Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge-Anderson County, Clinton-Rhea County football games on weather delays

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Logo

The Friday night football games between Oak Ridge and Anderson County and Clinton and Rhea County are on weather delays.

The Clinton and Rhea County game could re-start in Rhea County at 9:15 p.m. Friday.

Meanwhile, a decision on the Oak Ridge and Anderson County game at Anderson County High School could be made at 9:15 p.m.

The games have to be delayed 30 minutes after lightning is spotted.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

ORNL to extend contract for uranium centrifuge work, but at reduced level; could require layoffs

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American Centrifuge Technology Manufacturing Center

The American Centrifuge Technology Manufacturing Center in south Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Photo courtesy USEC/Centrus Energy Corp.)

 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory intends to extend its contract with Centrus Energy Corporation for research on uranium enrichment centrifuges, but at a reduced level, with funding cut by about 60 percent, the company said Friday. Layoffs could be required, Centrus said in a press release.

The contract extension continues technology development activities at Oak Ridge facilities for advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges, but revenues won’t be used for operations in Piketon, Ohio, the press release said.

The new contract will cover a one-year period from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016, with the possibility for additional extensions, the release said.

It said the U.S. Department of Energy’s decision to provide reduced funding will support continued developments of the company’s American Centrifuge technology—which has long-term importance for national and energy security. [Read more…]

AC School Board OKs raises for employees

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Larry Foster

Larry Foster is director of Anderson County Schools.

Information from WYSH Radio

Thursday night, the Anderson County School Board unanimously approved pay raises for some 600 certified employees of the school system and about 400 classified employees.

Certified staff will receive a $1,000 raise, which equals about 2 percent.

Classified staff will receive a 48-cent-per-hour raise, which equals about $1,000 for all 260-day classified staff as well.

School officials point out that some staff members do not work the 260-day-a-year schedule, so their raise will not equal $1,000. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge resident wins Bojangles’ racing sweepstakes, receives $35,000 cash

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From left to right are three members of Nancy Witick's family; Ken Reynolds, director of field marketing for Bojangles'; Nancy Witick, center; Clifton Rutledge, Bojangles’ president and CEO; John Gibson, from Streetside Classics; and Bojangles’ mascot “Big Bo.” (Photo courtesy Bojangles')

From left to right are three members of Nancy Witick’s family; Ken Reynolds, director of field marketing for Bojangles’; Nancy Witick; Clifton Rutledge, Bojangles’ president and CEO; John Gibson, from Streetside Classics; and Bojangles’ mascot “Big Bo.” (Photo courtesy Bojangles’)

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Oak Ridge resident Nancy Witick was the grand prize winner of the Bojangles’ Southern 500 “Drivers Start Your Engines” Sweepstakes, and she received $35,000 cash, Bojangles’ Inc. announced Sunday.

Witick also received a weekend race experience at the Bojangles’ Southern 500 that included premium race tickets and a four-day, three-night hotel stay for her and three guests, a press release said.

Bojangles’ is the title sponsor of South Carolina’s only NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.  From July 13 through August 23, Bojangles’ gave race fans a chance to win a retro-classic car or $35,000 cash by entering a unique sweepstakes entry code at www.WinWithBo.com. [Read more…]

AMSE educators receive training at Space Camp

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Kris Light and Renee Kelley in Flight Suits

Kris Light, left, and Renee Kelley in flight suits. (Submitted photo)

 

Kris Light and Renee Kelley, outreach educators at the American Museum of Science and Energy, recently attended Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, NASA’s official Visitor Information Center for Marshall Space Flight Center, in Huntsville, Alabama.

The educational program promotes science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, while training students and adults with hands-on activities and missions based on teamwork, leadership, and decision-making. Space Camp uses astronaut training techniques to engage trainees in real-world applications of STEM subjects, a press release said.

Light and Kelley were part of the Space Academy for Educators Program, which is designed for teachers who want to advance education in the STEM fields. They experienced astronaut simulators and took a virtual tour into space to save the International Space Station. Trainees also followed lesson plans based on NASA content (which is correlated to the National Science Education Standards) and received content and knowledge to pass on to their students in the classroom. [Read more…]

Kingston property tax, water rates increased

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City of Kingston Logo

Information from WYSH Radio/BBB-TV

On Tuesday, the Kingston City Council voted 5-2 on first reading to increase the city’s property tax rate by 23 cents per $100 of assessed value.

BBB-TV reported that supporters of the increase said it is necessary to avoid laying off five workers and because of flat sales tax revenues.

The Council also voted Tuesday to raise water rates by 5 percent. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society presents Moonlight Hike on Sept. 26

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University of Tennessee Arboretum Society Logo

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society is offering a Moonlight Hike on Saturday, September 26. The hike is scheduled from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the UT Arboretum at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Join us as we walk Arboretum trails by the light of the silvery moon,” a press release said.

The hike will begin at the Visitors Center near the parking lot at 7:30 p.m. The 1.5-mile hike will be led by experienced volunteers.

The full moon is Sunday, September 27. The walk was scheduled a day early so that older schoolchildren could participate on a non-school night. [Read more…]

Almost half of middle school girls in Sept. 12 STEM conference will be from Oak Ridge

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Oak Ridge Schools Logo

Almost half of the participants in the Expanding Your Horizons conference for middle school girls at Maryville College on September 12 will be from Oak Ridge Schools.

The day-long event will include hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, led by women scientists, a press release said.

At the conference, girls will get a chance to meet STEM role models and learn more about careers in those fields. The goal is to motivate girls to become innovative and creative thinkers ready to meet 21st century challenges, the release said.

Maria Toncray, executive director of Expanding Your Horizons, congratulated Oak Ridge Schools for attracting so many participants. [Read more…]

Three apply for 9th Judicial District Criminal Court opening; district includes Roane

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NASHVILLE—The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments will consider three applicants when it meets September 25 in Harriman to select nominees for the impending criminal court vacancy in the 9th Judicial District, which serves Loudon, Meigs, Morgan, and Roane counties.

The impending vacancy has been created by the announcement by Judge E. Eugene Eblen that he is retiring effective December 31, 2015.

The applicants are:

  • Walter B. Johnson II, of Lenoir City,
  • Porsche Lyn Shantz of Lenoir City, and
  • Jeffery H. Wicks of Rockwood.

[Read more…]

CNS, Auburn agree to collaborate in areas ranging from computing to tool development

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John Mason of Auburn and Mike Beck of CNS

John Mason, left, Auburn University vice president of research and economic development, and CNS vice president for mission engineering Mike Beck sign a memorandum of understanding that will allow the two entities to collaborate on projects. (Photo submitted by Auburn)

 

Consolidated Nuclear Security, which operates the Y-12 National Security Complex, recently signed an agreement with Auburn University with the goal of creating collaborations in areas ranging from computing to advanced machine tool development, a press release said.

The partnership between the university and CNS, which also manages and operates the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, was created to formalize areas of interest, identify potential collaborative, and cooperative efforts, and establish a framework and boundaries for future discussions, the press release said.

“By combining the talents and resources of Auburn and Y-12, we’re creating a pipeline that flows both ways,” said Mike Beck, CNS vice president for mission engineering. “We look forward to working with some of the university’s brightest students as interns and grads to help us meet our important national security mission, and we are hopeful they can use our real-world manufacturing environment to help develop and prove some of their projects.” [Read more…]

Five years and $17 million later, city satisfies EPA Clean Water order

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Emory Valley Road Sewer System Holding Tanks

Workers assemble a sewer system holding tank near Emory Valley Road on Wednesday afternoon, April 1, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Five years and $17 million later, Oak Ridge has satisfied a federal administrative order that required the city to repair all sewer system overflows by the end of this month, officials announced Wednesday.

Mark Watson

Mark Watson

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said he has received a “closure letter” from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stating the City’s Administrative Order pursuant to the Clean Water Act has been fulfilled, a press release said. The letter, signed by James Giattina, director the Water Protection Division at EPA’s regional office in Atlanta, states that the EPA Region 4 “has determined that the city has satisfied the requirements of the referenced order and hereby closes the order.”

In 2010, the EPA filed an administrative order against the city for excess “Inflow and Infiltration” affecting the wastewater collection lines within the city’s primary service areas. The EPA considered the reported system overflows and piped overflows to be a violation of the Clean Water Act, the press release said. The administrative order contained various program requirements to eliminate the overflows, ensure adequate capacity system wide, and to develop a formal management, operation, and maintenance program, or MOM.

“I am pleased to report that the challenge of the EPA administrative order charged against our city is over!” Watson said. “We have received written confirmation that we have done a substantial job in addressing the findings of the Environmental Protection Agency against Oak Ridge. The order is now closed and we can begin to maintain a consistent and ongoing maintenance effort of this important sewage infrastructure for the community.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge drops from top spot to No. 7 in weekly football poll

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Tee Higgins TD Catch and Farragut Admirals

Oak Ridge junior receiver Tee Higgins (5) hauls in his first touchdown catch, a 37-yard reception, at 6:47 in the first quarter at Farragut on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. Also pictured is Farragut defender Justin Kirkendall (3). The Admirals won 31-14. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats dropped from number one to number seven in the Associated Press’ weekly football poll in Tennessee.

The Wildcats (2-1) fell six spots in Class 5A after losing to Farragut 31-14 at Bill Clabo Field on Friday.

Sevier County (3-0), which will play Oak Ridge in Sevier County on Friday, September 24, moved up to number three from number four.

See the complete poll results as reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel here.

The Wildcats play at Anderson County at 7:30 p.m. Friday, September 11.

Wildcats Coach Joe Gaddis will discuss last week’s game and this Friday’s game during Coaches Corner at 8 p.m. today (Wednesday, September 9) at Pizza Inn in Oak Ridge.