Oak Ridge Today

Today: Council to consider Secret City Festival agreement, comments on DOE landfill

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The Oak Ridge City Council will consider an agreement worth up to $150,000 for the 2016 Secret City Festival and will also consider comments on the federal proposal to build a new landfill west of the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Monday, November 16, in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom at 200 South Tulane Avenue.

See the City Council agenda here. The Secret City Festival agreement is on Page 18 under Resolutions.

See the proposed comments on the U.S. Department of Energy landfill starting on Page 2 of the additions to the agenda. [Read more…]

AC man flown to burn unit in Chattanooga after setting himself on fire Sunday

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An Anderson County man was flown to a burn unit in Chattanooga after reportedly setting himself on fire with gasoline in Claxton on Sunday, authorities said.

The 36-year-old man poured gasoline on his head and set himself on fire Sunday morning, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said in a report. He was apparently having medical and other issues, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said.

The self-immolation was reported on Palm Lane near Claxton Elementary School at about 9:20 a.m. Sunday.

Lucas said the man was transported to the football field at Claxton Elementary School by Anderson County Emergency Medical Services, where a Lifestar medical helicopter picked him up and flew him to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. The man was transferred from UT to a burn unit at Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga by Lifestar.

Lucas said he didn’t know the man’s condition at that time.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

No hazardous, radioactive materials released in small fire at Manufacturing Sciences

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There were no injuries, and no hazardous or radioactive material was released in a small fire in a dust collection system at Manufacturing Sciences Corp. on South Illinois Avenue on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 11:33 a.m.

There were no injuries, and no hazardous or radioactive material was released in a small fire at Manufacturing Sciences Corporation on South Illinois Avenue on Monday morning, officials said.

The was reported in a dust collection system of an oxide processing area at Manufacturing Sciences at about 9:30 a.m. Monday.

“All non-essential personnel were evacuated from the building, and the fire was quickly contained,” said Jeff Jansen, Manufacturing Sciences vice president and general manager. “During this time, the facility maintained negative ventilation, and no hazardous or radioactive material was released to the public.”

About 40 people were evacuated, said Tim Waddell, Manufacturing Sciences business and facilities operations manager. [Read more…]

Football stats: Oak Ridge and Ooltewah

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Oak Ridge freshman Jordan Graham (30) ran for 69 yards on 11 carries in a 26-17 loss at Ooltewah in a second-round Class 5A playoff game on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Oak Ridge lost to Ooltewah, 26-17, in a second-round Class 5A playoff game in Ooltewah on Friday. Here are preliminary stats by Mark Haste.

The Wildcats gained a few more total yards than the Owls, ending with 294 compared to 285. Oak Ridge also had 16 first downs, compared to 10 for Ooltewah.

But mistakes, missed opportunities, and turnovers hurt Oak Ridge in the first quarter, when Ooltewah breezed to a 17-0 lead in the first 11 minutes. Oak Ridge rallied to close the gap to 20-17 late in the third quarter, even after they lost star playmaker Tee Higgins to a knee injury. But it wasn’t enough as Ooltewah scored again in the fourth quarter, and a final Wildcats drive ended with an interception. [Read more…]

Football photos: Oak Ridge and Ooltewah

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Oak Ridge senior running back T.J. Allison (6) led all Wildcats with 94 yards on 20 carries during a 26-17 loss at Ooltewah in a second-round Class 5A playoff game on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 2:40 p.m.

Oak Ridge lost to Ooltewah, 26-17, in a second-round Class 5A playoff game in Ooltewah on Friday. Here are pictures by Julio Culiat.

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Oak Ridge senior defensive end Alex Alcorn (66) was credited with two blocked passes during a 26-17 loss at Ooltewah in a second-round Class 5A playoff game on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

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Family escapes, pets rescued from Delaware Avenue fire

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Randy Word and Jessica Millette Family at Delaware Avenue House Fire on Nov. 14, 2015

A family escaped from a house fire on Delaware Avenue on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 14, 2015, and dogs and a sugar glider were rescued. Pictured above from left are Zaresa, Demetrion, Randy Word, and Akeyrha. Also pictured are two of the three dogs that live at the home, Scale, front, and Breezy, back. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 3:13 p.m.

A family escaped and pets were rescued from a house fire on Delaware Avenue on Saturday afternoon.

The fire was reported at 12:09 p.m. Saturday.

Resident Jessica Millette said a neighbor banged on the door and yelled: “Get out! Get out!”

She went to investigate and saw flames at the back door of the house at 401 Delaware Avenue.

“I yelled, ‘Get out! Get out!,'” Millette said. “There’s fire!” [Read more…]

Down early, Oak Ridge rallies, but falls short at Ooltewah

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Wildcats Tee Higgins Catch at Ooltewah Nov. 13, 2015

Before he was injured, Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins (5) makes an impressive catch during a 26-17 loss at Ooltewah in a second-round Class 5A playoff game on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was updated at 4:45 p.m. Nov. 15.

OOLTEWAH—Oak Ridge gave up 17 points in the first quarter and lost its star playmaker in the second, but the Wildcats rallied to close the gap before falling short in a second-round Class 5A playoff game in Ooltewah on Friday.

The final score was 26-17 in favor of the Owls, who move on to play Rhea County in a Class 5A quarterfinal game next week.

A lot went wrong for Oak Ridge (10-2) in the first quarter at Ooltewah on Friday: an early fumble, a dropped end-zone pass, a missed field goal, and a turnover on a punt return. Ooltewah (10-2) breezed to a 17-0 lead in the first 11 minutes.

Then, Oak Ridge lost star playmaker Tee Higgins late in the second quarter to a knee injury on his right leg. Higgins, a junior standout receiver, defensive back, and punt returner who is a University of Tennessee commitment, did not return. [Read more…]

Update from ORPD: Two victims wounded by gunfire in Scarboro

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Tuskegee Drive Shooting Nov. 13, 2015

Two people were taken to the hospital, including one in a Lifestar helicopter, after a shooting was reported in Scarboro on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The two people wounded by gunfire on Friday were victims of a shooting in Scarboro, authorities said.

The shooting occurred at about 11:57 a.m. Friday near the intersection of South Dillard Avenue and South Fisk Avenue, the Oak Ridge Police Department said in a press release.

The victims left the scene in a vehicle and traveled to a nearby fire station, Oak Ridge Central Fire Station on Tuskegee Drive, where they summoned a passing police officer, the press release said.

Both victims were treated at the scene and transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Their conditions are unknown at this time, and officers haven’t identified them.  One, reported to be a female, was flown out by a UT Lifestar medical helicopter, and the other was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. [Read more…]

Two taken to hospital after shooting reported on Tuskegee

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Tuskegee Drive Shooting Nov. 13, 2015

Two people were taken to the hospital, including one in a Lifestar helicopter, after a shooting was reported on Tuskegee Drive on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:36 p.m.

Two people were taken to the hospital after a shooting was reported on Tuskegee Drive in central Oak Ridge on Friday.

One person was taken by ambulance, and another, reported to be a female, was flown out on a UT Lifestar medical helicopter, which landed on Tuskegee Drive in front of the Oak Ridge Central Fire Station.

There was a report that a person of interest had been detained.

The shooting was reported at about 12 p.m. Friday. The Oak Ridge Police Department and Oak Ridge Police Department were on the scene investigating, and Tuskegee Drive was temporarily closed until about 1:30 p.m. One vehicle, a four-door sedan, was towed away, although it’s not clear why. [Read more…]

Photos: Oak Ridge celebrates new national park

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Ed Westcott and National Park Staff at Celebration on Nov. 12, 2015

Ed Westcott, left, the official government photographer in Oak Ridge during World War II, is pictured above with National Park Service staff members during a celebration of the new Manhattan Project National Historical Park on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This post was last updated at 8:05 a.m. Nov. 13.

Oak Ridge residents and officials celebrated the new Manhattan Project National Historical Park on Thursday, two days after the park was formally established in a signing ceremony in Washington, D.C. Here are photos of Thursday’s celebration at Oak Ridge High School and Jackson Square by John Huotari of Oak Ridge Today.

We will add captions to the photos as we can.

The new park includes Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Hanford, Washington; and Los Alamos, New Mexico. The Manhattan Project was a top-secret program to build the world’s first atomic weapons in World War II, before Germany could. The new park is the first of its type to commemorate the Manhattan Project, which is considered one of the top scientific achievements of the 20th century.

The new park includes four buildings in Oak Ridge: the Graphite Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the footprint of the former K-25 Building at East Tennessee Technology Park, and Building 9731 and Building 9204-3, or Beta-3, at Y-12 National Security Complex. The Alexander Inn, which is not a U.S. Department of Energy building, is also eligible for inclusion.

See a story on the establishment of the park on Tuesday here, and see a story on Thursday’s celebration here.

Colin Colverson, Tracy Atkins, and Warren Gooch at Manhattan Project Park Celebration on Nov. 12, 2015

From left above at a celebration for the new Manhattan Project National Historical Park on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, are Colin Colverson, Oak Ridge Reservation lead for the park in the DOE Oak Ridge Office; Tracy Atkins, project manager for the agreement between DOE and the National Park Service; and Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

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Oak Ridge celebrates new national park

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National Park Celebration at Jackson Square on Nov. 12, 2015

The iconic “War Ends” photo is recreated in part on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, with a “Park Opens” photo that celebrates the new Manhattan Project National Historical Park, which includes Oak Ridge. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 8:20 a.m. Nov. 13.

Federal officials established the new national park that includes Oak Ridge on Tuesday. Oak Ridge residents celebrated on Thursday.

The new park, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, commemorates the Manhattan Project. That was a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic weapons during World War II, before Germany could.

Oak Ridge was the main production site for the Manhattan Project, and uranium enriched at the Y-12 National Security Complex fueled the first atomic bomb used in wartime. It was dropped over Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945, shortly before the war ended. [Read more…]

Photos: Alexander Guest House ribbon-cutting, open house

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Pictured above during a ribbon-cutting and open house at the Alexander Guest House on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, are former Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, left; Rick Dover of Dover Development, the East Tennessee company that converted the historic two-story hotel into an assisted living center; and Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 5, celebrated the conversion of the former Alexander Inn, a historic two-story hotel in central Oak Ridge, into an assisted living center called Alexander Guest House.

The ceremony, which was organized by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, included an open house. Guests toured the new 64-apartment assisted living center, which is located at 210 East Madison Road in Jackson Square.

Preserving the former Alexander Inn had been a dream for years, and those who have toured the two-year, $8 million conversion, completed by Dover Development of East Tennessee, have described it as “lovely” and “absolutely tremendous,” among other superlatives. [Read more…]