Oak Ridge Today

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

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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…]

Oak Ridge Schools have 5k run to ‘stomp out’ tobacco on March 5

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Oak Ridge Schools have a 5k run to “stomp out” tobacco on March 5 at Melton Lake Park.

All Oak Ridge students can register for free. See the flyer included below for more information. You can also register online here.

“This is a great opportunity for our kids!” organizers said.

The race starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 5, at Melton Lake Park. It will benefit the Oak Ridge Schools—Coordinated School Health Program. [Read more…]

Swift rescue by nephew saves life of Clinch River fisherman

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TWRA logo for news release

Note: This story was last updated at 8:50 p.m.

NORRIS—A fisherman who fell overboard on the Clinch River below Norris Dam on Sunday afternoon has his nephew to thank for quick action that undoubtedly saved his life, officials said.

Cecil Branscom, 70, of Dublin, Virginia, and his nephew Scott Branscom, 48, of Knoxville, launched their boat at Peach Orchard Access Area on the Clinch River on Sunday afternoon and headed upstream toward Norris Dam. When they reached the weir dam at around 2 p.m., they prepared to begin fishing when the boat’s engine hit a rock in the water, sending Cecil overboard from the front of the vessel into 48-degree water.

Scott Branscom managed to get his uncle back into the boat. Cecil Branscom was wearing several layers of clothing that was saturated from the frigid water, and he was not wearing a life jacket, the press release said. [Read more…]

Video: Savanna Schubert talks to disc golfers in Oak Ridge

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Disc golf isn’t a sport you hear of often in the hills of East Tennessee. In Oak Ridge, we were able to catch up with some avid disc golfers who are happy to see the game growing.

Here is a video by Savanna Schubert. See the story here.

Savanna Schubert is a freelance contributor to Oak Ridge Today.

Copyright 2016 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Disc golf sees growth in Oak Ridge, East Tennessee

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Disc golf is growing in Oak Ridge and East Tennessee, and children enjoy it as well. (Photo by Savanna Schubert)

 

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

Football, baseball, and basketball are the main sports you think of when you are talking about sports in East Tennessee, but that is changing. There’s a new growing game on the horizon, and it’s disc golf. Although it’s been around for several decades, the sport is reaching people from all over the world, including Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge has two courses: Carl Yearwood Park and The Mounds Course in Groves Park. Disc golfers from all over Oak Ridge and surrounding counties come to play the elevated tee pads and the challenging holes.

Clint Burner, an avid disc golfer, said the game is growing.

“The ambassadors of this sport have been playing for 35-plus years,” Burner said.

“The physical activity and being able to play outside really draws people to this sport, and playing the game makes them love it,” Burner said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge recreational facilities, library closed Saturday; AC govt. offices close early Friday

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Note: This story was updated at 1:20 p.m.

Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks facilities and the Oak Ridge Public Library will be closed on Saturday, January 23, due to the forecasted winter weather, officials said.

This closure includes the Oak Ridge Civic Center, the Public Library, the Scarboro Community Center, and the Senior Center.

At this time, officials plan to reopen city facilities on Sunday, January 24, at normal operating hours, a press release said.

The Anderson County Courthouse and other county government offices closed early, at 1 p.m. Friday, due to winter weather already moving into Anderson County.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Copyright 2016 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

UT Arboretum Society has morning hike on New Year’s Day

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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society has a morning hike on New Year’s Day. New Year’s Day is Friday, January 1. (Submitted photo)

 

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society has a morning hike on New Year’s Day. New Year’s Day is Friday, January 1.

The hike is for everyone that wants to start 2016 “on the right foot,” a press release said.

The walk will begin at 9 a.m. New Year’s Day at the Arboretum Shelter “where you will be greeted by fellow hikers and offered coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks,” the release said.

The UT Arboretum is located at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Council to consider $325,000 for operations at Centennial Golf Course

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Centennial Golf Course Dec 10, 2015

The Tennessee Centennial Golf Course in Oak Ridge is pictured above on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday will consider a $325,000 transfer for operations at Tennessee Centennial Golf Course. If approved, the operating transfer would be the first non-debt related transfer from the city’s General Fund to the Golf Course Fund since the golf course was built, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said.

About $225,000 of the transfer, a cash infusion, would be for outstanding accounts payable. Another $100,000 would be operational funding for the winter, including maintenance of the greens.

The General Fund would still have a balance equivalent to two months of operations after the transfer, Watson said in a memo to City Council members.

Watson said the golf course was affected by several factors this past year, most notably weather. [Read more…]

Clark Center Park, Bull Bluff Road tree removal work was postponed this week

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Clark Center Park Picnic Area

A plan to temporarily close Clark Center Park and Bull Bluff Road in Oak Ridge on Monday, Nov. 30, and on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, for tree removal was postponed due to weather. (File photo)

 

A plan to temporarily close Clark Center Park and Bull Bluff Road in Oak Ridge on Monday, November 30, and on Tuesday, December 1, for tree removal was postponed due to weather, officials said.

The U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office had identified the trees as potential safety hazards for travelers and visitors on the road and throughout Clark Center Park.

But the tree removal was delayed by rain.

“The temporary closure for the tree removal work will resume once the weather clears in the near future, and the public will be advised at that time,” a press release said.

Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Registration under way for Roane State wilderness first responder course

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Rescue workers train during Roane State’s intense Wilderness First Responder course. (Photo courtesy Roane State)

 

Roane State Community College’s Continuing Healthcare and Safety Education Department is accepting sign-ups for its Wilderness First Responder course, which will be in January.

Held at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, the class is designed for those who operate extensively in the outdoors, such as outdoors enthusiasts, wilderness guides, environmental educators, and missionaries.

The course will be held January 17-24, 2016. A refresher course for those who have already taken Wilderness First Responder is scheduled for January 29-31, 2016. [Read more…]

Tree removal to temporarily close Clark Center Park, Bull Bluff Road

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Clark Center Park Picnic Area

One of two large picnic areas at Clark Center Park. The park also includes a small playground, two ball fields, boat ramp, fishing trails, and beach. (File photo)

 

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office will temporarily close Clark Center Park and Bull Bluff Road in Oak Ridge from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both Monday, November 30, and again on Tuesday, December 1.

The temporary closure is due to tree removal that has been identified as potential safety hazards for travelers and visitors on the road and throughout Clark Center Park, which is in south Oak Ridge. Closure of the road during this work allow performance of the work in the most safe and efficient manner, a press release said.

The Oak Ridge Office roads and grounds contractor will allow any emergency vehicles access in the event of an emergency while the work is being performed. Normal opening of Bull Bluff Road and Clark Center Park will resume on December 2 at 5 a.m.

Secret City Half Marathon, 5K is Saturday

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The Secret City Half Marathon and 5K has grown into one of the largest athletic events in Oak Ridge. A field of an estimated 700 runners and walkers will participate when the race celebrates its seventh anniversary on Saturday, November 21.

“This year we have totally revamped the event, and we think participants are going to really enjoy the changes,” says Lisa Kendall, race director for the half marathon and 5K races and event sales manager for the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In the past, the event was held over two days but that is down to one day with both races starting just 15 minutes apart. The previous “double loop” half marathon route is gone, replaced with a route that starts and finishes on the Melton Lake peninsula and includes Union Valley Road, home to the Rogers Group, which is the presenting sponsor of this year’s event.

“We are thrilled that the Roger’s Group gave us permission to route the race down their private road and by their quarry,” Kendall said. “It’s a very scenic route that will be new to many Oak Ridgers as well.” [Read more…]