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Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers could open in Oak Ridge early next year

Posted at 6:14 am May 26, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers could open in Oak Ridge early next year at the intersection of South Illinois Avenue and South Tulane Avenue, the company said Thursday, May 25, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers could open in Oak Ridge early next year, the company said Thursday.

“We are currently working on securing a space in a multi-tenant building on the northeast corner of Tulane and Illinois, in front of Wal-Mart,” said Bob Rasberry, area franchise owner. “We hope to open early next year.”

It would be part of Main Street Oak Ridge, the 58-acre project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall.

The Freddy’s restaurant would be on a redeveloped parcel at the busy intersection of South Illinois Avenue and South Tulane Avenue, near Taco Bell, which is being rebuilt, and the Golden Oak restaurant.

It would be within walking distance of eight new stores expected to open soon at Main Street Oak Ridge: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Electronic Express, Maurice’s, PetSmart, Rack Room Shoes, Rue 21, T.J. Maxx, and Ulta. It would be down the street from another new restaurant on South Illinois Avenue, Panda Express. [Read more…]

Forbes names Covenant Health one of ‘America’s Best Employers’

Posted at 10:31 am May 25, 2017
By Crystal Jordan Leave a Comment

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

Covenant Health, parent company of Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named one of “America’s Best Employers” by Forbes magazine and is the highest-ranking Tennessee organization to receive the designation this year. Only seven Tennessee firms made the list of 500 top large companies, a press release said.

Covenant Health was ranked 38th on the list this year, the health system’s second year to be ranked as one of America’s Best Employers by the national business publication. The 2017 lists include the best large and midsize companies in the United States.

Companies and organizations in the top 38 along with Covenant Health included such major institutions as Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Costco, Facebook, Sandia National Laboratories, Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Duke University, Publix, Michelin, Southwest Airlines, and NASA. Covenant Health was listed 10th among hospitals and healthcare organizations and is the only East Tennessee healthcare entity selected in 2017.

Jim VanderSteeg

“Covenant Health is proud to receive the Forbes designation for the second year in a row and to be included in such a prestigious list of national and international companies and organizations,” Covenant Health President and Chief Executive Office Jim VanderSteeg said. “Our employees make a commitment to support our health system’s pledge of excellence, which includes putting our patients first, excellence in everything we do, and making Covenant Health the first and best choice. This commitment creates a workplace environment that instills pride among all of us at Covenant Health.

“Our employees are essential to our health system’s success and to accomplishing our mission of improving the quality of life in our communities,” he added. “I am grateful for their expertise and dedication and for the compassionate care they give our patients every day.”

Forbes partnered with statistics firm Statista to compile data from a survey of more than 30,000 U.S. employees, 84 percent of whom work full-time. Employees were contacted anonymously online without the involvement of their employers, and respondents represented the U.S. workforce by gender, age, region, education, and ethnicity. According to Forbes, the direct score which determines placement and title as a top employer is derived from the question: “How likely are you to recommend your employer on a scale of 0-10?” [Read more…]

Reminder: First-ever Nine Lakes Wine Festival is today

Posted at 8:59 am May 20, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Reminder: The first-ever Nine Lakes Wine Festival is today (Saturday, May 20) at the Melton Lake Park peninsula in Oak Ridge.

The festival focuses on the wine trails of the eastern half of Tennessee and their award-winning wines, a press release said. It bears the name “Nine Lakes” from the nine lakes made by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the Knoxville area.

“The beauty of our waterfront Melton Lake Park is perfect for a wine festival,” said Marc DeRose, president of Explore Oak Ridge, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau, which is one of the sponsoring partners for the event.

Nine Lakes Wine Festival is featuring 20 wineries that participate in five different wine trails. They will be grouped by trail, for a seamless tasting experience, the press release said.

“We are highlighting wine trails because they set quality and professional standards for their members,” explained James R. Riddle, president of the Appalachian Region Wine Producers Association, one of the sponsors of the festival. [Read more…]

RadioShack store in Oak Ridge closing

Posted at 7:03 pm May 17, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The RadioShack store in Oak Ridge has posted a sign that it is closing. This photo was taken on Saturday, May 13, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The RadioShack store in Oak Ridge is reported to be closing. There is a “Store Closing” sign posted at the front of the store, and many items have been on sale.

The most current information we have is that the store could close later this month, although we have not been able to confirm that. RadioShack has not returned requests for comment this week.

RadioShack, an electronics convenience store, announced March 8 that it had filed for bankruptcy. At that time, the company said it was closing about 200 stores and evaluating options on the other 1,300.

“The company and its advisors are currently exploring all available strategic alternatives to maximize value for creditors, including the possibility of keeping stores open on an ongoing basis,” a March press release said. [Read more…]

Landlord summit for Anderson County landlords on Friday

Posted at 9:50 am May 15, 2017
By Annie Cacheiro Leave a Comment

There will be a free landlord summit for all Anderson County landlords in Oak Ridge on Friday.

The landlord summit is being hosted by Tennessee Valley Continuum of Care. It is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, May 19, at the Scarboro Community Center, which is at 148 Carver Avenue in Oak Ridge. The event will include a free continental breakfast, which will begin at 8:30 a.m., a press release said. Reservations are not required.

The press release said landlords are encouraged to attend because many helpful topics will be offered, including:

MORE2 (Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient)—These are energy-saving upgrades available to Oak Ridge homes for lower income home owners and renters.
Housing Choice Voucher Program—Learn how landlords can secure rental payments by participating in this program.
Case Management—Learn how case management from various nonprofit organizations can help your tenant be successful in housing.
Free Legal Information—Learn about new housing laws, eviction requirements, fair housing, and other valuable topics.

[Read more…]

Dr. Monica Crane will discuss Alzheimer’s disease on Tuesday at Courtyards Senior Living

Posted at 12:51 pm May 10, 2017
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Dr. Monica Crane

Dr. Monica Crane, a fellowship-trained geriatric medicine physician with special expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, will discuss “How to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, at The Courtyards Senior Living.

The public is invited to meet Dr. Crane, the new medical director for The Courtyards, and to attend the talk at the senior living facility at 300 Briarcliff Avenue in Oak Ridge, a press release said.

On April 1, Dr. Crane became medical director for The Courtyards Senior Living, which operates assisted living and dedicated memory care facilities in Oak Ridge, Knoxville, and Johnson City. She will present informative talks on aging at The Courtyards on a regular basis, the press release said.

She is also the medical director and founder of Genesis Neuroscience Clinic in Knoxville, which opened in April. The clinic, at 1400 Dowell Springs Boulevard, provides comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and clinical trial opportunities for those with cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative dementias, the release said. [Read more…]

MORE2 provides much-needed home energy improvements to Oak Ridge home

Posted at 12:41 pm May 10, 2017
By Annie Cacheiro Leave a Comment

Submitted

Oak Ridge resident Peggy Brummett is just one of many happy participants in the MORE2 Program offered in our community and she urges others to apply.

“I would highly recommend this to anyone!” Brummett said in a recent interview. “I don’t understand why there aren’t a whole lot more Oak Ridgers applying. It’s made a huge difference in our home.”

Brummett applied for the MORE2 program, hoping it would help with her utility bills and, more importantly, with her peace of mind.

“I can now sleep better knowing I can rely on our heat or air conditioning and knowing it won’t cost us so much in the future,” Brummett said. “And as a bonus, there is less dust in our house.”

She suspected her old heating, ventilation, and air conditioner (HVAC) wasn’t working effectively, and her utility bills were proof she was correct. Her home was losing a great deal of costly energy due to air leakage, inadequate insulation, and the poorly working HVAC unit.

At no cost, the MORE2 Program provided a new HVAC unit, new insulated ductwork, and performed air sealing throughout the home. Brummett is recently retired from a large retail establishment in Oak Ridge, where she worked in customer service. Having worked in customer service, she knows good service when she sees it and commented on the program. [Read more…]

Dine & Donate: Treat mom early on Monday, May 8

Posted at 6:18 pm May 7, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Operating since 1930, Hoskins is an institution in downtown Clinton. The restaurant is well known for its 1940s-style soda fountain and daily lunch specials, and it is a great place to start your day with time-honored breakfast items. (Submitted photo)

On Monday, May 8, eleven local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC).

Dine & Donate Mondays are always an easy way to treat loved ones to a special meal that also gives back to the community, a press release said.

“With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, Dine & Donate is a fantastic way to celebrate early with the mom(s) in your life!” the press release said.

Participating restaurants are: [Read more…]

New sushi restaurant planned in Oak Ridge

Posted at 6:01 pm May 3, 2017
By John Huotari 1 Comment

A sushi roll, the Special Roll, created by Ge “Jake” Moua. (Photo courtesy Tia Moua)

A new sushi restaurant is planned in Oak Ridge.

The new restaurant will be called I Heart Sushi. It will be owned and managed by Ge “Jake” Moua, who is from Oak Ridge and lives here.

It will be where China Wok used to be and next to the new Hobby Lobby store, which is in the former Kroger grocery store on South Illinois Avenue. The restaurant will be at 382 South Illinois Avenue.

The restaurant hopes to open as soon as possible, said Tia Moua, Jake’s wife. The restaurant is currently working on the inspections required by the City of Oak Ridge.

The sign to the building will be going up this week, Moua said Wednesday. There has been renovation work inside the former China Wok, and the opening and grand opening banners are ready. [Read more…]

A first in Anderson County: Oak Ridge home demolished as part of state blight elimination program

Posted at 11:50 am May 3, 2017
By John Huotari 2 Comments

The first home to be torn down in Anderson County as part of the state’s HHF Blight Elimination Program was being demolished at 678 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was last updated at 12:30 p.m.

It’s being described as a first: An Oak Ridge home is being demolished Wednesday as part of a state blight elimination program. It’s the first home to be torn down in Anderson County as part of the state’s HHF Blight Elimination Program.

The property being demolished is at 678 West Outer Drive. It’s owned by the Oak Ridge Land Bank. The demolition, being done by First Place Finish, is estimated to cost close to $3,600, and it is expected to be completed today (Wednesday, May 3).

The work is being funded by the U.S. Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund, or HHF. Tennessee’s HHF Blight Elimination Program is administered by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, or THDA. Anderson County is one of six counties in the Volunteer State included in the program.

Under the Blight Elimination Program, qualified nonprofits and land banks can apply for loans of up to $25,000 to cover the cost of acquiring a blighted abandoned home, demolishing it, “greening” the property, and maintaining the vacant lot. The greened lot can then be transformed into new affordable housing or another use that is approved by THDA and is expected to stabilize and improve the neighborhood. [Read more…]

Eight new Main Street stores could be turned over to retailers by end of June

Posted at 11:12 am May 2, 2017
By John Huotari 3 Comments

TJ-Maxx-Dicks-Sporting-Goods-Main-Street-Oak-Ridge-3-May-2-2017-Web

Eight new stores at Main Street Oak Ridge could be turned over to retailers by the end of June, a city consultant said Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Under construction above are the new Dick’s Sporting Goods and T.J. Maxx stores. These are the entrances closest to South Illinois Avenue. The U.S. Post Office is to the left, and Walmart is to the right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was last updated at 12 p.m.

Eight new stores at Main Street Oak Ridge could be turned over to retailers by the end of June, a city consultant said Tuesday, but the opening dates for the eight new stores haven’t been announced yet.

Ray Evans, retail consultant for the City of Oak Ridge, gave an update on the Main Street Oak Ridge project during a Tuesday morning Rise and Shine event sponsored by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce at Countryside Tire and Auto Service.

Two buildings with six retailers are scheduled to be delivered to retailers between mid-May and the end of May, Evans said. One building will include the new Dick’s Sporting Goods and T.J. Maxx stores, and another will include Maurice’s, Rack Room Shoes, Rue 21, and Ulta. Workers are preparing to pave the parking lot at Dick’s Sporting Goods and T.J. Maxx, Evans said. [Read more…]

Not clear yet where National Park Service will go when AMSE closes

Posted at 9:51 pm April 30, 2017
By John Huotari 4 Comments

former-sears-roebuck-co-oak-ridge-jan-2-2017-web

An agreement signed Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, by the U.S. Department of Energy and City of Oak Ridge calls for the American Museum of Science and Energy missions to be relocated within about one year to 18,000 square feet of space in a two-story building that once housed a Sears Roebuck store next to JCPenney at Main Street Oak Ridge. It’s not yet clear if the National Park Service, which has shared space with AMSE, will also move into this building. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

It’s not clear yet where the National Park Service will go when the American Museum of Science and Energy building closes at the end of the year, but a federal official said the Park Service will stay in Oak Ridge.

It could relocate to a two-story building that once housed Sears Roebuck at Main Street Oak Ridge, the former Oak Ridge Mall. That’s where the U.S. Department of Energy’s public education and outreach missions, now housed at the American Museum of Science and Energy, are moving.

But the National Park Service hadn’t committed to moving there as of April 17, said Niki Nicholas, site manager of the Oak Ridge unit of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The NPS needs more information, Nicholas said in response to questions after a Monday afternoon presentation to AAUW, or American Association of University Women. (A reader had told Oak Ridge Today of an April 17 letter reportedly sent from the Manhattan Project National Historical Park to federal officials at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which manages AMSE.)

Nicholas said the National Park Service has several options in Oak Ridge, including Main Street Oak Ridge. But she declined to elaborate on the precise number of options, where they might be, or what organizations or businesses might be co-located in those buildings. [Read more…]

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