Oak Ridge Today

All available animals are half-price, $55, at Animal Shelter

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Animal Shelter Adoptable Animals

 

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is offering half-price adoptions on all animals. This half-price adoption special started July 1 and runs through July 12. The adoption price will be $55 instead of the normal price of $110. It is first come, first serve.

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The shelter is located at 395 Belgrade Road. The shelter can be contacted by phone at (865) 425-3423 or by e-mail at animalshelter@oakridgetn.gov.

For more information, visit animalshelter.oakridgetn.gov or call (865) 425-3423.

Pet of the Day: Lefty

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Pet of the Day: Lefty

Submitted

Lefty is an Australian Cattle dog mix. He’s very friendly.

This little guy is looking for the perfect home filled with love, laughs, and plenty of cuddle time. Is that you?

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It’s located at 395 Belgrade Road in east Oak Ridge. The phone number is (865) 425-3423.

See the Animal Shelter’s website here. You can also find more information on adoptable animals at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on this Facebook page.

Pet of the Day: Lucy

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Pet of the Day: Lucy

Submitted

Lucy is a three-year-old Beagle mix who is quite afraid of all the new surroundings, but she calms quickly and loves all the attention you can give her!

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It’s located at 395 Belgrade Road in east Oak Ridge. The phone number is (865) 425-3423.

See the Animal Shelter’s website here. You can also find more information on adoptable animals at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on this Facebook page.

Honors: Retired Powell-Clinch VP receives Silver Flame Award

Posted at
By 1 Comment

Richard McIntosh and Family

Richard McIntosh, recipient of the Tennessee Gas Association Silver Flame Award, with his wife Joan and their family. (Photo courtesy PCUD)

 

Powell-Clinch Utility District Vice President Emeritus Richard McIntosh was awarded the Tennessee Gas Association’s 2014 Silver Flame Award, the state natural gas industry’s highest honor. The award is in recognition of McIntosh’s distinguished service, community involvement, and pioneering efforts in the state gas industry during his 41-year career. McIntosh retired from PCUD in 2013 after 28 years of service. Under his leadership, PCUD grew from 3,500 customers to more than 17,000, a press release said.

The Tennessee Gas Association represents the state’s gas utilities, pipelines, and affiliates who provide natural gas service to more than 1.2 million customers in Tennessee. TGA’s mission is to promote the value and growth of the natural gas industry in Tennessee by enhancing the overall performance, safety, competitiveness, and public awareness of its members and their products and services.

“PCUD congratulates Richard McIntosh for receiving the state gas industry’s most prestigious award and extends its heartfelt thanks to McIntosh for his leadership, vision, dedication, and hard work for PCUD and its customers,” the release said.

TSAB member solicits community input

Posted at
By 3 Comments

Gene Dunaway, a member of the Oak Ridge Traffic Safety Advisory Board, will solicit public comments on pedestrian safety issues in two meetings next week, a press release said.

The first meeting is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, at the Oak Ridge Senior Center at 728 Emory Valley Road, and the second is  from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 12, also at the Senior Center, the press release said.

Dunaway is interested in hearing public comments about pedestrian safety at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and an entrance to the Oak Ridge High School, the press release said.

“All responses will be shared with other board members at its July meeting,” the release said. “In August Mr. Dunaway will be conducting community meetings dealing with general traffic issues, including the re-installation of red light and speed cameras.”

Mayor Beehan to report on recent trip to Washington, D.C.

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Tom Beehan, Madeline Rogero with Local Motors at White House Maker Faire

Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, right, and Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, center, are pictured above with Local Motors at the Maker Faire at the White House in June. (Submitted photos)

 

Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan and Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero recently went to Washington, D.C., to attend the Maker Faire.

During that first-ever event, President Barack Obama celebrated innovators, entrepreneurs, and tinkerers of all ages from across the country. The Maker Faire featured new and innovative projects, inventions, and designs, and technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and easy-to-use design software.

Beehan will discuss his trip during a Thursday, July 10, meeting of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association. That meeting starts at 7 p.m. July 10 at the Midtown Community Center at 102 Robertsville Road.

Tom Beehan at White House Podium

Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan standing near the podium that President Barack Obama uses when he speaks.

Besides the Maker Faire, Beehan also met with elected officials and was involved in numerous interactions where he expressed the desires of the city of Oak Ridge, an ORHPA press release said.

“He also assured our nation’s leaders of our intent to continue serving our nation in the special role that Oak Ridge holds,” the release said. “His meeting with the Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ernest Moniz, was of special significance to us. He will present some of the details of that conversation.” [Read more…]

New Oak Ridge After Dark series offers movies, comedy

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge After Dark

A new summer entertainment series on Friday nights in July and August will feature movies and comedy.

The Oak Ridge After Dark series is presented by the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau. It starts July 11 and ends August 15, and it will feature three movies and a family-friendly comedy troupe performance at A.K. Bissell Park.

The series provides free, family-friendly entertainment in a safe environment for all ages, a press release said. Each night will have a specific theme to accompany the film. Here’s the schedule:

  •  July 11—Beat the Heat Night
  • July 18—Pirate Night
  • August 8—Einstein Simplified, comedy improv troupe
  • August 15—Hero Night [Read more…]

No garbage pickup on July 4

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Waste Connections Inc. will not pick up refuse or recyclables on Independence Day. Friday’s routes will be picked up on Saturday, July 5.

In a press release, the City of Oak Ridge asked residents to have all refuse and recyclables out by 7 a.m. for a Saturday route.

For additional information you can contact Waste Connections Inc. at (865) 482-3656 or visit www.WasteConnectionsTn.com.

CNS begins managing, operating Pantex, Y-12

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Pantex Plant Aerial February 2008

The Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas, is pictured above. (Photo courtesy NNSA)

 

Two nuclear weapons facilities managed under one contract

Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC on Tuesday assumed full responsibility for managing and operating the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. The two nuclear weapons facilities perform missions vital to national security, CNS said in a press release.

The National Nuclear Security Administration awarded CNS the contract to consolidate the two facilities under a single contract. During a four-month transition that began March 3, the CNS team prepared to integrate and operate both facilities to deliver their critical missions with safety, security, quality, and cost efficiency, the press release said.

During the course of transition, CNS completed more than 3,000 scheduled actions, brought on board 7,800 employees, inspected more than 400 facilities, reviewed and approved more than 5,000 procedures, consulted with dozens of community leaders and elected officials, and established the structure and processes for managing the two sites as one enterprise, the release said. Transition activities were completed on schedule and under budget. [Read more…]

Guest column: ECA highlights local government’s role with Energy Secretary Moniz

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

ECA Board and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz

From left to right are Aiken County Council Chairman Ronnie Young, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, Los Alamos County Councilor Fran Berting, Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, ECA Executive Director Seth Kirshenberg, Secretary Ernest Moniz, Aiken County Council Member Chuck Smith, Kennewick Mayor Steve Young, SRSCRO Executive Director Rick McLeod, Los Alamos County Administrator Brian Bosshardt, and ECA Deputy Executive Director Allison Finelli. (Submitted photo)

 

On June 23, the Energy Communities Alliance Executive Board met with U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz to highlight the importance of the Department of Energy’s environmental cleanup, national security, nuclear energy, and waste management missions. The ECA Executive Board, including Chair and Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, and other elected local government officials also stressed the importance of regular communication and partnership between DOE and the local governments that are adjacent to DOE facilities. Secretary Moniz agreed that working with local governments is important to the success of DOE.

Earlier in the day, the ECA Executive Board also met with National Nuclear Security Administration Administrator Frank Klotz, Acting Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management Dave Huizenga, and other DOE and administration officials, as well as congressional staff.

Mayor Beehan stated that local governments can be DOE’s asset for gaining support for missions and for infrastructure development at the sites, but in order for that to occur, local governments must be involved in decision-making. Mayor Beehan also stressed the importance of land transfer to local communities. [Read more…]

Y-12, Pantex complete transition to new contractor

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Y-12 Aerial Photo June 2012

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is pictured above in June 2012. (Photo courtesy NNSA)

 

The National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office and Consolidated Nuclear Security have completed one of the largest and most complex contract transitions in the history of the U.S. Department of Energy.

On July 1, Consolidated Nuclear Security, or CNS, assumed the responsibility for managing and operating the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. CNS replaces B&W Y-12, which had operated Y-12 since 2000, and B&W Pantex, which also had operated Pantex since 2000. The contract includes a total annual operating budget of $1.5 billion and employment of about 8,000 in Tennessee and Texas.

Steve Erhart

Steve Erhart

“The new contract will allow NNSA to continue the safe and secure maintenance of the nuclear weapons stockpile; provide enriched uranium for naval, research, and isotope production reactors; and, support nonproliferation activities to reduce the global nuclear threat,” said Steve Erhart, NNSA Production Office manager. “The conclusion of this transition will bring much needed stability to the thousands of men and women who play an important role in our enduring national security mission. All contract transitions create some change and uncertainty. But, throughout this process, the highly skilled professionals at Pantex and Y-12 have remained focused and dedicated to the safe and secure completion of the mission.”

The consolidated contract will yield significant savings to the U.S. taxpayer over the life of the contract as NNSA and CNS develop more efficient ways of doing business, a press release said. A portion of the generated savings are to be reinvested into aging infrastructure at both sites to improve the working conditions for the Pantex and Y-12 workforce. [Read more…]

Haynes, Erhart: ‘Beginning of new era’ at Y-12, Pantex

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Jim Haynes

Jim Haynes

The transition to a new federal contractor is complete at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. The new contractor, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, began operating the sites Tuesday, July 1.

Here is a message from NNSA Production Office Manager Steve Erhart and Consolidated Nuclear Security Chief Executive Officer Jim Haynes:

Steve Erhart

Steve Erhart

Today marks the beginning of a new era for the Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex. For the first time, the two largest NNSA nuclear production sites are consolidated under one contract. Whether you are in Texas or Tennessee, we are now one team delivering our national security mission. [Read more…]