Oak Ridge Today

Dodson has campaign kickoff party, fundraiser on Tuesday

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Jim-Dodson-Campaign-Kickoff-2016

Jim Dodson is having a kickoff party and fundraiser for his campaign for Oak Ridge City Council at Razzleberry’s in Jackson Square on Tuesday, August 15. (Submitted photo)

 

Jim Dodson is having a kickoff party and fundraiser for his campaign for Oak Ridge City Council on Tuesday, August 15.

The kickoff will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 15, at Razzleberry’s restaurant in Jackson Square. Ridge City Ramblers, a local musical group, will perform. Those interested in showing their support or getting to know Dodson are invited to stop by, a press release said.

Dodson is a 30-year-teacher at Jefferson Middle School. He has a history of community involvement that includes United Way, Explore Oak Ridge (formerly the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau), Secret City Festival, Arts Council, and more, the press release said.

It said Dodson hopes to expand his community coalition building experience by bringing these skills to the Oak Ridge City Council. [Read more…]

Computer security breach reported at main courthouse server in Anderson County

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A computer security breach has been reported at the main courthouse server in Anderson County, officials said this week.

It’s a system-wide breach, said Anderson County Law Director Jay Yeager.

“The extent, type, and amount of data compromised has not yet been fully determined,” Yeager said. “However, this may include your confidential personal identifying data including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, home addresses, health insurance information and claims, payroll information, bank accounts, routing numbers, Veterans Service Office benefit documents, and possible employee credit union account information.”

The notice was sent Monday to all Anderson County employees and retirees. Yeager also alerted elected officials, school officials and the school board, Veterans Service members, and county contractors.

“The Anderson County Commission is undertaking prompt efforts to protect this system and your confidential information from additional system intrusions,” Yeager said. “Law enforcement authorities are working diligently to determine the scope of the breach and identify possible perpetrators.” [Read more…]

Free energy efficiency program has educational classes starting Thursday

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MORE2 Logo

The Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient, or MORE2, program will begin hosting classes that are aimed at educating homeowners on cost effective ways they can make energy-saving improvements to their homes.

The first class is scheduled from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 11, in the Oak Ridge Civic Center Recreation Building—AB Room.

Attendees will get an overview of the MORE2 program and how to register as well as information on ways to lower energy consumption at zero cost to homeowners, a press release said. It will also cover “invisible” areas of the home that may need energy efficiency upgrades.

Those interested in applying can bring the following items with them to the class: [Read more…]

Public meeting on Thursday on proposed Clinton Highway improvements

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Clinton Highway 10-Year Crash Map

A 10-year crash map shows 10 fatal crashes in 10 years in a 2.6-mile section of Clinton Highway between Edgemoor Road and the Anderson County-Knox County line. (Map by TDOT)

 

Oak Ridge Today/WYSH Radio

There will be an opportunity for the public to comment on Thursday on proposed improvements to a 2.6-mile stretch of Clinton Highway from Edgemoor Road to the Knox County line, where 10 people have died in crashes in the past decade.

Comments will be documented and transmitted to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 11, in Room 312 at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

During a public meeting in July, TDOT presented its proposal to resurface and realign a 2.6-mile stretch of Clinton Highway—Highway 25W—from Edgemoor Road to the Knox County line. TDOT said it developed the proposal after reviewing crash data that showed that between 2006 and last year, 10 fatal accidents and 11 others involving serious injuries have occurred on that stretch of highway. That section of roadway includes a hilly, curvy area with no median or center lane. The roadway shoulders are limited in some spots, the speed limit is 50 mph, and there are several areas with no buffers between traffic traveling north and south, meaning vehicles move past each other around curves while moving in opposite directions. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Cedar Barren Cleanup, Prairie Grass Extravaganza on Saturday, Aug. 20

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Oak Ridge Cedar Barren

September blooms at Oak Ridge Cedar Barren, courtesy Doug Colclasure. (Submitted photo)

 

There will be a free opportunity to see prairie goldenrod (Solidago ptarmicoides), naked-stem sunflower (Helianthus occidentalis), and Torrey’s mountain mint (Pycnanthemum torrei) at the Oak Ridge Cedar Barren on Saturday, August 20. This will be combined with a workday to remove invasive plants, a press release said.

Located next to Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge, this barren is a joint project of the City of Oak Ridge, the State Natural Areas Division, and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning, or TCWP. The area is one of just a few cedar barrens in East Tennessee, and it is subject to invasion by Chinese lespedeza, Japanese privet, autumn olive, mimosa, Nepal grass, multiflora rose, and woody plants that threaten the system’s prairie grasses. [Read more…]

One lane of Pennsylvania to be closed Aug. 15, 16

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One lane of Pennsylvania Avenue will close on Monday and Tuesday morning next week for street repairs.

The road is scheduled to be closed between West Outer Drive and Hillside Road at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, August 15, and Tuesday, August 16. [Read more…]

Clinton Driver Services Center to close Sept. 9, move to Oak Ridge

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security announced the current Clinton Driver Services Center will be closed Friday, September 9, and re-open Monday, September 12, in a new location.  The new location is located at 475 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

The Clinton Driver Services Center, located at 704 North Charles G. Sievers Boulevard in Clinton, will stop serving customers at the close of business on Thursday, September 8.

The new facility located at 475 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge will be open for business on Monday, September 12. [Read more…]

Next Veterans Breakfast in Anderson County on Saturday

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The next Veterans Breakfast in Anderson County is on Saturday, August 13, at the Clinton Community Center.

Military veterans from Anderson County are invited, a press release said.

The breakfast is hosted by Anderson County citizens, and it sponsored this month by AEG: American Employer Group in Clinton, the press release said.

“Chow line” opens at 8:30 a.m., and there will be a brief program at 9 a.m., the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge property taxes due Aug. 31

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The deadline to pay property taxes without penalty is August 31, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

“With this date quickly approaching, we encourage you to stop by the business office to pay your taxes directly,” the press release said. “You can do so between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or you can drop them in the night depository located outside the building at 200 South Tulane Avenue.”

Payment by credit card is also accepted at the counter and on the city’s website. A 3 percent convenience fee is assessed to all credit card transactions to offset the cost of the program.

The municipal staff cautioned that a relatively small number of property owners may not receive a tax notice. [Read more…]

Reminder: Puppy Pool Party is today

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Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool July 2016

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool is pictured above in July 2016. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

Reminder: The City of Oak Ridge is hosting its first-ever Puppy Pool Party at the Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool today.

The Puppy Pool Party is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. today (Sunday, August 7) at the outdoor pool, which is on Providence Road across from the Oak Ridge High School.

All dogs must be non-aggressive and kept on leashes, a press release said. Pet owners must also have proof of current vaccinations. There is a fee of $3 per dog to participate, or each owner may bring a donation of canned or dry dog food to support the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter. [Read more…]

Dr. William Culbert to discuss Affordable Care Act on Aug. 22

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William Culbert

William Culbert

William Culbert Jr., MD, a family practice physician who is an advocate of the Affordable Care Act, will be the guest speaker at the Monday, August 22, dinner meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club. The club meets at 6 p.m. in the Club Room of the Clinton Community Center at 101 South Hicks Street in Clinton.

Dr. Culbert will speak on “Progress with the Affordable Care Act and Next Step.”

Culbert has written several guest newspaper columns supporting the Affordable Care Act and the comprehensive health insurance reforms that the federal law, also known as Obamacare, brings.

Board certified in family practice medicine, Culbert has been a physician with Covenant Health Systems in Anderson County for 17 years. He is a 1996 graduate of Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee, receiving his MD degree. [Read more…]

Yager wins special election for Anderson County Commission, District 8

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Phil Yager

Phil Yager

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12:05 a.m.

Phil Yager beat two other candidates to win a seat on Anderson County Commission in District 8 in Oak Ridge on Thursday.

The special election for the District 8 seat was held along with the county general election and state and federal primaries on Thursday, August 4. District 8 includes the Emory Valley, Hendrix Creek, and Woodland voting precincts in Oak Ridge.

Yager finished with 542 votes, compared to 239 for Angeleque McNutt and 227 for Myra Mansfield, according to unofficial results posted on the Anderson County Election Commission website.

The final results from all 27 precincts, plus early, absentee, and write-in ballots, were posted at 10:41 p.m. Thursday. [Read more…]