Oak Ridge Today

B&W Y-12 notifies WSI Oak Ridge of possible contract termination

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WSI Oak Ridge could lose its security contract at the Y-12 National Security Complex if it doesn’t take action to address recent security concerns, B&W Y-12 announced Tuesday.

WSI received a notice of a potential contract termination “for default” on Aug. 31, two days after an unspecified Aug. 29 “on-site personnel incident” that allegedly involved a WSI staff member. However, B&W Y-12 didn’t provide more details in a press release it sent out Tuesday.

“At no time during the personnel incident was there risk to the Y-12 employees, community, or to the special nuclear materials,” the release said.

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Hearing date delayed for sword stabbing suspect

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The hearing date for an Oak Ridge man accused of stabbing another man with a sword has been postponed until Oct. 4, attorney Marty Cizek said.

Cizek said a psychiatric evaluation that was ordered on July 24 for Jeffrey John Smith, 30, is not complete. Smith had been scheduled to have an Aug. 28 hearing in General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge.

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Frank makes personnel change, Beauchamp laid off

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In her first high-profile personnel change, new Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Anderson County Grants Coordinator Alan Beauchamp has been laid off due to an office restructuring.

“I was forced to do that to have assistants in the office,” said Frank, who was elected Aug. 2 and officially took office at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1.

Frank said there were no longer be one full-time grants coordinator. Instead, Richard Burroughs, her chief campaign volunteer, will serve as both grants coordinator and chief of staff.

More information will be added later.

Seeking delay, Y-12 protesters have Friday hearing in federal court

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A Friday hearing has been scheduled for the three protesters accused of sneaking into the Y-12 National Security Complex on July 28 and spray-painting slogans and splashing human blood on the Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility, where bomb-grade uranium is stored.

The three protesters—Greg Boertje-Obed, Megan Rice, and Michael R. Walli—have asked Magistrate Judge C. Clifford Shirley to delay their Oct. 10 trial in U.S. District Court in Knoxville.

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Developer could request tax incentives at Alexander Inn

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An unnamed business could request tax incentives to redevelop the historic but run-down Alexander Inn, city officials said Friday.

The Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board could hear a few brief summary of the proposal during a meeting this afternoon, although few details are publicly available. The potential owner or developer could request tax increment financing, or TIF, which uses new property tax revenues generated at a site to pay for improvements.

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Y-12 Construction hits one million hour mark without lost-time injury

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Y-12 Construction Safety Milestone

Jim Haynes, deputy general manager of projects at Y-12 National Security Complex, congratulates construction workers during a celebration luncheon Thursday. (Photo submitted by B&W Y-12)

B&W Y-12 announced last week that its direct-hire construction team has worked one million hours without a lost-time injury.

A press release said some 285 people—including building trade crafts, non-manual staff, and escorts—worked without a lost-time accident during the 633-day period. The construction team’s last lost workday was in September 2010.

Senior leaders from the National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office, or NPO, and B&W Y‑12 congratulated the workers during a celebration Thursday.

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First Safety Fest starts Sept. 11 at New Hope Center

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The first Oak Ridge Safety Fest will be held Sept. 11-14 at the New Hope Center and other venues.

The purpose of Safety Fest is to offer free training to promote safety and good health at work and home, a press release said. It is sponsored by the Oak Ridge Business Safety Partnership.

At least 30 courses, all taught by experienced volunteer trainers, will be offered for free to anyone who registers at www.safetyfest-oakridge.org, the release said.

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ADFAC celebrates new home for expectant mother

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Carly Gilbert ADFAC Home

Officials and volunteers celebrate the Thursday opening of an ADFAC home for Oak Ridge resident Carly Gilbert, second from right. From left are ADFAC board president Tom Marshall, Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, a Tennessee Housing Development Agency representative, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason, and ADFAC Executive Director Annie Cachiero.

She’s been living with her parents in west Oak Ridge, but child care worker Carly Gilbert will soon have a home of her own.

The 25-year-old expects to move into a home on Robertsville Road within about a week. She has a 30-year-mortgage on the home, built with the help of Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties and volunteers from UT-Battelle, which manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“I’m a little overwhelmed but very happy,” said Gilbert, a teacher for Anderson County Early Head Start in Oliver Springs. “I’ve never owned a home.”

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Hensley seeks re-election in November

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Charlie Hensley

Charlie Hensley

Charlie Hensley has announced he is seeking re-election to Oak Ridge City Council on Nov. 6.

First elected in 2007, Hensley is one of three incumbents seeking re-election this fall. The election also includes two other candidates, Trina Baughn and Kelly Callison.

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Virginia Elizabeth Michaels Williams

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Virginia Elizabeth Michaels Williams

Virginia Elizabeth Michaels Williams

Virginia Elizabeth Michaels Williams, 93, of Oak Ridge, passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, at the home of her daughter, Michelle Mickey Stockton.

She was born Nov. 1, 1918, in Clearfield, Pa., and was the daughter of George and Virgie Cutler, who are both deceased. Mrs. Williams grew up in Clearfield County, married Lloyd A. Michaels and later moved to Oak Ridge.

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Jack Elbert Murrah

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Jack Elbert Murrah

Jack Elbert Murrah

Jack Elbert Murrah, 87, of Oak Ridge, passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, at NHC Health Care Center in Knoxville.

He was born Dec. 1, 1924, in Caryville, the son of Jessie and C. T. Murrah.

Mr. Murrah was a veteran of WWII, serving with the US Army. He retired from South Central Bell, where he was an installer. Mr. Murrah was a long-time member of Royce Baptist Church, and he enjoyed camping.

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Wendy Shoemaker Baskin

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Wendy Dawn Baskin

Wendy Dawn Baskin

Wendy Shoemaker Baskin, 44, of Oak Ridge, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 29, at the Methodist Medical Center, after a lifetime struggle with diabetes-related illnesses, with her family by her side.

She was born Aug. 10, 1968, in Harriman, and is the daughter of Shelby and Wendell Shoemaker.

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