Oak Ridge Today

Anderson County government: Let’s knock out breast cancer!

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Anderson County Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pictured, back row, from left are Shaynne Thompson, Purchasing Agent Pamela Cotham, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, Toni Romero, and Deputy Purchasing Agent Karen Whaley. Pictured front row, from left, are Cathy Toney, Lisa Champion, Joyce McCulley, and Terri Ferry. (Photo courtesy of Anderson County Government)

The Anderson County purchasing and school departments, along with the county mayor, have joined the fight to raise awareness for breast cancer, a press release said.

“Purchasing supports our own survivors, and we encourage and empower women to do monthly self-exams and get a yearly mammogram,” Purchasing Agent Pamela Cotham said.

As those battling cancer “box and fight” their way through, they are surrounded by many people—known and unknown—who stand in their corner during their fight.  [Read more…]

Oak Ridge resident living with HIV featured on WUOT special to air Nov. 6

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WUOT I'm Still Here Logo

KNOXVILLE—When John was diagnosed with HIV in 1990, he never would have imagined he would be alive to celebrate his 50th birthday.

Twenty-three years later, the Oak Ridge resident views his life with the sense of appreciation and perspective that can only come from someone forced to face his own mortality.

“My life is a lot different,” he said, “but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

John is one of five East Tennesseans featured on a new WUOT special, “I’m Still Here: My HIV Life.” The program will air during “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” on Wednesday, Nov. 6. [Read more…]

B&W Y-12 names Bill Reis as vice president of public, governmental affairs

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Bill Reis

Bill Reis

Bill Reis has been appointed vice president of public and governmental affairs for B&W Y-12, the contractor that manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Reis has worked at Y-12 for 30 years in a variety of roles, a press release said. He most recently served as vice president for environment, safety, and health. During his tenure, B&W Y-12 achieved Voluntary Protection Program, or VPP, Star status, reduced the recordable injury rate by 30 percent, and developed a more robust health and wellness program. In this role, he has also been the site’s primary interface with local, state, and federal environmental agencies. [Read more…]

Annual Christmas tree lighting in Bissell Park scheduled for Dec. 6

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Oak Ridge Christmas Tree Lighting

The Oak Ridge Woman’s Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will have the annual Christmas tree lighting at A.K. Bissell Park on Friday, Dec. 6.

The Oak Ridge Woman’s Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will sponsor the annual Christmas tree lighting and reception at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.

Participants should gather at the Secret City Commemorative Walk on the east side of the Oak Ridge Public Library parking lot for a brief ceremony, a press release said. Following the tree lighting, a reception will be held in the Oak Ridge Civic Center gymnasium. Participants will enjoy seasonal music and refreshments provided by the Oak Ridge Woman’s Club Civic Affairs Committee.

For more information, visit the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department website at www.orrecparks.org.

Secret City Wildbots have ‘Tech or Treat’ on Friday

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Spook-Tech-Ular!

The Secret City Wildbots are hosting the first annual Tech or Treat at Oak Ridge High School on Friday evening. (Submitted image)

The Secret City Wildbots are hosting the first annual Tech or Treat at Oak Ridge High School on Friday evening.

Tech or Treat will support STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in Oak Ridge Schools and the surrounding areas.

Tech or Treat is similar to trunk or treat. STEM-related clubs and teams from around the area will set up booths in the Oak Ridge High School Cafeteria and hand out candy to community trick-or-treaters. There will even be special guests from technology research companies in the area, a press release said. [Read more…]

Johnson Gap Road bridge repair, replacement under study

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Information from WYSH Radio

Anderson County Law Director Jay Yeager has offered an update on the status of the Johnson Gap Road Bridge, owned by CSX Railroad and closed since earlier this year due to structural concerns found by the state during a routine investigation.

The bridge is owned by the railroad, and it is the only entity that can legally make the repairs and get the bridge back open. Many people in that area, which is northwest of Clinton, depend on that bridge to get to and from their homes.

The latest update, according to Yeager, is that the bridge replacement or repair is under analysis by CSX’s property asset division. No decisions have been made. Yeager says that he has spoken to railroad officials three times by telephone and in several emails. [Read more…]

Camera Club: Get your prints ready this week

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Pat Postma Picture

Picture by Pat Postma

It is fall, and it is time to enter your best prints in the big show sponsored by the Camera Club of Oak Ridge. Amateur and professional photographers throughout East Tennessee should bring their mounted color or black and white images to the New Hope Center at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge on Friday, Nov. 1, from noon until 5 p.m. or on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Images must be mounted on a 16” x 20” x 3/16” foam core board. Please read complete Salon rules on the cameraclubofoakridge.org website. Entry forms and labels to affix to the back of each photograph can also be found on the website.

The gallery of images will be shown at New Hope Center during business hours throughout November and December. [Read more…]

Tennessee state parks offer special discounts to veterans

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Frozen Head State Park

Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg is pictured above. (Photo by Tennessee State Parks)

Veterans Day designated a Free State Park Day for Tennessee veterans

NASHVILLE – Tennessee State Parks announced Tuesday it will have its annual free state parks day for all Tennessee veterans, offering one free night of camping and/or a complimentary round of golf with appropriate identification. Veterans Day is Monday, Nov. 11.

“On Veterans Day, we honor the many brave men and women who have served our country,” Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill said in a press release. “The state parks family invites all of Tennessee’s veterans to visit us on Nov. 11 and enjoy a day in one of our beautiful parks.”

A few of the parks closest to Oak Ridge include Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg, Cove Lake State Park in Caryville, and Big Ridge State Park in Maynardville. (See the Tennessee State Parks website for information on all the parks.) [Read more…]

Anderson County Sheriff releases Halloween safety tips

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Halloween will soon be upon us and our neighborhoods will be scattered with trick or treaters. To be sure this will be a fun and safe Halloween, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department is offering these safety tips.

  • Parents, please remember when choosing your children’s costumes, face paint is preferable to a mask. Trick or treaters should wear reflective clothing, carry a bright orange bag, and carry a flashlight or glowstick to make it easier for passing cars to spot them. Always walk on the left side of the road facing traffic. Parents and children alike should watch for cars at all times. [Read more…]

Knoxville Guitar Ensemble has free performance at New Hope on Friday

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Knoxville Guitar Ensemble

The Knoxville Guitar Ensemble will present a free program of classical guitar music at the New Hope Center on Friday. (Submitted photo)

The Knoxville Guitar Ensemble will present a free program of classical guitar music at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the New Hope Center.

Ensemble members David Hickman, Tyler Jordan, John Wade, Travis Halloway, and Andy LeGrand will play music from Spain, South America, and original compositions.

The New Hope Center is at the front entrance at the Y-12 National Security Complex at 602 Scarboro Road in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Neutrons, electrons, and theory reveal secrets of natural gas reserves

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Scanning Electronic Microscope Image of Unconventional Gas Reservoir

A scanning electron microscope image illustrating mineralogy and texture of an unconventional gas reservoir. Note that nanoporosity is not resolvable with this image. SANS and USANS analysis is required to quantify pore size distribution and interconnectivity. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

Gas and oil deposits in shale have no place to hide from an Oak Ridge National Laboratory technique that provides an inside look at pores and reveals structural information potentially vital to the nation’s energy needs.

The research by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy laboratory could clear the path to the more efficient extraction of gas and oil from shale, environmentally benign and efficient energy production from coal, and perhaps viable carbon dioxide sequestration technologies, according to Yuri Melnichenko, an instrument scientist at ORNL’s High Flux Isotope Reactor. [Read more…]

Altrusa’s annual spaghetti dinner, auction on Wednesday

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Altrusa will have its fundraising Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Auction on Wednesday evening at the DoubleTree Hotel on South Illinois Avenue.

“Enjoy dinner, wine, and entertainment, a press release said. [Read more…]