Oak Ridge Today

Mason, an IDB member, community volunteer, dies of COVID complications

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David Mason

David Lane Mason, a member of the Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board and community volunteer, died of COVID-19 complications on Monday. He was 79.

Mason was a former deputy director of environmental management and enrichment facilities at the former K-25 site, and he retired from the United States Enrichment Corporation in 2005 as the director of Centrifuge Engineering and Manufacturing Project, according to his obituary.

As a founding member of the Oak Ridge Rowing Association, Mason helped develop and build the rowing course at Melton Hill Lake, his obituary said. As a member of the Sunset Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, he helped establish the annual Da Vinci Arts and Science Fair for elementary and middle school students, the obituary said.

A nuclear physicist and Oak Ridge resident, Mason died at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville on Monday. He was a community advocate for more than 50 years, his obituary said.

Here is more information about Dave Mason from his obituary:

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Which Wich closes

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Which Wich restaurant on Oak Ridge Turnpike closed Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020.

The Which Wich restaurant on Oak Ridge Turnpike closed on Thursday, December 31.

The Which Wich corporate office and Oak Ridge location have not responded to emails asking about the closing this week, and Oak Ridge Today was not able to reach the company and Oak Ridge location by phone on Wednesday and Thursday.

Snow possible early Friday

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Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

A winter storm is expected in East Tennessee early Friday, and there is a chance of snow in Oak Ridge, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

Heavy wet snow is expected to develop in parts of East Tennessee early Friday morning. The forecast says heavy snow is most likely in the mountains.

“While temperatures are forecast to be above freezing across the valley, heavy wet snow is forecast to accumulate,” the National Weather Service said. “Forecasts across the valley still have considerable uncertainty, so continue to check back for the latest.” (Read more here.)

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December: 2,500 COVID cases, 43 deaths, 43 hospitalizations

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These charts show the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations by month in Anderson County since March 2020. (Charts by Oak Ridge Today)

Anderson County reported more than 2,500 new cases of COVID-19 in December and 43 deaths and 43 hospitalizations.

It was the worst month of the pandemic by far, part of a statewide surge after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Lee limits indoor public gatherings, indoor sports attendance

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Bill Lee

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee last week signed an order limiting indoor public gatherings, with some exceptions, to fewer than 10 people. The governor also limited attendance at indoor sporting events in coordination with the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association. And he asked business owners to let employees work from home for the next 30 days.

Many people wondered if the governor would issue a mask mandate during a statewide address on Sunday. He did not.

Proposal to close courthouse offices for COVID sent to committee

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A proposal to temporarily close Anderson County Courthouse offices to the public because of COVID-19 and to have much business conducted remotely was referred to a committee last week.

The Anderson County Commission considered the motion on Monday, December 21. The proposal to switch to remote work for courthouse offices was made by Commissioner Theresa Scott and seconded by Commissioner Catherine Denenberg of districts six and seven in Oak Ridge.

Snow likely this afternoon, evening

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Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

Snow is likely in the Oak Ridge area starting late this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

The forecast called for rain before 3 p.m. Rain mixed with snow are likely between 3 and 4 p.m., and snow is likely after 4 p.m., the National Weather Service said. A total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

There is a chance of snow before 7 p.m. Christmas Eve, then a chance of snow showers, mainly between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. Christmas Day, the Weather Service said.

The high today (Thursday, December 24) was forecast at 49. Tonight is expected to be mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. The chance of precipitation tonight is 40 percent.

It was raining in Oak Ridge mid-afternoon Thursday, and the rain was mixed with snow starting at 3 p.m.

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More than 700 school-aged children have had COVID in AC

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This chart by Oak Ridge Today shows COVID-19 cases among children 5-18 years old in Anderson County by month starting in August. Note: December is a partial month.

More than 700 school-aged children have tested positive for COVID-19 in Anderson County since the pandemic began March 20, and the growth in cases among children 5-18 years old is accelerating, according to state data.

It’s not clear what long-term effects COVID-19 might have on children. Anecdotally, in social media posts, some parents have discussed a continued loss of taste and smell among their children.

In two weeks, AC reports 1,500 COVID cases, 17 deaths, 22 hospitalizations

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These charts by Oak Ridge Today show new COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations by month in Anderson County since the pandemic began March 20, 2020. Note: December is a partial month.

In the past two weeks, Anderson County has reported more than 1,500 new cases of COVID-19, according to state data. The county has also reported 17 deaths and 22 hospitalizations in those 14 days.

About 2 percent of the county’s roughly 77,000 residents tested positive for COVID-19 in those two weeks, and almost 7 percent of the population has been infected since the pandemic began March 20.

‘Great Conjunction’ of Jupiter, Saturn in night sky this evening

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Jupiter and Saturn will appear to come together in the night sky this evening, as the two bright planets closely align and Jupiter overtakes Saturn, from our vantage point, in its orbit around the Sun.

It’s an astronomical event known as the “Great Conjunction.” It’s also popularly known as the “Christmas Star,” according to NASA.

Tonight (Monday, December 21) will be the culmination of the planetary conjunction.

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Governor to address Tennessee after statewide COVID-19 surge

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Bill Lee

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee will deliver a statewide address to Tennesseans about the COVID-19 surge on Sunday, December 20, at 7 p.m. Central time.

Lee’s remarks will be broadcast on Facebook and YouTube.

Anderson County averaging one COVID-19 death, two hospitalizations per day

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A daily snapshot of COVID-19 cases in Anderson County on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, includes, among other information, the daily number of new cases and the daily positivity rate. (Graphic by Tennessee Department of Health)

Governor cites Thanksgiving decisions while discussing state surge

Anderson County is averaging about one COVID-19 death and close to two hospitalizations per day, according to state data, as Tennessee tops the nation and world in new cases per day per capita.