Oak Ridge Today

Diseased ash trees threaten Oak Ridge electric system

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OakRidgeAshTree

Oak Ridge ash tree (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

Ash trees in Oak Ridge are dead or dying due to a pest known as the Emerald Ash Borer, a press release said. Once compromised by the beetle, the trees pose a significant hazard to people, property, and the power lines in the community.

During the next few weeks, in order to prevent incidents due to fallen trees and branches, the Oak Ridge Electric Department will be identifying and, in some cases, removing ash trees found in the public rights of way adjacent to power lines, the press release said.

“One of our responsibilities is to maintain proper clearance between the City’s electric power lines and the area’s abundant urban forest,” Oak Ridge Electric Department Director Jack Suggs said. “We remove trees on public property when they are identified as a high hazard to our system. Unfortunately, the ash trees in Oak Ridge are presenting such a hazard. During an informal survey, it appeared that most, if not all, of the ash trees were experiencing some kind of distress and are in the process of dying.” [Read more…]

A first of its kind: UT, ORNL offer ‘big data’ doctorate

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The use of big data—collecting and interpreting vast amounts of information—has rapidly grown in importance across areas ranging from health care to nuclear security.

To help meet that demand, the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a first-of-its kind data science and engineering doctoral program, the only one in the United States to pair a university and national laboratory and one of just three such big data doctoral programs in the U.S. overall, a press release said.

The program, which was announced at the spring UT Board of Trustees meeting, hopes to enroll 15 Ph.D. candidates when it begins this fall, with the eventual goal of having 100 students at any given time.

In granting approval for the new program last week, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission noted that it is an answer to its call for the state’s higher education institutions to strengthen graduate-level education and address challenges befitting top research institutions, the press release said. [Read more…]

Landlord summit for Anderson County landlords on Friday

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There will be a free landlord summit for all Anderson County landlords in Oak Ridge on Friday.

The landlord summit is being hosted by Tennessee Valley Continuum of Care. It is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, May 19, at the Scarboro Community Center, which is at 148 Carver Avenue in Oak Ridge. The event will include a free continental breakfast, which will begin at 8:30 a.m., a press release said. Reservations are not required.

The press release said landlords are encouraged to attend because many helpful topics will be offered, including:

  • MORE2 (Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient)—These are energy-saving upgrades available to Oak Ridge homes for lower income home owners and renters.
  • Housing Choice Voucher Program—Learn how landlords can secure rental payments by participating in this program.
  • Case Management—Learn how case management from various nonprofit organizations can help your tenant be successful in housing.
  • Free Legal Information—Learn about new housing laws, eviction requirements, fair housing, and other valuable topics.

[Read more…]

League of Women Voters lobbyist will review actions in state legislature this year

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Stewart Clifton

Stewart Clifton

Stewart Clifton, lobbyist for the League of Women Voters of Tennessee, will review major actions in the state legislature this year during a lunchtime talk in Oak Ridge on Tuesday.

Stewart Clifton will be the guest speaker at Lunch with the League on Tuesday, May 16, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The community is invited to attend.

In this presentation, he will review important actions of the recently completed Tennessee General Assembly, a press release said. Some attention will be given to a discussion of legislative advocacy skills. There will be time for questions and answers, the release said.

Lunch with the League is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, and it is open to the public. There is no cost to attend, and reservations are not needed, the press release said. Box lunches will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. on a first-come basis for $8, or you may bring your own. Coffee and tea are provided. [Read more…]

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department celebrating National Police Week

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The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department will join law enforcement agencies across the nation in celebrating National Police Week, May 14 through May 20, a press release said.

May 15 is National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week containing May 15 has been National Police Week, since President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 on October 1, 1962. It was not until May 15, 1982, that the first National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day service was held.

Activities during National Police Week now include the annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in Washington, D.C. The National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Service on May 15 draws thousands from across the nation.

The Sheriff’s Department has lost eight officers in the line of duty. Seven were killed by gunfire, and one died in an automobile accident, the press release said. [Read more…]

Law enforcement to be honored during ceremony this afternoon

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Law enforcement personnel will be honored during a Peace Officers Memorial Day Ceremony in Oak Ridge today, and certificates and letters of commendation will be awarded to Oak Ridge Police Department personnel this afternoon.

The Oak Ridge Police Department is joining other law enforcement agencies across the nation in celebrating National Police Week, Sunday, May 14, through Saturday, May 20, a press release said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department will honor all law enforcement personnel during a Peace Officers Memorial Day Ceremony held in front of the Oak Ridge Municipal Building at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 15. The keynote speaker will be Bishop Richard Stika of the Diocese of Knoxville.

Beginning at 3 p.m., following the memorial service, certificates and letters of commendation will be awarded to Oak Ridge Police Department personnel in the Municipal Building Courtroom. [Read more…]

Earth-moving project will require heavy machinery in Groves Park

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The Oak Ridge Public Works Department will begin work on an earth-moving project at Groves Park on Tuskegee Drive starting Monday, May 22, a press release said.

The work is expected to take crews at least two weeks to complete, weather permitting. The work is for beautification, and crews will be leveling off some mounds of dirt to clean up the area, officials said.

Heavy equipment will be used to move dirt in the area. [Read more…]

EPA recognizes Oak Ridge as leading Green Power Community

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The City of Oak Ridge has again been designated as a Green Power Community by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, officials said in May 2017. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The City of Oak Ridge has again been designated as a Green Power Community by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, officials said in May 2017. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

The City of Oak Ridge has again been designated as a Green Power Community by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The city is collectively using more than 32 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 16 percent of the community’s total electricity use, a press release said.

“This is a huge honor, and we are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” Oak Ridge Electric Department Business Office Manager Marlene Bannon said. “Using green power helps our community become more sustainable, while also sending a message to others across the country that supporting clean sources of electricity is a sound business decision and an important choice in reducing climate risk.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge will host American Cornhole state championships in June

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The American Cornhole Organization will have the 2017 Tennessee State Championships of Cornhole at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on June 16 and 17, 2017. (Submitted photo)

The American Cornhole Organization will have the 2017 Tennessee State Championships of Cornhole at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on June 16 and 17, 2017. (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge will host the state cornhole championships in June.

The American Cornhole Organization will have the 2017 Tennessee State Championships of Cornhole at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on June 16 and 17, a press release said.

The ACO is the worldwide governing body and professional organization for the cornhole sport, the release said.

The state championships in June were announced by Explore Oak Ridge on Friday.

Members of the public can test their skill by participating in the public open tournament, Big Blind Luck Draw, starting at 8 p.m. Friday, June 16, the press release said. Registration for the tournament is from 4-7:30 p.m. The entry fee is $10. The prize purse is $200 for first, $80 for second, and $20 for third, the release said.

“The American Cornhole Organization is one of the fastest-growing sports organizations in the country, garnering a lot of national attention,” said Steve Winfree, Explore Oak Ridge sales manager. [Read more…]

Veterans Breakfasts have one-year anniversary on Saturday

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The next Veterans Breakfast is Saturday, and it’s the one-year anniversary of the monthly breakfasts for military veterans from Anderson County.

The Saturday breakfast, hosted by Anderson County residents, is sponsored this month by Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and Representative John Ragan, a press release said. The breakfast will be held this Saturday, May 13, at the Clinton Community Center. “Chow line” opens at 8:30 a.m., and there will be a brief program at 9 a.m.

“All of the Veterans Breakfasts will recognize and honor local veterans and their families for their service to the United States,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Community open house scheduled as part of Public Works Week

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The Oak Ridge Central Services Complex is pictured above. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Central Services Complex is pictured above. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Public Works Department and Public Works Employee Relations Committee is having a Public Works Community Open House and Touch-the-Truck event on Thursday, May 25.

The event will be held in recognition of Public Works Week in the City of Oak Ridge and National Public Works Week (May 21-27). The open house will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Central Services Complex, which is located at 100 Woodbury Lane.

“The purpose is to provide an event at which the community can learn about all the different divisions that make up the Public Works Department,” a press release said. “Public Works is much more than just water and sewer services. They are, in short, the people who maintain and improve the systems and services vital to the city’s health, safety, and comfort. Those systems and public services include, but are not limited to, water distribution, sewer collection, water and wastewater treatment, street, sidewalk, and storm drain repair and maintenance, stormwater management, public building maintenance and management, snow removal, and city fleet maintenance.” [Read more…]

Community development director retiring at end of July

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Kathryn Baldwin, Oak Ridge community development director, will retire at the end of July.

Baldwin announced her retirement in an email that was sent to members of the Oak Ridge Land Bank, the Oak Ridge Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals, and the Oak Ridge Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday.

“I wanted to personally inform you that I’ve decided to retire at the end of July,” Baldwin said. “For 16 years, it has been my pleasure to serve the men and women who sit on boards that represent the City of Oak Ridge. Each of you bring a unique perspective to actions taken by our individual boards and commissions. In addition, you do so with an unsurpassed commitment to ethics, creativity, respect, and the health and wellbeing of the Oak Ridge community. The fact that you have put your faith in me and the Community Development staff has been a personal honor. I look forward to watching the City of Oak Ridge grow and prosper under your leadership.” [Read more…]