Oak Ridge Today

Stan Mitchell named treasurer of David Dunkirk’s juvenile judge campaign

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David Dunkirk

David Dunkirk

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The Committee to Elect David Dunkirk as Juvenile Judge for Anderson County has named a treasurer, Stan Mitchell, the former editor and publisher of The Oak Ridge Observer.

Dunkirk, a long-time local attorney who is running as a Democrat, said he was proud to have Mitchell serve as his treasurer.

“I’ve known Stan long enough to know he is a man of tremendous integrity and honesty. I am honored he is willing to act as my treasurer,” Dunkirk said.

Mitchell released a statement explaining his decision to serve as Dunkirk’s treasurer. [Read more…]

Sheriff White has meet-the-candidate fundraiser Tuesday

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Paul White

Paul White

Anderson County Sheriff Paul White has a meet-the-candidate fundraiser on Tuesday.

The fundraiser is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Holiday Inn Express on Hillvale Road near the Clinton/Norris exit off Highway 61.

“Refreshments will be served,” a press release said. “Bring your family and friends.”

For more information, contact the campaign at paulwhiteforsheriff@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/paul.white.31.

Coal Creek Miners Museum has March 29 chili supper, fundraiser

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Bank of America Lake City

The Anderson County Commission has agreed to buy this former Bank of America building in Lake City for a Coal Mining Museum, storage space, and satellite county offices.

Information from WYSH Radio

The Coal Creek Miners Museum will host a chili supper and fundraiser on March 29 at Main Street Baptist Church in Lake City to raise funds for the remodeling and display construction of the museum’s new home on Main Street. The 6 p.m event will include live entertainment provided by the Coal Creek Old Time String Band and a live auction. The plans for the remodel will also be revealed.

“Coal Creek, the city that is now known as Lake City, has a fascinating story to tell about its coal mining heritage,” said Tim Isbel, chairperson of the Coal Creek Miners Museum. “The miners that lived, worked, and died here left a significant mark on history and it is our goal to make sure that story gets told.”

The Coal Creek Miners Museum has set a goal of $500,000, which will fund the renovations to the former Bank of America building and construct the displays for the historical artifacts. [Read more…]

Rocky Top name change advances

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Lake City Council Approves Rocky Top Name Change

The Lake City Council votes 4-0 in November to change the town’s name to Rocky Top, and Rep. John Ragan said he has draft legislation to approve the name change to introduce in the state legislature.

Information from WYSH Radio

A legislative proposal that would allow Lake City to officially change its name to Rocky Top will soon be debated by the Tennessee House of Representatives.

On Thursday, the House Calendar and Rules Committee voted to put the plan, also known as HB 1469, on the House’s agenda for Monday, March 31.

This comes after The House of Bryant Publications filed a lawsuit against the city to stop the name change. The House of Bryant owns the trademark to the song “Rocky Top.” [Read more…]

Council considers ending, extending traffic cameras on Monday

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Red-light Camera at Oak Ridge Turnpike and New York Avenue

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday will consider extending or ending the traffic camera contract.

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday will consider extending a controversial traffic camera contract for two years, or ending it.

The Council postponed a vote earlier this month. It will now be considered during a special 7 p.m. meeting on Monday.

The current five-year contract with Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. of Arizona expires April 21. If it’s not extended, the city staff has asked Council to consider installing a traffic signal in front of the Oak Ridge High School on Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The high school stoplight would have to be approved by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. It could cost $150,000 to $200,000 and take nine months to install. [Read more…]

Zoning case against Davis dismissed

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Information from WYSH Radio

The citation against Clinton CPA Teddy Davis over an alleged zoning violation was dismissed Tuesday in Clinton City Court.

Davis was issued a citation last summer after someone complained that he was living in a camper on his property on Seivers Boulevard. Davis said he slept in the camper only a few nights while his refinished hardwood floors dried and, to protest the citation, erected a tent in his front yard and began sleeping in a cot on the property. He also put up a sign that said the city has violated his constitutional rights, a sign he says will remain until city officials admit to the accusation.

Davis is the campaign treasurer for Phil Harber, a Clinton attorney seeking the Republican nomination for Anderson County chancellor, and he said the city did not begin targeting him until that was announced. [Read more…]

Jail’s workhouse designation allows some inmates to keep jobs

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Anderson County Detention Facility Expansion

The 212-bed expansion of the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton is pictured above while still under construction in December. The expansion allows the county to declare the jail a workhouse, which lets some qualified low-risk offenders keep their current employment.

CLINTON—Some qualified low-risk inmates will be able to keep their jobs even after sentencing now that the Anderson County jail has been declared a workhouse, officials said Monday.

When a judge agrees, the inmates could continue their current employment, stay at the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton when they’re not at work, and pay $15 to $17.50 per day for their jail time.

Female inmates judged to be low-risk offenders might be able to spend a few hours at home with their families and children, Anderson County Law Director Jay Yeager said.

The Anderson County Commission unanimously declared the jail a workhouse after a brief discussion during a Monday night meeting. Yeager said the designation has been allowed for some time under Tennessee law, but Anderson County is only able to use it now because the jail is being expanded, giving deputies more room to house and segregate inmates. [Read more…]

More than 400 lose power after car crashes into utility pole on Lafayette

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Lafayette Drive Utility Pole Crash

A car crashed into a utility pole on Lafayette Drive early Monday afternoon, knocking out power to 441 customers.

More than 400 customers lost power early Monday afternoon after a car crashed into a utility pole on Lafayette Drive, officials said.

The driver was reportedly taken to a medical center to be examined but appeared to have escaped major injuries, officials said.

The crash, which snapped a utility pole at an intersection with Midway Lane, was reported to the Oak Ridge Electric Department at about 1:20 p.m.

The Electric Department reported that 441 customers lost power. Most were in the Woodland neighborhood along the so-called “P” streets and Quincy Avenue. [Read more…]

Clinton attorney Harber running for AC chancellor

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Phil Harber

Phil Harber

Clinton Attorney Phil Harber is campaigning for the Republican nomination for chancellor of the Anderson County Chancery Court. Harber, 59, a Clinton native, has practiced law more than 28 years in most of the trial and appellate courts in East Tennessee, including the United States federal courts, a press release said.

A Republican, Harber described himself in the press release as the only true conservative and the only true Republican seeking the Republican nomination for chancellor.

“Phil believes in faith, family, and freedom,” the release said. [Read more…]

Photo: White House science adviser gives lecture at ORNL

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John Holdren and Thom Mason at ORNL

White House science adviser John Holdren, right, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason are pictured above. (ORNL photo/Jason Richards)

John Holdren, assistant to the president for science and technology and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, delivered the fourth talk of the Eugene P. Wigner Distinguished Lecture Series in Science, Technology, and Policy on Thursday at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The lecture series started in November at in the Iran Thomas Auditorium at ORNL’s Spallation Neutron Source. Other speakers have included former Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

Sewer rehab work continues this week

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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue this week.

The work is being done by Hurst Excavating and Morgan Contracting under contract with the city of Oak Ridge. It includes rehabilitating sewer collection pipes within city easements in yards and in roadways, a press release said.

Residents should already have received color-coded letters and door hangers (orange for Hurst Excavating and purple for Morgan Contracting) providing general information and each contractors’ contact information. [Read more…]

Registration for city summer camp begins April 1

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Registration for the 2014 Summer Camp sponsored by the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will begin on Tuesday, April 1. A link to ActiveNet online registration will be available at www.orrecparks.org and www.oakridgetn.gov.

All applicants should create an online profile/account since camp information will be distributed to parents through ActiveNet email. Online registration is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week while walk-in registration is only available during regular Civic Center hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, a press release said. Payment can be made online with a credit card or the applicant can pay with cash or check at the Civic Center. Convenience fees will apply for all credit card payments. The city’s summer camp fills up fast, so early registration is advised. [Read more…]