Oak Ridge Today

Updated: Fisherman finds body of missing man at Bull Run Park

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The Anderson County Rescue Squad and Anderson County Sheriff's Department helped retrieve a body found under water in Bull Run Creek at Bull Run Park in Claxton on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 21, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Anderson County Rescue Squad and Anderson County Sheriff’s Department helped retrieve a body found under water in Bull Run Creek at Bull Run Park in Claxton on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 21, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 10:45 a.m. Feb. 22.

CLAXTON—A fisherman found a body under about four feet of water at Bull Run Park in Claxton on Wednesday afternoon, and it has been identified as the man reported missing from Karns in Knox County on Sunday morning, authorities said.

The body of Freddy Shultz, 66, was located on the slope of the bank of Bull Run Creek at Bull Run Park at about 3:48 p.m. Wednesday, according to information from Anderson County Sheriff Paul White and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. The body was located near the New Henderson Road bridge after four days of searching.

Divers from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and a boat with personnel from the Anderson County Rescue Squad assisted in the recovery, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy.

White said identification in the man’s wallet identified him as the missing man. His black pickup truck had been found parked alongside New Henderson Road across the creek from Bull Run Park at about 12:45 p.m. Sunday. [Read more…]

Council to receive updates on airport, preschool, senior center on Tuesday

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Image from a Billy Stair presentation on the Oak Ridge Airport project to Roane County officials at the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017.

Image from a Billy Stair presentation on the Oak Ridge Airport project to Roane County officials at the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017.

 

The Oak Ridge City Council will hear updates on three projects during a special meeting on Tuesday: the proposed Oak Ridge General Aviation Airport, the planned Oak Ridge Preschool, and the planned Oak Ridge Senior Center.

The special meeting is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 20, in the Multipurpose Room at the Central Services Complex on Woodbury Lane.

The presentation and status report on the proposed airport is scheduled to be given by aviation consultant Billy Stair and Bill Marrison, president of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. Stair and Marrison gave a status report to Roane County officials in December. The Oak Ridge Airport would be built at Heritage Center, the former K-25 site, which is in the Roane County portion of Oak Ridge.

The airport presentation in Oak Ridge was initially scheduled for January, but it was rescheduled to Tuesday because of winter weather last month. [Read more…]

Anderson County Rescue Squad to resume search for missing man

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Rescuers in an Anderson County Rescue Squad boat search for a missing man in the water at Bull Run Park in Claxton, authorities said Sunday afternoon, Feb. 18, 2018. At center is Rescue Squad Chief Terry Allen. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Rescuers in an Anderson County Rescue Squad boat search for a missing man in the water at Bull Run Park in Claxton, authorities said Sunday afternoon, Feb. 18, 2018. At center is Rescue Squad Chief Terry Allen. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Anderson County Rescue Squad was going to resume searching Monday afternoon for a missing man whose pickup truck was found parked on the side of the road near the water at Bull Run Park in Claxton on Sunday, authorities said.

The man, reported to be 66, was reported missing in Knox County on Sunday morning.

Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said the man’s black pickup truck was located on the side of road across Bull Run Creek from Bull Run Park. The keys were in the truck, and a suicide note was in the truck, White said. The vehicle was parked alongside New Henderson Road at Tracy Allison Lane. Deputies found it near Bull Run Park at about 12:45 p.m. Sunday.

But rescuers aren’t certain that the man is in the water, said White, who was among those on rescue boats searching the cold water on Sunday.

“We don’t know where he’s at or if he’s here,” White said. [Read more…]

Basketball photos: Oak Ridge vs. Campbell County in girls’ district championship

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Oak Ridge pulled away from Campbell County in the second half to win its third straight district championship, 60-38, in the girls' basketball tournament at Halls on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Oak Ridge junior Jada Guinn (24), who was named most valuable player of the tournament, led in scoring with 23 points. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge pulled away from Campbell County in the second half to win its third straight district championship, 60-38, in the girls’ basketball tournament at Halls on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Oak Ridge junior Jada Guinn (24), who was named most valuable player of the tournament, led in scoring with 23 points. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

HALLS—Oak Ridge pulled away from Campbell County in the second half to win its third straight district championship in the girls’ basketball tournament at Halls on Saturday. They Lady Wildcats beat the Lady Cougars 60-38.

Here are photos from the game. [Read more…]

Rescuers search for missing man in water at Bull Run Park

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Rescuers in an Anderson County Sheriff's Department boat search for a missing man in the water at Bull Run Park in Claxton, authorities said Sunday afternoon, Feb. 18, 2018. Anderson County Sheriff Paul White is at left in the boat. In front is Knoxville Police Department search and rescue volunteer Candy Stooksbury with K-9 Barnabas, a bloodhound. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Rescuers in an Anderson County Sheriff’s Department boat search for a missing man in the water at Bull Run Park in Claxton, authorities said Sunday afternoon, Feb. 18, 2018. Anderson County Sheriff Paul White is at left in the boat. In front is Knoxville Police Department search and rescue volunteer Candy Stooksbury with K-9 Barnabas, a bloodhound. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:15 p.m.

CLAXTON—Rescuers searched for a missing man in the water at Bull Run Park in Claxton on Sunday afternoon and evening, but they were not able to locate him.

The search was called off as daylight faded just before 7 p.m. Sunday, more than six hours after the missing man’s pickup truck was located near the park. It’s not clear when the search might resume.

The missing man is reported to be from Knox County, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy. The identity of the man, reported to be 66, was not immediately available Sunday.

Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said the man left his black pickup truck on the side of road across Bull Run Creek from Bull Run Park, The keys were in the truck, and a suicide note was in the truck, White said. The vehicle was parked alongside New Henderson Road at Tracy Allison Lane.

But rescuers aren’t certain that the man is in the water, White said. [Read more…]

AC Schools having town hall to discuss school safety

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Tim Parrott

Tim Parrott

Anderson County Schools will have a town hall to discuss school safety on Thursday.

“In response to the tragedy in Florida this week, we would like to address our community’s concerns regarding the safety of our schools,” said Tim Parrott, director of Anderson County Schools.

The town hall is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Thursday, February 22, in the auditorium at Anderson County High School.

“All interested parents and community members are invited to attend,” Parrott said. [Read more…]

Council has special meeting today to consider contracts for water line, pool repairs

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The Oak Ridge City Council has a special meeting at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, to consider two contracts, one for water line repair and the other for pool repair. The water line repair is an emergency repair to a 24-inch feed that is considered critical for Oak Ridge National Laboratory and passes through the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The Oak Ridge City Council has a special meeting at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, to consider two contracts, one for water line repair and the other for pool repair. The water line repair is an emergency repair to a 24-inch feed that is considered critical for Oak Ridge National Laboratory and passes through the Y-12 National Security Complex.

 

The Oak Ridge City Council has a special meeting at 4 p.m. today (Friday, February 16) to consider two contracts, one for water line repair and the other for pool repair. The water line repair is an emergency repair to a 24-inch feed that is considered critical for Oak Ridge National Laboratory and passes through the Y-12 National Security Complex.

If approved, the water line repair contract would be valued at roughly $100,000, and it would be awarded to Hurst Excavating LLC of Knoxville. The project would replace about 400 feet of the 24-inch water line, which is along Bear Creek Road inside the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The project is a joint effort between the City of Oak Ridge and the U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Public Works Director Shira A. McWaters said in a February 15 memo to City Manager Mark Watson. The city-DOE water contract specifies that repairs are to be shared 50/50, McWaters said.

The cast iron water line runs from east to west from the city’s water treatment plant, which is on Pine Ridge at Y-12, to Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The line failed January 29. It is part of the infrastructure that was transferred to the city in May 2000, when the city assumed ownership and began operating the water treatment plant, which had previously been owned by DOE. [Read more…]

Gordon-Hagerty confirmed as NNSA administrator

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Note: This story was updated at 9:15 a.m.

Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday as the U.S. Department of Energy’s under secretary for nuclear security and administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Once she is sworn in to the position, Gordon-Hagerty will be responsible for the management and operation of NNSA, supporting the nuclear security agenda of Energy Secretary Rick Perry and President Donald Trump, a press release said.

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is an NNSA site.

The NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within DOE, and it is responsible for nuclear nonproliferation, the nation’s naval reactor programs, and managing and securing the nation’s nuclear weapons. It also responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the United States and abroad; provides safe and secure transportation of nuclear weapons, components, and special nuclear materials; and has other national security missions. [Read more…]

Discover ORNL research opportunities at Virtual Career Fair

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Undergraduates, graduate students, and recent college graduates may find the research opportunity that meets their career goals during the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Science Education and Workforce Development Virtual Career Fair next week.

The Virtual Career Fair will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday, February 22. It will be hosted by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a press release said.

“The virtual career fair is a great opportunity for students to investigate research opportunities available at ORNL,” said Bill Cox, ORISE group manager. “Participants will have the same ability to ask questions as if they were at a career fair in person.” [Read more…]

Arowood running for Anderson County clerk

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Leesa Arowood

Leesa Arowood

 

After many years of working as a grass-roots Republican, Leesa Arowood has announced her candidacy for Anderson County clerk, a press release said.

“I’ve lived in Anderson County for almost 25 years and have always been a Republican,” Arowood said in the press release. “As a businesswoman, not a politician, I look forward to giving back to my community by making our County Clerk’s Office the most efficient in Tennessee.”

Arowood is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, and she worked as an administrative manager for Oak Ridge Associated Universities for more than 15 years before managing her own real estate practice in Anderson County. She has worked in various other business operations in Anderson County for many years and is a member of the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, the press release said. She is also a long-time member of Second Baptist Church in Clinton. [Read more…]

Gillenwaters running for Anderson County trustee

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Scott Gillenwaters

Scott Gillenwaters

 

Scott Gillenwaters, vice chair of the Anderson County School Board and former Anderson County commissioner, has announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for Anderson County trustee.

Gillenwaters has served eight years on the Anderson County School Board. Currently, he serves as the vice chair and chairs the Budget Committee, a press release said. He has attained a Level IV Boardsmanship Award from the Tennessee School Board Association, the press release said.

Prior to his election to the School Board, Gillenwaters was elected to two terms on the Anderson County Commission, where he was the chair of both the Operations and Legislative Committees, the press release said. During his time on Commission, he was appointed parliamentarian by the Commission twice and served on various other committees. He also served as a regional board member for the Tennessee County Commissioners Association. [Read more…]

This evening: Author of Atomic City novel to visit AMSE for book launch event

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The cover of "The Atomic City Girls" novel by Janet Beard is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

The cover of “The Atomic City Girls” novel by Janet Beard is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

The author of a new novel inspired by the experiences of the Americans who fueled the World War II-era Manhattan Project will visit the American Museum of Science and Energy on Thursday, February 15. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Janet Beard, whose grandmother worked on the Manhattan Project, will give a presentation on her writing process for “The Atomic City Girls,” which was informed by many captivating oral and written histories, a press release said. Beard also will read excerpts and sign copies of her book. Copies will be on sale at the AMSE gift shop beginning February 6.

Through its fictionalized tale of 18-year-old June Walker, her romance with a young physicist, and her search for the truth about the goals of the Manhattan Project, “The Atomic City Girls” brings to life the previously untold story of thousands who moved to East Tennessee in the 1930s and 1940s to join the effort to win the war and highlights the role women played at a pivotal moment in the country’s history and Oak Ridge’s founding. [Read more…]