Oak Ridge Today

Construction on Y-12 mercury treatment plant could start in 2018, cost $146 million

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Y-12 Process Buildings and Mercury Use Area

Note: This story was last updated at 3:30 p.m.

Construction on a mercury treatment plant at the Y-12 National Security Complex could start in 2018 and cost $146 million, a federal official said Wednesday.

The plant would treat mercury contamination that originates in the West End Mercury Area at Y-12, flows through storm drains, and enters Upper East Fork Poplar Creek at a point known as Outfall 200. East Fork Poplar Creek flows through Oak Ridge.

The U.S. Department of Energy has evaluated several alternatives for treating the mercury, including doing nothing. But DOE prefers an option that would treat 3,000 gallons of contaminated water per minute and store two million gallons of stormwater. It could reduce the flow of mercury, a toxic metal, by an estimated 84 percent. [Read more…]

Allen scores first hat trick for Lady Wildcats in 6-1 win over Grace Christian

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Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats Alex Allen and Grace Christian

Senior midfielder Alex Allen (12) had her first hat trick for the Lady Wildcats on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, scoring three goals for Oak Ridge in a 6-1 win over Grace Christian at home. Pictured behind Allen is senior Ellie Brown (8), who also scored Tuesday. In background is junior Allie Dunn (1), who scored the one goal for Grace Christian. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 9:30 a.m.

Senior midfielder Alex Allen had her first hat trick for the Lady Wildcats on Tuesday, scoring three goals for Oak Ridge in a 6-1 win over Grace Christian at home.

Also scoring for Oak Ridge were senior Ellie Brown, junior Carleigh White, and senior Katie Welsh.

Junior Allie Dunn scored the one goal for Grace Christian.

“I guess I just had a good game,” Allen said.

The undefeated Lady Wildcats will play a district game at Powell at 6 p.m. Thursday. [Read more…]

Lady Wildcats win tournament championship 2-0 at Science Hill

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Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats Championship at Science Hill Tournament

The undefeated Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats won the championship soccer game 2-0 in the Science Hill Tournament in Johnson City on Saturday night. (Photo by Michael Welsh)

 

The undefeated Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats won the championship soccer game 2-0 in the Science Hill Tournament in Johnson City on Saturday night.

The Lady Wildcats beat Tates Creek High School of Lexington, Kentucky, in the final game, Oak Ridge Coach Jeff Trombly said. It was Oak Ridge’s third match of the tournament.

The score was 0-0 at halftime in the competitive championship game, Trombly said. The two teams were fairly even in terms of shots on goal, he said.

Trombly said freshman forward Kate Hausladen scored first for Oak Ridge at about the 65th minute on a cross behind the defense from junior right back Leah Scudder. [Read more…]

Football photos: Oak Ridge and Farragut

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Tee Higgins TD Catch and Farragut Admirals

Oak Ridge junior receiver Tee Higgins (5) hauls in his first touchdown catch, a 37-yard reception, at 6:47 in the first quarter at Farragut on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. Also pictured is Farragut defender Justin Kirkendall (3). (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

The Oak Ridge Wildcats had their first loss of the football season on Friday, falling 31-14 to the Farragut Admirals.

See a story on the game here.

Here is one set of photos by Julio Culiat. See a second set of photos here.

Tanner Thomas Farragut Admirals and Oak Ridge Wildcats

Farragut senior running back Tanner Thomas (1) had 183 yards on 23 carries against the Oak Ridge Wildcats at Bill Clabo Field on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

[Read more…]

Wildcats miss opportunities in 31-14 loss to Farragut

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Jordan Dunbar at Farragut Admirals

Oak Ridge senior quarterback Jordan Dunbar (14) scrambles before throwing to junior receiver Tee Higgins in a 31-14 loss at Farragut on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1 p.m. Sept. 6.

FARRAGUT—It was a game of missed opportunities. Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis said. A missed field goal, a bobbled snap on a field goal, a touchdown that was called back, and another missed opportunity for a touchdown.

The Wildcats scored first and led for most of the first half. But Farragut gained a 17-14 lead going into halftime. Then, they added 14 more points in the second half while holding top-ranked Oak Ridge scoreless.

The final score was 31-14 in favor of Farragut. The Admirals had 28 unanswered points starting late in the second quarter.

Both teams were undefeated at 2-0 coming into the rivalry game. It was the first time Oak Ridge (2-1, 1-1 Region 3-5A) has trailed in a game this year. The Wildcats lost even though they had more total yards offense than Farragut (3-0, 1-0), with 409 compared to the Admirals’ 325. [Read more…]

Taste of Anderson County on Sept. 19 helps United Way, Free Medical Clinic

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Taste of Oak Ridge 2013

The Taste of Oak Ridge, which has become the Taste of Anderson County, is pictured above in 2013. (File photo)

 

The Taste of Anderson County on September 19 will feature food and music and help two local organizations: United Way of Anderson County and the Free Medical Clinic.

The Taste of Anderson County, which has been expanded from the previous Taste of Oak Ridge, will be at Jackson Square starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, September 19.

“Flavors from some of the area’s favorite restaurants and the sounds of local musicians will fill the newly renovated parking lot at Jackson Square,” a press release said. “This year will be bigger and better than ever with vendors from all over the county. More importantly, this event brings a substantial amount of support for two local causes: United Way of Anderson County, and the Free Medical Clinic. Both of these nonprofits are working hard this year to make a big impact in the community. But they can’t do it without the community there to support them.”

The entertainment lineup includes comedian and magician Danny Whitson as the master of ceremonies. Whitson is a professional entertainer from Oak Ridge who specializes in magic and comedy. He has been performing for 15 years, the press release said. [Read more…]

Lady Wildcats hold West scoreless in fifth shutout of season

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Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats Alex Rouse and West

Oak Ridge sophomore forward Alex Rouse (11) gets past West goalkeeper Morgan Jones (24) to score the fourth goal for the Lady Wildcats at home on Thursday. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12:42 p.m.

The Lady Wildcats held West scoreless in a 5-0 shutout at home on Thursday. It was the fifth shutout of the soccer season for Oak Ridge.

With the outcome not in doubt, the game ended early, at about 11 minutes into the second half, because of lightning in the area. It’s officially a game at halftime.

Freshman forward Kate Hausladen scored two goals for the Lady Wildcats. Coach Jeff Trombly said Hausladen has now scored at least 11 goals this season.

Senior midfielder Alex Allen scored first for Oak Ridge on Thursday on a shot from the top of the penalty area to the left side of the net early in the game.

Sophomore forward Savannah McNair scored second off a header by senior forward Macy Barclay near the right side of the net. The score was 2-0 with 16:44 left in the first half. [Read more…]

FBI describes vehicle spotted near SmartBank kidnapping, extortion

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Early 2000s Ford Taurus

An early 2000s Ford Taurus is pictured above. (Image provided by FBI)

 

Authorities have released a description of the vehicle associated with the person of interest sought in the July kidnapping and extortion at SmartBank in Knoxville, an incident that is believed to be connected to a similar one at Y-12 Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge in April.

The vehicle is described as an early 2000s, powder blue/grey, Ford Taurus, with damage on the front passenger side bumper, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a Wednesday morning press release.

The person of interest was observed in the front passenger seat of this vehicle on July 1 in the vicinity of Swathmore Court and Dunwoody Drive in Knoxville.

The vehicle pictured in the photo above is of a similar make, model, and color of the vehicle that was observed, the FBI said. [Read more…]

ORNL manufacturing facility part of national effort to make innovations

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Penny Pritzker Tours ORNL Manufacturing Demonstration Facility

U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, second from left, tours Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility in Hardin Valley on Thursday. Also pictured from left are IACMI CEO Craig Blue; Mark Johnson, director of DOE’s office of advanced manufacturing; Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero; and ORNL Director Thom Mason. They are standing next to a Shelby Cobra sports car that was 3D-printed at the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

HARDIN VALLEY—The Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is part of a national effort to keep the United States on the cutting edge of research and manufacturing, a federal official said Thursday.

One-third of economic growth comes from innovations, and the United States must continue making new developments, said Penny Pritzker, U.S. commerce secretary.

“Research and manufacturing is not nice to have,” Pritzker said. “It’s a need to have.”

Pritzker toured the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility on Cherahala Boulevard in Hardin Valley on Thursday. It’s part of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation in Knoxville, which was announced by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden during a trip to East Tennessee in January. [Read more…]

Five Wildcats score goals in 7-1 win over Central

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Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats Zoe Van Hook and Central Bobcats

Oak Ridge sophomore Zoe Van Hook (17) just before scoring her second goal against Central in Knoxville on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, giving the Wildcats a 7-1 lead with about 28:30 remaining in the game. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 2:10 p.m. Sept. 2.

KNOXVILLE—Five Lady Wildcats scored goals in a 7-1 win over Central in Knoxville on Tuesday.

Oak Ridge dominated with 28 shots on goal, compared to three for the Lady Bobcats, and the Lady Wildcats kept the ball in the Central end of the field most of the game.

Sophomore Zoe Van Hook and freshman Kate Hausladen scored two goals each, and seniors Alex Allen and Macy Barclay each scored one and so did sophomore Chloe Nussbaum.

Van Hook, a midfielder, scored first for the Lady Wildcats (5-0), but forward Emily Wise quickly answered for Central (2-7), making the score 1-1 early in the game. The one goal for the Lady Bobcats ended a four-game shutout streak for Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Man walking across America treks through Oak Ridge

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Ryan Ray Walk Across America Oak Ridge Sign

Ryan Ray, left, is walking across America from Los Angeles to New York, and he passed through Oak Ridge on Monday. Pictured above with Ryan on Monday morning on North Illinois Avenue are Hazel Carroll, Jana Walker, and Carla Brooks, all of Wartburg. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 6:21 p.m.

He’s walked more than 2,300 miles and posed for thousands of selfies with people he’s met along the way. On Monday, he passed through Oak Ridge, trekking from Oliver Springs to Powell.

Ryan Ray is walking across America from Los Angeles to New York City. It’s a 3,050-mile journey that will include a stop at the White House and is expected to end in Times Square on October 10.

Ray said he is following his passions: speaking, traveling, and writing.

“Follow your dreams,” he said during a 90-minute walk from a welcome sign at the north end of Oak Ridge on North Illinois Avenue to the intersection of South Illinois Avenue and Lafayette Drive on the south side of town. “Nothing is impossible.” [Read more…]

Tipped, intercepted pass saves 17-14 win for Wildcats at Dobyns-Bennett

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Defense at Dobyns-Bennet Indians

The Oak Ridge defense stops Dobyns-Bennett quarterback Cole Maupin (6) during a 17-14 win for the Wildcats in Kingsport on Friday. Wildcats making the stop are Gavin Warrington (11), Jamalcolm Henderson (53), Kyndall Clark (54), and Adam Manookian (35). (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12 p.m. Aug. 29

KINGSPORT—A tipped pass intercepted by the Oak Ridge defense at their own 11-yard line with less than three minutes to play saved a 17-14 win for the Wildcats at Dobyns-Bennett on Friday.

Before the tipped pass and interception, the Indians had blocked a Wildcats punt at the Oak Ridge 33 and driven to the Oak Ridge 10. The Wildcats were ahead by three, but Dobyns-Bennett had a chance to tie the game or even take the lead.

But with 2:39 to play, Wildcats senior defensive end Alex Alcorn blocked a pass by Indians quarterback Cole Maupin, and senior linebacker Adam Manookian intercepted it, shifting the momentum from Dobyns-Bennett back to Oak Ridge.

After the interception, two big runs by senior quarterback Jordan Dunbar helped the Wildcats (2-0) get the football into Dobyns-Bennett territory, where Oak Ridge was able to let time run out at the end of the fourth quarter.

“It was definitely a nail-biter,” Manookian said. “They were so close to the end zone.” [Read more…]