Oak Ridge Today

Guest column: Community officials make advances in preventing underage drinking

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By Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) of Anderson County

The Anderson County Underage Drinking Task Force is completing its first year of existence, one which proved to be quite productive.

The Task Force kicked off last September when it assembled key stakeholders from beer boards, law enforcement agencies, government officials, and businesses across different jurisdictions in Anderson County to identify barriers to compliance with underage drinking laws, with a focus on developing local solutions. Over the last year, the Task Force has worked to review alcohol policies of all jurisdictions in Anderson County.

As part of the review process, the Task Force identified a need for consistency throughout the county on alcohol regulations. Through collaborative dialogue, members discovered that many business owners have locations in two or even three different municipalities, each regulated by different rules. [Read more…]

Anderson County Tourism co-op program offers tourism-related funds

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The Anderson County Tourism Council Board of Directors will be offering the Co-op Program again this year. The purpose of the program is to provide funds to nonprofit tourism-related businesses and organizations in Anderson County to conduct tourism-related projects.

See this PDF for more information: Anderson County Co-op Program Details and Application.

Top White House official confirmed as DOE deputy secretary

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Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall

Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall (Photo courtesy Stanford University)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday, September 18, as the U.S. Department of Energy’s deputy secretary.

“Liz’s confirmation comes at a historic time in our nation’s energy evolution,” Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said. “She joins us with deep expertise in the department’s nuclear security mission, including both nuclear weapons and countering proliferation. Her extensive public service and recent responsibilities on the White House national security team position her to contribute to the department’s energy and security missions in a major way, both domestically and internationally. I thank the Senate for their attention to Liz’s nomination, and look forward to working closely with her as a key, trusted colleague.”

President Barack Obama nominated Sherwood-Randall in July.

As deputy secretary, Sherwood-Randall will support Moniz in the management and operation of the Department of Energy. [Read more…]

Sewer rehab work continues week of Sept. 22

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More rehabilitation work of the city’s sewer collection pipes is scheduled to continue this week, starting Monday, September 22.

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.

Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists are urged to use extra care and caution when traveling on the streets with sewer work areas, a press release said. Temporary road repairs will be made, and loose gravel should be expected until the patches are permanently paved. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge street resurfacing begins September 23

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The Oak Ridge Public Works Department plans to resurface the following city streets beginning Tuesday, September 23: [Read more…]

Video: Oak Ridge Turnpike natural gas line fire

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A westbound Honda Odyssey crashed into an aboveground natural gas pipeline on the north side of Oak Ridge Turnpike on September 20, sparking a fire.

Updated: Driver injured, pulled from van crash that sparks gas line fire

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Car Crash and Gas Line Fire Oak Ridge Turnpike

The male driver of this Honda Odyssey minivan was taken to the hospital after he crashed into a wooded area alongside Oak Ridge Turnpike and sparked a gas line fire. The area of the gas line fire is in the left foreground.

 

Note: This story was last updated at 9:05 p.m.

A male driver was taken to the hospital after a westbound minivan went down a small embankment on the north side of Oak Ridge Turnpike, crashed into a wooded area, and sparked a gas line fire on the east end of town.

Driver Thomas Debusk, 43, of Knoxville, was taken by ambulance to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, the Oak Ridge Police Department said.

The cause of the crash, reported at about 1:43 p.m., was not immediately known. The gold 2003 Honda Odyssey van driven by Debusk struck an aboveground natural gas pipeline in a small basin below Oak Ridge Turnpike and next to the parking lot at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which is across from Tractor Supply. [Read more…]

Today: Mutt Strutt, Treasure Hunt, Taste of Oak Ridge, Mark O’Connor concert

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There is a lot happening in Oak Ridge Today.

The events include a treasure hunt at the Oak Ridge outdoor pool on Providence Road from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., a Mutt Strutt at PetSafe Dog Park (at Big Turtle Park) from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Taste of Oak Ridge from 4-10 p.m. at the new Oak Ridge Universalist Church on Oak Ridge Turnpike, and a concert featuring Mark O’Connor and the Oak Ridge Symphony at 7:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge High School.

There’s also a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m. at Applebee’s for ORHS Cross Country Boosters, a Community Mediation Services garage sale from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Eagle building on Oak Ridge Turnpike, and Tennessee Promise signup event for high school seniors from 10 a.m-2 p.m. at the Roane State Community College campus in Oak Ridge.

Please see the events calendar on Oak Ridge Today for more information.

Today is Oak Ridge’s 72nd birthday

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Y-12 Calutron Operators

Women enriching uranium in calutrons at Y-12 as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II. (Photo by Ed Westcott)

 

It’s Oak Ridge’s birthday today, September 19.

Oak Ridge was picked for the top-secret Manhattan Project on September 19, 1942. That was the day 72 years ago when General Leslie Groves approved the acquisition of 59,000 acres of land along the Clinch River for what soon became the Manhattan Project, a federal effort to build the world’s first atomic bombs.

By the time President Roosevelt authorized the Manhattan Project on December 28, 1942, work on the East Tennessee site where the first production facilities were to be built was already under way.

Oak Ridge became the home of two uranium enrichment plants (K-25 and Y-12), a liquid thermal diffusion plant (S-50), and a pilot plutonium production reactor (X-10 Graphite Reactor). Groves approved Oak Ridge as the site for the pilot plutonium plant and the uranium enrichment plant in 1942. Manhattan Project engineers had to quickly build a town to accommodate 30,000 workers—as well as build the enormously complex plants. [Read more…]

Former president of PTO, Superintendent’s Council running for school board

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Laura McLean

Laura McLean

Laura McLean, an Oak Ridger for the last 19 years, is running for the Oak Ridge Board of Education in the November 4 municipal election.

McLean and her husband Fred moved here for his work as a radiologist. Even after his work moved to Knoxville, the family chose to remain in Oak Ridge to educate their kids and be involved in the Oak Ridge community, a press release said. Both of the their children attended Oak Ridge schools their entire careers, including Oak Ridge Schools Preschool, Glenwood Elementary, Jefferson Middle, and Oak Ridge High School. Alex (ORHS Class of 2010) currently lives and works in Oak Ridge, and Emily (ORHS Class of 2012) is in her third year at the University of Virginia.

McLean has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

The press release said she was an active member in school organizations during her children’s education in Oak Ridge. McLean was on the Parent Committee in the Preschool, and served in several roles while her kids attended Glenwood, including PTO president, PTO vice president, Fundraising Committee member, and classroom volunteer. At Jefferson Middle, Laura served as PTO president and vice president and fundraising coordinator. At ORHS, Laura was on several parent committees and served as vice president of the PTSO. She continues to support and volunteer at Graduation Celebration. [Read more…]

Update: Lamar Deal dies after accident

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Information from WYSH Radio

A tragic accident Thursday afternoon at Deal’s Small Engine in Clinton killed owner Lamar Deal.

A report from the Clinton Fire Department indicates that while unloading lawn mowers from a tractor trailer at the business at around 1:30 p.m. Thursday, a cable snapped, and Deal was struck in the chest by a hook attached to a forklift pulling a palette.

When emergency responders arrived, they found two people applying pressure to the wound and immediately began lifesaving measures.

Crews called for Lifestar to land at Lakefront Park to transport Deal to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, but as the chopper landed, he became unresponsive. Rescue personnel began CPR and transported him to UT by ambulance.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Lamar Deal, a longtime client and friend of WYSH Radio, especially his wife Barbara. As soon as funeral arrangements are announced, we will pass them along to you.

AVFD open house on Saturday

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The public is invited to an open house event this Saturday, September 20, from 2 to 6 p.m. at all three Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department stations.

The AVFD recently scrapped its controversial subscription program in favor of its former donation-based service, and there is a new chief on duty. Rodney Reeder invites everyone to stop in and visit with firefighters at any or all of the stations, which are located at 1957 Mountain Road in Andersonville, 203 Mountain View Lane in Heiskell, and 197 Sequoyah Road in Andersonville.

Stop in and check out the new look AVFD this Saturday.