Oak Ridge Today

DOE commits to three-year, $4.5 million groundwater study in Oak Ridge

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Daniel Goode and SSAB Groundwater Strategy Presentation

Daniel J. Goode, a research hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, briefs members of the Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board on a new groundwater strategy for the Oak Ridge Reservation.

The U.S. Department of Energy has agreed to spend $4.5 million during the next three years to study groundwater contamination on the Oak Ridge Reservation.

The reservation includes three federal sites—East Tennessee Technology Park, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Y-12 National Security Complex—that have been involved in missions ranging from scientific research to uranium enrichment to nuclear weapons work. That work has sometimes included the use of hazardous substances such as mercury and technetium-99, a slow-decaying radioactive metal.

The $4.5 million in funding will help implement a new groundwater strategy developed by DOE with help from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The strategy, which was presented to the Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board in November, will help guide future cleanup decisions, said Sue Cange, deputy manager for environmental management in DOE’s Oak Ridge Office. [Read more…]

Frigid temps lead to high electrical demand; TVA asks for reduced consumption

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Frigid temperatures are causing high demand for electricity across the Southeastern United States, the Tennessee Valley Authority said Thursday.

As a result, TVA is asking all electric power consumers—including residential, commercial, and industrial customers—to voluntarily reduce their use of electricity until Friday afternoon.

“Any reductions in electricity use can help ensure a continued supply of power to essential services throughout TVA’s seven-state service territory and avoid interruptions of service,” the public utility said in a press release. “All available generating resources are being used to meet the peak power demand.” [Read more…]

Shoplifting at Walmart ends with box cutter threat

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Clinton Police Department is investigating a shoplifting incident at Walmart that quickly escalated to aggravated assault on Monday.

While shoplifting is nothing new at the big-box retailer, the store’s loss prevention associate called police to the store shortly before 3:30 p.m. Monday after a man allegedly threatened him with a box cutter while stealing women’s underwear. The loss prevention associate confronted a man who was walking out the store’s front door with two packages of plus-sized women’s underwear valued at a little more than $25 without paying for them. [Read more…]

Mayes will seek election to the office of Circuit Court Clerk

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Tyler Mayes

Tyler Mayes

Anderson County Circuit Court Clerk Tyler Mayes has announced that he will seek to retain his position in the 2014 election.

Mayes was appointed in October 2012 to fill the term of former Circuit Court Clerk Barry Pelizzari.

In a press release, Mayes said the top issue for the office is accountability to taxpayers and the courts.

“During Mayes’ first year in office, he has aggressively pursued new policies and procedures that have resulted in record collections and has made the office more efficient in its daily operations,” the release said. “The aggressive pursuit of bond forfeitures, the installation of new software, and the increased collection of court costs has made the Anderson County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office a standard of excellence across Tennessee.” [Read more…]

Knoxville man dies in crash on Bethel Valley Road

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A Knoxville man died in a Wednesday night crash on Bethel Valley Road east of Spallation Drive at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, authorities said.

John Kirkpatrick was driving eastbound in a 2001 Honda CRV when it apparently went off the south side of Bethel Valley Road and hit a tree, the Oak Ridge Police Department said after an initial investigation. Kirkpatrick was the vehicle’s only occupant, and he was found dead at the scene, a press release said. [Read more…]

Federal spending bill includes money for Y-12 water plant, reduces UPF spending

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Y-12 Water Treatment Plant Announcement

In May 2013, state and federal officials announce a plant to treat mercury-contaminated water at the Y-12 National Security Complex. Pictured from left are Mark Whitney, Robert Martineau, Lamar Alexander, Dave Huizenga, and Stan Meiburg.

The $1 trillion federal spending bill passed by Congress last week provides money for a water treatment plant that would help reduce mercury contamination in Oak Ridge, and it includes less money for the Uranium Processing Facility than President Obama had requested, Sen. Lamar Alexander said Thursday.

The U.S. Senate approved the spending bill in a 72-26 vote after the House passed it 359-67. Alexander and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann voted for it, while Sen. Bob Corker voted against it. All are Tennessee Republicans, and Fleischmann’s district includes Oak Ridge.

Alexander said the spending bill provides $16 million less than Obama had requested in his budget for the UPF, a multi-billion-dollar building that would replace old buildings at the Y-12 National Security Complex as part of a years-long effort to update the 811-acre site, consolidate operations, and cut the plant’s high-security “footprint” from 150 acres to 15. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge: Water meter risers, lids disappearing

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The City of Oak Ridge has received numerous reports of cast iron water meter box risers and lids disappearing from various properties throughout the city. These lids and risers are city- owned property. Without these items in place, water meters could freeze and leave customers without water; therefore, creating an issue for city crews to repair. It also creates a safety hazard for pedestrians with the possibility of stepping in the exposed meter box and being injured. They are very costly to replace, a press release said.

The Oak Ridge municipal staff is asking area residents and the general public for their assistance, the press release said. No one should be removing these lids except city crews and they will be in an easily identifiable by their City of Oak Ridge vehicle. If you see any unusual activity on city streets or around buildings including anyone removing lids or metal covers from city-owned property, call the Oak Ridge Police Department immediately at (865) 425-4399.

Questions or comments can be directed to the Oak Ridge Public Works Department at (865) 425- 1875.

Principals appointed at Oak Ridge High, Jefferson Middle

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David Bryant

David Bryant

Phil Cox

Phil Cox

Interim principals at Oak Ridge High School and Jefferson Middle School have been named principals, Oak Ridge Schools announced Wednesday.

David Bryant, who has been interim principal at Oak Ridge High School, has been named principal, and Phillip Cox, interim principal at Jefferson Middle School, has been named principal at the middle school.

Bryant has been interim principal at the high school since July 2013. He was an assistant ORHS principal from 2006 to 2013, and before that, he was an administrator at the Alternative Program.

Bryant began his career with Oak Ridge Schools as a special education teacher in 1985. He has a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and a master’s degree from Lincoln Memorial University. [Read more…]

Big Ed’s Memorial Golf Tournament in April will benefit Community Mediation Services

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The 13th Annual Big Ed’s Memorial Golf Tournament has been scheduled for April.

The tournament will benefit Community Mediation Services of Anderson County. It will be held at the Oak Ridge Country Club Golf Course on Friday, April 25.

“This annual golf tournament supports Community Mediation Services’ work with youth and families in Anderson Country and honors the legacies of Big Ed Neusel and David Neusel, who shared the belief in the importance of giving to others while seeking no recognition for self,” a press release said. “Big Ed’s will continue to blend the family traditions of extraordinary pizza and significant public service.”

Registration forms and full information will be sent out early in February 2014 and will also be available by calling (865) 463-6888 or visiting www.peacefulresolution.org.

Relay for Life kick-off on Thursday

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Relay for Life Survivors

Cancer survivors walk the first lap during an all-night Relay for Life at Oak Ridge High School in June 2012.

The 2014 Relay for Life of Oak Ridge will kick off at Pizza Inn on Thursday.

The kickoff will include information about changes for 2014 and free pizza, organizers said.

“Please invite all your team members, friends, family, and survivors,” a flyer said. “The more Relayers we have, the more lives we save!” [Read more…]

ORNL, DOE, Roane State, Borchers to take part in STEM Night at Woodland

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Bruce Borchers

Bruce Borchers

Representatives from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy, and Roane State Community College—as well as Superintendent Bruce Borchers—will take part in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Night for students at Woodland Elementary School on Thursday.

The STEM Night for students is being hosted by the Woodland Parent Teacher Organization, a press release said. It will be in the school’s gymnasium. Borchers will kick off the event with opening comments at 5:15 p.m. Thursday.

A press release said Borchers is pursuing avenues to make Oak Ridge “the” premier STEM school district in the country. [Read more…]

Anderson County Schools closed Wednesday because of low temps, wind chill

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Anderson County Schools will be closed Wednesday because of extremely low temperatures and a predicted wind chill factor of zero or below, officials said.

Central Office employees will follow inclement weather procedures, a press release said.