Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge Elks Lodge donates storage building to Agape House of Oak Ridge

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Pictured in the photo from left to right are Lynne and Michael McCutcheon, Agape House directors, along with Elks Lodge members John Calvert and Terry Standsberry. (Submitted photo)

Pictured in the photo from left to right are Lynne and Michael McCutcheon, Agape House directors, along with Elks Lodge members John Calvert and Terry Standsberry. (Submitted photo)

 

Members of the Oak Ridge Chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks recently donated a newly purchased 10′ by 12′ storage building to the Agape House of Oak Ridge.

The Agape House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides short term, temporary housing to the homeless in the community who are on a path to self-sufficiency, a press release said.

The storage building will provide safe storage solutions to families that are temporally homeless in order to keep some of their personal possessions until permanent housing is obtained. [Read more…]

Museum of Appalachia celebrates July 4 with ‘boom’ of anvil shoot

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

On July 4th, the Museum of Appalachia celebrates Independence Day in dramatic fashion. For nearly 30 years, the Museum has celebrated the Fourth of July by practicing the pioneer-tradition of “anvil-shooting.” (Photo courtesy Museum of Appalachia)

On July 4th, the Museum of Appalachia celebrates Independence Day in dramatic fashion. For nearly 30 years, the Museum has celebrated the Fourth of July by practicing the pioneer-tradition of “anvil-shooting.” (Photo courtesy Museum of Appalachia)

 

On July 4th, the Museum of Appalachia celebrates Independence Day in dramatic fashion. For nearly 30 years, the Museum has celebrated the Fourth of July by practicing the pioneer-tradition of “anvil-shooting.”

Each year, huge crowds gather to watch the Museum blacksmith as he packs gunpowder between two anvils and lights a fuse—launching the top anvil some 125 feet into the air. As the anvil soars high above the treetops, the earth literally shakes, and the sound of the explosion can be heard as far as 15 miles away.

Before there were fireworks, shooting the anvil was a common way for pioneers to celebrate special events, a press release said. Local blacksmiths would practice this tradition to celebrate the nation’s Independence, Christmas, and even Davy Crockett’s election to the U.S. Congress.

“While the tradition of anvil-shooting is nearly obsolete, the Museum honors our ancestors by carrying on this unique and exciting form of celebration,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Roane State offering software development course

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Roane State Community College Workforce Development will offer a class for those interested in software development or Web application development.

The course, “Front End, Back End Development Foundations,” will be on Fridays from July 29-August 26 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the college’s Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Avenue.

Topics will include HTML5, JavaScript, testing and debugging, object-oriented programming, SQL databases, and more. The cost is $799. [Read more…]

County mayor to host community meeting for Claxton road project

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Anderson County Mayor’s Office will host a community meeting on July 7 in Claxton, and the public is invited to attend and hear from state road officials about plans to improve Clinton Highway (US 25W) from Edgemoor Road to the Knox County line.

The community meeting will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on July 7 at the Claxton Community Center, 1150 Edgemoor Road. Officials from the Tennessee Department of Transportation will discuss the project in detail as well as gather input from the public. Representative John Ragan and Senator Randy McNally, as well as Claxton Commissioners Tracy Wandell and Chuck Fritts are scheduled to be in attendance.

The proposed project—intended to reduce fatal and injury motor vehicle crashes while improving safety and access along the corridor—will include resurfacing the existing roadway and reconfiguring lane markings to allow dedicated passing areas, a continuous center turn lane, and wider shoulders, a press release said. The project was initiated after a meeting in April 2016 between Anderson County, TDOT, and local and state law enforcement officials. [Read more…]

Readers ask about Walmart-Crown American covenants; read them here

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Main-Street-Oak-Ridge-Sign-Dec-21-2015

Workers from Masstar Signs of Greenville, S.C., install a new shopping center pylon sign at South Illinois Avenue and East Tulsa Road that announces Main Street Oak Ridge, the planned $80 million redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall. Pictured above on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, is Will Biggs of Masstar Signs. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

When the redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall is discussed, it’s not unusual to hear residents ask questions or raise concerns about the so-called Walmart covenants. Those are probably the most frequently cited covenants or restrictions in place at the former mall site.

But they’re not the only ones. Oak Ridge retail consultant Ray Evans said Cinemark Tinseltown theater, JCPenney, Belk, and Staples also have rights on the site redevelopment plan. As an example, some rights are related to not interfering with some nearby parking or roadways at certain times of the year.

Evans said it’s not true that the Walmart covenants have prevented redevelopment of the property. More generally, it’s not unusual in a redevelopment to have many people who have lots of rights, Evans said.

He said the Walmart covenants had no impact on the proposed redevelopment by RealtyLink, a project known as Main Street Oak Ridge. In fact, he thinks RealtyLink would probably say that Walmart was easy to work with, Evans said. [Read more…]

BBB-TV: Campbell stepping down as OS city manager

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

Our partners at BBB-TV have learned that Oliver Springs City Manager Becky Campbell will be stepping down at the end of the month.

Campbell has served as the Oliver Springs city manager since November 2014 after succeeding Tina Treece.

Campbell is wrapping up 18 years with the town. Much of her tenure was spent as an administrative assistant. [Read more…]

Clinton passes budget with no tax increase

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

On Monday, the Clinton City Council approved its budget on second and final reading, leaving the property tax rate at its current level of 94 cents per $100 of assessed value while providing 2 percent pay raises for city workers.

The new fiscal year begins on Friday, July 1.

Rogers Group patching parts of Illinois, Turnpike today through Thursday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Rogers Group Inc., a contractor for the City of Oak Ridge, is expected to start patching parts of two state highways today. The two state roads are Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The work is expected to last most of the week and be complete by Thursday, June 30, unless interrupted by weather or unforeseen problems, a press release said.

“Motorists should be aware of short-term temporary lane closures while this work is being completed,” the press release said. “Please take extra caution near Methodist Medical Center at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Tennyson Road. Thank you for your cooperation and patience while this work is being completed.”

Copyright 2016 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Photos: Tennessee Paracycling Open in Oak Ridge, II

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Tennessee Paracycling Open June 26 2016

The Tennessee Paracycling Open was in Oak Ridge on June 25 and June 26, 2016. It was a three-race event for disabled cyclists. This year’s registration list included many national champions and U.S. National Team members, who used the event to prepare for the July 2 Rio Paralympic Trials. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The Tennessee Paracycling Open held in Oak Ridge this weekend was a three-race event for disabled cyclists. Here are more photos by Julio Culiat.

It was Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26, and there was a learn-to-race class on June 24 for new riders.

This year’s registration list included many national champions and U.S. National Team members, who used the event to prepare for the July 2 Rio Paralympic Trials, a press release said.

The athletes, many of whom were disabled veterans, competed in several classes, on handcycles (for those with amputations or paralysis), tandem bicycles (with visually impaired stokers on the back, and sighted pilots on the front, and both powering the bike), and upright bicycles, for those with amputations of one or more limbs, neurological deficits, or other disabilities. [Read more…]

Photos: Tennessee Paracycling Open in Oak Ridge, I

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Tennessee Paracycling Open June 26 2016

The Tennessee Paracycling Open was in Oak Ridge on June 25 and June 26, 2016. It was a three-race event for disabled cyclists. This year’s registration list included many national champions and U.S. National Team members, who used the event to prepare for the July 2 Rio Paralympic Trials. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The Tennessee Paracycling Open held in Oak Ridge this weekend was a three-race event for disabled cyclists. Here are photos by Julio Culiat.

It was Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26, and there was a learn-to-race class on June 24 for new riders.

This year’s registration list included many national champions and U.S. National Team members, who used the event to prepare for the July 2 Rio Paralympic Trials, a press release said.

The athletes, many of whom were disabled veterans, competed in several classes, on handcycles (for those with amputations or paralysis), tandem bicycles (with visually impaired stokers on the back, and sighted pilots on the front, and both powering the bike), and upright bicycles, for those with amputations of one or more limbs, neurological deficits, or other disabilities. [Read more…]

Fires destroy two homes Friday, one in Oliver Springs, other on Dutch Valley Road

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Hen Valley Road Fire June 24 2016

A fire destroyed a home on Hen Valley Road in Oliver Springs late Friday, June 24, 2016. (Photo by Tom Scott)

 

OLIVER SPRINGS—Fires destroyed two homes on Friday, one in Oliver Springs and the other on Dutch Valley Road.

The first fire was reported at about 12:55 a.m. Friday at 1351 Dutch Valley Road in Anderson County.

The large, one-story, brick veneer home was completely on fire when the first units arrived from the nearby Marlow Fire Department Station 2 (located at the old Donovan School), fire photographer Tom Scott said. The Marlow Fire department responded with two engines and two tankers.

In response to mutual aid requests, the Oliver Springs Fire Department sent an engine and a rescue truck, and the Blair Fire Department sent an engine.

Anderson County Emergency Medical Services had a medic unit standing by at the scene. The fire units were on the scene until about 5 a.m. Friday, Scott said. The house was totally destroyed. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Community Band concert, fireworks on July 4

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Community Concert Band in July 4 Concert

The Oak Ridge Community Band is pictured above during the July 4, 2014, concert. (Photo by Larry Perry)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band will have its annual Independence Day concert at A.K. Bissell Park on Monday evening, July 4. The 7:30 p.m. concert will be followed by the city’s annual fireworks show, which starts at 10 p.m.

“Oak Ridgers and area residents who are looking for a great way to celebrate the July 4 holiday on a ‘high note’ should be making plans to attend,” a press release said. “This year’s July 4 concert marks the 72nd anniversary of the Community Band’s first concert, which was held on July 4, 1944, in the historic Jackson Square area of town. Large crowds are expected on Monday evening, so come early, bring lawn chairs or blankets for outdoor seating, and enjoy the music and fireworks!”

There is no admission fee for the concert. However, donations are welcomed to help offset band expenses, the press release said. Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab will be in the park to help people stay “cool” with refreshments. [Read more…]