Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge warns of high energy bills

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The Oak Ridge Electric Department is warning its customers to expect higher utility bills for the next two months. According to Jack Suggs, Oak Ridge electric director, bills for power used in December are now in the mail, and bills for January will be coming out in a few weeks. He expects these bills will be difficult for many customers.

The National Weather Service calculates an index called “degree days of heating,” which is used as an indication of how cold the weather is over the course of a month. The higher the value of the number, the greater difference between the outside temperature and a properly heated home.

“Higher degree days of heating means that the heating system in a customer’s home has to work harder to keep the home warm,” Suggs said. December 2013 had nearly twice the degree days of heating as November, and January is looking to be significantly higher than that. [Read more…]

Y-12 FCU recognizes employee for rescuing woman before car caught fire

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Dustin Brackins

Dustin Brackins

Y-12 Federal Credit Union employee Dustin Brackins was recognized as Employee of the Year at a dinner on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Brackins was nominated in December 2013 for his selfless act of rescuing a woman trapped in her car, a press release said. Dustin was driving home with his family and noticed a car overturned on the roadside. He was able to help the woman to safety before her car caught fire.

“Dustin said he was thankful to be in the right place at the right time and expressed that anyone would have done the same thing,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Middle school students competing regionally for National Science Bowl finals

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Middle school students from Oak Ridge, Norris, and Oliver Springs are participating in an upcoming competition to determine what team will represent Tennessee in the middle school national finals of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science’s National Science Bowl.

The winner of the regional competition, scheduled for Feb. 1 at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge, will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the Office of Science’s National Science Bowl in late April.

The winner of the national competition will win prizes for the team members and their schools.

Here are the teams that are competing: [Read more…]

Sewer rehab work continues this week

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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes was scheduled to continue this week.

The work is being done by Hurst Excavating and Morgan Contracting under contract with the city of Oak Ridge. It includes rehabilitating sewer collection pipes within city easements in yards and in roadways, a press release said.

Residents should already have received color-coded letters and door hangers (orange for Hurst Excavating and purple for Morgan Contracting) providing general information and each contractors’ contact information. [Read more…]

OSPD investigating possible animal cruelty

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Information from WYSH Radio

Oliver Springs police said they found two horses—one dead, the other alive but in poor condition—last week.

Few details have been released, but investigators said they are waiting on test results to see if any charges will be filed.

In the meantime, the owner has surrendered the surviving horse to Horse Haven of Tennessee.

Missing woman found safe at relative’s home

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Jan Follansbee

Jan Follansbee

The Collierville woman who was reported missing after last being seen in Oak Ridge on Wednesday has been located, authorities said.

Jan Follansbee, 58, was found safe at a relative’s house on Sunday, Jan. 26, said Sgt. Detective Jason Smith of the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office.

Follansbee had been reported missing after leaving her mother’s home on Dasher Lane in Oak Ridge on Wednesday. She had left on an errand.

Follansbee lives in Collierville in Shelby County in west Tennessee, and she has two daughters who also live there. A sister in Knoxville had reported her missing.

Sheriff White seeks re-election

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Paul White

Paul White

Sheriff Paul White is seeking re-election as Anderson County sheriff. White was first elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2010.

White is a veteran law officer with 38 years of experience, a press release said. His first five years were with the Oliver Springs Police Department, where he served as a police officer and patrol sergeant. The remaining 33 years have been with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, where he advanced through the ranks from patrol deputy to commanding the Patrol Division and Court Services.

During his career, White had the opportunity to hold almost every position within the Sheriff’s Department and at one time was appointed “acting sheriff,” the release said.

“Having served under the last five administrations, Paul White had the unique opportunity to observe and utilize many ideas and practices as to how the Sheriff’s Department could best serve the needs of Anderson County,” the release said. [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Bear

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Bear at Oak Ridge Animal ShelterSubmitted

Bear is our featured pet of the day. He is 10 months old and ready for a home of his own. Please stop by the shelter when it reopens on Tuesday to visit this friendly, playful dog.

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.

Y-12’s history captured in short film

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Y-12 National Security Complex Aerial View

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is pictured above.

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To close out the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Y-12 National Security Complex, a short film capturing highlights of the site’s history is now available for viewing on the plant’s public website.

The 8:15 film covers the chronology of Y-12 from its beginnings during World War II as an integral part of the Manhattan Project to its current missions for the National Nuclear Security Administration.

“Y-12 has experienced a rich history since its birth in 1943,” said Y-12 Historian Ray Smith. “And while we have played a huge role in national security by helping the United States maintain a nuclear deterrent, Y-12 has contributed to several other areas, such as space exploration and nuclear nonproliferation. The expertise and capabilities at Y-12 have truly made it a national asset.”

Pet of the Day: Arnie

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Arnie at Oak Ridge Animal Shelter

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Arnie is our featured pet of the day. He is a big boy that needs a loving home. He really is sweet and just has a tough guy exterior. Please stop by the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter today and visit Arnie.

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.

Two orthopedic clinics to pay $1.85 million over Medicare billing allegations

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Two orthopedic clinics in East Tennessee have agreed to pay a combined $1.85 million to resolve state and federal False Claims Act allegations that they knowingly billed state and federal health care programs for reimported osteoarthritis medications, known as viscosupplements, federal authorities said.

Tennessee Orthopaedic Clinics, P.C., with headquarters in Knoxville and nine locations in East Tennessee, will pay $1.3 million and Appalachian Orthopaedic Clinics, P.C., with headquarters in Kingsport and three locations in the Tri-Cities area, will pay $550,000, according to a press release from  the U.S. Attorney William C. Killian said in a press release. Killian is U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Tennessee.

The press release said viscosupplements, such as Synvisc and Orthovisc, are injections approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain in the knee. Viscosupplements are reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs at a set rate based on the average sales price of the domestic product. [Read more…]

Aubrey’s fundraiser night benefits Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge

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Girls Inc. at Aubrey's

Girls Inc. girls pictured with Katie Jenkins, Aubrey’s manager, left, are, from left to right, Carly Gelb, Riley Gelb, and Brooklyn Henderson. (Submitted photo)

Aubrey’s of Oak Ridge is hosting a fundraiser night on Monday to support Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge.

Aubrey’s is located at 481 S. Illinois Ave.

“Invite all your friends and family to dine with us at Aubrey’s, and 10 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Girls Inc.!” a press release said.

The local Girls Inc. at 1798 Oak Ridge Turnpike is part of a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc. provides educational programs to millions of American girls, the release said. [Read more…]