Oak Ridge Today

Children’s Halloween Party tonight at A.K. Bissell Park

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The Oak Ridge Children’s Halloween Party is this evening at A.K. Bissell Park.

The party starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m. It includes carnival games, a giant inflatable caterpillar crawl, a game room for toddlers, Halloween cartoon videos, a glow room, and a craft room, a press release said, and the ever-popular Scary Room will return with a pirate theme.

A hayride is planned, weather permitting, the press release said.

Tickets will be sold at the door for 25 cents each, and most of the activities cost one or two tickets. The craft room, cartoon videos, and toddler area are free.

Concessions and souvenirs will also be available for sale in the Glow Room.

Volunteers are still needed. Call the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department at the Civic Center at (865) 425-3450 if you would like to volunteer to help.

A.K. Bissell Park is at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board hosts Tennis Play Day

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Oak Ridge Tennis Play Day

Participants of Saturday’s Tennis Play Day are pictured above. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board hosted a free Tennis Play Day on Saturday as part of the Playful City USA initiative.

“Participants of all ages tried their hand at a variety of challenges, while also learning about new tennis opportunities in Oak Ridge,” a press release said.

United States Tennis Association instructor David Bowman led skills and challenges for the event, the release said.

“This event is an example of the partnerships that the city YAB is attempting to build in the community,” said Matt Reedy, Oak Ridge recreation program supervisor and YAB liaison. “David Bowman is a great resource and advocate for youth tennis here in Oak Ridge, and he is bringing in USTA tournaments several times a year as well.”

Reedy said the YAB subsidized the cost of painting “Quickstart Tennis” lines for kids’ tennis and added an informational sign.

“This event was designed to be free, fun, and informative about youth tennis here in Oak Ridge,” Reedy said.

He said the Youth Advisory Board is working on another new initiative involving a partnership with the Grove Center Merchants to host a Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 1.

“Our annual Breakfast with Santa event has always been hosted in the Oak Ridge Civic Center Gym, and we felt that it was time to change the event up and branch out a bit,” Reedy said. “Through this partnership, we will free up Recreation Department resources for Youth Basketball Leagues to begin, while also supporting local businesses in Grove Center. It is a win-win.”

YAB meetings are held twice per month on Wednesday afternoons at the Oak Ridge Civic Center and are open to the public. Board members serve a one-year term of office and must re-apply in May of each year.

For more information, call Reedy at (865) 425-3442 or visit the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department website at www.orrecparks.org.

Omer Phillips West

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Omer Phillips West

Omer Phillips West

Omer Phillips West, age 81, a resident of Oliver Springs, went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 22, at her home, while surrounded by her family and friends.

Mrs. West was born Sept. 9, 1931, in the New River Community of Anderson County. She and her family moved to Oliver Springs in 1963.

She and her husband co-owned and co-operated West Florist in Oliver Springs for 47 years before their retirement.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Mrs. West was a faithful Christian and a member of the Corbin Hill Baptist Church in Coalfield.

Omer was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey Phillips and Bessie Carroll Phillips; by a son, Virgil West; by sisters, Hazel Bunch, Opal Phillips, and Edna West; by a brother, James Edward Phillips; and by her grandmother, Sallie Carroll.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Eather West of Oliver Springs; by daughters, Wanda Jenkins of Dallas, Texas, and Carolyn Roberts and husband Wayne of Oliver Springs; by sons, James West of Jasper, Ga., and Darrell West and wife Elqueta of Oliver Springs; by 19 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

She is also survived by brothers, Elmer Phillips and wife Jewell of New River, Estel Phillips of Wartburg, and Oscar Phillips of the Beech Fork Community of Morgan County; by special family members, Brenda West and Don Bailey; and by several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many special friends, including a very special friend, Mary Ellen Crowe.

The family received friends Wednesday, Oct. 24, between 6 and 8 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral followed at 8 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor Kevin Ward and Pastor Mark Bass officiating.

Burial and graveside services will be held Thursday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. at Anderson Memorial Gardens.

Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.

Anne Davies

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Beverly Anne Davies

Beverly Anne Davies

Anne Davies, age 77, of Clinton, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Park West Medical Center in Knoxville from complications caused by cancer.

The daughter of James B. and Wilda H. Cunningham, Anne was born Dec. 15, 1934, in Pittsburgh, Pa.

She worked for many years as a preschool teacher with the Anderson County School system and the Head Start program. After retiring, she continued to be very active in the community. She joined the Norris Dames Red Hat Ladies, volunteered with the Norris Food Pantry, took classes through Oak Ridge Institute of Continued Learning, and tutored children at Glenwood Elementary School.

She is survived by her sister Carol Halter and her brother James Cunningham, her son Doug Davies and his wife Debbie, her daughter Beverly Leamon and her husband Scott, and her son Sean Davies and his wife Karin. Anne is also survived by her grandchildren Natasha Cortez, Heather Colandro, Laura Aslinger, Erik Davies, Alexandria Davies, Daniel Leamon, and Katelyn Leamon, and great-grandchildren Brett Stooksbury, Adam Stooksbury, and Aiden Colandro.

A memorial service will be held at the Norris Religious Fellowship Church, 23 Dogwood Rd., Norris,, on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 3 p.m. with Dr. Keith Haverkamp officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorials be made to ORICL, 701 Briarcliff Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 “in memory of Anne Davies” or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Weatherford Mortuary is handling the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.

UT Arboretum Society has Owl Prowl on Saturday

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Owl Prowl

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society has its annual Owl Prowl on Saturday.

It starts at 6:30 p.m. at the UT Arboretum program shelter with a program by the Clinch River Raptor Center, featuring owls found in East Tennessee. Live birds will be on display, and Kathy Strunk and Katie Cottrell will give information about their natural histories, a press release said.

The Raptor Center was started at Clinton Middle School by John Byrd 28 years ago. Since then, 2,090 birds have come to the Raptor Center to be rehabilitated, the press release said.

Strunk and Cottrell have co-directed the Raptor Center for more than 25 years and have given hundreds of programs in East Tennessee on birds of prey.

Saturday’s initial program will be followed by walks on the grounds of the Arboretum led by Strunk, Cottrell, and Byrd, with the goal of hearing some owls. Those who don’t want to go on the walks will have an opportunity to stay at the shelter and visit with the center’s educational owls, the release said.

Participants are encouraged to bring flash lights if they plan to take part in the “owl prowl.”

The UT Arboretum is located at 901 S. Illinois Ave.

To learn more about the Arboretum Society, visit them online at www.utarboretumsociety.org.

Demolition starts on K-25’s north end

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K-25 North End Demolition

Demolition started Wednesday on the north end of the mile-long, U-shaped K-25 Building in west Oak Ridge. (Photo submitted by UCOR)

Demolition work started Wednesday on the north end of the K-25 Building at the East Tennessee Technology Park in west Oak Ridge.

The building was constructed to enrich uranium during World War II as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project, and it was once the world’s largest building under one roof.

Previous plans had called for the north end of the mile-long, U-shaped building to be preserved for historic purposes. But an agreement signed this summer by federal, state, and local historic preservation groups allowed for the entire building to be demolished, including the north end, while still recognizing the historic significance of the site.

Demolition of the building’s east and west wings is complete, except for a small section of the east wing that has technetium-99, or Tc-99, a slow-decaying radioactive metal, according to a Wednesday press release from UCOR, the U.S. Department of Energy’s cleanup contractor in Oak Ridge. The north end forms the base of the “U” and is the smallest of the three sections.

“This is a tremendous day for employees,” said Leo Sain, UCOR president and project manager. “We have been working toward this since we arrived at ETTP, and it’s a testament to people here, at the Department of Energy, and at all the agencies who worked together to make this happen.”

DOE’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, or EM, expects the north end demolition to be complete in January. After that, workers will continue pre-demolition activities in the remaining Tc-99 area of K-25’s east wing, the release said.

“Completing demolition of the K-25 Building is our highest priority, and this is another significant step toward that goal,” said Mark Whitney, Oak Ridge’s EM manager.

The preservation agreement approved this summer calls for a replica equipment building and viewing tower, proposes a history center at a city-owned fire station at ETTP, and provides a $500,000 grant for the run-down Alexander Inn in central Oak Ridge.

During the decade-long discussion over preserving the north end, federal officials had expressed concerns about safety, the deteriorated condition of the building, and the cost of trying to keep that section.

DOE’s Oak Ridge Office awards $10 million information technology contract

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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office has awarded a $10.6 million contract to Global Engineering and Technology-Nuclear Safety Associates LLC, or GET-NSA, for information technology support services. The three-year contract will employ about 30 people in Oak Ridge and at the Pacific Northwest Site Office, a press release said.

“We are pleased with the selection of GET-NSA as the next information technology support contractor for the Oak Ridge Office,” ORO Manager Larry Kelly said. “The services provided under this contract are vital to our success, and we look forward to building a productive, professional relationship with GET-NSA.”

Tasks performed under the contract include a broad array of support activities that include cyber security operations, network operations, information engineering and systems development, and end-user support and help-desk type services.

The press release said GET-NSA is based in Oak Ridge, and it is a joint venture between Global Engineering and Technology Inc., based in Miami, Fla., and Nuclear Safety Associates Inc. of Johnson City. The contract’s period of performance is three years, including all options, the release said.

Animal control officers resign, shelter open fewer hours

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Oak Ridge Animal Shelter

Two animal control officers have resigned, and the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Belgrade Road will be open fewer hours.

Two animal control officers resigned suddenly Tuesday, so the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter will reduce the hours it is open to the public, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Wednesday.

For now, the shelter on Belgrade Road in east Oak Ridge will be open from 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays thru Saturdays, a press release said.

Oak Ridge Police Chief James T. Akagi declined to name the two officers who resigned from the three-person staff or explain the circumstances.

The city is accepting applications for the two animal control jobs through Wednesday, Oct. 31. More information is available at oakridgetn.gov.

In the meantime, the press release said, volunteers are encouraged to continue to take part in shelter activities.

Alexander: UPF, ORNL remain priorities even in tough economic times

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Senator Lamar Alexander at Hoskins Drug Store

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, center, a Tennessee Republican, visited Hoskins Drug Store in Clinton on Tuesday to show support for state Rep. John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican seeking re-election.

CLINTON—Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Uranium Processing Facility remain funding priorities even in tough economic times, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander said Tuesday.

A Tennessee Republican, Alexander said all federal government funding is under pressure and should be until the nation’s debt is under control. But the UPF at the Y-12 National Security Complex is the top priority of the U.S. Department of Energy, the senator said. And ORNL performs crucial missions, the senator said.

“In difficult times, they’ll still continue to receive a good funding stream,” he said.

Alexander said he would also like to see cleanup work continue in Oak Ridge, including mercury cleanup projects.

Alexander said the UPF project, which could cost up to $6.5 billion, is a costly 50-75 year decision that could affect the health and safety of hundreds of workers, and it should proceed as rapidly as possible, although a good design is needed.

Republicans Support Ragan

Top local, state, and federal Republicans and other residents turned out at Hoskins Drug Store on Tuesday to show support for Tennessee Rep. John Ragan, fourth from left, who is seeking re-election in the Nov. 6 election.

Asked about the July 28 security breach at Y-12, Alexander said it shouldn’t have happened, but he’s not ready to turn over security to another government department, as U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, an Ohio Republican, has proposed.

Alexander said “some heads have rolled,” and investigations have been launched that will help determine the right next steps.

He said roughly $3 billion in federal money is spent in Oak Ridge each year for all DOE facilities. But there have been budget uncertainties caused by Congress’ inability to make decisions, Alexander said.

Alexander was at Hoskins Drug Store in Clinton on Tuesday with other top local, state, and federal Republicans to show support for Rep. John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican who is running against former Rep. Jim Hackworth, a Clinton Democrat, in one of the half-dozen key races in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Maggie Clayton Newman

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Maggie Bell Newman

Maggie Bell Newman

Maggie Clayton Newman, age 88, passed away, Sunday, Oct. 21, at her home at Courtyard Senior Living in Oak Ridge. She was a member of Heritage Fellowship Church.

Maggie was born June 17, 1924, to Ralph D. and Ellen R. Clayton in Dayton, Tenn.

In October of 1941, she married Luke Newman. Maggie and Luke moved to Clinton when Luke went to work for Tennessee Valley Authority at Bull Run Steam Plant in the spring of 1964.

Maggie was preceded in death by her husband, parents and grandson, Matthew Newman.

She is survived by her sons and their wives, Luke and Tedi Newman, Don and Nancy Newman, and David and Gail Newman; and grandchildren, Kelle Knight, Whitney Newman, Stephanie and Stephen French, Sheri and Stan Howze, Jeremy and Jamie Newman, Jennifer and Shane Johnson, and Max and Rachel Newman. Maggie is also survived by seven great-grandchildren.

A special thank you to Kathy Taylor and the rest of Maggie’s extended family at Courtyard Senior Living and to Amedisys Hospice.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 3–5 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral will follow at 5 p.m. with the Rev. Paul Metler officiating.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Anderson Memorial Gardens.

An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.

Lady Wildcats lose regional soccer match to Knoxville Catholic

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Lady Wildcats and Knox Catholic Soccer

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats lost an exciting, hard-fought regional tournament soccer match to Knoxville Catholic at Oak Ridge High School on Tuesday night.

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats lost in a penalty kick shootout during a regional tournament soccer match with Knoxville Catholic on Tuesday night.

The game was tied 1-1 after 80 minutes of regular time and 30 minutes of extra time at Oak Ridge High School. Knoxville Catholic beat Oak Ridge 4-2 in the best-of-five shootout that followed, coming up with two crucial saves.

Both teams had missed opportunities to score during the game, and Oak Ridge had several shots bounce off the crossbar and posts.

“You’ve got to finish those,” Lady Wildcats soccer coach Tom Gorman said. “Close doesn’t cut it.”

It was a disappointing finish to an exciting, hard-fought game for the Lady Wildcats.

Oak Ridge beat Hardin Valley in the district tournament game last week and finished the season 17-1-3, Gorman said.

Knoxville Catholic goes on to play Farragut on Thursday.

City replaces broken South Jefferson Circle utility pole

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City Replaces South Jefferson Utility Pole

Oak Ridge work crews on Monday replace a South Jefferson Circle utility pole that was damaged in a single-vehicle accident on Sunday night. (Photo by Tom Scott)

Oak Ridge work crews on Monday replaced a South Jefferson Circle utility pole that was damaged in a single-vehicle accident on Sunday night.

In that accident, a car hit a cable holding up the utility pole, breaking it and briefly knocking out power to about 690 customers on Louisiana Avenue and side streets.

The driver was reportedly taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center with what appeared to be minor injuries.

City workers used a utility truck to hold the pole in place through Sunday night.

Oak Ridge Electric Department Director Jack Suggs said there were no more power outages while the pole was replaced Monday afternoon.