Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge college senior one of only seven Rhodes Scholars from UT

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Lindsay Lee

Lindsay Lee

The Oak Ridge college senior who was named a Rhodes Scholar this past weekend is one of only seven University of Tennessee students who have received the honor in more than a century, officials said Monday.

Lindsay E. Lee is a UT senior studying math and Spanish. She is the oldest daughter of Julie Lee and Joe Lee, a member of the Oak Ridge Building and Housing Code Appeals who frequently participates at Oak Ridge City Council meetings and once ran for a seat on Anderson County Commission.

UT said the Rhodes Scholarship, which has an average value of about $50,000 per year, is the most prestigious international award a student can earn. Lee was one of 32 American recipients chosen from 857 students endorsed by 327 colleges and universities across the country. [Read more…]

No injuries reported, but SR 95 shut down when coal truck trailer overturns

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Highway 95 Coal Truck Trailer

A trailer hauling coal came loose from a southbound truck and overturned in a ditch next to Highway 95 between Bethel Valley Road and Melton Hill Dam on Sunday night.

No injuries were reported, but part of Highway 95 was temporarily shut down Sunday night after a coal trailer separated from a southbound truck and overturned in a ditch between Bethel Valley Road and Melton Hill Dam.

The accident was reported at about 6:15 p.m. Sunday. The highway remained shut down more than two hours later. [Read more…]

UT senior from Oak Ridge named a Rhodes Scholar, starts Oxford studies in October

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An Oak Ridge resident who is a senior at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville is among 32 U.S. men and women who have been named Rhodes Scholars and will start all-expenses-paid studies at Oxford University in England next October.

Lindsay E. Lee of East Pasadena Road is a math and Spanish major at UT. She has completed research at the National Institute of Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, at Vanderbilt Medical Center, and at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She has also served as the president of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council, as opinion columnist at the student newspaper, as a volunteer for the homeless, and in a children’s hospital, the Rhodes Trust announced Saturday.

The Rhodes Scholars were selected from 857 applicants endorsed by 327 colleges and universities. The Rhodes Scholarships pay all expenses for two or three years of study at Oxford and sometimes allow four years of funding. The value of the scholarships varies depending upon the academic field and the chosen degree, but the average value is about $50,000 per year. [Read more…]

NNSA removes high-activity radioactive materials from Boston

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Nuclear Security Administration recently successfully recovered a disused, high-activity cesium-137 source from Massachusetts General Hospital in downtown Boston and transported it for permanent disposition. Formerly used as a research irradiator for medical studies, the device contained cesium-137, which could be used in a dirty bomb. The removal was part of NNSA’s global campaign to prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear and radiological material.

“This operation is a key part of the NNSA’s broad strategy to strengthen both U.S. and global security by keeping dangerous nuclear and radiological material safe and secure,” said NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Anne Harrington. “Today’s announcement is a good example of how NNSA utilizes its unique expertise and assets at the national laboratories to partner with local communities and other agencies to make our cities and those around the world safer and more secure.” [Read more…]

One suspect arrested after home invasion, car crash on Friday night

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Duran Maszae Lee

Duran Maszae Lee

Police arrested one suspect in a Friday night home invasion on Dewey Road after a vehicle crashed into a utility pole on Delaware Avenue, authorities said.

The home invasion was reported at about 10 p.m. Friday. The suspects fled in a vehicle before officers arrived, Oak Ridge Police Department Lt. Robin Smith said in a statement Saturday night.

“Moments later, it was reported that a vehicle had struck a utility pole on Delaware Avenue,” Smith said. “At the crash scene, officers located one of the suspects from the home invasion.” [Read more…]

Free community meal, cold weather clothing at UU church on Friday

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A free community meal and cold weather clothing will be available at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church on Friday.

Black bean chili, sandwiches, and pastries are on the menu, a press release said. Dine-in or take-out will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. Everyone is invited.

It’s the monthly Stone Soup Ministry meal, which is held the last Friday of every month at the same time in the Social Hall of the Church. The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church is at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools students, staff increase United Way donations by more than 25 percent

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Oak Ridge Schools Donate to United Way

Michael Mott, second from left, was the winner of the grand prize of a weekend getaway donated by United Way of Anderson County Loaned Executive Becky Hook, a retired Oak Ridge teacher. Mott is pictured above with Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers, right, and Principal Bruce Lay, left, and Rick Morrow, UWAC executive director. (Submitted photo)

Students and staff in the Oak Ridge School system increased their contributions to this year’s United Way of Anderson County campaign by more than 25 percent, an official said.

“We are excited to be able to give back to our community,” said Bruce Borchers, Oak Ridge School superintendent. “This is a great community to be part of.”

“To see an increase during these very challenging times really means a lot,” said Rick Morrow, UWAC executive director. [Read more…]

Anderson County Democrats to have May primary

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The Anderson County Democratic Party will nominate candidates for county offices in a primary election in May.

The first day to pick up a qualifying petition for the May 6 primary was Friday, Nov. 22. The qualifying deadline for candidates running for office in the primary is noon, Thursday, Feb. 20.

The party notified the Anderson County Election Commission in October that it planned to nominate candidates in the May primary. [Read more…]

TVA tax equivalent payments total $547 million in 2013

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Submitted

KNOXVILLE—The Tennessee Valley Authority provided $547 million in tax equivalent payments in fiscal year 2013 to states and local governments where it sells electricity or has power properties.

TVA pays tax equivalent payments annually in the eight states where it sells electricity or owns generating plants, transmission lines, substations and other assets, and directly to 146 local governments where TVA owns power facilities. [Read more…]

Fire causes damage to auto repair garage in Marlow

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Jackson Paving Co. Fire

Oliver Springs firefighter Adam Daugherty uses a thermal imaging camera to check for fire in the overhead area. (Photos by Tom Scott)

A fire caused major damage to a truck being repaired in a large garage in Marlow, and it caused moderate damage to repair equipment and the building.

The fire at Jackson Paving Co. on Oliver Springs Highway occurred at about 10:15 a.m. Friday.

The fire at the large auto repair garage occurred in the Marlow Fire Department area. But mutual aid was requested from the Oliver Springs and Oak Ridge fire departments because of the combustible nature of the materials used. [Read more…]

Sen. Corker in Oak Ridge on Tuesday

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U.S. Senator Bob Corker

Bob Corker

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., will be in East Tennessee on Tuesday, and he will make stops in Knoxville and Oak Ridge.

Corker is scheduled to be at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday afternoon. His brief visit to the Chamber will be with Millennium Partners only.

“At events in Knox and Anderson counties, Corker will discuss his work to solve the big problems facing our country,” a press release said. “In Knoxville, Corker will address family business owners and entrepreneurs at an event hosted by The Legacy Centre, an organization working to grow companies through educational programs, peer advisory groups and professional resources. Later, Corker will address business and community leaders at an event hosted by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.” [Read more…]

Blasting continues at Kroger Marketplace site on Monday

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Kroger Marketplace Site Plan

Kroger Marketplace Site Plan

Blasting at the Kroger Marketplace construction site is scheduled to continue at 2 p.m. Monday.

Police officers will stop traffic on Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike for the duration of the blast, which will be about three to five minutes, a press release said.

During the blasting, Illinois Avenue traffic will be blocked from Robertsville Road to Oak Ridge Turnpike, and Oak Ridge Turnpike traffic will be blocked from the Illinois-Turnpike intersection east to Robertsville Road. [Read more…]