Oak Ridge Today

Manhattan Project Park summertime tennis court dances start May 16

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Image courtesy Manhattan Project National Historical Park)

The summertime tennis court dances organized by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park start in two weeks.

The first dance of this summer is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16, on the Jackson Square Tennis Courts. They continue monthly on the third Thursday.

“The park recreates the open air tennis court dances held during the Manhattan Project to entertain the
75,000 war workers and their families contained within America’s Secret City (Oak Ridge),” a newsletter said. “The dances are an all-ages event, and all are encouraged to participate. Featuring swing music
from the 1940s, you might get bit by the jitterbug out on the court.”

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School staff not allowed to carry guns

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Oak Ridge Schools will not allow teachers and other staff members to carry guns in buildings, Superintendent Bruce Borchers said Wednesday. Borchers made the announcement in a notice sent to school families.

His announcement came the day after the Tennessee House of Representatives passed legislation to allow some trained teachers and school staff to carry handguns. Republicans approved the bill in a 68-28 vote despite pleas from Democrats, students, and gun-reform advocates, The Tennessean reported.

“Yesterday, Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill that would allow teachers and other staff members to carry concealed handguns on school campuses should a school district decide to allow it,” Borchers said. “If Governor (Bill) Lee signs the legislation allowing concealed firearms in schools into law, Oak Ridge Schools will not allow teachers or school staff to carry firearms in our buildings. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and it is our core belief that our ongoing safety initiatives have a greater positive impact on our overall safety than arming staff would.”

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League has Brown Bag with legislators Friday

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The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge will host a Brown Bag Lunch with the Legislators on Friday.

The session is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. Friday, April 26, in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, Senator Ken Yager, and representatives John Ragan and Monty Fritts have been invited to bring those who attend up to date on what’s happening in the Tennessee General Assembly, a press release said.

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Deputy city manager announced

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Tom Pessemier (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge City Manager Randy Hemann has selected Tom Pessemier as his next deputy city manager.

Pessemier is scheduled to begin Monday, May 6.

He has 16 years of municipal government and finance experience, serving in various roles including city manager, assistant city manager, public works director, community development director, and city engineer, a press release said.

He most recently served three years as city manager and public works director in Independence, Oregon. Before that, he was assistant city manager of Sherwood, Oregon, for six years, the press release said.

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City’s household trash pickup starts Monday

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The citywide household trash pickup program will begin Monday, April 1. Household trash, old appliances, and minor remodeling materials will be picked up, a press release said.

The city said its collections will follow the published schedule as closely as possible.

“Residents have always been very cooperative, and we ask for their continued cooperation this year by following a few guidelines,” the press release said.

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City manager to present State of City on Tuesday

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Randy Hemann (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge City Manager Randy Hemann is scheduled to present the State of the City of Oak Ridge during a lunchtime meeting on Tuesday.

Hemann has been city manager since November 1, 2023.

His Tuesday presentation is to the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge. It is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The presentation will begin at noon, and it has been organized by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge. You don’t have to be a League member to attend.

“All are welcome to bring their lunch or purchase a boxed lunch for a nominal fee,” a press release said. “Coffee and tea will be served.”

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City’s egg hunt is March 23

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A previous community egg hunt is pictured above in Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge. (File photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The annual Community Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, March 23.

The egg hunt is scheduled to start at 11 a.m., and it has been organized by the City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department.

The free egg hunt will be a traditional-style Egg Hunt held at Alvin K. Bissell Park, a press release said. Parking will be available at both the east and west parking lots at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

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Turkey hunts in April to affect some greenways

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Turkey hunts in Oak Ridge in April will affect some greenways.

The spring turkey quota hunts in the Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area are being held by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency with help from the U.S. Department of Energy, City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee Valley Authority, and University of Tennessee. Hunters must have the appropriate TWRA hunt license and a valid quota hunt permit issued by TWRA.

“Designated hunting areas are closed to the public during scouting and hunting periods,” a press release said.

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Library book sale Thursday-Saturday

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The Oak Ridge Public Library is pictured above on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Friends of the Library Book Sale is in the Oak Ridge Public Library Auditorium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

The sale starts 5-7 p.m. Thursday for members only, with memberships available at the door.

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Melton Hill Reservoir to be lowered for cleaning, maintenance

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Melton Hill Reservoir (Photo courtesy Tennessee Valley Authority)

Melton Hill Reservoir will be temporarily lowered two to four feet between March 24 and April 3 to allow property owners to perform annual spring cleaning and dock maintenance.

The Tennessee Valley Authority will hold the reservoir between 790 and 792 feet for about 12 days beginning Sunday, March 24, a press release said. Melton Hill will be returned to its normal winter elevation by April 4.

“Please note that drawdown targets and dates could change due to potential rainfall, so residents are asked to remain flexible,” the press release said.

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Clinton desegregation book wins history award

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A book about the desegregation of Clinton schools won the Tennessee History Book Award for 2023.

The book is “A Most Tolerant Little Town: The Explosive Beginning of School Desegregation.” It was written by Rachel Louise Martin, a historian and writer, a press release said.

The award was announced by the Tennessee Historical Commission and the Tennessee Historical Society. The award prize includes $2,000.

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Household hazardous waste drop-off in Roane County on Saturday

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The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in Roane County on Saturday, March 9.

Tennesseans are encouraged to bring household hazardous waste – including cleaning fluids, pesticides, swimming pool chemicals, and more – to a designated drop-off location, a press release said. A person does not need to live in the county to participate.

On Saturday, the drop-off location is:

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