anderson County on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, includes, among other information, the daily number of new cases and the daily positivity rate. (Graphic by Tennessee Department of Health)

For the first time in more than a year, the average number of new COVID-19 cases has exceeded 100 per day in Anderson County. Two more deaths and three more hospitalizations were reported between January 5 and January 8, the most recent reporting period, and the positivity rate hit a high of 38% on January 8, meaning roughly four out of 10 patients tested positive for COVID.

About 20% of the county’s residents have now been infected with COVID-19 since the pandemic began almost two years ago, and current hospitalizations have increased at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge since late December.

Chance of snow, cold weather on Sunday

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This map by the National Weather Service in Morristown shows a snowfall forecast between Saturday morning, Jan. 15, and Monday morning, Jan. 17, 2022.

There is a chance of snow and cold, below-freezing temperatures on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

The NWS has published several snowfall forecasts, based upon different probabilities.

The official NWS forecast shows less than an inch of snow is possible in the Oak Ridge area.

More snow, greater than 4 inches, is possible in areas north of Oak Ridge, such as Sunbright, Oneida, and Tazewell.

Here is the NWS forecast for Oak Ridge:

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ETTP cleanup team receives Secretary’s Award

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East Tennessee Technology Park, the former K-25 site, is pictured above in west Oak Ridge after most cleanup work, including demolition of the five large gaseous diffusion buildings, was completed. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge team that mostly cleaned up the former K-25 site, demolishing five large gaseous diffusion buildings and more than 500 structures, has received a Secretary’s Achievement Award from U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. The work was done ahead of schedule and under budget, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

Granholm honored the DOE Office of Environmental Management team from Oak Ridge in a virtual ceremony Wednesday, a press release said.

K-25 was used to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons and commercial nuclear power plants from World War II to the 1980s.

It was the first removal of a uranium enrichment complex, and it cleared 13 million square feet of deteriorated, contaminated structures from the site, the press release said.

“The Secretary’s Achievement Award honors a group or team of DOE employees and contractors who accomplish significant achievements on behalf of the department, demonstrating cooperation and teamwork in attaining their goals,” the press release said. “The award was given to the Oak Ridge Vision 2020 Project Team based on its achievements from 2020.”

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ORPD has memorial, reward funds for Baby Wyatt

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The Oak Ridge Police Department and Police Chief Robin Smith offered a $1,000 reward for information about the baby boy found dead near the river bank along Melton Lake Greenway on Thursday, March 26, 2020. The Oak Ridge Police Department has named the baby boy “Wyatt,” which means “little warrior,” the city said. On Thursday, April 2, 2020, ORPD officers and the Oak Ridge Fire Department set up a memorial in baby Wyatt’s name near the parking area on Melton Lake at Edgemoor Road. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Police Department currently has two funds for Baby Wyatt, the unidentified newborn boy found dead in Melton Hill Lake almost two years ago.

The two funds are a memorial fund ($950) and a reward fund ($1,000).

Separate from those two funds, the ORPD has received a $5,246 grant for genetic testing to identify Baby Wyatt. That money will be used specifically for the Baby Wyatt investigation, and any funds left from that grant will be returned to the grant provider, Season of Justice, of Indianapolis, Indiana, the City of Oak Ridge said Monday.

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Historic Downtown Clinton celebrates sign project

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Historic Downtown Clinton celebrated the completion of new landscaping that draws attention to the gateway sign on Main Street.

“Our committee felt this was an important project to welcome people to the Historic District,” a press release said. “WADEscapes Total Lawn and Landscape Management did an amazing job designing, building, and planting to make the sign stand out.”

The sign is located in front of the Walgreens on Main Street.

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Two face death penalty in murder, kidnapping, rape case

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Sean Finnegan, one of two defendants charged in a series of gruesome alleged crimes in Oak Ridge in December 2019, including murder, rape, and kidnapping, is pictured above in a mugshot from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.

Note: This story was last updated at 6 p.m.

An Oak Ridge man and woman face the death penalty after allegedly kidnapping, raping, torturing, and murdering a 36-year-old woman, and mutilating her body and putting it into a freezer in December 2019.

ORPD receives genetic testing grant for Baby Wyatt Doe

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The Oak Ridge Police Department and Police Chief Robin Smith offered a $1,000 reward for information about the baby boy found dead near the river bank along Melton Lake Greenway on Thursday, March 26, 2020. The Oak Ridge Police Department has named the baby boy “Wyatt,” which means “little warrior,” the city said. On Thursday, April 2, 2020, ORPD officers and the Oak Ridge Fire Department set up a memorial in baby Wyatt’s name near the parking area on Melton Lake at Edgemoor Road. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Police Department has received a $5,246 grant for genetic testing to identify Baby Wyatt Doe, the newborn boy found dead in Melton Hill Lake almost two years ago.

The grant is from a nonprofit organization, Season of Justice, of Indianapolis, Indiana. The Oak Ridge City Council could accept the grant for the ORPD during a meeting on Monday.

Wyatt’s body was found near the bank along Melton Lake Greenway, which is along the Clinch River, just north of the Edgemoor Road bridge on Thursday, March 26, 2020.

Oak Ridge Police Chief Robin Smith said that year that the baby boy was being called Wyatt, or “little warrior.”

In 2020, Oak Ridge Today reported that DNA samples had been taken by the medical examiner. Baby Wyatt’s race had not been determined. Police officers were not able to tell from his physical appearance. His umbilical cord was still attached before he was placed in the water, Smith said in a Facebook video. A piece of clothing was with Wyatt, although it hasn’t been described for investigative reasons.

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More than 100 new COVID cases reported Wednesday

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A daily snapshot of COVID-19 cases in Anderson County on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, includes, among other information, the daily number of new cases and the daily positivity rate. (Graphic by Tennessee Department of Health)

More than 100 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Anderson County on Tuesday. That’s the largest number of new cases in one day in almost four months, since the peak of the delta surge. Also, two more COVID deaths were reported between Monday and Wednesday this week. The transmission rate appears to be high; about one out of four people tested for COVID-19 are now testing positive, according to results reported to the state.

The new, more transmissible omicron variant is now the dominant variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the state, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.

The omicron variant has led to a steep spike in new COVID-19 cases around the world.

The seven-day average of new cases in Anderson County on Tuesday was 73.9. That’s more than double, a 250% increase from, the daily new case average of 28.7 just eight days day earlier, on December 27.

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Schools, state offices closed Friday

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Oak Ridge Schools and Tennessee government offices will be closed Friday because of weather and road conditions, and Oak Ridge city offices will open late.

Anderson County government offices could be closed Friday as well, although a decision hadn’t been announced as of 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Winter weather that started Thursday included freezing rain, ice, snow, and cold temperatures, and state offices and schools were closed Thursday also while some city offices closed early.

The cold weather is forecast to continue Friday, although no snow is forecast after midnight Thursday in Oak Ridge.

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