Oak Ridge Today

AC students team up with veterinarian, dogs to study, protect state reptile

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CRESO and DOE OREM Turtle Hunt with Boykin Spaniels 1

Pictured above at right is John Byrd, director and co-founder of the Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization, or CRESO. At center is Dr. Matt Allender, DVM (zoo veterinarian from University of Illinois). He operates the Wildlife Epidemiology Laboratory, or W.E.L. They worked with Boykin Spaniels and Anderson County middle and high school students to collect information about the state’s reptile, the Eastern Box Turtle, at the University of Tennessee Arboretum in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, June 28, 2016. (DOE photo/Lynn Freeny)

 

Anderson County middle and high school students contributed to long-term ecological field studies at the University of Tennessee Arboretum in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, using Boykin Spaniels to help a veterinarian and an education and research program collect information about the state’s reptile, the Eastern Box Turtle.

The Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization, or CRESO, is leading the “turtle hunts” with the students this week, from June 27-30 in Oak Ridge. More than 20 students will participate in the program and experience hands-on field research, a press release said.

Collecting information about box turtles is a priority for CRESO to learn how local human activity is affecting their health and habitat, the press release said.

The Boykin Spaniels involved in the turtle hunt are a dog breed that has an uncanny ability to sniff out turtles. Boykins can swiftly find four to 12 turtles in an hour compared to the human ability of finding one every four hours. The Boykin’s soft mouth and calm, easy temperament ensures the turtles are not harmed. [Read more…]

Recording of subdivision plat for mall redevelopment shows comfort among attorneys, consultant says

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Oak Ridge Mall

The Oak Ridge City Center, which could be redeveloped as a multi-use town center known as Main Street, is pictured above. Also known as the former Oak Ridge Mall, the L-shaped building is at center. The white building at center left is Walmart, and it is not part of the proposed redevelopment. Neither is the white building at center top, the Tinseltown Theater. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 5:30 p.m.

The subdivision plat for Main Street Oak Ridge, the redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall, was on its way to the Anderson County Register of Deeds to be recorded on Tuesday afternoon, said Ray Evans, retail consultant for the City of Oak Ridge.

That means the attorneys for both the buyer and the seller were comfortable enough with their progress to have the plat recorded, Evans said.

Officials said last week that RealtyLink, the proposed developer, is on track to close on the sale of the roughly 60-acre mall site by the end of June. It’s currently owned by Oak Ridge City Center LLC.

The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission added a lot to the subdivision plat for the proposed redevelopment in April, creating 11 interior lots. Officials said that requested change had to do with project financing, and it was a minor change from what was approved several months earlier. [Read more…]

BBB-TV: Campbell stepping down as OS city manager

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Information from WYSH Radio

Our partners at BBB-TV have learned that Oliver Springs City Manager Becky Campbell will be stepping down at the end of the month.

Campbell has served as the Oliver Springs city manager since November 2014 after succeeding Tina Treece.

Campbell is wrapping up 18 years with the town. Much of her tenure was spent as an administrative assistant. [Read more…]

Clinton passes budget with no tax increase

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Information from WYSH Radio

On Monday, the Clinton City Council approved its budget on second and final reading, leaving the property tax rate at its current level of 94 cents per $100 of assessed value while providing 2 percent pay raises for city workers.

The new fiscal year begins on Friday, July 1.

Rogers Group patching parts of Illinois, Turnpike today through Thursday

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Rogers Group Inc., a contractor for the City of Oak Ridge, is expected to start patching parts of two state highways today. The two state roads are Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The work is expected to last most of the week and be complete by Thursday, June 30, unless interrupted by weather or unforeseen problems, a press release said.

“Motorists should be aware of short-term temporary lane closures while this work is being completed,” the press release said. “Please take extra caution near Methodist Medical Center at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Tennyson Road. Thank you for your cooperation and patience while this work is being completed.”

Copyright 2016 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Fires destroy two homes Friday, one in Oliver Springs, other on Dutch Valley Road

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Hen Valley Road Fire June 24 2016

A fire destroyed a home on Hen Valley Road in Oliver Springs late Friday, June 24, 2016. (Photo by Tom Scott)

 

OLIVER SPRINGS—Fires destroyed two homes on Friday, one in Oliver Springs and the other on Dutch Valley Road.

The first fire was reported at about 12:55 a.m. Friday at 1351 Dutch Valley Road in Anderson County.

The large, one-story, brick veneer home was completely on fire when the first units arrived from the nearby Marlow Fire Department Station 2 (located at the old Donovan School), fire photographer Tom Scott said. The Marlow Fire department responded with two engines and two tankers.

In response to mutual aid requests, the Oliver Springs Fire Department sent an engine and a rescue truck, and the Blair Fire Department sent an engine.

Anderson County Emergency Medical Services had a medic unit standing by at the scene. The fire units were on the scene until about 5 a.m. Friday, Scott said. The house was totally destroyed. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Community Band concert, fireworks on July 4

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Oak Ridge Community Concert Band in July 4 Concert

The Oak Ridge Community Band is pictured above during the July 4, 2014, concert. (Photo by Larry Perry)

 

The Oak Ridge Community Band will have its annual Independence Day concert at A.K. Bissell Park on Monday evening, July 4. The 7:30 p.m. concert will be followed by the city’s annual fireworks show, which starts at 10 p.m.

“Oak Ridgers and area residents who are looking for a great way to celebrate the July 4 holiday on a ‘high note’ should be making plans to attend,” a press release said. “This year’s July 4 concert marks the 72nd anniversary of the Community Band’s first concert, which was held on July 4, 1944, in the historic Jackson Square area of town. Large crowds are expected on Monday evening, so come early, bring lawn chairs or blankets for outdoor seating, and enjoy the music and fireworks!”

There is no admission fee for the concert. However, donations are welcomed to help offset band expenses, the press release said. Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab will be in the park to help people stay “cool” with refreshments. [Read more…]

Photo: Tai Chi at Jackson Square fountain

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Tai Chi at Jackson Square Fountain June 25 2016

Tai Chi at the Jackson Square fountain on Saturday morning, June 25, 2016. (Photo by Ray Evans)

Manhattan Avenue road reconstruction complete 

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Roadway reconstruction on Manhattan Avenue is now complete and re-opened to through traffic.

“We would like to thank the residents affected by this project for their patience, in addition to the cooperation of all citizens and visitors during the road reconstruction,” a City of Oak Ridge press release said.

For more information about the city, visit www.oakridgetn.gov.

Learn what’s being done to address addiction, recovery at July 14 storytelling event

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Drug Addiction Recovery at Princess Theatre in July 14 2016

A community storytelling event on July 14 will share information on what’s being done to address addiction and recovery in East Tennessee. National Public Radio, which has been covering Roane County Recovery Court, will serve as the master of ceremonies, a press release said.

The storytelling event is titled “Roane is Better Together!” It’s scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at the Princess Theatre in Harriman.

It’s sponsored by Russell Johnson, district attorney general of the Ninth Judicial District, and Roane County Public Defender Kim Nelson, a press release said.

The press release said the Roane County Recovery Court launched in January, and NPR has shared several video and audio clips with its listening audience. [Read more…]

Clinton’s Fourth of July includes fireworks, family activities, food vendors, music

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Clinton Fourth of July Celebration 2016

Clinton’s annual Fourth of July event will include fireworks, family activities, food vendors, and music.

The event starts at 5 p.m. Monday, July 4, and it ends at 10 p.m., when fireworks start, a press release said. The activities are at Lakefront Park.

You can bring the whole family and enjoy these activities, a press release said:

Backyard Bouncers will have a bounce house, bungee run, home run baseball game, Spaceball 2000 human gyro, 68-foot army boot camp obstacle course, 22-foot two-lane tsunami water slide with slip-and-slide, race car combo with water slide, 75-foot Zorb Ball, and pirate bounce house. They are available for the public and free, the press release said. (Important notice: You must have a wrist band to ride.)

There is also laser tag for those kids up for the challenge, and it’s also free, the press release said. So are video games. These activities are sponsored by Faith Promise Church—Anderson Campus, the press release said. [Read more…]

Keppens takes over as head of UT-ORNL Joint Institute of Advanced Materials

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Veerle Keppens

The University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory Joint Institute for Advanced Materials has named Veerle Keppens as its new director. (Photo courtesy UT)

 

The University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory Joint Institute for Advanced Materials has named Veerle Keppens as its new director.

Keppens, current head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in UT’s College of Engineering, brings a knowledge of advanced materials—substances with properties that go beyond the norm in one or more aspects, such as electronically or chemically—that will allow her to transition to the new role without a learning curve, a press release said.

“Dr. Keppens carries a wealth of materials science knowledge to this position along with a well as a passion for broadening our understanding in these areas of research,” said UT Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek. “She has worked well in research partnerships with ORNL and will be a strong leader of the institute.”

UT and ORNL established JIAM in 2005 as a way of bringing together researchers studying those materials, with the impact of that research being as varied as the materials themselves. [Read more…]