Oak Ridge Today

Commissioner Bates opposing Mayor Frank in May Republican primary

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Zach Bates Announces for Anderson County Mayor

Anderson County Commissioner Zach Bates, pictured at center with his wife Whitney, announces he is running for Anderson County mayor in the Republican primary in May.

CLINTON—Anderson County Commissioner Zach Bates on Tuesday announced he is running for Anderson County mayor in the Republican primary in May.

Bates, 25, will oppose Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, 45, who was elected to a two-year term in August 2012, completing the unexpired term of former mayor Rex Lynch, who resigned in January 2011.

The oldest of 19 children, Bates was 21 when he was elected to the Anderson County Commission  in 2010. He represents District 4, which includes Lake City and Briceville. County officials said he is the youngest mayoral candidate they can recall.

His challenge to Frank might have appeared unexpected. The two have at times appeared to be politically aligned, including, for example, on the citizen-led initiative to install “In God We Trust” signs on the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton in July 2013. [Read more…]

Anderson County commissioners reject jail referendum on federal prisoners

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Anderson County Commission Jan. 2014

The Anderson County Commission rejects a proposal for a non-binding referendum in August on whether federal prisoners should be housed at the expanded county jail.

CLINTON—Anderson County commissioners rejected a proposal on Tuesday to ask voters in August whether federal prisoners should be housed at the expanded county jail.

The vote was 10-4 against the proposal for the non-binding referendum.

Earlier this month, the Anderson County Legislative Committee had recommended that the full commission consider the referendum, which was proposed by Anderson County Commissioner Dusty Irwin. He represents District 3, which includes the Andersonville, Fairview, Norris, and Glen Alpine precincts, and Irwin’s constituents live in the district that includes the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton. [Read more…]

Firehouse Subs donates equipment to Oak Ridge Fire Department, Roane County sheriff

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Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is donating  $20,000 worth of much-needed equipment to the Oak Ridge Fire Department and Roane County Sheriff’s Office, a press release said.

Events are planned in Oak Ridge on Wednesday and Lenoir City on Thursday to celebrate the donations of the life-saving tools, the release said.

The ORFD is receiving a thermal imaging camera, worth more than $10,000.

“The donated camera will detect body heat and hot spots in burning buildings, allowing firefighters to reach victims quickly and put out deadly fires,” the release said. [Read more…]

Meet primary candidates at Anderson County Republican meeting tonight

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The Anderson County Republican Party will meet at 6:30 p.m. today (Tuesday), and those who attend will have a chance to meet the party’s primary candidates.

The meeting is at the Staybridge Suites at 420 S. Illinois Ave in Oak Ridge. The Staybridge Suites are located behind Outback Steakhouse, near the Kroger store.

“It should be an informative meeting,” said Aaron Wells, chairman of the Anderson County Republican Party. “It’s an opportunity to meet the candidates who are running in this year’s Republican primary, as well as talk about the important issues affecting Anderson County.” [Read more…]

Organ recipient to discuss organ transplants during Altrusa meeting

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Jill McMaster

Jill McMaster

An organ recipient will discuss organ transplants during an Altrusa Club meeting on Wednesday.

The presentation by Jill McMaster will be titled “Allocating Organs for Transplant: Rationing the Gift of Life.” The luncheon meeting will be at the Double Tree Hotel.

“Because the demand for life-saving transplants greatly exceeds the availability of donated organs, the ethical and analytical challenges are enormous,” McMaster said. Those ethical and analytical challenges will be discussed during her presentation.

McMaster has supported organ transplantation in the United States for many years, a press release said. Working with the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network, she brings the public perspective to the process of establishing national policy to allocate organs for transplant. [Read more…]

Ribbon cutting, reception at Boys and Girls Club on Wednesday

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Boys and Girls Club Gym

The renovated gym at the Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

Submitted

The Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge has seen some major changes during the last few months. From the recent efforts to reinvigorate the football and cheerleading program to adding a dance classes to the after-school program, big things have been happening for the kids involved.

Effective Nov. 1, the umbrella corporation Boys and Girls Clubs of the Clinch Valley, which oversees operations at the Oak Ridge unit and the brand new Roane County Unit located at Harriman Middle School, hired Dean Deatherage as CPO of the organization. Deatherage is a native of Knoxville, and his mother Carolyn Montgomery is a former assistant principal of Jefferson Middle School. He has been involved in the Boys and Girls Club movement for more than 10 years, most recently serving as executive director for the Loudon County Club. [Read more…]

Jeep pulling ATV knocks down railroad signal in Oliver Springs

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Tri-County Boulevard and ATV Railroad Crossing Crash

A Jeep pulling an ATV on Tri-County Boulevard on Monday evening went off the road and knocked down a railroad signal. (Photos by Tom Scott)

Information from photographer Tom Scott

A Jeep pulling a trailer hauling an ATV eastbound on Tri-County Boulevard on Monday went off the road near Edmonds Drive and knocked down a railroad crossing signal.

The ATV flipped and landed next to the vehicle after the crash, which occurred at about 5:50 p.m. Monday.

No injuries were reported. The Oliver Springs police and fire departments responded as did the Anderson County Emergency Medical Services. [Read more…]

First Breakfast with the Legislators of 2014 is Jan. 27

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Tennessee Legislators

From left are senators Ken Yager and Randy McNally and representatives John Ragan and Kent Calfee.

The first Breakfast with the Legislators of 2014 is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 27, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

“While a good breakfast is considered to be the best way to start the day, attending Breakfast with the Legislators may be the best way to get to know key legislative decision makers and to ask questions on issues moving forward in state government,” a press release said.

The hour-long breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27, in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center, located at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike. A free continental breakfast will be served. [Read more…]

Sewer rehab work continues this week

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Beginning this week, a city contractor will be rehabilitating sewer collection pipes within city easements in yards and in roadways this week.

Residents should already have received colored letters and door hangers (orange for Hurst Excavating and purple for Morgan Contracting) providing general information and each contractor’s contact information.

All construction work is subject to change based on such unknowns as weather, equipment, and access issues, a press release said. The construction work schedule for the week beginning Jan. 20 is as follows: [Read more…]

Repairs on Tuskegee Drive extension this week

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Repairs on the Tuskegee Drive extension are scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

The work by the Oak Ridge Public Works Department will require sections of the road to be closed for the day starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m., a press release said.

“Provisions will be made for residents to access their properties,” the release said. “There will be no through traffic during the closures. The street closure is subject to inclement weather that could cause a delay in the closure.”

Questions or comments can be directed to the Oak Ridge Public Works Department at (865) 425-1875. Visit www.oakridgetn.gov for more information.

CASA’s Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash will feature music, food, entertainment

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CASA of the Tennessee Heartland’s 11th Annual Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash is scheduled for February, and organizers said this year’s fundraiser will “uphold the tradition of amazing musicians, great food, and lots of entertainment.”

Cindy Alpert of 106.1 The River will serve as master of ceremonies again this year, a press release said.

Judge James L. Cotton will be at the bash to talk about his newly released book “The Greatest Speech Ever,” and autographed books will be available at the event for $25, with 50 percent of the proceeds donated back to CASA. A full barbecue buffet dinner will be provided by Texas Roadhouse, and decadent desserts will be available from Emma Lou Bakery, the press release said. Silent and live auctions include vacation packages, Raku Pottery from Bill Capshaw, fine jewelry, and many baskets and packages of interest. [Read more…]

Anderson County EMS offers free CPR course

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Information from WYSH Radio

Anderson County EMS will host a free community CPR class on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the headquarters of the Anderson County Rescue Squad at 145 JD Yarnell Industrial Parkway in Clinton.

This class will teach attendees how to perform CPR and use an automated external defibrillator—or AED—as well as how to recognize the signs of a heart attack and/or stroke. This is a Heart Saver class for the general public and is not intended for first responders.

Class size is limited to the first 30 people. For information or to sign up, call (865) 457-8609.