Oak Ridge Today

Environmental assessment for Oak Ridge airport finds no significant impact

Posted at
By 3 Comments

Oak Ridge Airport Development Plan

The Heritage Center airport development plan is pictured above in a file image from August 2015. (Cropped image from DOE Draft Environmental Assessment)

 

An environmental assessment has been completed for the transfer of 170 acres at Heritage Center for a general aviation airport in west Oak Ridge, and the assessment found no significant impact, officials said Tuesday.

The assessment was completed by the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management. The land would be transferred to the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority.

In August, officials said conditions are subject to change, but plans then called for starting construction on the airport at the former K-25 site in 2018. An estimate at that time said the airport could cost between $30 million and $40 million.

The airport would have a 5,000-foot runway that would accommodate general aviation aircraft including corporate jets, private airplanes, and emergency medical services aircraft. A development plan shows the airport at the south side of Heritage Center along Oak Ridge Turnpike, or State Route 58. [Read more…]

Covenant Health has leadership changes, new president at MMC

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Jeremy Biggs

Jeremy Biggs

Mike Belbeck, the current president of Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, will become the executive vice president of operations for Covenant Health, and a new president and chief administrative officer will succeed Belbeck at MMC on April 1.

The leadership changes were announced by Covenant Health on Tuesday.

Covenant Health, which is headquartered in Knoxville and the region’s largest employer, had previously announced its current president and chief executive officer, Anthony L. Spezia, will become CEO emeritus, and Jim VanderSteeg, current executive vice president of operations, will become president and CEO.

Belbeck, who is also chief administrative officer, or CAO, at Methodist Medical Center, will succeed VanderSteeg as the health system’s executive vice president of operations.

Jeremy Biggs, president and chief administrative officer of Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville, will succeed Belbeck as president and CAO of Methodist Medical Center. [Read more…]

Lady Wildcats keep composure, Ellison scores 21 in Region 2 semifinal win

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Lady-Wildcats-Ellison-Shoots-William-Blount-Feb-29-2016

Oak Ridge junior Courtney Ellison (10) scored a career-high 21 points for the Lady Wildcats during a 64-53 Region 2-AAA semifinal win over William Blount at Bearden on Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 2:25 a.m.

KNOXVILLE—The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats battled back from an eight-point deficit in the second quarter of a Region 2 semifinal win against William Blount on Monday and kept their composure against a swarming defense to advance to the regional championship against Bearden on Wednesday.

The Lady Wildcats (26-4) permanently seized the lead about halfway through the second quarter behind the 10 first-half points of junior Courtney Ellison. They widened the lead to as many as 16 points in the second half before finishing ahead 64-53 in the Region 2-AAA elimination semifinal at Bearden High School.

Ellison led Oak Ridge with 21 points, a career high. Late in the third quarter, she made a three-point shot and a field goal within about 45 seconds to help open up a 44-31 lead. She added two more field goals from the left and right baseline late in the fourth quarter to maintain an Oak Ridge margin of about 10 points.

“I was really into it tonight,” Ellison said. “I was really wanting the win, and it was there.”

It’s the first time the Lady Wildcats have made it to the regional championship since 2010, the last year Jill Prudden coached Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Updated: Gunshot victim, 19, in stable condition at UT Medical Center

Posted at
By 14 Comments

UT-Lifestar-Methodist-Medical-Center-Feb-26-2016

A 19-year-old Oak Ridge man was dropped off at Methodist Medical Center with a gunshot wound Friday night, Feb. 26, 2016, and flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville by a UT Lifestar medical helicopter, authorities said. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 3:25 p.m. Feb. 29.

The 19-year-old Oak Ridge man flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with a gunshot wound on Friday night is in stable condition, the hospital said Monday afternoon.

Elijah Malik McDowell was driven to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge around 8:20 p.m. Friday because of injuries to his thigh, groin, and abdomen, the Oak Ridge Police Department said. He was dropped off at the hospital by a friend who left before police arrived, authorities said.

He was airlifted to the UT Medical Center in Knoxville about an hour later by a UT Lifestar helicopter, the ORPD said. [Read more…]

Close to 2,000 bowlers competing in state tournament in Oak Ridge, Knoxville

Posted at
By 1 Comment

State-Bowling-Tournament-Oak-Ridge-Bowling-Center-Feb-27-2016-2

A state bowling tournament is bringing a few thousand people to Oak Ridge and Knoxville for two weekends in February and one weekend in March. Above, teams bowl in the Tennessee State USBC Bowling Association 69th Annual Handicap Tournament at the Oak Ridge Bowling Center on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A state bowling tournament is bringing close to 2,000 bowlers to Oak Ridge and Knoxville for the last two weekends in February and the first weekend in March.

It’s the Tennessee State USBC Bowling Association 69th Annual Handicap Tournament.

The team events are at Oak Ridge Bowling Center on South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge, and the singles and doubles events are at Strike and Spare on Western Avenue in Knoxville.

Officials estimated there are between 1,400 and 1,800 bowlers participating. Add in local bowlers on sub lists, and the total is probably close to 2,000, they said. Plus, many bowlers bring others with them, including family members, and they’re staying in area hotels, eating at local restaurants, and taking children to see tourist attractions like the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge and American Museum of Science and Energy.

“This is phenomenal for Oak Ridge,” said Craig Porter, general manager at the Oak Ridge Bowling Center. It also helps Knoxville, he said. [Read more…]

Higgins scores 20, Johnson named MVP as Wildcats win district championship

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Wildcats-District-3-AAA-Champions-Feb-23-2016

The Oak Ridge Wildcats won the District 3-AAA championship in an 88-62 victory over Karns on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

CLINTON—Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins scored a game-high 20 points and senior Javien Johnson was named MVP as the Wildcats won the District 3-AAA championship in an 88-62 victory over Karns on Tuesday.

Coach Aaron Green said the Wildcats (31-2) had 13 offensive rebounds in just the first half. Junior E.J. Bush had a career-high 14 rebounds through both halves. Higgins had 12, including nine at the half, and Johnson pulled down eight.

“Rebounding was phenomenal,” Green said. “I thought we played really well, especially on defense in the first half.”

Johnson and junior Tajion Jones each scored 18 points for Oak Ridge. Bush added 10. Jones scored 13 of his 18 points in the third quarter.

Johnson, who has been playing with more intensity recently, said he knew he was capable of being named the most valuable player of the District 3-AAA tournament, which was played at Anderson County High School. [Read more…]

Led by Guinn’s 21 points, Lady Wildcats are district champs for first time since 2010

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Lady-Wildcats-District-3-AAA-Champions-Feb-23-2016

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats won the District 3-AAA championship for the first time since 2010 in a 52-34 win over Campbell County at Anderson County High School on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:35 p.m.

CLINTON—Led by the 21 points of freshman Jada Guinn, the Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats won the District 3-AAA championship for the first time since 2010 in a 52-34 victory over Campbell County on Tuesday.

Guinn, a point guard, was named the most valuable player of the district tournament, which was played at Anderson County High School. Her game-high 21 points on Tuesday was a career high.

The Lady Wildcats (24-4) played with intensity on Tuesday, when Oak Ridge won its third game this season against the Lady Cougars, the second seed in District 3-AAA. Campbell County’s only two district losses during the regular season were to Oak Ridge.

“Coach (Paige) Green told us to come out with a lot of energy,” Guinn said after the district championship win on Tuesday. “It’ll help our defense, and our defense can help with offense.”

Of her tournament MVP award, Guinn said: “I just feel happy because I’m a freshman, and I’m just really excited.” [Read more…]

Y-12 finishes W69 warhead dismantlement work

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Short-Range-Attack-Missile-B-1B-Bomber-1987

Members of the 96th Munitions Maintenance Squadron use a weapons loader to move an inert AGM-69A Short Range Attack Missile, or SRAM, from underneath a B-1B bomber aircraft in 1987. (Photo courtesy NNSA)

 

Dismantlement of W69 canned subassemblies has been completed at the Y-12 National Security Complex, officials said Friday.

The W69 was the warhead for the short-range attack missile, or SRAM, and it was retired from the U.S. nuclear stockpile in 1992. The last W69 weapon was dismantled in 1999. The Y-12 site originally assembled the W69 canned subassemblies, or CSAs, in the 1970s and began disassembly in 2012.

“These weapons components have come full circle, considering Y-12 has been responsible for the assembly and disassembly of every secondary in the nation’s nuclear stockpile,” manager of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Production Office Geoff Beausoleil said, “With this successful dismantlement, we now can turn our focus to other systems to further modernize the stockpile.”

“The employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security are proud to have an integral role in accomplishing the NNSA’s nuclear weapon mission,” Consolidated Nuclear Security President and CEO Morgan Smith said. “The work done at Y-12 on the W69 is yet another example of the important role we play in supporting our nation and making the world a safer place.” [Read more…]

Man rescued from truck after driving into high water east of Clinton

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Truck-Stuck-Irwin-Mill-Road-Feb-24-2016-2

Emergency workers rescued a man from a truck after he drove into high water on Irwin Mill Road off Sinking Springs Road east of Clinton on Wednesday morning, Feb. 24, 2016, authorities said. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 5:10 p.m.

Emergency workers rescued a man from a truck after he drove into high water on Irwin Mill Road off Sinking Springs Road east of Clinton on Wednesday morning, authorities said.

The 24-year-old man drove into the water at about 11 a.m. Wednesday, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said. The truck was partially submerged on the bridge, which was under water, authorities said. The truck became stuck.

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded.

The Anderson County Rescue Squad along with the Andersonville Fire Department and Anderson County EMS did a “swift water rescue” with a boat and retrieved the driver, the Sheriff’s Department said. The man was not injured. [Read more…]

Trees down, power outages, flooding reported in Oak Ridge, Anderson County

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Nebraska-Avenue-Tree-Down-Feb-24-2016

A tree was down on Nebraska Avenue on Wednesday morning, Feb. 24, 2016. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:15 p.m.

Officials reported that trees were down across Oak Ridge and Anderson County on Wednesday morning, there were several power outages in Oak Ridge, and flooding was reported at some spots in Anderson County.

The flooding, fallen trees, and power outages were reported after a round of storms came through Wednesday morning.

Crews from the city and county are responding. [Read more…]

ORHS Masquers present ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ in March

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Tre-Jackson-Joseph-Self-2016

Oak Ridge High School Masquers, the school’s drama program, will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the delightful musical, for four performances in March. Joseph is played by freshman Tre Jackson, left, and Father Jacob is played by Joseph Self. (Submitted photo)

 

Oak Ridge High School Masquers, the school’s drama program, will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the delightful musical, for four performances in March.

The performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, March 4; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 5; and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at the Oak Ridge Performing Arts Center. The Performing Arts Center is at Oak Ridge High School at 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Advanced tickets are $7 and are available at the ORHS office and The Ferrell Shop. At the door, tickets will be $10.

Under the direction of Dana Wham, who has directed, choreographed, or acted in numerous adult and children productions throughout the region, this year’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is a complete operetta, with nearly every line sung, a press release said. [Read more…]

Johnson scores 25 as Wildcats advance to district championship Tuesday against Karns

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Wildcats-Johnson-Powell-Feb-20-2016

Oak Ridge senior forward Javien Johnson (11) scored a game-high 25 points during a 72-46 win over Powell in a District 3-AAA semifinal at Anderson County High School on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 7:45 p.m.

CLINTON—Oak Ridge senior forward Javien Johnson scored a game-high 25 points in a 72-46 district tournament semifinal win over Powell on Saturday. The Wildcats advance to play Karns in the District 3-AAA championship on Tuesday.

The Wildcats (30-2) held the Panthers to six points in the first quarter and three points in the third on Saturday. But they allowed 21 points in the second.

“We quit guarding them in the second,” Oak Ridge Coach Aaron Green said.

But the Wildcats responded well in the second half and played better defense, Green said.

The District 3-AAA semifinal at Anderson County High School on Saturday was the third meeting this year between Oak Ridge and Powell (20-10). The Wildcats have won all three games. [Read more…]