Oak Ridge Today

Mall demolition begins

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Oak Ridge Mall Demolition Sears July 26 2016

Demolition of the former Oak Ridge Mall began Tuesday. Crews demolished a significant part of the former Sears store Tuesday morning, July 26, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12:15 p.m.

Demolition of the former Oak Ridge Mall began Tuesday. Crews demolished a significant part of the former Sears store Tuesday morning.

The demolition is expected to include the enclosed space between Belk and JCPenney, the two remaining anchors at the former mall.

Plans call for replacing the former mall with Main Street Oak Ridge, a 58-acre, $75 million mixed-use development that could include retailers, restaurants, residential units, and a hotel. Belk and JCPenney are part of Main Street Oak Ridge, and they remain open during demolition of the mall’s enclosed spaces and construction of new stores. [Read more…]

One driver possibly injured when SUV rolls in two-car crash on Turnpike

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Oak Ridge Turnpike Illinois Avenue Crash July 21 2016

One driver was possibly injured and had to be extricated by the Oak Ridge Fire Department after a two-car crash on Oak Ridge Turnpike near Illinois Avenue on Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A driver was possibly injured when his sport utility vehicle rolled after colliding with another SUV on Oak Ridge Turnpike on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

The crash was reported in the westbound lanes of Oak Ridge Turnpike just east of Illinois Avenue at about 1:38 p.m. Thursday.

Authorities said Charles W. Rhoads, 70, Oak Ridge, was driving west in the left lane in a 2002 GMC Envoy SUV when he tried to move over to the right lane, hitting the left side of a 2005 Ford Escape SUV driven by Carla F. Wheeler, 48, of Kingston.

The Envoy driven by Rhoads turned over onto its driver side after the collision, a crash report said. Rhoads was trapped, and the Oak Ridge Fire Department used power tools and a crew to remove him before he was taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Fox Auto Salvage shutting down, could be replaced by heavy equipment leasing company

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Fox Auto Salvage July 22 2016

Fox Auto Salvage on Melton Lake Drive is shutting down, and the business could be replaced by a company that leases heavy equipment, the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission was told Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Fox Auto Salvage on Melton Lake Drive is shutting down, and the business could be replaced by a company that leases heavy equipment, the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission learned Thursday.

Owner Tom Fox of Fox Auto Salvage said the business has been open since 1981, and he’s owned it since 1997.

Fox Auto Salvage is no longer accepting salvaged cars, and the company has disposed of most everything, Fox said. [Read more…]

Photos: Synthetic turf at Anderson County football stadium

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Anderson County Mavericks Stadium Synthetic Turf July 22 2016 1

The synthetic turf field has been installed at Anderson County Mavericks football stadium, and the new field is pictured above on Friday, July 22, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The synthetic turf field has been installed at the Anderson County Mavericks football stadium. The work was complete this month.

Here are photos of the new field from Friday, July 22.

More information about the field will be added as it becomes available.

Anderson County Mavericks Stadium Synthetic Turf July 22 2016 2

The synthetic turf field has been installed at Anderson County Mavericks football stadium, and the new field is pictured above on Friday, July 22, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

[Read more…]

Two injured, one picked up by medical helicopter after head-on crash on Mahoney Road

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Two-Car Crash on Mahoney Road July 21 2016 Slider

Two people were injured and one was picked up by a medical helicopter after a head-on two-vehicle crash on Mahoney Road in Oliver Springs on Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 12:30 a.m.

OLIVER SPRINGS—Two drivers were injured and one was picked up by a medical helicopter after a head-on two-vehicle crash on Mahoney Road in Oliver Springs on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

The crash was reported at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday near New Mountain View Baptist Church. Charges are pending against one of the drivers, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The THP said a 1997 Cadillac STS driven by Blake Brakins, 33, of Oak Ridge, was traveling south on Mahoney Road when it crossed over the center line and crashed head-on into a 2016 Ford Fusion traveling north on Mahoney Road and driven by Isabel Cates, 80, of Oliver Springs.

Brakins and Cates were both injured, the THP said. Cates was wearing a seat belt, while Brakins was not, authorities said. [Read more…]

Mother receives free home energy upgrades through city, TVA program; more spots available

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MORE2 Home Improvements Quilliams Heat Pump July 20 2016

Brittany Quilliams of Oak Ridge stands next to a new heat pump installed as part of the Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient program, which is funded by a $2.9 million Tennessee Valley Authority grant announced in September 2015. Quilliams’ home on Bunker Lane is one of the first three improved in Oak Ridge, and she shared her story with media and officials on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 10:15 a.m.

A single mother of two received free energy upgrades to her home through a program funded by a $2.9 million Tennessee Valley Authority grant, and more spots are available for qualified Oak Ridge residents interested in the free energy efficiency improvements.

During a ceremony at lunchtime Wednesday, Brittany Quilliams said the improvements to her home on Bunker Lane in west Oak Ridge include a heat pump, which replaced her old heating and air-conditioning system; ductwork under her house; insulation in her attic; and new vents at the back of her house. The updates were completed about a month-and-a-half ago.

Quilliams said she has noticed that her home, one of the first three to be upgraded in Oak Ridge, is cooling quicker. Though she’s only received one utility bill since the upgrades, she has noticed a change in the bill.

“I think more people should take advantage of it,” said Quilliams, referring to the energy efficiency program. “It saves me money. It’s a great program.”

The program is called Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient, or MORE2. There are 200 spots left in the program, which is available to residents who meet income requirements and live in homes that have electric heat and are at least 20 years old, among other qualifications. Participants can either own or rent the qualifying home, which must be within the city limits.

[Read more…]

Mall demolition begins with ceremonial groundbreaking, knocking down of wall

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Main Street Oak Ridge Groundbreaking July 20 2016

Demolition of the former Oak Ridge Mall began Wednesday, July 20, 2016, with a ceremonial groundbreaking and the knocking down of a wall near the former Goody’s store, starting construction on a 58-acre mixed-use retail development known as Main Street Oak Ridge. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 7 p.m.

Demolition of the former Oak Ridge Mall began Wednesday with a ceremonial groundbreaking and the knocking down of a wall near the former Goody’s store, starting construction on a 58-acre mixed-use retail development known as Main Street Oak Ridge.

Demolition could last three months, and the construction of two new stores, T.J. Maxx and Dick’s Sporting Goods, could start where the former Sears building is in October. New stores could open in the spring of 2017.

Officials, business representatives, and the community celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday. About 300 or more people attended. After the groundbreaking on a hot, sunny summer afternoon, those celebrating, including children and adults, had a chance to spray graffiti on part of the old mall as a fundraiser for the renovation of Blankenship Field.

Main Street Oak Ridge is now the largest multi-tenant commercial retail project in the city, said Parker Hardy, president of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. [Read more…]

Arts Council celebrating 60 years, asks for your support in United Arts Fund Drive

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Arts Council of Oak Ridge 200x200

The Arts Council of Oak Ridge is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and the organization is asking for your support in its United Arts Fund Drive.

“Our annual United Arts Fund Drive is a way for you or your business to help keep the arts alive and thriving in Oak Ridge,” a letter to supporters said.

The eight members of the Arts Council of Oak Ridge are Oak Ridge Art Center, Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association, Tennessee Mountain Writers, Oak Ridge Playhouse/Junior Playhouse, Oak Ridge Community Orchestra, Oak Ridge Community Band, and Music Arts School.

The Arts Council promotes the organizations and their events, raises funds, and provides a network to help them grow, the letter to supporters said.

Pledges to the United Arts Fund Drive must be received by July 31 to be included in programs and publications. [Read more…]

Aggravated robbery charge dismissed, Oak Ridge man will get gun back

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Xyrius Jaeren Dickerson

Xyrius Jaeren Dickerson

An aggravated robbery charge filed against an Oak Ridge man in June was dismissed on Tuesday, and the man will get his gun back, court records said.

A hearing had been scheduled for Xyrius Jaeren Dickerson, 21, in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge on Tuesday afternoon.

But the charge was dismissed, attorney David Stuart said. The alleged victim has refused to appear, he said.

Prosecutors had no choice but to not oppose the motion to dismiss, Stuart said.

The defense also got an order to get Dickerson’s gun back, Stuart said. The gun had been placed into evidence at the Oak Ridge Police Department. Its return to Dickerson is subject to a few conditions, including proof of ownership and compliance with city rules and regulations. [Read more…]

Donate $10, spray paint on part of old mall—money goes to Blankenship Field

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Main-Street-Oak-Ridge-Celebration-1

As part of the Main Street Oak Ridge groundbreaking on Wednesday, you will have a chance to spray paint on part of the old mall in exchange for a $10 donation, and the money raised will be used for the Blankenship Field Renovation Project.

It’s part of the Main Street Oak Ridge celebration at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. The City of Oak Ridge is helping to raise the money for Blankenship Field.

“The fundraising opportunity will be one of the last items in the program, after the groundbreaking and ceremonial demolition we have planned,” a city statement said. “Participants will be asked to donate $10 to the field renovation project. In return, they’ll get to spray paint a designated area on the outside of the old mall building. People can write whatever they’d like (as long as it’s tasteful), but we see this as a special opportunity for the community to bid the ‘mall’ farewell.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge shows support for police; department emphasizing de-escalation

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ORPD Flowers Cake July 12 2016

An ambush of police in Dallas on July 7, 2016, killed five officers, and after the shooting, East Tennessee residents showed support for the Oak Ridge Police Department, sending cake, flowers, and food, and buying lunches, among other things. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

After an ambush of police in Dallas killed five officers on July 7, the Oak Ridge community rallied around its police department, and Police Chief Jim Akagi said he’s thankful.

People bought lunches for officers anonymously, and residents and organizations dropped off or sent hot meals, cakes, snacks, flowers, and pastries, Akagi said during a July 12 interview. Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch addressed the department during a roll call last week, and someone bought the chief’s lunch as well.

“I cannot thank them enough,” Akagi said of the show of community support. “It’s just the little things: They mean a lot to us.”

Akagi said Oak Ridge is lucky to have a police department with the scale, the talent, and the officers that it has.

But, “the Oak Ridge Police Department is even more lucky to have a community that supports them and has their back,” he said. [Read more…]

More details on Wednesday groundbreaking at Main Street Oak Ridge

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Main Street Oak Ridge Demolition Equipment July 18 2016 Slider

RealtyLink, the Greenville, South Carolina, company developing Main Street Oak Ridge at the former Oak Ridge Mall, has said demolition machinery would be at the site the week of July 18. Above, some machinery is pictured at the site on Monday, July 18, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The city has released a few more details on the groundbreaking at Main Street Oak Ridge on Wednesday. The main details are the location and the names of some of the participants.

The groundbreaking is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, inside the fence on the JCPenney, Belk, and Cinemark Tinseltown side of the 300 block of East Main Street.

Those scheduled to participate are Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch, members of Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce President Parker Hardy, and others who have played a significant role in project development.

The public is invited. [Read more…]