Oak Ridge Today

Final signature clears way for demolition of K-25 North Tower

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K-25 Demolition

Demolition is almost complete on most of the K-25 Building’s East Wing, and work on the North Tower, pictured in the background at left, could start in September. (Photo submitted by UCOR)

Historic preservationists lobbied for years to save the North Tower of the mile-long, U-shaped K-25 Building in west Oak Ridge, but an agreement that received a final signature on Tuesday clears the way for demolition work to begin there in late September or early October.

“It allows us to proceed with our cleanup activities … without delay,” said Mike Koentop, U.S. Department of Energy spokesman in the Oak Ridge Office.

However, officials plan to pay homage to the site, built during World War II to enrich uranium for atomic bombs, with a replica equipment building, viewing tower, and nearby history center, as well as a Web-based virtual museum and a $500,000 grant to buy and stabilize the dilapidated, historic Alexander Inn in central Oak Ridge.

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Neighborhood Watch reduces crime, celebrates ‘Night Out’

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Cas Walker Ciderville Show

Bass player Jeff Tolson, from left, guitarist and vocalist Jamey Oran, guitarist Terry “Teep” Phillips, and banjo player David West perform as the Cas Walker Ciderville Show during “National Night Out” in Oak Ridge on Tuesday.

Hundreds of residents on about 210 streets take part in the city’s crime-fighting Neighborhood Watch program, and that’s helping to cut down on illegal activity, Oak Ridge Police Officer Jeremy Upham said Tuesday.

“I think, personally, it’s making a huge impact,” said Upham, the police department’s liaison to the Neighborhood Watch program. “The neighbors are calling when they see suspicious things that don’t fit in.”

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Patrick says ‘no’ to other elected offices, Iwanski to chairmanship

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Myron Iwanski

Myron Iwanski

Buzz Patrick

Buzz Patrick

After losing by a wide margin in the Aug. 2 election, Anderson County Commissioner Buzz Patrick on Monday said he has no plans to run for any other elected office.

And the man who beat him, Anderson County Interim Mayor Myron Iwanski, said he is not interested in becoming Anderson County Commission chairman, a position he has held before.

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DOE acting assistant manager retires after 34 years of federal service

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Teresa C. Perry

Teresa C. Perry

An acting assistant manager in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office has retired after 34 years of federal service.

Teresa C. Perry was acting assistant manager for safety and technical services in the Oak Ridge Office, and she retired Aug. 1, a DOE press release said.

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November election features city council, judge, school board

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The three incumbent Oak Ridge City Council members—L. Charles “Charlie” Hensley, Charles J. “Chuck” Hope Jr., and Ellen Smith—have picked up qualifying petitions to run in the Nov. 6 election, and Trina Baughn, the first-time candidate defeated days ago in the Aug. 2 special election, plans to run again in November.

Also qualifying to run in November is Kelly S. Callison, who sought an appointment to City Council after former member Tom Hayes resigned in June 2011.

There are three seats available. They are the seats now held by Hensley, Hope, and Smith. Hope was appointed to the position after Hayes resigned.

Meanwhile, former Oak Ridge City Council member Leonard Abbatiello has picked up a petition to run for school board, and the two incumbents, Angi Agle and Keys Fillauer, have also picked up petitions, said Stephanie Gamble, Anderson County Election Commission deputy administrator.

She said Oak Ridge City Judge Robert A. McNees III has also qualified to run in November.

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Pictures from last week’s hail storm

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Hail on Deck

Large hail falls onto a deck in Oak Ridge on Aug. 1. (Photos by Donato DiGregorio)

An afternoon storm that lashed Oak Ridge on Aug. 1 pounded parts of the city with one-inch-diameter hail.

Meteorologist Jessica Winton said the National Weather Service in Morristown received many reports of hail as big as a quarter, which is “kind of average” over East Tennessee.

Winton said the Weather Service received reports of a few trees down in Farragut from the storm, and one large tree down on the north side of Oak Ridge.

Winds gusted up to 43 mph in Oak Ridge during the storm.

Hail on Grass

Hail peppers parts of Oak Ridge during an Aug. 1 storm.

Oak Ridge School Board member Dan DiGregorio took pictures of the hail on his deck and in his yard.

DOE public bus tours in Oak Ridge end Aug. 31

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Public bus tours of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge facilities end for the year on Friday, Aug. 31.

The tour includes stops at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12 National Security Complex, and East Tennessee Technology Park. The tour includes historical commentary on the transformation of the Oak Ridge Reservation during the past 65 years, a press release said.

So far this season, 1,099 visitors from 36 states have participated in the three-hour summer tour.

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Students receive $500 scholarships from Blacks in Government

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The Oak Ridge Chapter of Blacks in Government recently awarded $500 college scholarships to four local high school graduates, a U.S. Department of Energy press release said.

This year’s scholarship winners were Araya Johnson of Oak Ridge High School, Brionna Epes of Powell High School, Tessa Piety of Christian Academy of Knoxville, and Juaquoya McLaughlin of Bearden High School.

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Top management changes at WSI after Y-12 security breach

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Two administrators at security contractor WSI Oak Ridge have been replaced after three anti-nuclear weapons activists penetrated the high-security Protected Area at the Y-12 National Security Complex on July 28, allegedly splashing blood and spraying paint on a uranium storage building.

Lee Brooks, former general manager at WSI Oak Ridge, has been replaced by Steve Hafner, who will serve as acting general manager, a press release said. Hafner is senior vice president and director of safety, security, and environment for Mission Support Alliance in Hanford, Wash.

Brooks and Gary Brandon, former director of the Y-12 Protective Force, are waiting to be reassigned by G4SGS, the WSI Oak Ridge press release said. WSI is a G4SGS company.

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Special agent says Y-12 intruders entered from north, cut fences, activated alarms

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Transform Now Plowshares

Three activists opposed to nuclear weapons pose with banners before their July 28 arrests at the Y-12 National Security Complex. From left to right, the three are Michael R. Walli, Megan Rice, and Greg Boertje-Obed. (Submitted photo)

The three anti-nuclear weapons activists arrested in a high-security area at the Y-12 National Security Complex on July 28 allegedly entered from the north, crossed Bear Creek Road, cut through fences, and activated numerous alarms and sensors before they reached a uranium storage building, according to criminal complaints available online today.

The three activists—Greg Boertje-Obed, Megan Rice, and Michael R. Walli—first crossed a boundary fence near the North Patrol Road on the north ridge of Y-12, U.S. Department of Energy Inspector General Special Agent Eric Dugger wrote in an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Knoxville on Friday. That fence has “No Trespassing” signs posted, he said.

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Y-12 security appears average for protest, internal changes unclear

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OREPA Skit at Y-12 Vigil

About 50 protesters listen to a skit during a Sunday night vigil at the Y-12 National Security Complex, where a moment of silence was held to remember the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945.

Security at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex appeared about average Sunday night for an annual August protest, but it wasn’t clear what internal measures had been taken one week after an unprecedented intrusion into a high-security area.

About 50 protesters attended a Sunday night vigil at the plant organized by the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance. During the annual protest, activists recall the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945, and oppose Y-12’s nuclear weapons work, calling for disarmament instead.

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Baker retires after 32 years with Sheriff’s Department

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Penny Baker Retirement

Anderson County Sheriff Paul White and Chief Deputy Mark Lucas present Capt. Penny Baker with a plaque celebrating her 32 years of service. (Photo submitted by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department)

Capt. Penny Baker, a 32-year-veteran of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, has retired.

Baker started her career at the department as a dispatcher in 1980. She served as a patrol deputy from 1982 until 1985, when she was assigned to criminal investigations as a detective, a press release said.

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