Oak Ridge Today

County takes action on General Sessions Court, Senior Center

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Anderson County could renovate the former Oak Ridge Senior Center, which was once housed in this part of a building owned by Anderson County on Emory Valley Road, and use the space for Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Anderson County could renovate the former Oak Ridge Senior Center, which was once housed in this part of a building owned by Anderson County on Emory Valley Road, and use the space for Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—Anderson County officials are taking steps to move the General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge from a privately owned building to a county-owned building and to move the county’s Senior Center into a larger space in Clinton.

Both projects have been discussed at the most recent meetings of the Anderson County Commission in Clinton.

Last Monday, May 15, Anderson County Commission approved about $1.4 million in borrowing through capital outlay notes that can be used for capital projects, including the General Sessions Court and Senior Center. The funding will include $500,000 for renovation work for the Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II, and $600,000 to purchase the new Senior Center building, Anderson County Commissioner Robert McKamey said. The money is being borrowed at a 2.35 percent interest rate for 12 years. The $1.4 million also includes $300,000 for capital projects, which could include roofs on a few buildings.

The county will repay the capital outlay notes from the general fund, McKamey said.

The bids on the renovation work for Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II, in Oak Ridge, had come in higher than expected in April. The low bid of about $530,000 from Preen Construction of Knoxville was announced during County Commission’s April 17 meeting.

Officials had previously said the renovations could cost about $300,000, citing an estimate from Michael Brady Inc., a Knoxville architectural firm. [Read more…]

Responding to disturbance near DOE landfill, police allegedly find drugs, stolen gun in vehicle

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Daniel Ray Price

Daniel Ray Price

 

Note This story was updated at 11:50 a.m. Nov. 1.

Oak Ridge police allegedly found marijuana, Xanax, drug paraphernalia, and a stolen pistol in a vehicle after responding to a report of a disturbance near the U.S. Department of Energy landfill on Bear Creek Road near the Y-12 National Security Complex on Sunday, May 14, court records said.

Oak Ridge Police Department K-9 Officer Christopher Wallace said a search of the vehicle with the help of a drug-detecting canine officer found 18.4 ounces of marijuana, along with 97 Xanax (alprazolam) tablets; drug paraphernalia that included rolling papers, a grinder, digital scales, glass marijuana pipe, glass meth/crack cocaine pipe, and a snort straw; an SCCY Industries 9mm CPX2 semi automatic pistol; and a North American Arms (N.A.A.) .22LR mini revolver pistol that the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office had reported as stolen.

Charged after the search was Daniel Ray Price, 35, of Coster Lane in Knoxville. Price said all the items belonged to him, Wallace said in affidavits filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Reminder: First-ever Nine Lakes Wine Festival is today

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Nine Lakes Wine Festival Logo

Reminder: The first-ever Nine Lakes Wine Festival is today (Saturday, May 20) at the Melton Lake Park peninsula in Oak Ridge.

The festival focuses on the wine trails of the eastern half of Tennessee and their award-winning wines, a press release said. It bears the name “Nine Lakes” from the nine lakes made by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the Knoxville area.

“The beauty of our waterfront Melton Lake Park is perfect for a wine festival,” said Marc DeRose, president of Explore Oak Ridge, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau, which is one of the sponsoring partners for the event.

Nine Lakes Wine Festival is featuring 20 wineries that participate in five different wine trails. They will be grouped by trail, for a seamless tasting experience, the press release said.

“We are highlighting wine trails because they set quality and professional standards for their members,” explained James R. Riddle, president of the Appalachian Region Wine Producers Association, one of the sponsors of the festival. [Read more…]

DOE: Oak Ridge cleanup prevents large mercury release into environment

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Workers pour mercury from COLEX equipment into a container designed to hold 1,000 pounds of the element. (Photo by U.S. Department of Energy)

Workers pour mercury from COLEX equipment into a container designed to hold 1,000 pounds of the element. (Photo by U.S. Department of Energy)

 

This story and photos were published in the May 17 edition of the EM Update newsletter by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management.

Oak Ridge’s environmental management, or EM, program and contractor URS | CH2M Oak Ridge have prevented more than 1,000 pounds of mercury from entering the environment at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

This work, part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Excess Contaminated Facilities initiative, enables demolition and disposal of massive mercury-contaminated equipment to begin this month.

Workers are inspecting and cleaning the pipes and column exchange (COLEX) equipment on the west side of Alpha-4 at Y-12. They have tapped and drained approximately 2,100 feet of the 5,700 feet of piping so far, retrieving large amounts of mercury, and more is expected as work continues. EM will address and remove the remaining portions on the facility’s east and south sides in the future.

“This project has proven to be a very successful investment for our program,” said Oak Ridge Office of EM Acting Manager Jay Mullis. “We set out to remove risks and enhance safety through the Excess Contaminated Facilities initiative, and our efforts at Alpha-4 will prevent thousands of pounds of mercury from leaking into the environment.” [Read more…]

Energy Secretary Rick Perry coming to Oak Ridge on Monday

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Rick Perry

Rick Perry

 

Energy Secretary Rick Perry is coming to Oak Ridge on Monday at the invitation of U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican.

U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann, a Republican whose district includes Oak Ridge, will also attend.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Perry, a former Texas governor, as the 14th United States energy secretary on March 2. (You can see his biography here.) This will be his first trip to Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Philharmonia concert on Saturday will feature harpist with farewell solo, also Beethoven, Mozart

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Kari Novilla, harp soloist (Submitted photo)

Kari Novilla, harp soloist (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted by Dale Gedcke, publicity manager for the Oak Ridge Philharmonia

A concert on Saturday by the Oak Ridge Philharmonia will feature an abundance of ear-pleasing music, a press release said.

Concert selections will include Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony,” the “Blue Danube Waltz” by Johann Strauss II, “Hungarian Dance No. 5” by Brahms, and the enchanting “Andante Movement” from Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 21.”

“As a special treat, harpist Kari Novilla will perform a farewell solo before beginning her university studies,” the press release said. “Here are the descriptions that make this concert one you will not want to miss.”

Kari Novilla began her musical studies with the violin at age four, then moved to harp at the age of seven. She currently studies with William Lovelace (past president of the American Harp Society) and Elzbieta Szmyt (Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University—Bloomington). She will be graduating this May with both her high school diploma and an associate degree from Walters State Community College, summa cum laude, the press release said. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society to hold MOTH…er’s Night Out on Saturday

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Hebrew Moth (Photo courtesy UT Arboretum Society)

Hebrew Moth (Photo courtesy UT Arboretum Society)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will sponsor the popular MOTH…er’s Night Out program to learn about moths and other nocturnal insects on Saturday, May 20, a press release said. The program is scheduled from 8 to 10 p.m. at the UT Arboretum, which is located at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Have you ever wondered about what kind of insects are out hunting and eating while you sleep snugly in your bed at night?” the press release asked. “Come learn about these creatures with naturalist Kris Light. After an introductory program in the Visitors Center, we will venture outdoors to check the sheets to observe the insects that have been attracted by the black lights.

“Bring your camera, your friends, and your kids as well as a magnifying glass, a flashlight, and a desire to learn about these fascinating critters! This program is appropriate for all ages.” [Read more…]

Community invited to ‘Step into Auction’ church fundraiser

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Submitted

With an arm’s long list of unique items and services that includes a llama walk in the Smokies, a fly fishing lesson/excursion, a 1992 Ford Taurus Wagon, getaways, computer geek services, four course dinners that include wine a and food pairing, a back porch summer soiree on the river that will feature a trout dinner, various ethnic meals, and paintings and pottery by local artisans among the offerings up for bid, the “Step into Auction” promises to be a fun filled evening, a press release said.

The community is invited to attend the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church fundraiser on Friday, May 19, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the Social Hall of the church located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Entry is $5 for adults. Children are free.

Music from ORUUC’s own “Bifolkals” will kick off the evening, the press release said. Then it’s on to hors d’oeuvres, magic performed by Nick Roberts, door prizes, and silent and live auctions. Drinks will be available for purchase. [Read more…]

Graduation Celebration for ORHS seniors is June 1

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Students always enjoy the “photo booth” at Graduation Celebration. This was taken at the June 2016 party. (Submitted photo)

Students always enjoy the “photo booth” at Graduation Celebration. This was taken at the June 2016 party. (Submitted photo)

 

The 21st annual Graduation Celebration event will be held at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on Thursday, June 1. Oak Ridge High School seniors are invited to register for the free party, where they can win cash and prizes while making memories with their classmates in a safe environment, a press release said.

The event requires nearly 200 volunteers and dozens of spots are still open. Volunteer jobs are available in security, inflatables, thank you notes, casino, food, prizes, and more. Please visit www.graduationcelebration.org to register as a volunteer. [Read more…]

Briceville man charged with murder in fatal shooting at Clinton Walmart

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Robert Keith Myers

Robert Keith Myers

 

A Briceville man has been charged with murder and attempted murder in two separate violent incidents this year, one a fatal shooting at Walmart in Clinton in April and the other a serious alleged beating and shooting in February that left a woman with cuts, broken bones, and a brain injury, authorities said Thursday.

Robert Keith “Robbie” Myers, 32, was indicted during a special grand jury session Tuesday. He was arrested Wednesday night by the Clinton Police Department.

In the first case, Myers has been indicted on a second-degree murder charge in the death of Marshal Pinsly, 23, of Blaine, from a single gunshot wound in the parking lot of the Walmart in Clinton on Friday, April 28. Pinsly was married to the the ex-wife of Myers.

“The two are believed to have been involved in a disagreement over child visitation,” Anderson County District Attorney General Dave Clark said in a Thursday afternoon press release. “Mr. Pinsly approached Mr. Myers’ vehicle in the Walmart parking lot, and Mr. Myers is accused of shooting Mr. Pinsly without legal justification.” [Read more…]

Man killed in single-vehicle crash in Marlow on Wednesday

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A 41-year-old Heiskell man was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Marlow Road near Dutch Valley Road early Wednesday night, authorities said.

Kenneth R. Roberts was going around a slight left curve while driving south on Marlow Road at about 9:18 p.m. Wednesday when he lost control, veered right, and went off the roadway, according to a fatality report filed by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The 1991 Dodge Dakota pickup truck that Roberts was driving continued at an angle off the roadway until it struck a tree stump with its front end, the THP report said.

The pickup stopped at the tree stump, facing south, the report said. [Read more…]

School board expects to ask city for more money for salary increases for staff

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Oak Ridge Schools presented its proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 to the Oak Ridge Board of Education on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.

Oak Ridge Schools presented its proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 to the Oak Ridge Board of Education on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.

 

The Oak Ridge Board of Education expects to ask the Oak Ridge City Council for more money for a 2.5 percent salary increase for teachers and staff members.

The total amount needed to fund the 2.5 percent salary increase is $855,810, after about $98,000 worth of budget adjustments.

Most of the money for the salary increase could be available if the City of Oak Ridge agrees to continue putting into the budget $538,046 worth of funding that was given to the school system last year on a one-time basis to help pay for a digital device initiative that includes convertible laptops for students, among other expenses. In other words, the school board will ask the city to make that $538,046 a recurring source of funding, as opposed to non-recurring (one-time) money.

The school board will then ask for an additional $317,764 on top of the $538,046, or $855,810 total.

Oak Ridge Vice Chair Bob Eby made the proposal to ask for increased funding from the city. [Read more…]