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Photos: Jackson Square fountain operating, benches installed

Posted at 2:08 am September 29, 2015
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Jackson Square Bench and Fountain Sept. 28, 2015

The $1 million renovation of the Jackson Square parking lot includes an interactive fountain, brick-like stone pavers, and new benches, landscaping, and lights. The fountain was operating on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The new interactive fountain at Jackson Square was operating on Monday. It’s part of a $1 million renovation of the Jackson Square parking lot. The work was mostly funded with a Tennessee Department of Transportation grant.

Construction started in January and, according to the most recent publicly announced schedule, was expected to be substantially complete by September 15.

The renovation includes a reconfigured parking lot, landscaped pedestrian plaza with parking, the interactive fountain, stone pavers, curbing, asphalt paving, utilities, new lights, benches, sidewalks, and upgrades under the American with Disabilities Act.

It’s the first major renovation at Jackson Square, the city’s original town center, in 70 years. The $741,609 TDOT Enhancement Grant was awarded to the city in June 2012.

There had been some concerns this summer among business owners, city officials, and residents about delays in the project. But the frustrations seemed to ease, at least publicly, after the fountain arrived in August.

The work appeared to be mostly done on Monday, September 28. Here are photos from Jackson Square on Monday.

Jackson Square Fountain Sept. 28, 2015

The $1 million renovation of the Jackson Square parking lot includes an interactive fountain, brick-like stone pavers, and new benches, landscaping, and lights. The fountain was operating on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Business, Front Page News, Government, Media, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Photos, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: fountain, interactive fountain, Jackson Square, parking lot, pedestrian plaza, renovation, Tennessee Department of Transportation

ORHS boys cross country wins McCallie Invitational in Chattanooga

Posted at 11:59 pm September 28, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

ORHS Boys Cross Country Team at McCallie Invitational on Sept. 26, 2015

The Oak Ridge High School boys cross country team finished first at the McCallie Invitational in Chattanooga on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. (Photo courtesy Steven D. Martin)

 

The Oak Ridge High School boys cross country team finished first at the McCallie Cross Country Invitational in Chattanooga on Saturday.

The Wildcats also had three of the top five male runners in the 5,000-meter run, or 5k.

Senior Mitchell Poynter of Tippecanoe was the top individual male runner, finishing the 5k in 15:43.57.

Senior Tyler Boullie of ORHS was 14 seconds behind him in second place, finishing the race in 15:57.96.

Boullie was followed by junior Jacob Etheridge of ORHS at 16:22.88. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports Tagged With: Abbey Greenhalgh, cross country, Daeton Byars, Daniel Beckett, David Nagle, Elisabeth Martin, Evelyn Pieper, Farragut, Genevieve Schwartz, Jacob Etheridge, Jake Goodlaxson, Jose Villegas, Maddie Zawisza, Maryville, Matthew Martin, McCallie Cross Country Invitational, McCallie Invitational, Megan Peters, Oak Ridge High School, Oldham County, ORHS, Richard Martin, Robyn Wood, Thomas Colburn, Tippecanoe, Trinity Invitational, Trinity/Valkyri Invitational, Tyler Boullie, Wildcats, Will Jeter

Radioactive components removed from former reactor at ORNL

Posted at 1:17 pm September 28, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Group Photo Radioactive Components Reactor Pool

Federal and contractor employees who worked on the project to remove irradiated components from a reactor pool gather to watch the transport of the shipment offsite for disposition. (Photo courtesy DOE Office of EM)

 

Water was found seeping from a pool at a former reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory one year ago, and in August, workers removed four irradiated components from the pool that produced about 96 percent of the radiation, federal officials said Thursday.

The four irradiated components weigh about 200 pounds each, said the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management, or EM.

Water was found seeping from the reactor pool at the Oak Ridge Research Reactor during a routine inspection in September 2014. The facility, also known as Building 3042, is one of hundreds of Manhattan Project and Cold War-ear structures across the Oak Ridge Reservation monitored by the Oak Ridge Office of EM.

Nuclear research had not been conducted at the facility since 1988, but it still contained the highly irradiated components from those operations. The leak was causing the pool to lose the water that served as a protective, shielding agent for the irradiated components, officials said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: AREVA, EM, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Office, Oak Ridge Research Reactor, Oak Ridge Reservation, Office of Environmental Management, reactor, Sue Cange, U.S. Department of Energy, UCOR

New Goodwill store now open

Posted at 12:37 pm September 28, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Goodwill Staff, Business Leaders, Oak Ridge Chamber on Sept. 18, 2015

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce organized a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Goodwill store on Emory Valley Road on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The new Goodwill store on Emory Valley Road opened on Friday, September 18.

The new store replaces the former Oak Ridge Goodwill, which was located on South Illinois Avenue.

There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new store on Friday, September 18.

“The new location…will provide a brighter shopping space with a significantly larger center for job training efforts,” the company said.

Executives said the new store, located at 697 Emory Valley Road, next to the new Hank’s Market, will continue to receive and sell donations of gently used clothing and household goods. Proceeds from the sale of goods in this and other Goodwill stores will fund job training programs and employment opportunities for people with barriers to employment in and around Oak Ridge, a press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Emory Valley Road, Goodwill, Goodwill Industries Knoxville, Liz Nother, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Parker Hardy

Trial for Corwin’s alleged killer to be moved

Posted at 12:14 pm September 28, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Christopher Lee

Christopher Lee

Information from WYSH Radio

The trial for a former Marine accused of killing an Oak Ridge native who was living in California with her Marine husband is being moved.

Christopher Lee is charged with the 2014 murder of Erin Corwin.

Prosecutors say that after he killed her, Lee dumped Corwin’s body down an abandoned mine shaft in a remote section of the Joshua Tree National Park.

Authorities say the two had an affair while Corwin’s husband was based at Twentynine Palms, California. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Police and Fire Tagged With: Christopher Lee, Erin Corwin, Joshua Tree National Park, murder

AC runs for 517 yards, forces six Dragon turnovers in 51-47 win at Clinton

Posted at 12:06 pm September 28, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Today

Information from WYSH Radio

Friday night, it looked for two quarters like the Clinton Dragons might snap arguably their most vexing dry spell—the six-year long losing streak to archrivals Anderson County—but in the second half, the Mavericks ran all over that notion, rallying from a 27-6 halftime deficit for a thrilling 51-47 win at Clinton.

The win ran AC’s streak in the Crosstown Showdown to seven in a row and 16 of the last 17 meetings.

Anderson County outscored Clinton 45-20 in the second half on the strength of their running game, led by Mason Phillips’ 293 yards and 5 touchdowns on 44 carries.

Quarterback Tate Holmes added 147 yards rushing and a score. His only completion of the game was a 29-yard scoring strike to Thasaud Thrasher. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports Tagged With: Anderson County, CHS, Clinton Dragons, Crosstown Showdown, J'Quan Thomas, Marquise Gallahar, Mason Phillips, Mavericks, Tate Holmes, Thasaud Thrasher, Travist Patrick, turnovers, Tyler Thackerson

Two Lady Hawks combine for 10 shots, three goals in 4-1 win over Oak Ridge

Posted at 12:04 am September 28, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Hardin Valley Paige Hewitt and Lady Wildcats Katie Welsh Sept. 23, 2015

Paige Hewitt (14) of Hardin Valley had five shots and two goals against Oak Ridge on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. Above, Katie Welsh (5) of the Lady Wildcats defends against Hewitt, left, in a 4-1 win for Hardin Valley in Oak Ridge. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Two Hardin Valley girls combined for 10 shots and three goals in a 4-1 win over the Lady Wildcats in Oak Ridge on Wednesday.

Paige Hewitt had five shots and two goals for Hardin Valley, and Gabby Powers had five shots and one goal.

Reagan Ely also scored for the Lady Hawks.

Macy Barclay had the lone goal for Oak Ridge (11-3, 4-1 District 3-Class AAA). [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: District 3-Class AAA, District 4-Class AAA, Dominique Rowe, Ellie Brown, Gabby Powers, Gwen Breslin, Hardin Valley, Jasmine Rizk, Kelsie Klett, Lady Hawks, Lady Wildcats, Macy Barclay, Mark Patterson, Oak Ridge, Paige Hewitt, Reagan Ely, soccer

Emert elected chair of Anderson Commission, Isbel is vice chair

Posted at 4:00 pm September 27, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Steve Emert

Steve Emert

Anderson County Commissioner Steve Emert was elected chair of the Anderson County Commission on Monday, replacing former Chair Robert McKamey, and Commissioner Tim Isbel was elected vice chair of the 16-member legislative body.

McKamey had sought to be reappointed to a second one-year term as chair. But he only picked up two votes Monday, one from him and the other from Commissioner Philip Warfield.

Emert, who has been vice chair for one one-year term, voted “no” for McKamey, and all other commissioners who were present abstained, which was, under the rules, a vote for Emert. Nine votes were required.

Anderson County commissioners Myron Iwanski and Angeleque McNutt were absent.

Isbel was appointed vice chair. No one else sought that post. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Government Tagged With: Anderson County Commission, Angeleque McNutt, chair, Myron Iwanski, Philip Warfield, Robert McKamey, Steve Emert, Tim Isbel, vice chair

Alexander Guest House renovation restores grandeur at historic hotel

Posted at 2:57 pm September 27, 2015
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Alexander Guest House Ballroom and Cafeteria Sept. 23, 2015

The ballroom and cafeteria area is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn hotel into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

It’s been a dream for years, and now the preservation and transformation of the former Alexander Inn is nearly complete.

The two-year, $8 million construction and renovation project is almost finished, and Alexander Guest House could open as an assisted living facility in about two weeks, said Rick Dover of Dover Development of East Tennessee.

Sixty percent of the 64 apartments are already reserved, Executive Director Jody Daugherty said during a media tour Wednesday. Among those who will live there are Jean Stone of Oak Ridge and Dean Ford of Oliver Springs. They participated in the media tour on Wednesday.

“I think they’ve done a remarkable job of restoring it to its grandeur,” said Stone, a longtime Oak Ridge resident who has “many fine memories” of parties, weddings, wedding receptions, and club meetings, among other events, at the historic two-story hotel. “Once I saw what they’re doing here, I wanted to come here. I think it will be a lovely place to live. It’s absolutely tremendous.”

The historic two-story hotel was built as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II, and top scientists and dignitaries once stayed there. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Business, Community, East Tennessee Technology Park, Front Page News, Government, Health, Nonprofits, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Alexander Guest House, Alexander Inn, Bill Haslam, CNB, Dean Ford, DOE, Dover Development, East Tennessee Preservation Alliance, Enrico Fermi, Family Pride Corporation, Guest House, Henry Stimson, historic hotel, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Jean Stone, Jody Daugherty, John Ragan, K-25, Kim Trent, Knox Heritage, Leslie Groves, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, National Historic Register, Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, ORHPA, Randy McNally, renovation, Rick Dover, Tom Beehan, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Interior, Wes Farragut, World War II

Photos: Police Lives Matter rally

Posted at 2:17 am September 27, 2015
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Police Lives Matter Rally Crowd

About 65 people attended a Police Lives Matter rally at Alvin K. Bissell Park on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A rally at Alvin K. Bissell Park on Saturday, September 19, showed support for police officers and first responders. It included music, prayer, several speakers, a reading of the names of fallen officers, a short march, and a candlelight vigil.

“I had this for support of our police officers, first responders, and all lives,” said Kevin Rice, one of the three organizers.

Here are pictures from the rally.

Police Lives Matter Candlelight Vigil

The Police Lives Matter rally included a candlelight vigil at Alvin K. Bissell Park on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Alvin K. Bissell Park, Anthony Allen, Black Lives Matter, candlelight vigil, FOP Atomic City Lodge #1, Jake Morrill, Jesse Pack, John Criswell, Kevin Rice, march, Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, Police Lives Matter, rally, Stephanie Criswell

Police: Forty-nine grams of suspected heroin seized on West Outer after shooting, crash

Posted at 2:49 pm September 25, 2015
By John Huotari 1 Comment

Chelsea Reign Lively

Chelsea Reign Lively

Note: This story was last updated at 3:44 p.m.

Police seized 49.2 grams of suspected heroin in a West Outer Drive home during a search after the shooting on Wakefield Road and three-car crash on North Illinois Avenue on Monday, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department has also made an arrest in the case. Chelsea Reign Lively, 22, was arrested Thursday, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. She was charged with possessing Schedule I (heroin) and Schedule VI (marijuana) drugs for sale.

Authorities said further charges against Lively are expected.

Police said Larry Dewayne Williams was identified as a person of interest in the shooting when he fled from the ORPD shortly after the shooting and allegedly caused a three-car crash at the intersection of North Illinois Avenue and West Outer Drive.

Officers—including members of the ORPD, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, the crime task force, and an ACSD K-9 unit—swarmed the area and searched for Williams. That led officers to a home at 612 West Outer Drive, where they said they executed a search warrant on Tuesday and recovered additional evidence. The house is the home of Lively and Williams, according to arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court.

“The search warrant commanded that all controlled substances be seized as evidence,” said the warrants, filed by ORPD Detective Kevin Craig.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County General Sessions Court, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Chelsea Reign Lively, crash, drugs, heroin, Kevin Craig, Larry Dewayne Williams, marijuana, North Illinois Avenue, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD, shooting, Wakefield Road, West Outer Drive

Photos: Oak Ridge and Sevier County football

Posted at 5:20 am September 25, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Wildcats T.J. Allison at Sevier County Sept. 24, 2015

T.J. Allison (6) had his second two-touchdown game this year in a 44-34 win over Sevier County on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. Allison scored on one-yard and 10-yard runs. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was updated with more photos at 4:23 p.m.

SEVIERVILLE—Oak Ridge scored three touchdowns and a field goal on four turnovers by Sevier County in a 44-34 win in Sevierville on Thursday.

The Wildcats added three more touchdowns without the help of turnovers to maintain their game-long lead over the Smoky Bears in a televised game on Hardin-Robertson Field.

Here are photos from the Thursday night game by Julio Culiat.

Wildcats Caleb Jackson at Sevier County on Sept. 24, 2015

Oak Ridge junior Caleb Jackson (25) had a touchdown for the Wildcats on a 57-yard catch from quarterback Logan Fadnek in a 44-34 win over Sevier County on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Media, Photos, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Alex Alcorn, Caleb Jackson, Chase Kimbro, Darel Middleton, Davon Middleton, Deuce Wallace, Devante Matthews, Gavin Warrington, Jordan Dunbar, Jordan Graham, Julio Culiat, Logan Fadnek, Matt Warmbrod, Oak Ridge, Sevier County, T.J. Allison, Tee Higgins, Terra Davenport, Wildcats

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