Oak Ridge Today

Blasting begins next week at construction site for Kroger Marketplace

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Kroger Marketplace Hotels

The former Super 8 motel that is expected to be demolished to make way for a new Kroger Marketplace shopping center at Oak Ridge Turnpike and Illinois Avenue.

Blasting at the construction site for the Kroger Marketplace shopping center will begin next week, Oak Ridge officials announced Thursday.

“All blasting will happen at 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,” a city press release said. “Depending on the location of the blast, there may be temporary road closures in the area.”

The release said a blast survey was performed. “No collateral damage has been predicted,” it said. “The explosions may be heard and felt. During the blasts, it is not necessary to contact emergency dispatch services, unless an emergency has occurred. The City of Oak Ridge Fire and Police will be present for the blasting.” [Read more…]

Y-12 repairs roll-up door that failed to close during fire alarm at HEUMF

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Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility

Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility (Photo courtesy of NNSA/B&W Y-12)

Workers have repaired a roll-up door that failed to close when a fire alarm system was activated at a high-security uranium storage building at the Y-12 National Security Complex in May.

“The fire alarms were activated due to smoke from a belt of a fan with a failed bearing, but there was no fire,” the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board said in a May 24 report. “The signal to the door closure device should cause a cable to release, allowing the door to close, but this did not occur because permanent deformation (kinks) in the cable caused it to knot when tension was released.” [Read more…]

Darrin Lawrence joins IIa as senior VP for strategic initiatives

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Darrin Lawrence

Darrin Lawrence

Darrin Lawrence has joined Information International Associates Inc., or IIa, as senior vice president for strategic initiatives.

In a recent announcement, Bonnie C. Carroll, IIa owner and chief executive officer, said Lawrence has more than 25 years of experience in environmental, radiological, and emergency program management for commercial companies and government agencies. In addition, he has managed large profit and loss centers for commercial companies, and supervised more than 200 personnel, 150 open contracts, and revenues in excess of $50 million per year, a press release said. [Read more…]

Personal computer inventor to join UT College of Engineering faculty

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Mark Dean

Mark Dean, co-inventor of the personal computer, will join the faculty of the College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville this fall. (Submitted photo)

KNOXVILLE—Mark Dean, co-inventor of the personal computer, will join the faculty of the College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville this fall.

Dean arrives at UT from IBM, where he most recently served as chief technology officer for IBM Middle East and Africa, based in Dubai.

He begins on Sept. 1 as the John Fisher Distinguished Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. [Read more…]

Buchanan elected fellow of American Chemical Society

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory researcher A.C. Buchanan III has been elected a fellow of the American Chemical Society.

Buchanan, a member of ORNL’s Chemical Sciences Division, was recognized for his contributions to the fundamental understanding of the thermochemical transformations of fossil and renewable fuels. [Read more…]

Three conceptual drawings for Jackson Square revitalization to be discussed tonight

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Jackson Square Revitalization Square Option

Pictured above is one of three conceptual drawings for the project to revitalize Jackson Square, the city’s original town center. The drawings will be on display during an open house at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce this evening. (Submitted image)

During a meeting this evening, residents will be able to view and comment on three conceptual drawings for the project to revitalize Jackson Square, the city’s original town center.

The open house meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

The Community Development staff will record public comments and provide feedback to project team members Hedstrom Design LLC, Landscape Architects, and Vaughn and Melton Consulting Engineers Inc. The design will be finalized, and construction is anticipated to begin in January 2014. [Read more…]

Would you like ammo with that? Pistol found in McDonald’s bathroom

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Clinton Police Department is trying to track down the owner of a pistol that was found in a bathroom at the McDonald’s on North Charles Seivers Boulevard Tuesday night.

Police were called to the restaurant shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday and were told that a customer had found a loaded .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver in a holster in the men’s room. The serial number of the pistol was run through the NCIC and did not come up as stolen, so Clinton police officers took custody of it and placed it into the evidence locker for safekeeping.

Shewairy named to top administrative position at DOE’s Oak Ridge Office

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John Shewairy

John Shewairy

John C. Shewairy has been named assistant manager for administration for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office.

In this position, Shewairy is responsible for advising the ORO manager in the determination, approval, and execution of the policies, plans, and programs governing ORO administrative functions, a press release said. He serves as the principal administrative and operating official of the organization, managing a staff of about 50 employees for ORO’s administrative programs including federal and contractor human resources, public affairs, and facilities information and reservation management. He also maintains liaison and working relationships with other federal agencies and state and local governments. [Read more…]

President Obama nominates UT alumnus to key nuclear post on DNFSB

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Ken Mossman

Ken Mossman

KNOXVILLE—President Barack Obama recently nominated University of Tennessee alumnus Kenneth L. Mossman to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.

Now a professor of health physics at Arizona State University, Mossman is an expert in radiation health and safety. He received his master’s degree in 1970 and doctorate in 1973, both in radiation biology, from UT and is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the College of Arts and Sciences. He established the Ken and Blair Mossman Professorship in Biomedicine, currently held by Associate Dean and Professor Cynthia Peterson.

The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board is a five-member executive branch agency with safety oversight of all U.S. nuclear weapons facilities. Its mission is to identify potential threats to public health and safety at the U.S. Department of Energy’s defense nuclear facilities and to make safety recommendations to the secretary of energy and to the president. Among other things, the DNFSB issues weekly reports on Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y-12 National Security Complex. [Read more…]

ORAU seeks applicants for Extreme Classroom Makeover

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ORAU Extreme Classroom Makeover

Oak Ridge Associated Universities will have its Extreme Classroom Makeover for the sixth year. Teachers who are interested in participating and within 50 miles of Oak Ridge must file an intent to apply by Sept. 13. (Image courtesy ORAU)

Oak Ridge Associated Universities announced on Wednesday that it will have its Extreme Classroom Makeover for the sixth year.

The makeover will be awarded to one lucky school teacher, a press release said. The award provides $25,000 worth of the latest educational technologies, training, and/or support. Teachers interested in competing must file their intent to apply no later than Sept. 13. [Read more…]

ORAU named a Best Diversity Company by readers of Diversity/Careers magazine

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities Building MC-100

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has been named a Best Diversity Company for 2013 by the readers of Diversity/Careers magazine. (Photo courtesy ORAU)

Organization receives the honor for four consecutive years

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has been named a Best Diversity Company for 2013 by the readers of Diversity/Careers magazine. ORAU was one of only four organizations to be ranked as a diversity leader in the “research” category and one of 94 organizations to be ranked highest overall.

“Over the years, ORAU has evolved from an organization of people who accept diversity into one that embraces it,” said ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page. “Not only have we embraced a culture of diversity in the workplace, but we have extended that commitment into all facets of our business operations including significant minority and female participation in our science education programs, targeted small business subcontracting partnerships, and community-based outreach.” [Read more…]

Peace Corps recruiting Knoxville-area residents Aug. 22

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Taylor Atchley

Taylor Atchley

On Aug. 22, from 6 to 7 p.m., the United States Peace Corps will be interviewing Knoxville-area residents who would be interested in using their education, work, and volunteer experience to help those who live in developing countries.

The organization needs 1,000 new volunteers to replace current volunteers who are completing their two-year commitment.

The agency’s Southeast Regional Recruitment Office will be visiting Knoxville to answer questions about the opportunities it has for citizens of all ages and backgrounds. [Read more…]