Oak Ridge Today

Y-12, Knoxville events remember Japanese bombings, oppose UPF

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Four days of events in Oak Ridge and Knoxville this week will remember those who died in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945, and oppose plans to build a multi-billion-dollar uranium processing facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Organized by the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance, the ceremonies—which include a vigil, a protest, and remembrance and peace lantern ceremonies—start about one week after an unprecedented security breach at the Y-12 National Security Complex. OREPA Coordinator Ralph Hutchison has said, however, that his organization had no connection to the July 28 intrusion at Y-12 by three anti-nuclear weapons activists.

The OREPA events start at 5 p.m. today with a vigil at Y-12.

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Secretary Chu: Y-12 security breach ‘unacceptable,’ guards suspended

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Steven Chu

Steven Chu

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said guards involved in an unprecedented security breach at the Y-12 National Security Complex last week have been suspended, and the general manager of the contractor protective force has been removed.

Two members of the general manager’s leadership team have also been removed from their positions, Chu said in a statement.

In addition, a federal official at the site has been temporarily reassigned, pending the outcome of the investigation into the July 28 intrusion into the high-security Protected Area on the west end of Y-12 by three anti-nuclear weapons activists, Chu said.

“The Department has no tolerance for security breaches at any of our sites, and I am committed to ensuring that those responsible will be held accountable,” Chu said.

Chu did not name the suspended guards or the employees who have been removed or reassigned.

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Tennessee tax-free weekend continues through Sunday

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The annual tax-free weekend in Tennessee started early Friday morning and ends late Sunday, and it allows shoppers to save nearly 10 percent on sales tax on clothing, school and art supplies, and computer purchases.

Consumers will not pay state or local sales tax on clothing with a price of $100 or less per item, school and art supplies with a price of $100 or less per item, and computers with a price of $1,500 or less.

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Y-12 protesters face new felony charges, judge releases two

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Note: This story was last updated at 1:14 p.m. Aug. 4.

KNOXVILLE—New felony property destruction charges were filed Friday against three anti-nuclear weapons activists who allegedly sneaked into the Y-12 National Security Complex on Saturday, and U.S. Magistrate Judge C. Clifford Shirley agreed to release two of the defendants.

The new charges carry stiffer penalties than the previously filed misdemeanor trespassing charges, including up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

The new charges were filed against Greg Boertje-Obed, Megan Rice, and Michael R. Walli, who have been detained at the Blount County Corrections Facility after being arrested at about 4:30 a.m. Saturday in the high-security Protected Area on the west end of Y-12.

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Friday morning fire destroys Marlow trailer

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Marlow Trailer Fire

Flames destroy a trailer on Pine Ridge Road in Marlow early Friday morning. (Photos by Tom Scott)

A fire early Friday morning destroyed a single-wide trailer on Pine Ridge Road in Marlow.

Departments in Oliver Springs, Blair, Medford, and Claxton assisted the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department in fighting the 12:20 a.m. blaze.

The Anderson County Emergency Medical Service and Sheriff’s Department also responded.

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At one-year anniversary, UCOR says K-25 demolition ahead of schedule

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K-25 Demolition

Demolition is almost complete on most of the K-25 Building’s east wing, and the project is ahead of schedule. (Photos submitted by UCOR)

UCOR celebrated its first anniversary as the U.S. Department of Energy cleanup contractor in Oak Ridge this week, and the company announced that its most high-profile project, demolition of the K-25 Building, is ahead of schedule.

Demolition of most of the building’s east wing is almost complete, and more than 10,000 loads of debris have been shipped off for disposal, UCOR said in a press release.

Located in west Oak Ridge, the K-25 site was built to enrich uranium during World War II as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project, but it’s been shut down since 1987.

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ORNL awarded $1 million for battery research

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory is expected to receive about $1 million for battery research as part of a national project to improve the storage of energy.

The grants were announced Thursday by the U.S. Department of Energy, which announced a total of $43 million for 19 projects across the country.

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Frank, Iwanski, Hope win election in Anderson County, Oak Ridge

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Terry Frank

Terry Frank

Business owner Terry Frank, a Clinton Republican, has defeated attorney Warren Gooch, an Oak Ridge Democrat, in the race for Anderson County mayor.

Frank received 7,074 votes, or 58 percent, while Gooch collected 5,032, or 42 percent, according to unofficial results Thursday night.

She will serve a two-year term, completing the unexpired term of former mayor Rex Lynch, who resigned in January 2011.

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Frank, Iwanski, Hope lead in early election returns

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Terry Frank

Terry Frank

Business owner Terry Frank, a Clinton Republican, has an early voting lead over attorney Warren Gooch, an Oak Ridge Democrat, in the race for Anderson County mayor, according to early results posted Thursday evening on the Anderson County Election Commission website.

Results continue to be tabulated, but Frank has been collecting about 56 or 58 percent of the early, absentee, and election day votes, compared to about 42 to 44 percent for Gooch.

Also taking an early lead was City Council candidate Charles J. “Chuck” Hope Jr., who had about 58 percent of the vote around 8:42 p.m., compared to 42 percent for Trina Baughn.

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Y-12 protesters plead not guilty, face Oct. 9 trial

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Greg Boertje-Obed

Greg Boertje-Obed

Megan Rice

Megan Rice

Michael Walli

Michael Walli

KNOXVILLE—Three anti-nuclear weapons activists accused of illegally crossing four fences to get into a high-security area at the Y-12 National Security Complex pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal misdemeanor trespassing charges.

An Oct. 9 trial date was set for the three defendants, and U.S. Magistrate Judge C. Clifford Shirley scheduled a Friday afternoon hearing to help determine whether they should continue to be detained.

The three defendants—Michael R. Walli, 63, of Washington, D.C.; Megan Rice, 82, of New York; and Greg Boertje-Obed, 57, of Duluth, Minn.—have been jailed at the Blount County Corrections Facility.

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Today is Election Day

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Today is election day. Polls are open until 8 p.m.

Elections in Anderson County includes special elections for Oak Ridge City Council, Anderson County Commission, and Anderson County mayor. There are also elections for Anderson County property assessor and Anderson County School Board.

Elections in Roane County include Roane County property assessor, Roane County road superintendent, and Roane County school board.

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Iwanski raises slightly more than Patrick

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Myron Iwanski

Myron Iwanski

Buzz Patrick

Buzz Patrick

CLINTON—Anderson County Interim Mayor Myron Iwanski raised slightly more in campaign contributions in the past four months than County Commissioner Buzz Patrick.

Iwanksi raised $7,075 in campaign contributions from April 1 to July 23, and Patrick collected $6,237, according to campaign financial disclosure reports.

Patrick and his wife Laurel loaned the campaign $2,809, making their total receipts higher than Iwanski’s. Iwanski loaned his campaign $1,000.

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