Oak Ridge Today

Workers removing asbestos, reducing risks at former ORNL research reactor

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A worker removes asbestos from Building 7500, a former research reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. (Photo courtesy DOE Office of Environmental Management)

A worker removes asbestos from Building 7500, a former research reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. (Photo courtesy DOE Office of Environmental Management)

 

Note: This is an edited version of a story that was first published by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management in an EM Update on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

Workers recently passed the halfway mark removing asbestos from a former research reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as part of an effort to remove risks and prepare excess facilities in Oak Ridge for eventual demolition.

The asbestos abatement could continue until early 2018 inside Building 7500, also known as the Homogenous Reactor Experiment facility at ORNL, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management. Crews are pulling out ceiling and floor tile, pipe and vessel insulation, and wall board.

The project further reduces risks after OREM and cleanup contractor URS | CH2M Oak Ridge, or UCOR, cleared all combustible materials and deactivated the heat detection system inside the building earlier this year.

Deactivating the system eliminated the need for personnel to enter the building for periodic inspections, and it allowed for removal of all hazardous energy sources as required before asbestos abatement. [Read more…]

State representative to speak at Democratic Women’s Club

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John Mark Windle

State Rep. John Mark Windle will be guest speaker at the Oct. 23, 2017, meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club. (Submitted photo)

 

State Representative John Mark Windle will be the guest speaker at the Monday, October 23, meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club. The club will host a pot luck dinner at 6 p.m. in the Club Room of the Clinton Community Center, 101 South Hicks Street in Clinton.

Windle, a Democrat representing District 41, which includes Morgan, Jackson, Overton, and part of Fentress Counties, will discuss what to expect in the next session of the Tennessee General Assembly. He will also address the electability of Democratic candidates.

Windle was elected to the state house in 1990, and he served as majority floor leader from 1997-2000. [Read more…]

Updated: Undefeated, Wildcats freshmen football plays Thursday at Blankenship

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Photo courtesy Heather Hartman

Photo courtesy Heather Hartman

 

Note: This story was updated at 4 p.m. Oct. 23.

Update: The games below have been postponed due to a rain delay to Thursday, October 26. Anderson County will play William Blount at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, and Oak Ridge will play Heritage at 7:15 p.m.

They’re undefeated, and the Oak Ridge Wildcats freshman football team will play their last game of the season on Blankenship Field on Monday.

It’s the inaugural Battle at Blankenship Freshmen Bowl games, which are being hosted by Oak Ridge. The games start at 5:30 p.m. Monday, October 23, with Anderson County playing William Blount. Oak Ridge will play Heritage at 7:30 p.m. [Read more…]

Pumpkin Centerpiece Workshop at UT Arboretum on Tuesday

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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will hold a Make and Take Pumpkin Centerpiece Workshop on Tuesday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at the UT Arboretum Program Shelter at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Join UT Arboretum Education Program Coordinator Michelle Campanis to make a centerpiece in a fresh pumpkin,” a press release said. “Michelle will lead the group in looking at ideas and examples of fall-themed centerpieces using pumpkins, gourds, and other plants.”

Materials will be supplied. The class fee is $25. Registration is required and is limited to 20 participants. [Read more…]

Today: October Sky Festival in Oliver Springs

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Photo by October Sky Festival

Photo by October Sky Festival

 

The October Sky Festival is today (Saturday, October 21) in Oliver Springs. The festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Arrowhead Park.

According to submitted information, the October Sky Festival will have: [Read more…]

City to begin managing Centennial Golf Course, releasing private firm from its contract

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Centennial Golf Course is pictured above in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Centennial Golf Course is pictured above in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

The City of Oak Ridge will begin managing Centennial Golf Course internally through the Recreation and Parks Department, releasing the private firm Billy Casper Golf from its management contract, a press release said. The transition will begin immediately and is expected to be complete by the end of November.

“The city chose to make the move in order to initiate repairs to the facility on an aggressive timeline,” the press release said.

The golf course will not close during the management transition or subsequent renovations. Nine holes will remain open while crews work on the rest of the course. Cart path repairs are planned along with drainage improvements and the installation of guard rails and other safety measures. The driving range and clubhouse will also remain open. The city will be honoring passes and memberships purchased prior to this change, the press release said.

“Golf is an extremely dynamic sport, and we have to adapt in order to remain competitive,” Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said of the decision. “Our goal is to have a truly great public golf course and this is the first step in making that a reality.” [Read more…]

Next City Blueprint meeting scheduled for Oct. 26

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Midtown Residential City Blueprint Oct 2017

The Oak Ridge Community Development Department is continuing the Oak Ridge City Blueprint effort with a discussion focused on the Midtown residential neighborhood. An open house will be held between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 26, at Robertsville Middle School.

Families living in this subarea are encouraged to attend and provide ideas and suggestions for possible neighborhood improvements, a press release said.

“Please note that no formal presentation is planned for this event,” the press release said. “Those attending can come and go anytime during the open house to meet, ask questions, and share thoughts with city staff and board representatives.” [Read more…]

U.S. Senate candidate Mackler will be in Oak Ridge on Thursday

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James Mackler

James Mackler

 

James Mackler, the first Tennessee Democrat to launch a 2018 U.S. Senate campaign, will be in Oak Ridge on Thursday.

Mackler, a Nashville attorney and Iraq War veteran, will be the keynote speaker at the Anderson County Democratic Party general meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, a press release said.

U.S. Senator Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, is not seeking re-election in 2018. U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn, also a Tennessee Republican, has announced she will run for Corker’s seat.

A press release said Mackler left his job six months ago as a prosecutor and defense attorney to run for Corker’s seat. [Read more…]

Great American Eclipse in Oak Ridge Schools

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Glenwood Elementary School students worked with OBED Park Rangers and practiced safe use of a telescope for viewing during the total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Schools)

Glenwood Elementary School students worked with Obed park rangers and practiced safe use of a telescope for viewing during the total solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Schools)

 

Submitted by Oak Ridge Schools

The Great American Eclipse was unique in Oak Ridge, as we were on the coveted path of totality. Some solar eclipse fanatics will travel thousands of miles and spend thousands of dollars just to get themselves into The Path. We took advantage of this rare opportunity that came to our back yard for the breathtaking experience of totality with our students and staff.

We had an interesting challenge, though. The edge of the path of totality cut through town in such a way that four of our schools would only experience a partial eclipse if students and staff stayed on campus. The total solar eclipse has several attributes that are not visible outside the path of totality, such as the sudden appearance of stars and planets, the solar corona becoming visible, and a temperature drop. To ensure all of our students had the opportunity for this rich total eclipse experience, we provided transportation to move everyone who wanted to participate into The Path. [Read more…]

Roane State college success course includes service learning

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Virtually all Roane State Community College freshmen have to take the college success course titled COLS 1010: Study-Organize-Succeed (SOS), and it now includes eight hours of public service.

Two college officials have compiled more than 100 volunteer opportunities with agencies and nonprofit organizations in the Roane State service area, and they are available via the college’s website.

Go to www.roanestate.edu/servicelearning to learn more.

Proceeds from a $2,000 college grant were used to research those opportunities, which span 10 counties: Anderson, Roane, Knox, Blount, Fentress, Campbell, Cumberland, Scott, Loudon, and Morgan. [Read more…]

Dental Hygiene Clinic at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus provides vital service

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Roane State Community College Associate Professor Melinda Gill, director of the college’s highly regarded dental hygiene program, stands outside the dental hygiene clinic, located in the Coffey/McNally Building on the Oak Ridge branch campus. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State Community College Associate Professor Melinda Gill, director of the college’s highly regarded dental hygiene program, stands outside the dental hygiene clinic, located in the Coffey/McNally Building on the Oak Ridge branch campus. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

The doorway into Roane State’s Dental Hygiene Clinic can be overlooked at times. It’s D-107, off the atrium and across from the library of the college’s Oak Ridge campus.

Unbeknownst to the casual passerby, it’s the entrance to a college program regarded as one of the top in the nation.

Inside:

  • a classroom outfitted with the most current dental teaching implements;
  • six spotless operatories/treatment rooms containing dental chairs, computers for inputting patient records, and the latest treatment technology;
  • two X-ray rooms with digital X-ray capability—one with panoramic X-ray equipment—and a room where X-rays are developed; and
  • a receptionist’s area along with a small office.

[Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, Oct. 21

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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s Fall Plant Sale will be held Saturday, October 21, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy UT Arboretum Society)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s Fall Plant Sale will be held Saturday, October 21, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy UT Arboretum Society)

 

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s Fall Plant Sale will be held Saturday, October 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge.

“Fall is the ideal time to add plants to your landscape,” a press release said. “Beaver Creek Nursery, East Fork Nursery, Riverdale Nursery, Sunlight Gardens, as well as the UT Arboretum Society’s members and friends, will be offering a variety of high quality plants at this sale.”

Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted for payment. [Read more…]