Oak Ridge Today

Two fires reported early Friday

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Oak Ridge Fire Department firefighters responded to two structure fires early Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, including one at around 4:29 a.m. on Newport Drive. (Photo from City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge Fire Department firefighters responded to two structure fires early Friday. No one was injured in either fire.

The first fire was reported at 12:42 a.m. Friday at 109 Houston Avenue. When they arrived, Oak Ridge firefighters found a detached garage that was on fire, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

The second fire was reported about three hours later, at around 4:29 a.m. It was a structure fire at 129 Newport Drive.

“Firefighters got the fire under control and are remaining on scene this morning extinguishing hot spots,” the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release Friday.

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AC man charged with attempted murder after alleged shooting

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Cody Alexander Thomas

A 24-year-old Anderson County man was charged with attempted murder Friday after an alleged shooting following an argument in Clinton on Wednesday sent another man to a hospital with a gunshot wound on the right side of his abdomen, according to court records and Clinton police officers.

Besides attempted murder, a Class A felony, Cody Alexander Thomas, who has a Marlow address, was also charged with three other felony counts: unlawfully carrying or possessing a weapon, possessing a firearm while committing a dangerous felony, and tampering with evidence.

The shooting was reported at about 2:05 a.m. Wednesday on Rolling Acres Lane, which is off Longmire Road near the Clinch River and State Route 61 a few miles east of downtown Clinton.

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Election is Thursday

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The Anderson County general election and state and federal primary elections are Thursday.

Competitive races include the Democratic and Republican primaries for U.S. Senate, Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives in District 33 in Anderson County, an Anderson County Commission seat in District 6 in Oak Ridge, and seats on the Anderson County School Board.

Voters can cast ballots in the county general election and either the Democratic or Republican state and federal primary election.

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Kairos Power begins construction on demonstration reactor​

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Kairos Power has started construction on a test nuclear reactor in west Oak Ridge. The Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor is the first of its type to be approved for construction by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the first non-light-water reactor to be permitted in the U.S. in more than 50 years, a press release said. (Image courtesy Kairos Power)

Kairos Power has started construction on a test nuclear reactor in west Oak Ridge.

The Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor is the first of its type to be approved for construction by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the first non-light-water reactor to be permitted in the U.S. in more than 50 years, a press release said.

The NRC approved a construction permit for the test reactor at Heritage Center industrial park, the former K-25 site, in December.

“Hermes represents a critical milestone on Kairos Power’s iterative path to commercializing advanced reactor technology,” the press release said.

Kairos Power said it has contracted with Barnard Construction Company Inc. to perform sitework and excavation at the Hermes site in Oak Ridge, and that work began earlier this month.

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Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for Off-Site Depleted Uranium Manufacturing, which analyzes the potential impacts associated with depleted uranium manufacturing at facilities located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Jonesborough, Tennessee.

NNSA invites the public to review and submit comments on the Draft EA. Copies of the document are available for public review on the NNSA NEPA web page (https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/nnsa-nepa-reading-room) and/or the DOE NEPA web page (https://www.energy.gov/nepa/public-comment-opportunities).

NNSA is providing an approximately 30-day comment period on the Draft EA and public comments should be submitted no later than August 30, 2024. Written comments may be mailed to NNSA NEPA Document Manager, Attn: DU Draft EA, P.O. Box 2050, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 or submitted by email to [email protected]. Comments will not be accepted over the telephone.

County law director dies at 65

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Jay Yeager

Anderson County Law Director Nicholas “Jay” Yeager, of Clinton, died Friday. He was 65.

Yeager was assistant attorney in Anderson County from 2001 to 2006, and he has been law director since then.

“Mr. Yeager was known for his unwavering commitment to his profession and Anderson County government, having joined Anderson County nearly 23 years ago, on October 29, 2001,” officials said in a statement from Anderson County Commission Chair Tyler Mayes, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, and Anderson County Commission. “His expertise and leadership significantly contributed to our community. He was a constant presence at meetings, active in the operations of government, and his legacy will be felt for years to come.

“His contributions extended beyond his professional role; he was a mentor, a colleague, and a friend to many. In his committed dedication to his work, he built relationships that he held for a lifetime.”

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Outdoor Pool to close for season Aug. 12

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The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool is pictured above on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Indoor Pool to re-open Monday

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool will closed for the season on Monday, August 12, and the Indoor Pool will re-open Monday, July 29, after being closed for a few months for renovations.

The last day the Outdoor Pool will be open is Sunday, August 11, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for open swim, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

The Puppy Pool Party, marking the official end of the season, is set for Saturday, August 17, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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Blount County man dies in single-vehicle crash in Oak Ridge

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A Blount County man died Thursday night in a single-vehicle crash in Oak Ridge.

William F. Alldis, 34, of Louisville, Tennessee, was pronounced dead at the crash site, the City of Oak Ridge said in a news release.

Oak Ridge Police Department officers responded to the 200-block area of Lafayette Drive after a call about an erratic driver at 8:51 p.m., and a crash was reported minutes later at 8:53 p.m., the release said.

When they arrived at 8:55 p.m., officers began life-saving measures until they were relieved by Oak Ridge Fire Department firefighters and Anderson County Emergency Medical Services medics. However, these life-saving measures were not successful, the release said.

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Tennis court dances recreate wartime event

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Photo courtesy Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Monthly dances by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park recreate the open-air tennis court dances that entertained 75,000 workers and their families in the Secret City during World War II.

“Put on your dancing shoes, another summer of tennis court dances are kicking off on the Jackson Square tennis courts,” a press release said.

The all-ages dances are scheduled monthly on the third Thursday.

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County wants to improve access to government services

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Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank is asking residents for help improving physical and electronic access to county government facilities and services.

A kickoff meeting for the “Access Anderson County Initiative” is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, August 1, in Room 118A of the Anderson County Courthouse at 100 North Main Street in Clinton.

“Clear and effective government signage, as well as website navigation, can help county government facilities and departments communicate effectively with citizens, as well as improve safety,” a press release said. “It can also help provide citizens with the information they need to access government and resources.”

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Learn about Oak Ridge history during World War II

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Photo courtesy Manhattan Project National Historical Park

You can learn more about the history of Oak Ridge during World War II during a free national park walk through Jackson Square on Thursday, July 18.

The walk is offered by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, which includes Oak Ridge.

The program is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. July 18, at the fountain in the main parking lot in Jackson Square.

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Candidate forums this week

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There are two forums this week in Oak Ridge featuring candidates in the Tennessee primary election and Anderson County and Roane County general elections in August.

The forums have been organized by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, and the public is invited.

Early voting begins in both counties on Friday, July 12.

The Anderson County forum is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 9. It will take place at the Oak Ridge Campus of Roane State Community College in Room 107 in the Goff Building.

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