Oak Ridge Today

New dog park could have ribbon-cutting soon, city manager says

Posted at
By 8 Comments

Oak Ridge Dog Park Entrance

City Manager Mark Watson says there could soon be a ribbon-cutting for the new dog park at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge. The entrance to the dog park is pictured above in this Oct. 25 photo and so is the fencing that was then under construction.

The city is about to have a “soft opening” for the new dog park at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge, and there could soon be a ribbon-cutting, an official said Tuesday.

Construction has been under way since this summer at the city’s first dog park, which is being built with help from a $100,000 donation from Radio Systems Corp. through Legacy Parks.

The park will include a “gorgeous entrance” and fenced-in fields for large and small dogs, and it will allow dogs to socialize and build community through resident interactions, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said during a “State of the City” presentation at Lunch with the League on Tuesday. [Read more…]

Reminder: Lake City Council to vote on Rocky Top name change today

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

The Lake City Council will meet at 5 p.m. today (Thursday) to discuss and vote on the proposal to change the city’s name to Rocky Top as the first step toward turning the small town into a tourist destination.

Developers have proposed a $20 million first phase of the project that could include attractions like a theater, a water park, and a large restaurant. The name change is widely expected to be approved during today’s meeting.

If it is, the measure will be sent to the General Assembly in Nashville for its approval when the next legislative session begins in January. If state lawmakers sign off on the change, it will be sent back to the City Council for ratification. [Read more…]

Pedestrian safety project at Jackson Square to be completed soon

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Jackson Square Pedestrian Improvements

Workers repave Broadway at Jackson Square on Oct. 25 as part of a pedestrian safety improvement project paid for with red light camera money.

The city-owned parking lot on the north side of Jackson Square now has two handicapped-accessible areas, and the pedestrian safety improvements under way there could be finished in another week, an official said Tuesday.

The project, which includes road and sidewalk work, is being done under a contract approved by Oak Ridge City Council in August.

It’s part of more than $500,000 worth of projects that use red light camera money. The other projects are designed to make eight Oak Ridge Turnpike intersections safer for pedestrians. Those improvements, which will provide a pedestrian walkway and crosswalk system near Oak Ridge Turnpike businesses, are estimated at $370,000. [Read more…]

Parade of Trees to benefit Girls Inc. on Nov. 16

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Girls Inc. Parade of Trees

Helping to decorate gift bags for the Girls Inc. Parade of Trees are, from left, Carolyn Singer, Ella Stewart, Savannah Russell, Samantha Asbury, and Bailee Lane. (Submitted photos)

The festive spirit of a New York Christmas holiday will transform the Pollard Center for an evening of glitz and glamour on Saturday, Nov. 16. It’s the 19th Annual Parade of Trees, a benefit for Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge.

“Beautifully decorated and lighted trees, wreaths, centerpieces, and of course, mistletoe, will enhance the magical atmosphere of a night in Manhattan,” a press release said. “In addition, this year’s ‘Park Avenue’ gift shop will feature unique hostess gifts and items to make your holiday table sparkle. Jams, jellies, and baked treats (tastings will be available) can be purchased in gift bags ready to deliver to a special friend. Don’t need a new Christmas tree? Then plan to take home a bag of beautiful ornaments to freshen your existing tree!” [Read more…]

Dr. William Culbert to speak on Affordable Care Act on Thursday

Posted at
By 2 Comments

William Culbert

William Culbert

William Culbert Jr., MD, a family practice physician who is an advocate of the Affordable Care Act, will be the guest speaker at the Thursday meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club.

“The ACA, an Idea Whose Time Has Come,” is the topic of Dr. Culbert’s talk. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Club Room of the Clinton Community Center.

Vernon’s Burnins will serve Vernon Long’s award-winning, slow cooked barbecue, and the dinner costs $10 per person. For reservations, e-mail Ann Mostoller at amostoller@msw-law.com or call Mary Matheny at (865) 483-8937. [Read more…]

After burning 71 acres, Walden Ridge fire contained

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Walden Ridge Fire

Smoke plumes rise above Walden Ridge northeast of Oliver Springs on Tuesday, where a fire first reported Sunday burned about 71 acres before being contained.

OLIVER SPRINGS—The Walden Ridge fire first reported Sunday burned about 71 acres, but it is contained now, a state forester said Wednesday afternoon.

Fire crews have been able to use a bulldozer to clear a line around the blaze and contain it, said Nathan Waters, assistant district forester for the Tennessee Division of Forestry. They also used leaf blowers to move leaves—which can serve as light fuel—away from homes along Dutch Valley Road and to help build fire lines.

Waters said firefighters, who have left Walden Ridge, will check back again this afternoon and also tomorrow. They could continue to check back until the area gets a significant rain. [Read more…]

CPD honors Officer of the Year, ‘Top Guns’

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

Sgt. Jim Campbell was recently recognized as the Clinton Police Department’s 2012/2013 Officer of The Year. This is Campbell’s second “Officer of The Year” award, having also earned the honor in 2005.

Among several administrative duties, Campbell also serves as the CPD’s training coordinator. He has been with the department since 2003. Chief Rick Scarbrough presented the award to Campbell at the annual police “range day” celebration, held Thursday, Oct. 24.

The CPD’s “Top Guns” were also recognized during the first annual “range day” pistol competition. Most of the department’s full-time and reserve officers participated. The top five were: [Read more…]

Anderson County Hall of Fame Class of 2013 announced

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

The Anderson County Hall of Fame will continue its tradition of honoring the area’s finest community members at the dinner and induction ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the First Baptist Church of Clinton.

Stephen Bargatze, internationally acclaimed comedian and motivational speaker, will serve as the keynote speaker of the 7th annual celebration. Each year, individuals with ties to Anderson County are inducted into the Hall of Fame in ten categories, and the Class of 2013 is as follows: [Read more…]

Follow-up: Roane shooting victim had been drinking, getting high

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

Following up on a story reported Monday, a 44-year-old Roane County man who accidentally shot himself in the chest with a .22-caliber rifle on Sunday was treated for his injuries and released from the University of Tennesseee Medical Center that same night.

Steve Brooks was flown to UTMC after the incident on Edwards Lane, just south of Rockwood. The Roane County Sheriff’s Office said that he told emergency personnel that he had been drinking before the incident and admitted to having smoked crack cocaine, an admission verified by his live-in girlfriend and her adult son. [Read more…]

AC Commission to consider sheriff’s salary suit in special meeting

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Anderson County Detention Facility

A legal dispute between the Anderson County mayor and sheriff largely revolves around funding to hire enough jailers to staff a 212-bed jail expansion at the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton. (Photo courtesy Anderson County Sheriff’s Department)

Information from WYSH Radio

After failing to discuss the ongoing legal dispute between the Anderson County mayor and the Anderson County sheriff last month, the County Commission will take the matter up during a special-called meeting at 6:30 p.m. today (Wednesday).

The meeting could include a closed-door executive session during which commissioners are expected to hear an update from Law Director Jay Yeager on the status of the salary suit filed by Sheriff Paul White against Mayor Terry Frank over her refusal to sign his salary agreement for this fiscal year. The salary dispute is scheduled for a hearing on Dec. 9 before Knox County Circuit Court Judge Dale Workman.

Some commissioners have publicly expressed their concern about the cost of the ongoing legal battle to taxpayers, as both sides have retained outside counsel. [Read more…]

Morgan voters OK distillery at former Brushy Mountain prison

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Brushy Mountain Correctional Complex

On Tuesday, Morgan County voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of turning the former Brushy Mountain Penitentiary in Petros, pictured above, into a moonshine distillery and tourist attraction. (Photo courtesy Tennessee Department of Correction)

Information from WYSH Radio

On Tuesday, Morgan County voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of turning the former Brushy Mountain Penitentiary into a moonshine distillery and tourist attraction. The measure passed with 2,431 votes to 1,150 votes against.

Chattanooga-based Brushy Mountain Group is leading the effort to build the distillery, which could bring more than 100 new jobs to Morgan County. In addition to producing moonshine at the former prison, the company also intends to open a gift shop, a museum, and horse trails on the property, and would also like to offer tours of the historic prison to the public.

The former Brushy Mountain Correctional Complex is located about 18 northwest of Oak Ridge in Petros. The maximum-security prison first opened in 1896 and closed in June 2009. At 113 years old, it was the oldest operating prison in Tennessee. Its most infamous inmate was James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [Read more…]

Walden Ridge fire near Oliver Springs grows to more than 30 acres

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Walden Ridge Fire

Smoke plumes rise above Walden Ridge northeast of Oliver Springs, where a fire first reported Sunday afternoon had grown to more than 30 acres by Tuesday morning.

OLIVER SPRINGS—A fire that was first reported Sunday afternoon on Walden Ridge a few miles northeast of Oliver Springs had grown to more than 30 acres by Tuesday morning, a state forester said.

The fire is on a steep hillside north of Dutch Valley Road between a Marlow Volunteer Fire Department fire station and Fox Lane.

The cause hasn’t been determined, but it was most likely arson, said Nathan Waters, assistant district forester for the Tennessee Division of Forestry.

He said the fire was originally reported as a campfire, but it appears to have started away from any trails or burn pits, and there was no lightning on Halloween, when smoke was first reported in the area. [Read more…]