Oak Ridge Today

IDB to consider financing-related resolution for Main Street Oak Ridge on Monday

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Oak Ridge Mall

The Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board will consider a financing-related resolution for Main Street Oak Ridge during a special meeting on Monday. Main Street Oak Ridge would redevelop the former Oak Ridge Mall, the L-shaped structure pictured at center above. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board will consider a financing-related resolution for Main Street Oak Ridge during a special meeting on Monday.

The resolution would approve documentation related to the tax increment financing, or TIF, for Main Street Oak Ridge. The $13 million, 30-year TIF agreement would use new property tax revenues generated within the economic impact area to assist in the redevelopment.

The special IDB meeting starts at 4 p.m. Monday, August 24, in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Training Room. [Read more…]

Tourism revenues up 3.7 percent in Anderson County

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Bill Haslam during Presidential Visit at Pellissippi State

Governor Bill Haslam is pictured above during a visit by President Barack Obama at Pellissippi State Community College on Friday, January 9. (File photo by Rob Welton)

Tourists spent a total of $115.77 million in Anderson County in 2014, state officials announced Tuesday. That was an increase of 3.7 percent compared to 2013.

The spending generated a total of $6.72 million in state and $2.47 million in local tax revenues, increases of 4.7 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively. A total of 905 Anderson Countians are employed in tourism-related fields.

State officials also said that tourism’s direct domestic and international travel expenditures reached $17.7 billion in 2014, up 6.3 percent, and an all-time high for the state.

The record-breaking numbers were announced in Nashville on Tuesday by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Commissioner Kevin Triplett of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. [Read more…]

Corker: Bipartisan concern on Iran deal, no comment on Trump

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Bob Corker Regional Business Luncheon

U.S. Senator Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, talks about Iran and fiscal issues before fielding questions during a lunchtime speech in Clinton on Tuesday. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—He ruled out running for president himself but declined to comment on Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner, and U.S. Senator Bob Corker on Tuesday said there is bipartisan concern over the Iran nuclear deal.

Corker, a Tennessee Republican, has been asked in the past whether he might run for president. He was asked again during a lunchtime speech in Clinton on Tuesday, this time by Clinton businessman Joe Hollingsworth.

“That ship has sailed,” said Corker, chair of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee.

He said the campaign for the November 2016 election, which features an unusually large field of 17 Republican candidates, is the most entertaining contest he’s seen in a while.

Four of the candidates are senators, and two are on the Foreign Relations Committee, said Corker, who’s not endorsing anyone. [Read more…]

Council to discuss changes to Secret City Festival, selecting Charter Review Committee

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Secret City Festival World War II Re-enactment 2015

A Flak 88 firing during a Battle of Normandy re-enactment at the 2015 Secret City Festival in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Rob Welton)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council during a work session on Tuesday will discuss proposed changes to the Secret City Festival and the process to select members of a Charter Review Committee.

See previous story on the recommended changes to the Secret City Festival here.

The Charter Review Committee is required by the Oak Ridge City Charter, Article Ill, Section 14.

Council could also receive updates on: [Read more…]

City creates co-ed adult dodgeball league

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has created a co-ed adult dodgeball league that will start in fall 2015.

“This pilot program offers adult teams of eight players the chance to participate in an exciting, entertaining, and low-cost team sport to be played at the Oak Ridge Civic Center gymnasium,” a press release said.

Cost for participating in this new and exciting league is $150 per team, and all non-resident participants will be subject to a $20 non-resident fee, the press release said. Teams must consist of a minimum of eight players, and at least two of those players must be women.

There will be an organizational meeting and organized free play night on Monday, August 31, at 6 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. [Read more…]

McNutt appointed to replace Biloski on AC Commission

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Angeleque McNutt of Rainbow Florist

Angeleque McNutt of Rainbow Florist in Oak Ridge was appointed to the Anderson County Commission on Monday, replacing Robin Biloski, who resigned August 3. (Angeleque McNutt via Facebook)

Business owner Angeleque McNutt has been appointed to replace Robin Biloski on Anderson County Commission. Biloski resigned on August 3 because she and her husband Bill are moving to Madeira Beach, Florida.

McNutt, who owns Rainbow Florist in Oak Ridge, will represent District 8. That district includes Emory Valley, Hendrix Creek, and Woodland in Oak Ridge.

McNutt will serve until the August 2016 election, the next county general election. She told commissioners on Monday that she will seek re-election in that election.

McNutt was appointed in a 8-6 vote after a first-round 7-7 tie between her and candidate Phil Yager. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Public Library has open house, new services described

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Oak Ridge Public Library

The Oak Ridge Public Library is pictured above.

The Oak Ridge Public Library will host an open house on Saturday, August 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. All Oak Ridgers are invited to visit the Library to enjoy the newly renovated lights and to learn about two new services—digital magazines and streaming video.

Patrons with an active library card can now choose from 20 monthly magazines to read on their computer, phone, or other mobile device, a press release said. ESPN The Magazine is for the next generation of fans who want to stay on top of their favorite sport. Game Informer is the largest computer and video game magazine, with knowledge and insight into the games market. Taste of Home features real food from real home cooks, all made with easy, affordable ingredients. To read these digital titles and other magazines, the free Nook reading app and a free Barnes and Noble online account are required. [Read more…]

State asks for comments on charges for inspecting public records

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Tennessee officials are studying whether to charge for inspecting public records, and the state is seeking public comment.

The Office of Open Records Counsel has been asked by the Tennessee General Assembly to review issues surrounding the inspection of public records. Legislation was introduced in the 2015 Session of the 109th General Assembly that would permit charges for inspecting public records. While a records custodian is permitted to charge for copies of public records, inspection is generally free of charge. The OORC will prepare a report with recommendations on this issue to the General Assembly by January 15, 2016.

The OORC has prepared brief online surveys to help gather input from citizens and government entities. The responses from these surveys will help in the preparation of the final report. [Read more…]

Corker visiting six Tenn. counties, with stop in Clinton

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U.S. Senator Bob Corker

Bob Corker

U.S. Senator Bob Corker is visiting six Tennessee counties, and the trip includes stops in Clinton, Knoxville, and Kingston on Tuesday.

The statewide travel started in Chattanooga on Saturday at the Department of Navy Memorial Service to honor the service members tragically killed in the July attack.

During Tuesday’s stops, Corker, a Tennessee Republican, will visit with business and community leaders.

On Wednesday, Corker will be back in Hamilton County, where he will attend the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. [Read more…]

City officials meet with NPS, DOE, other communities to discuss Manhattan Project park

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Chuck Hope

Chuck Hope

A delegation from the City of Oak Ridge recently traveled to Los Alamos, New Mexico, to participate in a meeting with officials from the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Energy, and from Los Alamos and the Hanford communities to discuss the newly designated Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The meeting was sponsored by the Energy Communities Alliance, or ECA, which supported attendance at the meeting with travel grants to the participants.

The three-day event, with more than 50 in attendance, began with a tour of the cultural resources and Manhattan Project era sites at Los Alamos National Laboratory. David Klaus, deputy under secretary of management and performance with DOE, was the keynote speaker. He emphasized the importance of preserving the history of the Manhattan Project, and pointed to the important scientific and technological advancements that originated from that era.

Victor Knox, associate director for park planning, facilities, and lands for the National Park Service, then briefed attendees on the status of a memorandum of agreement, or MOA, currently under development by DOE and NPS. The draft MOA, which has been released for public comment, will govern the respective roles of the secretary of interior and secretary of energy in administering the park and its facilities. Completion of the MOA is the first major milestone required by the enacting legislation, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama last December. [Read more…]

City may need to access residential properties to identify stormwater outfalls

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By City of Oak Ridge

The City of Oak Ridge may need to access residential property during reasonable hours to identify stormwater outfalls along streams. This is not a request to enter into any building or structures on the property; it is specifically for the purpose of identifying outfalls along streams (or their tributary watercourses) throughout the City of Oak Ridge. Representatives of the City of Oak Ridge will be mapping these outfalls with GPS units and/or making visual assessments of the watercourse, a press release said.

The City of Oak Ridge is mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) under the Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit to monitor certain streams (or tributaries to those streams). The goal of this mandate is to protect and rehabilitate our natural water resources. In accordance with this mandate, the City of Oak Ridge has created a geographical information system (GIS) storm sewer map and database program to identify stormwater outfall locations of the U.S. Waters of the State. To facilitate this program, we must enter onto private property to access the watercourse.

The City of Oak Ridge thanks you for your cooperation in complying with this state and federal mandate, and assisting in making our water resources cleaner for everyone. If you have any questions, please call the City of Oak Ridge Stormwater Management Hotline at (865) 425-3497.

Good news: Interactive fountain arrives at Jackson Square

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Interactive Fountain Vault at Jackson Square

The interactive fountain has arrived at Jackson Square. It’s the central component in the $1 million renovation of the square’s parking lot. Above, workers unload the fountain’s vault, which is essentially its operating system, early Thursday afternoon. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 4 p.m.

The interactive water fountain has arrived at Jackson Square. It’s a central component in the $1 million renovation of the shopping center’s parking lot.

The fountain components that arrived on a semi truck early Thursday afternoon were a large vault, which is the fountain’s operating system, and a collection tank. Spray pods that will go around the fountain were already here.

The entire fountain, which was custom-built by Roman Fountains of New Mexico, is now on site, said Angel Rich, president of Rich Construction Inc. of Lenoir City. The parking lot renovation, which is mostly funded with a state grant and includes the fountain, is expected to be substantially complete by September 15. That would be in time for the Taste of Anderson County on September 19 at Jackson Square.

Rich said the next steps are to dig a hole for the fountain and install it, run electrical and water lines to it, and tie it into the city’s sewer system. [Read more…]