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Alexander Guest House renovation restores grandeur at historic hotel

Posted at 2:57 pm September 27, 2015
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Alexander Guest House Ballroom and Cafeteria Sept. 23, 2015

The ballroom and cafeteria area is pictured above at the Alexander Guest House, which converted the beloved but long-vacant Alexander Inn hotel into an assisted living center. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

It’s been a dream for years, and now the preservation and transformation of the former Alexander Inn is nearly complete.

The two-year, $8 million construction and renovation project is almost finished, and Alexander Guest House could open as an assisted living facility in about two weeks, said Rick Dover of Dover Development of East Tennessee.

Sixty percent of the 64 apartments are already reserved, Executive Director Jody Daugherty said during a media tour Wednesday. Among those who will live there are Jean Stone of Oak Ridge and Dean Ford of Oliver Springs. They participated in the media tour on Wednesday.

“I think they’ve done a remarkable job of restoring it to its grandeur,” said Stone, a longtime Oak Ridge resident who has “many fine memories” of parties, weddings, wedding receptions, and club meetings, among other events, at the historic two-story hotel. “Once I saw what they’re doing here, I wanted to come here. I think it will be a lovely place to live. It’s absolutely tremendous.”

The historic two-story hotel was built as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II, and top scientists and dignitaries once stayed there. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Business, Community, East Tennessee Technology Park, Front Page News, Government, Health, Nonprofits, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Alexander Guest House, Alexander Inn, Bill Haslam, CNB, Dean Ford, DOE, Dover Development, East Tennessee Preservation Alliance, Enrico Fermi, Family Pride Corporation, Guest House, Henry Stimson, historic hotel, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Jean Stone, Jody Daugherty, John Ragan, K-25, Kim Trent, Knox Heritage, Leslie Groves, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, National Historic Register, Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, ORHPA, Randy McNally, renovation, Rick Dover, Tom Beehan, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Interior, Wes Farragut, World War II

Photos: Police Lives Matter rally

Posted at 2:17 am September 27, 2015
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Police Lives Matter Rally Crowd

About 65 people attended a Police Lives Matter rally at Alvin K. Bissell Park on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A rally at Alvin K. Bissell Park on Saturday, September 19, showed support for police officers and first responders. It included music, prayer, several speakers, a reading of the names of fallen officers, a short march, and a candlelight vigil.

“I had this for support of our police officers, first responders, and all lives,” said Kevin Rice, one of the three organizers.

Here are pictures from the rally.

Police Lives Matter Candlelight Vigil

The Police Lives Matter rally included a candlelight vigil at Alvin K. Bissell Park on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Alvin K. Bissell Park, Anthony Allen, Black Lives Matter, candlelight vigil, FOP Atomic City Lodge #1, Jake Morrill, Jesse Pack, John Criswell, Kevin Rice, march, Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, Police Lives Matter, rally, Stephanie Criswell

Police: Forty-nine grams of suspected heroin seized on West Outer after shooting, crash

Posted at 2:49 pm September 25, 2015
By John Huotari 1 Comment

Chelsea Reign Lively

Chelsea Reign Lively

Note: This story was last updated at 3:44 p.m.

Police seized 49.2 grams of suspected heroin in a West Outer Drive home during a search after the shooting on Wakefield Road and three-car crash on North Illinois Avenue on Monday, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department has also made an arrest in the case. Chelsea Reign Lively, 22, was arrested Thursday, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. She was charged with possessing Schedule I (heroin) and Schedule VI (marijuana) drugs for sale.

Authorities said further charges against Lively are expected.

Police said Larry Dewayne Williams was identified as a person of interest in the shooting when he fled from the ORPD shortly after the shooting and allegedly caused a three-car crash at the intersection of North Illinois Avenue and West Outer Drive.

Officers—including members of the ORPD, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, the crime task force, and an ACSD K-9 unit—swarmed the area and searched for Williams. That led officers to a home at 612 West Outer Drive, where they said they executed a search warrant on Tuesday and recovered additional evidence. The house is the home of Lively and Williams, according to arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court.

“The search warrant commanded that all controlled substances be seized as evidence,” said the warrants, filed by ORPD Detective Kevin Craig.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County General Sessions Court, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Chelsea Reign Lively, crash, drugs, heroin, Kevin Craig, Larry Dewayne Williams, marijuana, North Illinois Avenue, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD, shooting, Wakefield Road, West Outer Drive

Photos: Oak Ridge and Sevier County football

Posted at 5:20 am September 25, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Wildcats T.J. Allison at Sevier County Sept. 24, 2015

T.J. Allison (6) had his second two-touchdown game this year in a 44-34 win over Sevier County on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. Allison scored on one-yard and 10-yard runs. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was updated with more photos at 4:23 p.m.

SEVIERVILLE—Oak Ridge scored three touchdowns and a field goal on four turnovers by Sevier County in a 44-34 win in Sevierville on Thursday.

The Wildcats added three more touchdowns without the help of turnovers to maintain their game-long lead over the Smoky Bears in a televised game on Hardin-Robertson Field.

Here are photos from the Thursday night game by Julio Culiat.

Wildcats Caleb Jackson at Sevier County on Sept. 24, 2015

Oak Ridge junior Caleb Jackson (25) had a touchdown for the Wildcats on a 57-yard catch from quarterback Logan Fadnek in a 44-34 win over Sevier County on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Media, Photos, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Alex Alcorn, Caleb Jackson, Chase Kimbro, Darel Middleton, Davon Middleton, Deuce Wallace, Devante Matthews, Gavin Warrington, Jordan Dunbar, Jordan Graham, Julio Culiat, Logan Fadnek, Matt Warmbrod, Oak Ridge, Sevier County, T.J. Allison, Tee Higgins, Terra Davenport, Wildcats

Photos: Homecoming Court on Homecoming Night

Posted at 2:50 pm September 24, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Treston Henderson and Alex Allen ORHS Homecoming King and Queen 2015

Treston Henderson, left, was named 2015 Homecoming King and Alex Allen was named Homecoming Queen on Homecoming Night on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Treston Henderson was named 2015 Homecoming King at Oak Ridge High School, and Alex Allen was named Homecoming Queen, school officials said Thursday.

The five couples of the Homecoming Court were recognized during Homecoming Night on Blankenship Field on Friday, September 18, and the king and queen were announced. The Oak Ridge Wildcats football team beat the Lenoir City Panthers 55-15 during that game.

On Thursday, Diana Homan at Oak Ridge High School said the five couples recognized on Friday were:

  • Kennedy Baker and Treston Henderson,
  • Ellie Brown and Ian Wilder,
  • Maguire James and Alex Allen,
  • Peter Magill and Gabby Romanoski, and
  • Madison Gilmore and Ben Carlson.

The Homecoming Court are all seniors, and they are selected by the senior class. Nominations are made, and the list is narrowed down to five girls and five boys. The entire school selects the king and queen, Homan said.

Here are more photos from the Friday night halftime ceremony and a few photos from before the game: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, High School, K-12, Media, Photos, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Alex Allen, Ben Carlson, Blankenship Field, Diana Homan, Ellie Brown, Gabby Romanoski, Homecoming Court, Homecoming King, Homecoming Queen, Ian Wilder, Kennedy Baker, Madison Gilmore, Maguire James, Oak Ridge High School, Peter Magill, Treston Henderson

Four inducted into Oak Ridge Sports Hall of Fame

Posted at 9:53 am September 24, 2015
By John Huotari 1 Comment

Butch Jones, Dave Moore, and Regina Kirk at Blankenship on Sept. 18, 2015

University of Tennessee Volunteers football coach Butch Jones, left, is pictured with former Oak Ridge High School athletes Dave Moore and Regina Kirk on Homecoming Night on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. Moore and Kirk were inducted into the Oak Ridge Sports Hall of Fame. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Four former Wildcat athletes were inducted into the Oak Ridge Sports Hall of Fame at halftime on Homecoming Night on Friday, September 18, at Blankenship Field.

The four were picked by the board of the Oak Ridge Sports Hall of Fame. They are:

  • Lowell Wilson—1953, track, football;
  • Dennis Strickler—1968, tennis;
  • Dave Moore—1972, football; and
  • Regina Kirk—1984, basketball.

The 2015 class covers four different sports in four different decades.

A reception with refreshments was held at the Soup Kitchen following the game.

Here are photos of the inductees on Homecoming Night, when the Wildcats played Lenoir City, as well as a brief summary of their athletic careers. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Blankenship Field, Butch Jones, Dave Moore, Dennis Strickler, Homecoming Night, Lowell Wilson, Oak Ridge Sports Hall of Fame, Regina Kirk, Wildcat

Oak Ridge police seek suspect in Monday night shooting, crash

Posted at 6:04 pm September 22, 2015
By John Huotari 1 Comment

Larry Dewayne Williams Wanted Poster

The Oak Ridge Police Department has identified a person of interest in the shooting on Wakefield Road and crash on North Illinois Avenue on Monday, and they consider the suspect to be armed and dangerous, authorities said.

The person of interest has been described as Larry Dewayne Williams, a black male, 28 years old, and 6’1″ and 165 pounds, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

“Extreme caution should be used if he is observed,” the press release said.

Meanwhile, the Oak Ridge Police Department is taking steps to prevent further shootings on Wakefield Road. There were three in 48 hours, and one arrest has already been made.

“We’re working actively with other agenices to suppress vehicle and pedestrian traffic in areas which cause us concern,” Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi said Tuesday. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Billy Weaver, City of Oak Ridge, crash, Larry Dewayne Williams, North Illinois Avenue, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD, shooting, Wakefield Road, West Outer Drive

Council to get update on airport this evening

Posted at 3:09 pm September 22, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Airport Development Plan

The Heritage Center airport development plan is pictured above. (Cropped image from DOE Draft Environmental Assessment)

 

The City Council will get an update on the proposed general aviation airport in west Oak Ridge during a work session this evening.

The update will be given by Billy Stair, public affairs consultant for the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority.

The airport could cost $30-$40 million, and construction could start in 2018, according to a current timeline and construction estimate. The airport would include a 5,000-foot runway and be built at the front side of Heritage Center, the former K-25 site.

The Oak Ridge airport would the third for the MKAA, which would own the site. The other two are McGhee Tyson in Blount County and Downtown Island in Knoxville. The Oak Ridge airport would be a reliever airport and help relieve congestion at the other two airports. [Read more…]

Filed Under: East Tennessee Technology Park, Front Page News, Government, Meetings and Events, Oak Ridge, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: airport, Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, Billy Stair, Central Services Complex, City Council, DOE, Downtown Island, environmental assessment, Heritage Center, K-25, McGhee Tyson, Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, MKAA, Oak Ridge, property transfer, Rick Meredith, U.S. Department of Energy

Man arrested after shots fired in two neighborhoods, chase through several counties

Posted at 4:47 pm September 21, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Debriael Hall

Debriael Hall

Note: This story was last updated at 5:30 p.m.

A 20-year-old Oak Ridge man was arrested after police received several reports of shots fired in two neighborhoods in Oak Ridge this weekend and after a high-speed chase that went through several counties and cities on Sunday night, ending in Newport, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department said it first received a report that a black male suspect was chasing a male black victim on foot, firing a pistol, at about 11 p.m. Saturday, September 19.

Then, at about 3 a.m. Sunday, the ORPD responded to South Fisk Avenue in Scarboro, where residents reported multiple shots were fired into their home, which was struck at least twice, according to a city press release. The residents said they heard at least a dozen gunshots.

Oak Ridge Police Department Chase Damage

Damage to an Oak Ridge Police Department car is pictured above after a high-speed chase that started in Oak Ridge on Sunday night, Sept. 20, wound through several counties and cities, and ended in Newport after spike strips were deployed. (Photo by Oak Ridge Police Department via Facebook)

 

In the first incident, the ORPD said, a white Ford Escape with dealer tags was seen in the area, and in the second incident, this same vehicle was seen fleeing the area at a high rate of speed.

Then, at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday, ORPD responded to a report of shots fired on Wakefield Road. The complainant said shots were fired toward an apartment building by a male black suspect, and a second male black perpetrator returned fire, which struck the tailgate off a parked truck. Both suspects fled the area, reportedly in a white SUV matching the description of the suspect vehicle in the previous incidents.

The mother of a fourth victim reported her son had been pistol-whipped by a male black suspect earlier that day, but the victim refused to cooperate in identifying the suspect or describing what occurred, the City of Oak Ridge said in the press release. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Crime Task Force, Blount County Sheriff’s Office, chase, City of Oak Ridge, Cocke County Sheriff's Office, Debriael Hall, gunshots, high-speed chase, Jasmine Bullard, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD, pursuit, Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, Sevierville Police Department, shots fired, South Fisk Avenue, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Wakefield Road

Josh Phillips, an Oak Ridge native, to headline Comedy at the Grove on Sept. 25

Posted at 1:42 pm September 21, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Comedy at the Grove on Sept. 25

Oak Ridge native Josh Phillips will headline Comedy at the Grove on Friday, September 25.

The show is presented by Danny Whitson. It starts at 8 p.m. September 25, at the Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

“Come join us in celebrating Josh Phillips’ birthday!” a press release said. “Enjoy a night full of entertainment by some of the best local comedians.”

The show is for adults 18 years old and up. You must be 18 to purchase tickets and enter. You must be 21 or older to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages which will be offered before and during the show.

Tickets are only $10, organizers said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Comedy, Entertainment, Front Page News, Meetings and Events, Top Stories Tagged With: Comedy at the Grove, Danny Whitson, Grove Theater, Josh Phillips, Monty Mitchell, Nate Cate

Street Painting Festival on Oct. 3 at Roane State in Oak Ridge

Posted at 3:01 am September 21, 2015
By Carolyn Krause Leave a Comment

Love Reject

In 2014, Ouita Northcutt received the People’s Choice Award and first-place award in the professional artists category for her chalk painting on love and rejection at the Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival. (Submitted photo)

 

Artists of all ages and abilities, it’s time to “talk the talk, then chalk the walk.”

And you folks who wish to help people in their 20s who otherwise cannot afford to go to college without a scholarship are encouraged to “write checks for chalk art” as sponsors to make our workforce smarter.

Artists are encouraged to invite your artist friends to the Roane State Community College campus in Oak Ridge to showcase your talents for free while helping others get an education.

Artists and sponsors are needed for the 16th annual Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival, which will be held on Saturday, October 3, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the sidewalks of the RSCC Oak Ridge campus on Briarcliff Road. The rain date is October 4. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Arts, Community, Entertainment, Front Page News, Meetings and Events, Nonprofits, Top Stories Tagged With: artists, David Bradshaw, Melinda Hillman, Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival, Roane State Community College, Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, RSCC, street painting festival

ORPD offers local alerts, public safety messages through Nixle

Posted at 2:49 am September 21, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

The Oak Ridge Police Department has partnered with Nixle to implement its Community Notification System to alert residents in real time for localized emergency situations and relevant community advisories.

As a resident, there are several simple ways to register:

  • Text your zip code to 888777 from your mobile phone, or
  • Go to http://www.oakridgetn.gov/department/ORPD/Home and sign up via the Nixle widget.

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation text to your mobile device. You may also customize your alert settings by going to www.nixle.com and creating a user profile. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: alerts, community advisories, community notification system, emergency situations, Nixle, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD, public safety

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