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NNSA finishes upgrades at Y-12 enriched uranium buildings ahead of schedule, under budget

Posted at 4:17 pm February 23, 2015
By National Nuclear Security Administration Leave a Comment

Y-12 Building 9212 Stack 110

At Building 9212, Stacks 110 and 43 were combined, which eliminated use of one exhaust stack. Further improvements on the project at the Y-12 National Security Complex included the old bag filtration system being replaced with a new cartridge dust collector, shown here. (Photos courtesy NNSA)

 

Project provides critical infrastructure upgrades in Building 9212

The National Nuclear Security Administration has completed a major capital improvement project that has resulted in critical infrastructure upgrades to two key production buildings at the Y-12 National Security Complex. The $75.7 million project was completed nearly 11 months ahead of the construction completion schedule and approximately $5.6 million under budget.

The Nuclear Facilities Risk Reduction, or NFRR, project included upgrades to mechanical, electrical, ventilation, and heating/cooling systems for enriched uranium operations in Buildings 9212 and 9204-2E. The project began in 2008, when 10 tasks were identified and undertaken to make those facilities safer for operations. The project was originally scheduled for completion in 2016.

Improvements include major portions of a 40‑year‑old ventilation system being replaced, and 11 steam stations being consolidated into seven with improved function and maintainability. Several upgrades, replacements, and modifications have been made to electrical switchgear and motor control center systems, and a Kathabar system was replaced with a more environmentally friendly brine chiller. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, National Nuclear Security Administration, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: 9204-2E, Building 9212, building upgrades, capital improvement, enriched uranium, infrastructure upgrades, National Nuclear Security Administration, NFRR, ngineering Production Construction and Maintenance, NNSA, NNSA Production Office, Nuclear Facilities Risk Reduction, Steve Erhart, uranium processing facility, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex

Snow: Basketball tournament canceled; city centers, some businesses closed

Posted at 10:41 am February 21, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Taylor Road Snow Lady Feb. 21, 2015

Ashlynn and Myrah Forgety build a snow woman on Taylor Road in Oak Ridge on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Leah M. Bevins)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12:58 p.m.

The snow overnight, which covered some roads that were already treacherous, has forced more closings, cancellations, and delays.

The Oak Ridge Civic Center, Scarboro Center, Senior Center, and Public Library will all be closed today, Saturday, February 21.

The District 3-AAA basketball tournament, which had been rescheduled for today at Central High School in Knoxville, has been canceled. The regional tournament is scheduled to start Monday, and the seedings that stand now will be used in the regional tournament.

Some businesses in Oak Ridge announced they are closed or opening later, possibly after the temperature warms and the precipitation changes to rain. For example, ORNL Federal Credit Union announced that all of its locations will be closed today. Hot Bagel Co. announced it will be closed today but will reopen at 6 a.m. Monday. The Other One in Grove Center said they will not open this morning, but could reopen this afternoon. You might consider calling ahead if you have a question about a specific business. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Oak Ridge, Slider, Weather, Weather Tagged With: Anderson County Sheriff's Department, cancellations, closings, Daniel Powers, delays, District 3-AAA basketball tournaments, Morgan County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Oak Ridge Civic Center, Oak Ridge Turnpike, ORNL Federal Credit Union, power outages, Public Library, Roane County Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security, Scarboro Center, Senior Center, snow, South Illinois Avenue, Tim Waddell, weather

Updated: Driver charged with DUI in four-car crash that damaged home

Posted at 1:54 am February 20, 2015
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Robertsville Road Car and House Crash

No one was injured in a crash involving four vehicles and a house on Robertsville Road on Thursday night.

 

Note: This story was last updated at 4:20 p.m.

The driver of a car that allegedly caused a four-vehicle crash and damaged a home on Robertsville Road has been charged with driving under the influence, authorities said.

Officers located Brandon Kyle Baez, 18, of Oak Ridge, after he walked away from the crash at 184 Robertsville Road and tried to hide in a wooded area, Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Ben Higgins said in a warrant.

The crash occurred at about 10:40 p.m. Thursday just east of North Illinois Avenue. An SUV-type vehicle driven by Baez allegedly left the road, drove through the front yard of one home on Robertsville Road, crashed into a Ford four-door sedan parked in the driveway, and pushed it about three or four car lengths into a neighbor’s front yard—and reportedly caused a collision with two cars parked in the neighbor’s driveway (the home of Mike and Judy Coen).

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: alcohol, Anderson County Detention Facility, Anderson County General Sessions Court, Ben Higgins, Brandon Kyle Baez, crash, driving under the influence, four-car crash, Grant Gouldie, Judy Coen, Mike Coen, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD, Robertsville Road, Todd Derrick, warrant

Habitat to dedicate home built in honor of Myricks on Feb. 28

Posted at 9:30 am February 19, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County

The Cook-Brown family is pictured above with Tim and Teresa Myrick at right. 

 

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County: The House That Love Built is complete!

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County will dedicate a house built in Heiskell in honor of Tim and Teresa Myrick on Saturday, February 28.

The dedication service will start at 10:15 a.m. February 28 at Wolf Valley Baptist Church, which is at 1031 East Wolf Valley Road in Heiskell. The house is located just three blocks from the church at 119 Valley View Lane and will be open for touring from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Honorary Committee, Board of Directors, and staff of HFHAC invite the public to join in this very special celebration.

The Cook-Brown Family will be moving in shortly. Eddie, Amanda, and their three children will  have a four-bedroom, two-bath home to call their own. They have been working diligently to complete their 400 hours of sweat equity and have paid their down payment. Home ownership is no longer a dream, but a reality for them. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Community, Front Page News, Meetings and Events, Nonprofits, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: A Brush with Kindness, Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties Inc., Cook-Brown family, Covenant Health, Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County, Habitat ReStore, HFHAC, Jim Bailey, Jim Hardy, Leidos, Mary Ann Hardy, Myrick Build, Oak Ridge High School, ORAU, ORNL, Red Cross, SAIC, Teresa Myrick, Tim Myrick

CASA’s Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash is Saturday

Posted at 1:23 am February 19, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

 

Ridge City Ramblers

The Ridge City Ramblers are pictured above. (File photo/submitted)

 

Submitted

CASA of the Tennessee Heartland’s 12th Annual Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash is this Saturday. After all the snow and crazy weather, it’s time to get out of the house and have some fun!

Once again, the Ridge City Ramblers will be pickin’ and singin’ through the night, a delicious barbeque buffet will be provided, and the night will hold lots of entertainment. The event moves this year to an exciting new venue—205 Main (previously the Ray Viles Ford Building in Clinton).

A full barbeque buffet dinner (including pulled pork, grilled chicken, salad, mac and cheese, and baked beans—vegetarian option available) will be provided along with desserts, wine and beer bar, and moonshine tastings. Silent and live auctions include vacation packages, Raku Pottery from Bill Capshaw, fine jewelry, and many more exciting baskets and packages. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Community, Entertainment, Front Page News, Meetings and Events, Music, Nonprofits, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: 12th Annual Barbecue and Bluegrass Bash, auctions, Barbeque and Bluegrass Bash, buffet dinner, CASA, CASA of the Tennessee Heartland, drinks, entertainment, food, Peters Jewelers, Ridge City Ramblers

Dangerous wind chills Wednesday night, Thursday

Posted at 9:30 pm February 18, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Dangerous Wind Chills

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

 

The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a wind chill advisory for Wednesday night and Thursday, with the wind chill forecast at five below zero to 15 below in parts of East Tennessee and southwest Virginia.

The wind chill advisory is in effect until 1 a.m. Friday, and it applies to Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Scott, and Union counties. It includes Clinton, Oak Ridge, LaFollette, Maynardville, Oneida, and Wartburg.

There is also a winter storm watch in effect from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon, bringing a threat of wintry precipitation. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Slider, Weather, Weather Tagged With: Clinton, Lafollette, Maynardville, National Weather Service, NWS, Oak Ridge, Oneida, Wartburg, wind chill, wind chill advisory, winter storm

Updated: Thursday closings—schools, Y-12, Roane State, AC Courthouse

Posted at 6:28 pm February 18, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Turnpike and Bus Terminal Road Snow on Feb. 18, 2015

Schools and many offices remained closed Thursday after a icy winter storm on Monday followed by this snow on Wednesday morning.

 

Note: This story was updated at 10:21 a.m. Feb. 19.

The temperature the next few days is expected to be brutally cold, and schools and some government offices and contractors have announced they’ll be closed Thursday, or for the rest of the week, because of the weather and road conditions.

Schools in Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Clinton, and Roane County will all be closed Thursday. Roane State Community College will also be closed.

Schools in Clinton and Anderson and Roane counties will also be closed Friday. The Central Office in Anderson County will be closed for the rest of the week, and the Central Office in Roane County will not report Thursday. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Education, Education, Front Page News, Government, K-12, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Weather, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Anderson County, Clinton, Oak Ridge, ORAU, Roane County, Roane State Community College, schools, temperature, Y-12 National Security Complex

Power outages affect several hundred; two cars crash into snow plows

Posted at 1:40 pm February 17, 2015
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Lafayette Drive and Icy Roads

Lafayette Drive is pictured above on Tuesday morning at the intersection with Laboratory Road in central Oak Ridge. (Photos by Daniel Powers)

 

Several hundred customers were affected by power outages overnight but most lost power for less than an hour, and two cars crashed into city snow plows, making one of the plows unusable for now, officials said.

There were no reports of injuries in the few minor crashes that occurred overnight.

Officials continued to urge drivers to stay off roads unless absolutely necessary. Some of them remain covered in ice, and vehicles that are required to travel, such as postal vehicles and Oak Ridge Public Works trucks, are using chains or studded tires.

Oak Ridge Electric Director Jack Suggs said the largest power outage was in an area around Montana Avenue and West Outer Drive at about 6 p.m. Monday. It affected about 440 people, but only lasted about 45 minutes, according to preliminary information, Suggs said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories, Weather Tagged With: Bethel Valley Industrial Park, Florida Avenue, Gary Cinder, Gum Hollow Road, ice, Jack Suggs, Montana Avenue, Oak Ridge Electric, Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Public Works, power outages, Robin Smith, salt, snow, snow plows, state of emergency, TEMA, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Union Valley Road, West Outer Drive, winter storm

Officials recommend staying off roads unless travel is essential

Posted at 6:40 pm February 16, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Roads on Feb. 16, 2015

South Illinois Avenue was a sloppy, slushy mix of snow, ice, and water early Monday evening.

 

Roads in Anderson County are ice-covered, and driving conditions are extremely hazardous, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy.

“We have already received reports of accidents due to slick roads,” Lucas said. “We are asking everyone to please stay at home and not to travel unless absolutely necessary.”

The roads in Oak Ridge appeared to be a sloppy, slushy mix of sleet, ice, and snow. There were reports in Anderson County and Oak Ridge of roads that were frozen or impassable. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Government, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Slider, Weather, Weather Tagged With: Anderson County, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Clinton Utilities Board, Gary Cinder, ice, Mark Lucas, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Public Works, power, roads, schools, sleet, snow, temperatures, weather

Powell beats Lady Wildcats in overtime 60-54

Posted at 5:24 pm February 14, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats Caelyn Thompson and Courtney Ellison

Oak Ridge junior Caelyn Thompson (22) had seven points during a district tournament semifinal game against Powell on Saturday, and sophomore Courtney Ellison, seen here behind Thompson, led all Lady Wildcats with 17, including three three-point shots. (Photo by Luther Simmons) 

 

Note: This story was last updated at 7:08 p.m.

KNOXVILLE—The Lady Wildcats took a one-point lead on a three-point shot by Princess Bates with nine seconds left, but Powell rallied in overtime to beat Oak Ridge 60-54 in a district tournament semifinal game in Knoxville on Saturday.

The Lady Wildcats, who have qualified for the Region 2 tournament, will play for third place in a consolation game against the loser of the Saturday afternoon game between Anderson County and Halls. The consolation game starts at 6 p.m. Monday at Central High School in Knoxville.

The Lady Wildcats led 27-22 at halftime and stayed on top for much of the second half, leading by as much as seven points. They got big momentum boosts from the three three-point shots of sophomore point guard/wing Courtney Ellison, who led Oak Ridge with 17 points, and three more from freshman wing/post Jasmine Hembry, who scored 12.

Bates, a freshman wing, and Caelyn Thompson, a junior post, each had seven.

Oak Ridge hit a total of eight three-point shots, for 24 points total.

“You hate it for them,” Oak Ridge Coach David Scott said of his team’s loss in the high-pressure game, undecided until the final seconds of the four-minute overtime. “They worked so hard.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Amara Howard, Anderson County, Caelyn Thompson, Christin Webb, Courtney Ellison, David Scott, Destiny Kassner, District 3-AAA tournament, Haley Schubert, Halls, Jas Hembry, Jaymi Golden, Karns, Lady Mavericks, Lady Panthers, Lady Red Devils, Lady Wildcats, Mykia Dowdell, Powell, Princess Bates, Region 2 Tournament, Tori Lentz

ORHS Ensemble, JazzKats have 1940s concert, dance party with ORHPA Friday

Posted at 1:37 am February 12, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

ORHS Ensemble with JazzKat Trumpeter

Submitted

The Secret is Out, and Swing is In! If you’re In the Mood, catch the Choo Choo Ch’Boogie.

Jump off at Tuxedo Junction, and we’ll Sing, Sing, Sing to Minnie the Moocher!

Grab your Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and put on your dancing shoes.

Join the Oak Ridge High School Ensemble and JazzKats on Friday, February 13, at 7 p.m. at the Historic Grove Theater for a program of “swingin’ tunes and hot dancing that is sure to please all the hepcats in town.”

It’s a fundraising 1940s concert and dance party. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Dancing, Education, Entertainment, Entertainment, Front Page News, K-12, Meetings and Events, Music, Nonprofits, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Chorus Department, Grove Theater, JazzKats, JazzKats and Ensemble, Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge High School Ensemble and JazzKats, ORHPA, ORHS, ORHS Chorus, Secret City, World War II

Council OKs review of ORPD turnover, morale; rejects other probes

Posted at 1:36 am February 10, 2015
By John Huotari 93 Comments

Oak Ridge City Council Crowd

Many of those in this standing-room-only crowd that spilled out into a lobby Monday night turned out for an Oak Ridge City Council debate on whether to open an investigation into Police Chief Jim Akagi or, alternatively, reprimand City Council member Trina Baughn for the way she’s publicly handled concerns about the Police Department and its chief. In the end, Council approved a third-party review of ORPD turnover but rejected requests for two other probes.

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:45 a.m.

After hearing from two dozen residents and a few former officers, the Oak Ridge City Council on Monday agreed to conduct an independent third-party review of turnover and morale in the Police Department. But members rejected a proposal to investigate the relationship between the police chief and city manager, and they declined to look into possible violations related to an order of protection issued against the police chief in Blount County in 2012 and dismissed in 2013.

The outcome appeared to generally please all sides, even if the process used to get there didn’t. It seemed to be a largely peaceful resolution to two weeks of divisive community debate and intense public scrutiny.

“I think we’ve taken a step in the right direction for addressing the concerns within the Oak Ridge Police Department,” said City Council member Trina Baughn, who first raised the issue publicly in a January 25 email about the turnover rate and other ORPD issues.

“I think it was a fair outcome, and one that came about as a result of the process working the way it was actually supposed to,” said Tasha Blakney, attorney for Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi, the subject of most of the allegations raised during the past two weeks.

The resolution to conduct an independent third-party review of the ORPD turnover was proposed by City Council member Kelly Callison during a five-hour meeting Monday night. It passed 7-0 after being amended to include a study of morale issues and administrative policies. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Charlie Hensley, Jim Akagi, Kelly Callison, Mark Watson, morale, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Police Department, order of protection, ORPD, Tasha Blakney, Trina Baughn, turnover

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