Oak Ridge Today

Y-12 protesters say fence hole remains after break-in, officials say it’s repaired

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Hole in Y-12 Perimeter Fence

The Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance says three protesters crossed into the Y-12 National Security Complex through this hole the trio cut in a perimeter fence before dawn on July 28, and OREPA alleges that the hole had not been repaired as of Monday. (Submitted photo)

More than four months after three protesters broke into the Y-12 National Security Complex, a hole that the trio cut in a perimeter fence still hasn’t been repaired, an Oak Ridge group said Wednesday.

In a statement, the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance, which has supported the Y-12 protesters, said two OREPA members went to the nuclear weapons plant on Monday and, after 15 minutes of walking, found the spot where the protesters had cut through an outer fence. It was open from the ground up to a spot about four feet high—a hole large enough for a person to squeeze through, the group said.

But in a statement Thursday afternoon, federal officials said the fence has been repaired.

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Reader pics: Clinton Christmas Parade

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Clinton Christmas Parade First Place

A float by Second Baptist Church featuring a large sleigh and reindeer won first place in the Dec. 1 Christmas parade in Clinton. (Photos courtesy of Janet Hawkins)

A float by Second Baptist Church featuring a large sleigh and reindeer won first place in the Dec. 1 Christmas parade in Clinton.

Ridgedale Baptist Church placed second with a float featuring a large ark.

Anderson County Emergency Medical Services finished third.

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Lorelle Osborne Billingsley

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Lorelle Osborne Billingsley

Lorelle Osborne Billingsley

Lorelle Osborne Billingsley, 100, passed away on Dec. 12, in Oak Ridge at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ellen and Larry Reynolds, where she had lived for the past nine years.

She was born Oct. 7, 1912, in Nashville to parents James Frank Osborne and Mary Ellen Bryant Osborne.

She was the oldest member (and at 73 years the longest-standing member) of the Jackson Park Church of Christ in Nashville. She was able to attend a celebration of her 100th birthday there on Oct. 7 in conjunction with the 80th Anniversary Homecoming of the church.

Her 100th birthday was also celebrated with family and friends in Oak Ridge on Oct. 21 at the Providence House of Highland View Church of Christ.

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Emory Valley Early Learning Center starting infant care services on Jan. 2

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The Emory Valley Early Learning Center recently announced that it is starting infant care services on Jan. 2.

The new service is in response to a need for the service in Anderson County and Oak Ridge, a press release said. It said the Emory Valley Early Learning Center is Anderson County’s only nationally accredited child care program.

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With ‘fiscal cliff’ looming, ORNL says it’s as well-prepared as it can be

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As President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner continue their high-stakes negotiations over tax revenues and spending cuts, officials at Oak Ridge National Laboratory say they have prepared as best they can for automatic spending cuts that could go into effect in January.

“We have been preparing for increased budget pressures for several years now and have taken a number of steps to reduce our costs, including workforce restructuring, benefits changes, reduction in energy consumption, and other operational costs,” ORNL Director Thom Mason said in a statement Monday. “Since we don’t know exactly how any cuts would be allocated by the various governments agencies that fund ORNL, we can’t really say with certainty what the impacts would be, other than to say we are as well-prepared for uncertainty as we can be.”

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Picture: Christmas lights in Oliver Springs

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Oliver Springs Christmas Lights

One of two homes heavily decorated with Christmas lights and lawn ornaments on Browder Circle in Oliver Springs.

OLIVER SPRINGS—A steady stream of cars drove down Browder Circle in Oliver Springs after the Christmas parade on Saturday night, admiring two homes heavily decorated with Christmas lights and ornaments.

Here is one picture. We’ll add more later.

In the meantime, feel free to share any photos you might have of well-decorated homes that catch your attention.

Two more finalists withdraw from superintendent search

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Two more finalists for Oak Ridge Schools superintendent have withdrawn, and the search will have to be re-opened, an official said Wednesday.

One candidate, Roger Collins, toured Oak Ridge this past Friday. The other, Dan Lawson, was scheduled to be here Thursday, but that visit has been canceled.

On Wednesday, Oak Ridge Board of Education Chair Keys Fillauer said Collins and Lawson have decided they want to stay where they are. Collins has been superintendent of Nelson County Public Schools in Lovingston, Va., for 10 years. Lawson, superintendent of Tullahoma City Schools in Tullahoma, Tenn., has been with his district 16 years.

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Connecticut massacre focuses attention on school security in Tennessee

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The school shootings in Newtown, Conn., on Friday have focused attention on school security in Tennessee, led to pledges to increase the police presence at some schools, and bolstered calls for more school resource officers across the state.

It has also revived an intense debate about gun control in the United States.

The shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown last week killed 20 children, six adults, the gunman, and his mother. On Tuesday, the National Rifle Association said it was prepared to “offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again” and would have a major news conference on Friday.

In Tennessee, a few legislators have proposed requiring school resource officers in all schools, training at least one staff member to use firearms, or allowing teachers to carry handguns into schools not patrolled by armed police officers. But it’s not yet clear how much support—or funding—those proposals will have.

In Oak Ridge, Board of Education Chair Keys Fillauer said education officials will continue to advocate for more school resource officers, or SROs. But local officials said adding SROs could depend upon funding.

In Anderson County, Mayor Terry Frank sent out information on Tuesday on the positive measures taken this week by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department after last week’s shooting, including four walk-throughs at Dutch Valley Elementary School on Monday.

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Oak Ridge athletic facility request forms now available

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Request forms are now available for those interested in using Oak Ridge athletic facilities between March 1 and July 31.

The forms are available through the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department at the Civic Center front desk or online at www.orrecparks.org.

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‘Meet and greet’ canceled with second superintendent candidate

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The “meet and greet” that had been scheduled with a second school superintendent candidate on Thursday has been canceled, the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce said Tuesday.

The session had been scheduled for lunchtime Thursday with Dan Lawson. He is superintendent of Tullahoma City Schools in Tullahoma, Tenn.

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Council appoints 43 members to 17 boards

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The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday appointed 43 members to 17 city boards and commissions. Some of the appointees are new board members, and others are incumbents.

Some were for designated positions. For example, two hotel representatives were appointed to the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau, and one City Council member was appointed to the Planning Commission.

Here is a list of the appointments:

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Man accused of ‘head butting,’ choking girlfriend

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An Athens man is accused of “head butting” an Oak Ridge woman on Friday night, punching and kicking her, and choking her “to the point of unconsciousness,” authorities said.

Gerald D. Wells, 26, has been charged with aggravated assault (domestic), and he remained jailed Tuesday morning.

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