Oak Ridge Today

K-25 demolition project receives American Nuclear Society award

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K-25 Building Demolition March 2014

Demolition work at the K-25 Building in west Oak Ridge is complete, and cleanup work is expected to be complete this summer.

 

The successful demolition of a former gaseous diffusion facility in Oak Ridge has been honored by the American Nuclear Society.

The American Nuclear Society’s Decommissioning and Environmental Services Division selected the K-25 demolition project to receive its Project Excellence Award. The K-25 building, located at East Tennessee Technology Park, was built as part of the Manhattan Project in the 1940s. The facility was shut down in 1964 after two decades of producing enriched uranium for defense and commercial purposes. As the massive, mile-long building began deteriorating, its demolition was considered one of the highest priorities for the environmental cleanup program in Oak Ridge.

UCOR, the U.S. Department of Energy’s cleanup contractor in Oak Ridge, completed the demolition project on Dec. 19, 2013. The demolition was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

UCOR is a partnership between URS and CH2M Oak Ridge LLC. [Read more…]

UT nuclear engineering students awarded scholarships, fellowships through DOE program

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One undergraduate scholarship goes to Oak Ridge student

KNOXVILLE—Several University of Tennessee students in the College of Engineering’s Department of Nuclear Engineering in Knoxville received a nice start to the summer as Nuclear Energy University Programs announced its most recent award recipients, with UT netting nine undergraduate scholarships and three graduate fellowships.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Integrated University Program, undergraduate winners receive a $5,000 scholarship, while the graduate fellowship winners receive $50,000 annually over three years, as well as $5,000 toward summer internships at national laboratories or other approved locations.

The undergraduates include Mikah Rust of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

School officials not in favor of budget cuts, but some could support tax hike

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Oak Ridge Board of Education

The Oak Ridge Board of Education and school administrators are pictured above during a meeting earlier this year. (File photo)

Note: This story was updated at 12:15 p.m.

Oak Ridge school officials made it clear last week that they’re not in favor of budget cuts, and at least a few suggested they might support a property tax rate increase to prevent reductions in staff and programs.

Earlier this month, the Oak Ridge Board of Education was presented three different budget options to start the annual fiscal discussions. One is known as the “Losing Students, Families, and Staff” budget; the second is known as the “Retaining Students, Families, and Staff” budget; and the third is known as “Attracting Students, Families, and Staff.”

The presentations outline a range of potential cuts including reducing nursing jobs and teaching positions; eliminating the Family Resource Center, elementary strings program, and preschool transportation; and increasing class sizes and stretching the student walk zone to one mile. They also include a range of potential benefits, including starting a digital technology initiative known as 1:1, hiring technology personnel, adding special education and custodial staff, and giving employees a 2 percent pay raise. [Read more…]

Council to discuss Friendship Bell repairs, National Park designation

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Oak Ridge City Council

The Oak Ridge City Council is pictured above during an August 2013 meeting. (File photo)

The Oak Ridge City Council will discuss possible repairs to the structure housing the International Friendship Bell at Alvin K. Bissell Park as well as a potential National Park Service designation during a non-voting work session this evening (Tuesday evening).

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at the Central Services Complex on Woodbury Lane.

See the agenda here.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Memorial Day ceremony honors 181 Anderson County residents who died in conflicts

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Anderson County Memorial Day Wreath-laying

From left, Anderson County Veteran Services Director Leon Jaquet, Mayor Terry Frank, and Tennessee Rep. John Ragan take part in a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony on Monday at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

 

CLINTON—More than 100 Anderson County residents have died in conflicts from the Revolutionary War more than 200 years ago to the ongoing war on terrorism and battles in Afghanistan, a county official said during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday.

Those 181 heroes are remembered and their names inscribed on the Veterans Memorial at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton, Veteran Services Director Leon Jaquet said.

“We gather here today in remembrance of our nation’s heroes, especially our county’s heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in support of this nation’s agenda throughout the world,” Jaquet said. “Our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters who served this country to protect our freedoms and wrote that final check with their lives in support of freedom and democracy.”

Jaquet recognized guests at Monday’s ceremony, including Glen and Amy Morris, parents of Staff Sgt. Daniel Morris, who was killed in Iraq in 2006, and Gerald and Kathy Hovater, parents of Cpl. Jason Hovater, who died in Afghanistan in 2008.

“We remember the 1.3 million Americans who have made the supreme sacrifice during this nation’s wars, from the Revolutionary War to the continued War on Terrorism and Afghanistan,” Jaquet said. [Read more…]

Two TWRA officers slightly injured but safe after Norris Lake boating accident

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By Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

SPEEDWELL—Because they wore their life jackets, two Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers are slightly injured but safe after a single-vessel boating accident on Norris Lake on Friday.

Officers Jerry Short and Harrison Cornett were on patrol on Norris Lake around 10:30 p.m. last night (Friday night) near Blue Springs Dock when they apparently struck a large piece of floating debris. The impact caused both officers to be ejected from the vessel and into the water. Short was able to swim back to the vessel and use the radio to contact the TWRA dispatcher and other wildlife officers for assistance.

Both officers sustained minor injuries and were transported to Claiborne County Hospital in Tazewell. They have been treated and released. [Read more…]

Sitel has charity concert for injured vets Saturday, announces 100 new jobs

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Travis Rice Country Concert at Sitel

Sitel is having a fundraising concert to benefit Wounded Warriors and veteran charities this evening (Saturday evening) and offer 100 new full-time jobs in Oak Ridge.

The free event starts at 5 p.m., and it will raise funds and awareness for the needs of injured service members, a press release said. It will also include a variety of family activities.

The festivities start at 5 p.m. Saturday (today) in Sitel’s lot at 1089 Commerce Park Drive at the Tech 5 Building in Oak Ridge. A number of local country bands will provide the music, followed by headliner Travis Rice at 7 p.m., with patriotic songs honoring America’s brave service men and women, the press release said.

Attendees will enjoy barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, and other foods, along with face painting and additional fun activities. Sitel will also give away multiple prizes, including: [Read more…]

Photo: Double rainbow in Oak Ridge

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Double Rainbow

Double rainbow (Photo by the Rev. Sharon Youngs)

 

Submitted

Hail, Double Rainbow!

“Notice that the colors in the rare secondary rainbow are reversed from those of the primary rainbow,” said Herb Krause, retired Oak Ridge National Laboratory physicist. “The primary rainbow is caused by a single reflection of sunlight in each raindrop, and the secondary rainbow is caused by a double reflection.”

Honors: Anderson County EMS recognizes EMT, paramedic, officer of year

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Nathan Sweet

Nathan Sweet

Submitted

Anderson County EMS is proud to present the annual awards for EMT-IV, paramedic, and officer of the year. Each year we receive nominations from peers, and supervisors alike in regards to each award. These awards are truly tough to decide, as there are so many deserving providers here at Anderson County EMS.

It is amazing to look at all of the worthy providers and see how blessed we are to have them here! Anderson County should know that they are in good hands with their EMS service, as the EMT-IVs, paramedics, and officers that serve them every day are top-notch and making a difference.

EMT-IV of the Year

Gage Whitman is a well-regarded EMT-IV among his peers and supervisors. His strong work ethic and commitment to excellence stand out. He always gives his personal best in his job. EMT-IV Whitman shows a genuine respect for all others, and exhibits outstanding customer service at all times. He is currently enrolled in the paramedic program at Roane State Community College and will undoubtedly make a great paramedic!

Paramedic of the Year

Keith Alred is truly deserving of this award for so many reasons. His performance is outstanding, and he is always willing to help others and the service wherever there is a need. His patience with students and new hires has brought him high praise from those who have had him as a preceptor. He has a lot of experience at many levels in EMS, and uses his knowledge and wisdom to make our service better. Paramedic Alred is a field training officer and also serves in other capacities on committees in our organization. [Read more…]

Anderson Sheriff taking part in Click It or Ticket, sobriety checkpoint

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Click It or Ticket Day and Night

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department will take part in the Click It or Ticket-National Seat Belt Enforcement Mobilization by conducting saturation patrols during this Memorial Day holiday period, a press release said.

A sobriety checkpoint will also be held the evening of Friday, May 23, on Tri-County Boulevard in Oliver Springs. This will be a multi-agency effort sponsored by the Oliver Springs Police Department and the Governor’s Highway Safety Office.

The Click It or Ticket-National Seat Belt Enforcement Mobilization runs from May 19 through June 1, the press release said. [Read more…]

Clinton trash collection one day late during holiday week

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The weekly household trash collection in Clinton will be running one day late next week, the week of Memorial Day (May 25-31).

Guest column: Anderson mayor’s budget includes no tax increase

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Terry Frank

Terry Frank

CLINTON—Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank has presented her administration’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Frank’s proposed general fund budget, as recently presented to the Budget Committee, keeps most county departments at current-year spending levels and includes no tax increase. It was unanimously approved at a May 15 budget meeting.

The balanced $25,010,105 budget for the county’s general operating fund proposes maintaining a focus on stabilizing spending levels until we have full economic recovery. [Read more…]