Oak Ridge Today

Anderson County Chamber has job fair Thursday, April 28

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Y-12-National-Security-Complex-CNS-Sign-Dec-16-2014

Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, which manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, will be among the exhibitors at an April 28 job fair at the New Hope Center at Y-12. The job fair is hosted by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce will host a job fair to recruit employees for local businesses and industries on Thursday, April 28, in Oak Ridge.

The job fair is scheduled from 3-7 p.m. April 28 at the New Hope Center at Y-12 National Security Complex at 602 Scarboro Road.

“This one-day event allows job seekers to connect face-to-face with local businesses and industries seeking employees,” a press release said.

More than 2,000 positions are available.

As of April 14, exhibitors included: [Read more…]

Reichert: CNS hiring for more than 1,150 positions this fiscal year

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Michelle Reichert

Michelle Reichert

From CNS Connect with Michelle Reichert

The NNSA is planning for Pantex and Y-12 to perform a greater amount of mission work in the upcoming years. This increased workload will help ensure the safety and reliability of our nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, provide capabilities to draw down global weapons inventory, reduce the spread of nuclear weapons and terrorism, and provide highly specialized fuel for the nuclear navy.

Pantex and Y-12 are two of our nation’s key production facilities, and we form the cornerstone of the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise. While we always look to maximize your valuable skill sets to meet mission needs, our future mission success also requires creating new jobs.

As Morgan (Smith) mentioned when he shared the 9 in 90 list, we are completing the study and implementing the plan to address increased demand for our products and services in Fiscal Year 2017 and beyond. As a result of this plan, CNS is hiring for more than 1,150 positions this fiscal year. These new employees will include production, operations, and trades workers; security personnel; and science, engineering, and technology professionals, totaling 650 positions at Pantex and 500 positions at Y-12. To date (as of early March), we have successfully filled 507 positions. As part of our 9 in 90 Plan, we are striving to fill 300 positions within the next few months. [Read more…]

ORPD investigating ‘skimmer’ found at credit union ATM

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ORPD Pic of ATM Skimmer

The Oak Ridge Police Department is investigating a case where a “skimmer” was found attached to an ATM at the ORNL Federal Credit Union on South Illinois Avenue. (Photo by ORPD)

 

The Oak Ridge Police Department is investigating a case where a “skimmer” was found attached to an ATM at the ORNL Federal Credit Union on South Illinois Avenue on Sunday, authorities said.

A “skimmer” is an unauthorized device that is attached to the credit/debit card slot on an ATM, or automated teller machine, to fraudulently capture customers’ account information, the ORPD said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department recommends that consumers exercise caution when using ATMs. If you notice anything unusual about the ATM, contact the bank or credit union that operates the ATM, the ORPD said. [Read more…]

Chamber has Primetime networking event on Thursday; public invited

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Primetime Fiesta 2016

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Spring Primetime networking event is Thursday, April 21.

As of April 12, more than 40 Chamber-member organizations had reserved exhibit space for the event, which is titled “Fiesta Primetime.” It’s scheduled from 4-6 p.m. under the tent in the parking lot of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, which is at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Primetime is one of the Chamber’s biggest networking events of the year, a press release said. Anyone—Chamber member or not—is encouraged to attend. [Read more…]

Karen’s Jewelers hosts Estate Show on Friday, Saturday

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Estate Jewelry 2

Karen’s Jewelers in Oak Ridge wil host an Estate Show on Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23, 2016. (Submitted photo)

An Elvis Presley fan who hung around the gates of Graceland in Memphis from the 1950s to the 1970s was lucky enough to meet the rock ‘n roll star and receive a gift from him of gold-plated “EP” initial lapel pins.

Elvis’ lapel pins and other estate, vintage, and celebrity-owned jewelry will be on display at Karen’s Jewelers on Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23.

The Estate Jewelry Show and Sale will be from 3-7:30 p.m. Friday, April 22, and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Karen’s Jewelers, 1120 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge. The show will feature jewelry from bygone eras and celebrity jewelry with stories to tell.

Among the treasures will be vintage engagement rings, pearls, cameos, diamonds, gold, signed pieces, gems in exotic colors, platinum and filigree designs gathered from estates around the world, according to Martha Hart of Karen’s Jewelers.

Rings, bracelets, earrings, brooches, pendants, and necklaces are among hundreds of pieces that will be on display. A wide selection of colors of gems and karats of gold will be included. Jewelry reflecting the beauty and craftsmanship from Art Nouveau, Belle Époque, Edwardian, Art Deco, and Retro eras through the late 20th century will be featured at the event. [Read more…]

County mayor’s office identifies top 10 property tax payers

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DOE generates largest county taxes; automotive moves up in rankings

From Anderson County Mayor’s Office

CLINTON—In reviewing a list of Anderson County’s largest taxpayers, one fact is apparent—the U.S. Department of Energy and a privately owned, DOE-related facility are the county’s largest source of county property taxes.

“DOE annually pays approximately $630,000 of in-lieu taxes for the property it owns in the county,” said Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank. “When you add to that, the $934,000 of property taxes generated by the private LLC that owns the New Hope Center at the CNS Y-12 National Security Complex, the combined total is by far our county’s largest source of property tax revenue.

“Ten years ago, Anderson County’s top three taxpayers were Bell South, Summit Properties, and Boeing Inc. This year, manufacturing makes the splash as Anderson County’s top taxpayer is Lawler-Wood LLC, formerly known as Oak Ridge Project LLC (at the Y-12 complex), followed by automotive giants Samlip (SL) Tennessee, and Magna.

“Other significant sources of revenue that should be considered include in-lieu of taxes for another automotive industry titan, Aisin Automotive, at approximately $1.2 million. In addition to DOE, our top ten this year reflects a substantial automotive presence.” [Read more…]

Main Street Oak Ridge update: City staff ready for mall redevelopment

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Main-Street-Oak-Ridge-Sign-Install-Complete-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)

 

Site plans have been approved for the first phase of Main Street Oak Ridge—the project to redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall—and construction drawings have been approved for most buildings in Phase I, a city official said Thursday.

The city staff is ready to issue demolition permits, and the staff has a utility disconnect “game plan,” said Kathryn Baldwin, director of Oak Ridge Community Development.

“We’re very much ready,” Baldwin said at a Thursday evening work session of the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission will consider adding a lot to the subdivision plat for the roughly 60-acre site on Thursday. If approved, that change would create 11 interior lots. Officials said that requested change has to do with project financing and it’s a minor change from what was approved several months ago. [Read more…]

Hobby Lobby opening in Oak Ridge

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Former-Kroger-Store-April-14-2016-2

Hobby Lobby has signed a lease at the former Kroger store on South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge, the company said Thursday, April 14, 2016. The company plans to start renovating the property around the beginning of June. The store is projected to open in September. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Hobby Lobby has signed a lease at the former Kroger store in Oak Ridge, the company said Thursday.

The company plans to start renovating the property around the beginning of June. The store is projected to open in September.

Hobby Lobby expects to hire 35 to 50 employees with full-time employees earning at least $15.35 and part-time employees earning at least $10.23 an hour.

“Hobby Lobby is constantly looking for locations to better serve our customers, and this location in Oak Ridge seems to fit the bill,” said Bob Miller, Hobby Lobby communications coordinator.”We look forward to getting the store up and running and being a part of the community. Including the Oak Ridge location, Hobby Lobby plans to open 50 stores this year.” [Read more…]

City publishes summary of Oak Ridge Land Bank Partnership Strategy Workshop

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By City of Oak Ridge

On November 6, 2015, the Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation, in conjunction with the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, hosted the second Housing Strategy Work Session. The purpose of this meeting was to identify willing partners in the effort to improve housing quality in the City of Oak Ridge.

As a result of this collaborative meeting, feedback was gathered from six identified stakeholder groups, each having their own perspective on what needs to be done and what they could do in addressing the city’s identified housing challenges.

The participating stakeholder groups offered the following input:

Banks

[Read more…]

Secret City Spirits could make bourbon, rum in Oak Ridge

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Secret City Spirits

The Secret City Spirits distillery proposed in west Oak Ridge could be the first of its kind in the city, and it could make bourbon and rum, and flavored unaged liquor.

Secret City Spirits would be located at 1990B Oak Ridge Turnpike, next to United Grocery Outlet.

The co-owners are brothers Eric and Nathan Edmonds of Roane County, Tom Price of Knox County, and Michael Schrage of Chattanooga.

The liquor would be aged on the property. The Oak Ridge Board of Zoning Appeals approved a property exception on Tuesday to allow for light manufacturing, aging, and bottling of liquor for eventual distribution at the property.

The owners said they won’t have a storefront for now. Some liquors have to age for two years. But rums can be produced in less time than that and so can flavored unaged liquors. [Read more…]

Kickoff meeting for home energy-saving program is April 26

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City of Oak Ridge Seal

The “Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient (MORE2)” Program will be hosting a kickoff event for Oak Ridge residents on Tuesday, April 26, from 4-6 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Civic Center Social Room. The event is an opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about this new program for qualified, low-income residents in the community, a press release said.

Information on other energy-saving programs will also be available for those who do not qualify for the MORE2 program.

The City of Oak Ridge is kicking off the MORE2 program to perform “whole-home, deep energy retrofits” for 229 qualified residents in homes that are at least 20 years old. The project goal is to reduce electrical energy usage in all-electric homes to improve the quality of life for lower income residents and homeowners by significantly increasing the efficiency and comfort of their homes.

Attendees at this event will receive energy-saving items and informant about low- to no-expense energy-saving practices that can immediately improve energy savings in homes. [Read more…]

Chrisman named MMCer of the Month for March

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Cary Chrisman - March MMCer of the Month

Cary Chrisman

Cary Chrisman, a pharmacist at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the MMCer of the Month for March. In his job, Chrisman assists with patients’ medication needs through antibiotic stewardship, nutrition support, and blood glucose management. He has been at Methodist since 2002.

Chrisman is described by Chuck Ashley, director of Pharmacy, as an outstanding employee and clinician.

Chrisman received two nominations. One nomination said: “He is always right there when he is needed. He thinks ahead about what the next step could be, not only with medicine but with a patient’s disease process. That speaks volumes to me on how dedicated he is to the patient’s well-being.” [Read more…]