Oak Ridge Today

For members: DOE investigating fuel element performance after elevated radiation found at HFIR

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The High Flux Isotope Reactor is pictured above at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. (Photo courtesy ORNL)

The U.S. Department of Energy is investigating fuel element performance in the High Flux Isotope Reactor, which is used for research and isotope production at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, after elevated radiation levels were found in the cooling system last year, possibly due to a pinhole leak.

The investigation of potential noncompliances with DOE nuclear safety program requirements was announced this month by the DOE Office of Enterprise Assessments’ Office of Enforcement. The office notified UT-Battelle LLC, ORNL’s managing and operating contractor, and BWXT Nuclear Operations Group Inc. of Lynchburg, Virginia, on December 5. BWXT manufactured components that were involved.

High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The High Flux Isotope Reactor is pictured above at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. (Photo courtesy ORNL)

 

The U.S. Department of Energy is investigating fuel element performance in the High Flux Isotope Reactor, which is used for research and isotope production at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, after elevated radiation levels were found in the cooling system last year, possibly due to a pinhole leak.

The investigation of potential noncompliances with DOE nuclear safety program requirements was announced this month by the DOE Office of Enterprise Assessments’ Office of Enforcement. The office notified UT-Battelle LLC, ORNL’s managing and operating contractor, and BWXT Nuclear Operations Group Inc. of Lynchburg, Virginia, on December 5. BWXT manufactured components that were involved.

ORNL has said the slightly elevated reading in the primary cooling system was well below alarm levels, and there was no impact to the public, the environment, or workers, and the reactor was not damaged or compromised.

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Roane State students analyze Election Commission website for hacking

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Roane State Digital Forensics Cyber Security
A team of students from Roane State Community College’s Digital Forensics class was recently requested by Homeland Security to explore the cyber hygiene vulnerability of the Election Commission website of a West Tennessee county. (Photo courtesy RSCC)

Submitted

Roane State team assesses Election Commission website for vulnerabilities

A team of students from Roane State Community College’s Digital Forensics class was recently requested by Homeland Security to explore the cyber hygiene vulnerability of the Election Commission website of a West Tennessee county, said George Meghabghab, head of the college’s computer science division.

The project was initiated by Homeland Security official James Cotter, who met with Meghabghab during July and August to flesh out the project, including expectations from each other and outcomes. Such a project is ongoing on other Tennessee election commission websites, Meghabghab said. He described the efforts as critical tasks of Homeland Security in Tennessee.

[Read more…]

Altrusa, Breakfast Rotary seeking applications for literacy grants

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The Altrusa Club of Oak Ridge Foundation and Breakfast Rotary Club of Oak Ridge Foundation are again seeking applications for grants for projects, programs, and activities that foster literacy in Oak Ridge and Anderson and Roane Counties during 2020, a press release said.

Applications may be requested by emailing Lunch4LiteracyGrants@gmail.com. The deadline for electronic submissions is December 22. Selections and notifications will be made by February 1, 2020, and the period of performance ends December 31, 2020.

These grants are funded each spring when hundreds of community members attend or sponsor the Lunch 4 Literacy luncheon hosted by Altrusa and Rotary with an interesting author as guest speaker, the press release said. [Read more…]

Learn about women in the Manhattan Project on Dec. 21

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Close up of welding in prefabrication shop 1944 (Photo courtesy National Park Service)

What was life like for women and women scientists during World War II and the Manhattan Project?

You can join National Park Service staff on Saturday, December 21, as they discuss the social changes that occurred during World War II and how that affected women in the Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project was a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic weapons during the war, and it included Oak Ridge.

The December 21 program is free to the public, but if you would like to explore the Children’s Museum, you will need to pay admission at the front desk. The Children’s Museum is located at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

[Read more…]

DQ Grill & Chill opens in Oak Ridge

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DQ Grill and Chill has opened a restaurant in Oak Ridge. The restaurant opened Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at the intersection of South Rutgers Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

DQ Grill and Chill has opened a restaurant in Oak Ridge.

The restaurant opened Tuesday, December 3. It is at the intersection of South Rutgers Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike, where a Taco Bell restaurant used to be. The opening of the DQ Grill and Chill last week was announced by American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ), franchisor of the DQ brand.

A grand opening celebration for the new restaurant is expected in late January 2020.

The new DQ Grill and Chill includes about 75 staff members, ranging from crew members to managers, a press release said. The restaurant and the drive-through will be open daily. 

[Read more…]

Want to serve on city board or commission? Applications are available

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As part of Oak Ridge’s end-of-year election, the City Clerk’s Office is accepting applications from citizens who wish to serve on a board or commission. The submission deadline is Friday, January 24, 2020, at 5 p.m.

Interested residents must complete a Boards and Commissions application available online by visiting www.oakridgetn.gov/online/cityclerk/bcelections. Applicants may attach additional documents such as cover letters, reference lists, and résumés. The application allows residents to choose and rank their top three board choices for consideration.

The city is recruiting membership for a total of 16 boards and commissions:

[Read more…]

Karen’s Jewelers has open house Thursday

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Karen’s Jewelers has an open house today (Thursday, December 5) from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

During the open house, Karen’s Jewelers said you can see all the newest jewelry fashions and enjoy some special treats.

Karen’s Jewelers is located at 1120 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. You can call the store at (865) 483-6717. You can visit the website at www.karensjewelers.com.

Power outages planned in west Oak Ridge on Saturday

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Oak Ridge electrical infrastructure (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Electric Department is advising customers in far west Oak Ridge of two planned power outages set for Saturday, December 7.

The first outage is scheduled to take place close to 7 a.m., with the second outage set for 2 p.m. Each outage is expected to be brief, lasting approximately 15 minutes.

Customers likely to be affected by the planned outages include the far west end of Oak Ridge at or near The Preserve.

[Read more…]

Leadership Oak Ridge provides outdoor seating area at AMSE

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Leadership-Oak-Ridge-2019-Graduation.jpg

Members of the 2019 Leadership Oak Ridge Class recently graduated and dedicated their class project: a gathering space near the American Museum of Science and Energy. (Submitted photo)

 

 

Information from Kathy Gillenwaters and Amanda Meixel Kinghorn

Members of the Leadership Oak Ridge program recently finished a project that provides enhancements to the American Museum of Science and Energy. The multi-offering project was made possible through numerous volunteer hours from participants and generous donations from local businesses, a press release said.

Additions include a new outdoor seating area, landscaping, and beautification installations, the press release said.

“The new gathering area was a project of particular importance and filled a need that existed since AMSE’s location change last year,” the release said.

AMSE now has outdoor classroom space, transition space for rotating large groups through the educational facility, and seating for the bus tour that departs from the building nine months of the year. The project also included new landscaping and beautification pieces that enhance the visual appeal of Oak Ridge’s expanding Main Street area, the press release said. [Read more…]

Call center relocates to Oak Ridge

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Avant LLC

Avant LLC hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. Avant recently relocated its call center operations to Commerce Park in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

Avant LLC recently announced that the company has completed the relocation of its call center operations from nearby Louisville to Commerce Park in Oak Ridge.

This completes a year-long series of planning discussions that started in the fall of 2018, a press release said. The financial services company currently employs 200 people in the region. Site director Steve Massey expects that number to grow to between 350 and 400 in 2020.

“Our move has been very successful so far, and we are looking forward to growing with Oak Ridge into a bright future here,” Massey said.

“It’s exciting to see a company that is growing and already has plans to increase employment levels come into the City of Oak Ridge,” said Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson. [Read more…]

Celebrate—or take a break from—the holidays with Dine and Donate!

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ADFAC Dine and Donate

ADFAC’s Becky Hook and Nan Shugart recently brought ‘Addy the School Supplies Frog’ along for a celebratory lunch at Mediterranean Delight. (Submitted photo)

 

The holiday season is in full force! Black Friday is over, and Cyber Monday has come and gone—but the blizzard of holiday activities won’t be over for a few more weeks.

On Monday, December 9, rest your feet and enjoy good eats with ADFAC’s Dine and Donate event! On that day, participating restaurants will donate a portion of sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC). Whether you need a break from holiday stress or want to share an early festive meal with friends and family, Dine and Donate restaurants are ready for you.

December’s featured Dine & Donate supporter is Mediterranean Delight, located in Security Square shopping center, tucked behind Methodist Therapy Services. Mediterranean Delight offers exceptional ethnic cuisine. Customers “delight” in regional Mediterranean specialties such as tabbouleh, hummus, baba ghanoush, kubeh, shawarma, and kebabs. Multiple vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are available. [Read more…]

Winter Farmers’ Market opens Saturday

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The Winter Farmers’ Market will open in Oak Ridge on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, and it will be open through March 28, 2020, in St. Mary’s School gym in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy Grow Oak Ridge)

The Winter Farmers’ Market will open in Oak Ridge on Saturday, and it will be open through March.

With more than 30 vendors each week, the Winter Farmers’ Market is the largest one in Anderson County, a press release said.

This weekend’s opening is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, December 7, in the gym at St. Mary’s School in Oak Ridge.

This year, the Winter Farmers’ Market will extend an extra four weeks, through March 28, 2020. It is closed only on the Saturday after Christmas, December 28, the press release said.

“Our farmers grow a wide array of crops all winter long,” said Rebecca Williams, director of Grow Oak Ridge, the nonprofit organization that produces the market.

[Read more…]