Oak Ridge Today

Y-12 approved for B61-12 weapons work

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Image from U.S. Government Accountability Office report in May 2018 on B61-12 Nuclear Bomb.

Image from U.S. Government Accountability Office report in May 2018 on the B61-12 nuclear bomb.

 

Image from U.S. Government Accountability Office report in May 2018 on B61-12 Nuclear Bomb.

Image from U.S. Government Accountability Office report in May 2018 on the B61-12 nuclear bomb.

 

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge has been approved to produce a major component of a nuclear bomb known as the B61-12.

The approval was the final step to authorize the manufacturing and delivery of the first production unit of a component called the canned subassembly. It’s scheduled for March 2019, according to Y-12. A canned subassembly is the second stage of a modern thermonuclear weapon, and it is part of the nuclear explosives package.

The Y-12 work is part of the B61-12 Life Extension Program, which will consolidate four versions of the bomb into one. The bombs could be carried on B-2A bomber aircraft and F-15Es, several types of F-16s, and PA-200 fighters, and in the future, F-35s and B-21s.

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Medicare Informational Session at Oak Ridge Senior Center on Oct. 22

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Enrolling in or changing your Medicare program can be a daunting task. For those seeking more information, be sure to join the Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at the Oak Ridge Senior Center on Monday, October 22, at 10 a.m.

The SHIP program offers free and objective assistance for Medicare participants. Counselors will begin with a presentation on basic Medicare benefits, including Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Part D drug plans, and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies, a press release said.

If you need more individualized counseling after the presentation, SHIP counselors will be available to review your current coverage with the 2019 information and make sure you are on the best plan for your needs, the press release said.

Additional questions about the program can be directed to the Oak Ridge Senior Center at (865) 425-3999.

Magnet Mills site in Clinton to be sold

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Magnet Mills

File photos of the Magnet Mills in Clinton. Part of the property has already been demolished, and the site looks different now than it does in the photos above. (Image courtesy East Tennessee Preservation Alliance)

 

Clinton Mayor Scott Burton announced in a special report on Thursday that a Knoxville developer has entered into an agreement to purchase the former Magnet Knitting Mills site in downtown Clinton.

The property is along Charles G. Seivers Boulevard. It has been a contentious topic of conversation and debate in the Clinton area for several years, according to a press release from Burton, the mayor. He described the Knoxville developer as community-conscious.

“While the current owner has obtained a permit for the demolition of the existing two-story brick building, the potential new owner has another multi-use vision for the site,” the press release said. “Upon completion of the sale and the transfer of the property to the new owner, the City of Clinton will work with the Knoxville owner/developer to rehabilitate the site for future live-work, retail, and commercial use. This rehabilitation would include the renovation of the existing building and preservation of Clinton’s downtown.” [Read more…]

Meet candidates for public office at Chamber on Tuesday

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You can meet candidates for public office in Oak Ridge on Tuesday.

The event, called “Popcorn and Politics,” will be at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce from 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, October 16. It’s hosted by the Chamber’s Advocacy Committee. It will give the community the opportunity to meet candidates running for office in the November 6 election, a press release said.

All local candidates, as well as candidates running for state legislative offices and federal offices, have been invited to participate, the press release said. The event will be held in the Joyce Conference Room at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

“The public is invited to come meet the candidates,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Manhattan Project Park program: Hike with a ranger on Saturday

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Submitted photo

Submitted photo

 

Join park rangers for a hike along the Cedar Hill Greenway in Oak Ridge on Saturday, October 13.

The hike will begin at Cedar Hill Park, former location of Cedar Hill Elementary School at 10 a.m. Saturday. Along the hike, rangers will discuss the early school system of Oak Ridge, early shopping centers, and housing in the Clinton Engineer Works, a press release said. This 2.5-mile hike is considered moderately difficult, and some parts of the trail can wash out after a strong storm. Visitors are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear, insect repellent, and sunscreen, and bring drinking water.

Oak Ridge is part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Besides Oak Ridge, the park includes Hanford, Washington, and Los Alamos, New Mexico. The three sites and others were involved in the Manhattan Project, a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic weapons during World War II. [Read more…]

Forum for Oak Ridge City Council, Board of Education candidates is Tuesday

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The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge will sponsor a candidate forum on Tuesday, October 16, at 7 p.m. in the Oak Ridge High School Amphitheater. Candidates running for Oak Ridge City Council and Oak Ridge Board of Education have been invited to participate, a press release said.

The five candidates for a four-year term on City Council are Kelly Callison, R.G. “Rick” Chinn Jr., Warren Gooch, Ellen D. Smith, and Timothy L. Stallings. Four council members will be elected. Derrick M. Hammond is the only candidate running to fill the unexpired two-year term left by Council member Hans Vogel when he resigned earlier this year.

The three candidates for a four-year term on the Oak Ridge Board of Education are Laura McLean, Benjamin J. Stephens, and Erin S. Webb. Three board members will be elected. [Read more…]

Public Works director to discuss water, wastewater systems on Tuesday

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Oak Ridge Public Works Director Shira McWaters will discuss the needs and costs of the city’s water and wastewater systems at Lunch with the League on Tuesday. McWaters will also discuss the status of upgrades to the systems, a press release said.

Lunch with the League is scheduled from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 16, in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

McWaters was in the private consulting field for more than 22 years before she accepted the position with the City of Oak Ridge, the press release said. She helped municipal clients in the areas of water, wastewater, and storm water. McWaters has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Worchester Polytechnic Institute and holds professional engineering licenses for the states of Tennessee, Massachusetts, and Arizona. [Read more…]

Today: ‘Basics of Ghost Hunting’ at Clinton Library

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Image courtesy Clinton Public Library

Image courtesy Clinton Public Library

 

There will be a presentation on the basics of ghost hunting at the Clinton Public Library this evening (Friday, October 12). It’s one of several events at the library this month that have also included or will include cooking, Harry Potter, and chess.

“Looking to find a ghostly spirit this Halloween?” a press release said. “Join us on Friday, October 12, from 5-6:45 p.m. for the ‘Basics of Ghost Hunting.’ The founders of the East Valley Paranormal Society will give a presentation on the basics of ghost hunting, evidence of the paranormal activity they have discovered, and conclude with a a question-and-answer session.”

The library had its first-ever Cookbook Club on Monday, October 8.

The next Fandom Friday at the library later this month will feature Harry Potter. [Read more…]

Council approves construction contracts for Preschool, Senior Center

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A rendering of the new Oak Ridge Preschool at Scarboro Park. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

A rendering of the new Oak Ridge Preschool at Scarboro Park. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council has approved two construction contracts worth $11.1 million total for two projects that have been discussed for years: a new Oak Ridge Preschool and new Oak Ridge Senior Center. The Preschool contract includes improvements at Scarboro Park, where the Preschool will be built.

Both contracts were awarded to Jenkins and Stiles LLC of Knoxville. Council approved them in two 7-0 votes during a special meeting on Thursday afternoon.

Both projects will be funded through general obligation bonds, a type of debt. The bonds could go to market in November and close in December.

The first contract awarded Thursday is for the construction of the Preschool and improvements to Scarboro Park. It is worth up to about $8.4 million. The Preschool is expected to be complete by November 30, 2019.  [Read more…]

Council to consider $11.1 million in construction contracts for Preschool, Senior Center

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A rendering of the new Oak Ridge Preschool at Scarboro Park. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

A rendering of the new Oak Ridge Preschool at Scarboro Park. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council in a special meeting on Thursday will consider $11.1 million in construction contracts for the new Oak Ridge Preschool, Oak Ridge Senior Center, and Scarboro Park improvements.

The contracts could both be awarded to Jenkins and Stiles LLC of Knoxville.

There were four bidders for the Senior Center project and three for the Preschool and Scarboro Park improvements, according to Jacene Phillips, senior project manager for Studio Four Design. Her company recommended both contracts be awarded to Jenkins and Stiles because of cost, but also because the Senior Center could be operating two months earlier under that contract than under any other bid and the Preschool would be complete three days before it would be under the other bids, Phillips said.

Both projects would be funded through general obligation bonds, a type of debt that could be issued in November.

The first contract that could be awarded Thursday is for the construction of the Preschool and improvements to Scarboro Park. The contract would be worth up to about $8.4 million. The Preschool would be built at Scarboro Park. [Read more…]

Library closures announced for rooftop HVAC work

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The Oak Ridge Public Library expects to be closed on five separate occasions between October 15 and November 23 to allow for planned work to the rooftop air conditioning and heating system as well as staff work days, a press release said.

“During this six-week time period, patrons should expect increased noise and a high level of construction activity in and around the library,” the press release said.

The planned library closure dates are as follows: [Read more…]

Public availability session on proposed DOE landfill is Thursday

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There is a public availability session on the proposed federal landfill in Oak Ridge on Thursday.

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a proposed plan to build a new landfill on the Oak Ridge Reservation. The landfill, the Environmental Management Disposal Facility, would be in Bear Creek Valley west of the Y-12 National Security Complex. It is intended for disposal of radioactive, hazardous, and toxic wastes. It would be used as cleanup work ends at the East Tennessee Technology Park and the existing landfill, the Environmental Management Waste Management Facility fills up, and cleanup work moves to Y-12 and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

A press release said the Sierra Club has invited state and federal officials from DOE, Environmental Protection Agency, and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to be available for public questions about the Environmental Management Disposal Facility. The public availability session has been scheduled from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 11, at the TDEC office at 761 Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]