Oak Ridge Today

New low-income apartments for seniors under construction

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Information from WYSH Radio

A new three-story apartment complex for very low-income seniors over the age of 62 is currently being constructed in Oak Ridge and could be open for occupancy by next spring.

Dogwood Manor Apartments is being built behind Linda Brown Realty on Oak Ridge Turnpike and is funded by a federal Housing and Urban Development grant worth $3.1 million. The new facility will feature 23 one-bedroom apartments and a two-bedroom apartment for the on-site manager. The apartments are all designed to be handicap-accessible and one unit will be designed for use by someone with vision or hearing impairments.

Residents would pay 30 percent of their income for rent and utilities in the subsidized housing complex. The work is being performed by J&S Construction of Cookeville.

Boys and Girls Club has fall festival Friday

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The Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge has its fourth annual fall festival on Friday.

The festival is at the club from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, and it costs $4. That includes unlimited time in the bounce house, a cake walk, one trip through each of the program areas, and a hot dog, chips, and drink. Extra tickets for the haunted house can be bought for $1.

Each program area will be filled with exciting activities and delicious treats, and there will be an obstacle course and corn hole tournament, organizers said. [Read more…]

Anderson County Republican Party has open house Tuesday

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The Anderson County Republican Party will have a community open house between 6 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Midtown Community Center in Oak Ridge.

“This is an opportunity to learn about the Republican Party and meet local office holders and candidates, who will be there to share ideas and gain input for the upcoming elections,” a press release said.

The Midtown Community Center is located at 102 Robertsville Road, at the intersection with Oak Ridge Turnpike. Refreshments will be served. [Read more…]

IDB has public hearing, special meeting to consider mall plan Thursday

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Oak Ridge Mall Master Plan

A city board will have a public hearing and special meeting Thursday to consider a tax financing agreement for the $80 million redevelopment of the Oak Ridge Mall. (Submitted image)

A city board will have a public hearing and special meeting Thursday to consider a tax financing agreement for the $80 million redevelopment of the Oak Ridge Mall.

The public hearing starts at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom. It will include a presentation by Crosland Southeast, the North Carolina company that has a purchase contract on the mall and has proposed redeveloping it. The public hearing will also include public comments.

The Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board will have a special meeting after the public hearing to consider approving the tax increment financing, or TIF, agreement, which could be recommended to Oak Ridge City Council and Anderson County Commission. [Read more…]

No new date yet for Y-12 safety, UPF meeting canceled due to shutdown

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Y-12 National Security Complex Aerial View

A federal nuclear safety board has not yet rescheduled a Knoxville meeting to discuss, among other things, the risks associated with continuing to operate old buildings involved in weapons work at the Y-12 National Security Complex, pictured above, and the progress made in the past year to incorporate safety into the design of the multi-billion dollar Uranium Processing Facility. (Photo courtesy B&W Y-12)

A federal nuclear safety board has not yet rescheduled a meeting in Knoxville that had been expected to discuss this week, among other things, the risks associated with continuing to operate old buildings involved in weapons work at the Y-12 National Security Complex—and the progress made in the past year to incorporate safety into the design of the multi-billion dollar Uranium Processing Facility.

The federal Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board had been scheduled to have the day-long meeting and public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Knoxville Convention Center. But it was delayed due to the partial shutdown of the federal government, which started Oct. 1 and ended Oct. 17.

[Read more…]

First United Methodist has marriage seminar Friday, Saturday

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Adventures in Marriage Logo

Do you want to make your marriage as strong as it can be? First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge is hosting “Adventures in Marriage: Fun, Faith, and Fellowship to Grow Your Marriage,” a seminar on Friday and Saturday at the church.

The seminar will be led by Julie and Jay Baumgardner. Julie is the president and chief executive officer of First Things First, an award-winning nonprofit in Chattanooga that supports marriage and family life. As a passionate advocate for healthy marriage and family, Baumgardner frequently speaks on these issues both locally and nationally. [Read more…]

Sponsored: Karen’s Jewelers hosts estate jewelry show this weekend

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Les Paul Pocket Watch Copy

A copy of the Les Paul Pocket Watch is pictured above. (Submitted photos)

A unique show of vintage, estate, and celebrity jewelry will take place on Friday and Saturday at Karen’s Jewelers.

Among items will be a Rolex watch that actress, singer, and director Barbara Streisand presented to a former boyfriend, inscribed with a quote from her song “Evergreen,” and a gold hot dog that Robert Goulet had designed for his aunt, who offered him $10 for hot dogs when he was a struggling actor. An aquamarine and diamond ring that belonged to actress Tallulah Bankhead and a 14 karat gold pocket watch that was the guitarist Les Paul’s, with an inscription to Les, will also be among treasures at the show.

The Estate Jewelry Show will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. A special preview of the show will be held from 4-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Karen’s Jewelers, 1120 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

ORNL’s Storey named fellow of Society of Automotive Engineers

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John Storey

John Storey

John Storey of Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been elected fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers.

He is recognized for pioneering new techniques in the characterization of exhaust emissions, his work for the diesel fuel sulfur rule, and for his multiple contributions to the development of lean exhaust emissions control.

Storey works in ORNL’s Energy and Transportation Science Division. He lives in Oak Ridge.

Powell leads ORNL’s Environment, Safety and Health Directorate

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John E. Powell

John E. Powell

John E. Powell has been named director of the Environment, Safety and Health Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The appointment is effective immediately.

Powell received his bachelor of science degree in environmental engineering from Purdue University. He has 29 years of experience with a variety of environment, safety, and health, or ES&H, disciplines including working with state and federal regulatory agencies, leading multi-disciplinary teams to develop solutions to complex ES&H challenges, and emergency response planning management. [Read more…]

Anderson County Commission approves deer hunting at former landfill site

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CLINTON—Members of the Anderson County Commission, during their quarterly day meeting on Monday, approved a resolution that will allow citizens to hunt deer on the county-owned former Blockhouse Valley Landfill site.

Deer hunting will be limited to the former landfill site and restricted to permitted individuals.

Citizens interested in obtaining permits for the hunt must submit their applications and requests by calling (865) 457-6291 by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6. [Read more…]

Y-12 receives six of 18 NNSA sustainability awards

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Y-12 National Security Complex Aerial View

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge received six of 18 sustainability awards announced by the National Nuclear Security Administration on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy B&W Y-12)

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge received six of 18 sustainability awards announced by the National Nuclear Security Administration on Tuesday.

The NNSA said the awards were for innovation and excellence at its national laboratories and sites. They recognize exemplary individual and team performance in advancing sustainability goals through innovative and effective programs and projects that increase energy, water, and fleet efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gases, pollution and waste, a press release said.

“I congratulate the winners of this year’s sustainability awards and all those involved in our efforts to implement environmentally responsible and sustainable operations and projects,” said James McConnell, NNSA acting associate administrator for infrastructure and operations. “NNSA will continue striving to develop new and creative solutions to minimize the environmental impact of our vital national security mission.” [Read more…]

Lake City has Nov. 1 public meeting on changing name to Rocky Top

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Information from WYSH Radio

Lake City residents who want more information about a proposal to change their city’s name to Rocky Top as the first step toward the creation of an amusement destination with a water park, restaurant, and theaters tied together by the area’s coal mining history will get a chance to get that information and share their opinions during a public meeting scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center of Main Street Baptist Church.

The Lake City Council will consider the name change on Thursday, Nov. 7. If approved, the change would have to be approved by the General Assembly. [Read more…]