Oak Ridge Today

NSPS names new general manager of DOE protective forces

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Michael Voce

Michael Voce

National Strategic Protective Services LLC, the security contractor for U.S. Department of Energy facilities in Oak Ridge, has a new general manager who will start Oct. 1.

Michael Voce will replace general manager Greg McDowell, whose resignation was announced in July.

NSPS, a joint venture of Triple Canopy Inc. and Securiguard Inc., provides protective force services to the East Tennessee Technology Park, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Joe L. Evins Federal Building. [Read more…]

Athletes from East Tennessee, Atlanta race on stand up paddleboards

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Stand Up Paddleboarding Elite Race Winner

Greg Tysor of Atlanta finishes first in a seven-mile stand up paddleboarding race on the Clinch River at Oak Ridge Marina on Sunday. Tysor’s time was 1:13:54.

Racers from Knoxville, Atlanta, Chattanooga, and East Tennessee competed Sunday in the first stand up paddleboarding, or SUP, competition in Oak Ridge.

The new event was called the Secret City SUP Classic, and it featured two afternoon races at the Oak Ridge Marina on Melton Lake Park. One was a two-mile fun race, and the other was a seven-mile elite race.

It’s part of a new human-powered sports initiative in Oak Ridge, said Sam Jones, sales manager for the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau. That initiative also includes the Neon Vibe 5K—an after-dark, fluorescent glow light fun run—scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21, at A.K. Bissell Park. [Read more…]

Wilcox never gave up on plan to preserve K-25 history, former DOE manager says

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K-25 Building Aerial View

Now mostly demolished, the former mile-long, U-shaped K-25 Building is pictured above. Bill Wilcox, a former technical director at K-25 and the Y-12 National Security Complex, led the fight to preserve K-25’s history. Wilcox died Monday, Sept. 2, and his funeral was Saturday. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy)

The fight to preserve the history of the K-25 site in west Oak Ridge was long and arduous. Among the challenges were federal funding battles and deteriorated building conditions.

Other people might have considered the dilapidated K-25 Building, once the world’s largest building under one roof, a “useless hulk,” one friend and colleague said. But historic preservationist Bill Wilcox, who died Monday evening, never gave up on his dream of honoring the site’s history.

Now mostly demolished, the mile-long, U-shaped K-25 Building was erected as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project. That was a federal program to build the world’s first atomic bombs during World War II. But the four-story building has been shut down since 1964 and fallen into disrepair, and the U.S. Department of Energy is converting the site into a massive industrial park and demolishing many of the original buildings. [Read more…]

Gaddis returns to Oak Ridge in 51-14 win over Clinton

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Jaylin Henderson and Clinton Defender

Oak Ridge quarterback Jaylin Henderson is pursued by Clinton Dragons linebacker Shane Hooks during a 51-14 victory for the Wildcats at Blankenship Field on Friday.

Oak Ridge Wildcats Coach Joe Gaddis returned to Blankenship Field on Friday with a 51-14 win over the Clinton Dragons.

The Wildcats, who started and stuck with senior Jaylin Henderson at quarterback this week after trying three quarterbacks last week, are now 1-1.

“I am definitely happy,” Gaddis said after the lopsided victory. “We’re going to do this a bunch more.” [Read more…]

Lake City man convicted of conspiracy to make 50+ grams of meth

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Jeffery Scott Braden

Jeffery Scott Braden

He was the only one of 42 people indicted earlier this year to go to trial in an unprecedented meth-making conspiracy, and now the Lake City man has been found guilty, authorities said Friday.

After a three-day federal trial, a jury convicted Jeffrey Scott Braden of conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; the possession of equipment, chemicals, products, and materials that can be used to make it; and being a felon in possession of ammunition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Braden was tried in U.S. District Court in Knoxville. [Read more…]

Wildcats play first home football game tonight

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Oak Ridge Wildcats and Farragut Admirals

The Oak Ridge Wildcats play their first home game of the 2013 season against Clinton at 7:30 p.m. today at Blankenship Field. It’s also Former Wildcat Night. The Wildcats are pictured above playing the Farragut Admirals last week.

The Oak Ridge Wildcats play the Clinton Dragons in their first home game of the 2013 season at 7:30 p.m. today (Friday) at Blankenship Field.

It’s also Former Wildcat Night, and organizers said they hope to have a large group of former players walk down the steps at Jack Armstrong Stadium. They will meet at the top of the steps at 6:46 p.m. and, led by former player Jackie Pope, walk down the steps at 6:55 p.m. [Read more…]

Seven arrested in prostitution sting in Oliver Springs

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Six men and one woman were arrested during a prostitution sting in Oliver Springs last week, authorities said.

The Aug. 29 joint operation was within a half-mile of Norwood Elementary and Middle School, and the bust involved the Oliver Springs Police Department and the Seventh District Crime Task Force, OSPD Chief Kenneth Morgan said in a Thursday evening press release.

“We conducted this operation with the hope of stopping a growing issue before it became a major problem,” Morgan said. [Read more…]

Drumming, spirituality workshop set for Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church


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Matt Meyer

Matt Meyer

A drumming and spirituality workshop has been scheduled for Sept. 15 at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church on Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Drums will be available, or you can bring your own. The workshop will be led by Matt Meyer, and it starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15.

The workshop is open to people of all skill levels, and it will include instruction on basic techniques, as well as information on the origins of percussion instruments from around the world, a press release said. Participants will also experience the spirituality of community music-making through stories, games, and discussions. [Read more…]

State grant to be used for sidewalks, crosswalks at Andersonville Elementary

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A $242,256 state grant announced Thursday will be used for sidewalks, crosswalks, signs, and pavement markings in the school zone near Andersonville Elementary School, Tennessee officials announced Thursday. It will also fund educational programs and activities that encourage walking and biking as a practical and healthy initiative.

The Anderson County grant was part of $2.1 million in grants awarded to 15 municipalities across Tennessee and announced Thursday under the Safe Routes to School program. That nationwide initiative is designed to make bicycling and walking to school safer, more appealing, and healthier for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. [Read more…]

Pictures: Bill Wilcox celebrates milestones with friends, officials

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Bill Wilcox and Ray Smith

These half-dozen photos are from a collection by D. Ray Smith showing city historian Bill Wilcox, who died Monday, celebrating recent milestones, including his 90th birthday earlier this year and the unveiling of the Birth of a City monuments in front of the Oak Ridge Municipal Building a few years ago.

Smith is Y-12 National Security Complex historian and newspaper columnist, and Wilcox, a passionate advocate for preserving Oak Ridge’s history, was his friend.

The funeral for Wilcox and a community reception are Saturday. [Read more…]

Police arrest two teens after recovering items from two-week burglary spree

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Burglary Items Recovered by ORPD

The Oak Ridge Police Department recovered several thousand dollars worth of merchandise allegedly stolen during a string of burglaries during the past two weeks. Two teenagers were arrested and charged with burglary and possession of stolen property.

Police searching an apartment in east Oak Ridge early Thursday morning recovered several thousand dollars worth of items allegedly taken in burglaries during the past few weeks, and two teenagers were arrested and charged with burglary and possession of stolen property, authorities said.

The stolen items, which fill a table at the police station, include backpacks and women’s accessories, sporting equipment such as golf clubs, and electronic merchandise  such as cell phones, GPS systems, and a television. Police said they will try to match the items to recent reports of stolen equipment, and officers will call victims.

After the Thursday morning search, the Oak Ridge Police Department arrested Chase Davis, 19, and Bryson Higgins, 18. They both live in an apartment on Erskine Lane at the Tara Hills Apartments, and they face multiple counts of burglary and possession of stolen property. [Read more…]

AC EMS doesn’t carry most medications found during search of doctor’s home, director says

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Michael Lapaglia

Michael A. Lapaglia

Its former medical director was arrested Tuesday on drug and gun charges, and Anderson County Emergency Medical Services issued a statement on Wednesday that said most of the medications allegedly found in the home of Dr. Michael A. LaPaglia are not carried by the ambulance service.

The statement also said that the Anderson County EMS medical director is never allowed or provided access to any controlled equipment, supplies, or medications.

“Anderson County EMS has a very solid and concise procedure for controlled substances, with many levels of reporting and accountability,” Director Nathan Sweet said. [Read more…]