Oak Ridge Today

ORNL deputy director to discuss lab’s sustainability program Tuesday

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Melissa Voss Lapsa

Melissa Voss Lapsa

A deputy director at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will discuss the lab’s award-winning sustainability program during a Tuesday luncheon lecture.

The presentation by Melissa Voss Lapsa, deputy director of ORNL’s Building Technologies Research and Integration Center, starts at noon Tuesday at the University of Tennessee Resource Center on Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Lapsa has more than 18 years of experience conducting market research, policy analysis, and institutional and consumer behavior research aimed at deploying cost-effective energy-efficient technologies, a press release said. In addition, Lapsa leads the ORNL Sustainable Campus Initiative. The goal of that initiative is to integrate energy and resource efficiency, cutting-edge technologies, operational and business processes, and institutional behavior to achieve sustainability at work, home, and in the community, the release said. [Read more…]

Enrichment Federal Credit Union beats goal, donates $11K to United Way

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Enrichment Federal Credit Union Donates to United Way of Anderson County

Pictured above during a check presentation are Charles and Edwina Crowe, 2013 campaign chair family for the United Way of Anderson County; April Fugate and Ellora Drinnen, UWAC campaign co-chairs for Enrichment Federal Credit Union; and Wayne Hope, EFCU CEO. (Submitted photo)

Employees at Enrichment Federal Credit Union beat their goal and raised $11,482 for the United Way of Anderson County.

Each year, the credit union collects pledge forms and conducts several events to help raise money for the UWAC, a press release said. This year,the credit union set a goal of $9,000.

Employees just completed their month-long campaign, led by campaign co-chairs Northshore Branch Manager Ellora Drinnen and West Branch Manager April Fugate. Staff members used hamburger lunches, pancake breakfasts, chili cook-offs, and “Silly String attacks” were used to help raise money. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Folk Dancers offer free lessons at library

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Folk Dancing Lessons at Oak Ridge Public Library

The Oak Ridge Folk Dancers will offer a three-part workshop in the Library Auditorium to introduce participants to the joy of folk dancing and provide free lessons, a press release said.

The classes will take place on the following Monday evenings: Jan. 27, Feb. 3, and Feb. 10 from 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Adults and supervised children (8 years of age and older) are welcome to attend.

“No prior dance experience is necessary, no partner is needed, and the only equipment required is comfortable clothes and shoes!” the press release said. [Read more…]

Sewer rehab work continues, starting this week

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Starting this week, a city contractor will be rehabilitating sewer collection pipes within city easements in yards and roadways.

The work will be done by Hurst Excavating. Affected homeowners should have received color-coordinated (orange and purple) letters and door hangers providing general information with contractor contact information, a press release said.

Below is a list of the streets where work will be conducted this week. The weather could cause schedule changes. [Read more…]

Windrock Road fire burns unoccupied home on Sunday

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Windrock Road Cabin Fire

A Windrock Road fire on Sunday night burned an unoccupied home. (Photos by Tom Scott)

A Windrock Road fire on Sunday night burned an unoccupied home. The fire was reported at 7:55 p.m. Sunday at 805 Windrock Road.

There were no injuries, and the cause has not been determined, said Stephanie Fox, Marlow Volunteer Fire Department assistant fire chief.

The first firefighters to arrive on Sunday night reported that the house was completely in flames, fire photographer Tom Scott said. Fire engines weren’t able to drive up the home’s long, narrow dirt driveway, so firefighters had to drag a fire hose more than 700 feet by hand through brush and trees to get water on the house. [Read more…]

Rail company offers county two bridge replacement options

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Information from WYSH Radio

CSX Railroad Corp. has given the Anderson County government options on how to address the issues that have kept a railroad-owned bridge on a county road closed since July.

The bridge on Johnson Gap Road—which is the shortest route between Clinton and the Dutch Valley community—has been closed since July 13, when Tennessee Department of Transportation inspectors determined that the wooden bridge supports were no longer safe.

CSX has offered to rebuild the old wooden bridge with a five-ton weight limit at its own expense or allow the county to replace it with a concrete structure. County officials estimate that a concrete bridge would likely cost the county around $450,000. [Read more…]

Get the facts about the Affordable Care Act at the Library on Saturday

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The Oak Ridge Public Library will host an objective and educational presentation on the Affordable Care Act on Saturday afternoon, a press release said.

Jim Nelson, an Oak Ridge resident, retired chemical engineer, and healthcare activist, has been researching the Affordable Care Act since 2009, the release said. He has collected a lot of information from various sources (including but not limited to) the Kaiser Family Foundation, Enroll America, and Families USA.

“Come to the presentation and discover resources to help you see where you fit in, what you need to apply in the Marketplace, the 10 essential health benefits, and ways to apply for coverage in the Marketplace,” the release said. [Read more…]

Guitar lessons at Senior Center on Fridays, meeting today to gauge interest in banjo lessons

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Guitar Lessons at Oak Ridge Senior Center

The Oak Ridge Senior Center will be offering free guitar lessons for senior citizens age 50 and older on Fridays beginning Jan. 10.

Beginners will start at 9 a.m., and more advanced students will follow. The only requirement is to bring your own guitar.

Seniors of all skill levels are encouraged to come out and join in the fun.

The Oak Ridge Senior Center will also be holding a meeting to find out about community interest in banjo lessons. The lessons will be provided free of charge to seniors age 50 and over. All that is needed is a banjo and a willingness to learn. [Read more…]

Biloski running for Anderson County Juvenile Court judge

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Lauren Biloski

Lauren Biloski

Lauren R. Biloski has announced that she is seeking the office of Anderson County Juvenile Court judge.

Lauren is a partner at Ritter, Biloski, and Associates, located in Oak Ridge. She has developed a thriving multi-county practice that includes criminal defense, civil litigation, and family and juvenile law, a press release said.

She is the third candidate to announce a candidacy for juvenile court judge. The current judge, Brandon Fisher, is running for Anderson County chancellor.

Biloski is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennesseee at Knoxville in three years, the press release said. Immediately following graduation, she earned her J.D. from Indiana University in 2006, where she was the recipient of the Norman Lefstein Award of Excellence. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Fire Department recognized for exceptional fire prevention programs

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Darryl Kerley

Darryl Kerley

Josh Waldo

Josh Waldo

The Oak Ridge Fire Prevention Office has been named Tennessee Fire Educators of the Year for 2013, officials said Wednesday.

The department was nominated by Oak Ridge Fire Department Chief Darryl Kerley in “recognition of the outstanding efforts put forth by the Fire Prevention staff this year,” a press release said.

Oak Ridge officials was notified of the honor by the State Fire Marshal’s office.

“The nomination was selected above all others from across the state, recognizing the tremendous education and outreach efforts accomplished by the Oak Ridge Fire Department,” said Assistant Commissioner Gary West of the Fire Prevention Division in the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. [Read more…]

League of Women Voters to conduct free workshop on parliamentary procedures

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The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge has a Saturday morning workshop on parliamentary procedures as governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.

“Anyone interested in learning how to make your organization’s meetings stay on track, accomplish goals, and give participants a feeling they’ve had a chance to express themselves is welcome to attend,” a press release said.

The workshop is free and open to the public, and it is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center. [Read more…]

Myers announces Republican candidacy for Anderson County sheriff

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Randy Myers

Randy Myers

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Randy Myers has announced he will run for Anderson County sheriff in the May 6 Republican primary.

Myers is the second Republican candidate to announce he is running for the seat now held by Sheriff Paul White, a Democrat, in the 2014 election.

In a press release, Myers said he has been a law enforcement officer for 24 years and has worked as a patrol officer, criminal investigator, domestic violence officer, hostage negotiator, Crisis Intervention Team officer, and public relations officer. [Read more…]