Oak Ridge Today

ADFAC Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Celebration and Fundraiser is Nov. 9

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Bill Capshaw: 2019 Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award recipient (Submitted photo)

 

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties is hosting its annual Bow Tie Gala on Saturday, November 9, at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Ridge. This year’s honoree is celebrated local artist Bill Capshaw.

The Bow Tie award was established several years ago as a tribute to local historian Bill Wilcox. Each year’s honoree has exemplified the values of community and philanthropy that Wilcox demonstrated himself, a press release said.

“The purpose of the event is to honor a cherished community leader, but also raise much-needed funds for ADFAC’s long and short-term sustainability with proceeds partially benefiting ADFAC’s Bow Tie Endowment,” the press release said.

Past recipients of the award have included Ray Smith, Tim Myrick, Cande Seay, Bear Stephenson, Tom Row, Kathy Stimpson (posthumously), and Louise Mixon. [Read more…]

Soccer: Lady Wildcats’ season ends in region semifinal

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Pictured above from left to right are Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats soccer seniors Maddie Peters, Rachael Brewer, Katie O’Brien, and Jennie Pont Briant. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Lady Soccercats)

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats soccer team finished the 2019 season with a 3-0 loss to Maryville in a Region 2-AAA semifinal game at home on Tuesday, October 22.

It was the fifth year in a row that the Oak Ridge girls’ team has been eliminated in a regional semifinal game.

The Lady Wildcats also lost to Maryville, 8-1, in a Region 2 semifinal last year.

They were defeated by Farragut in the regional semifinal the previous two years and by Hardin Valley in 2015, according to records posted online by CoachT.com.

[Read more…]

Severe thunderstorm warning includes Oak Ridge

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A severe thunderstorm warning issued Thursday includes Oak Ridge.

The severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Morristown. It is in effect from 10:58 to 11:45 a.m. Thursday.

The areas affected include Anderson, Campbell, Knox, and Union counties.

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Environmental advisory board seeks new members

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Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board members recently toured Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Aquatics Lab, where researchers explained how their sampling and study efforts are helping understand and track biodiversity in the East Fork Poplar Creek. (Photo courtesy SSAB)

Members are being sought for an advisory board that learns about U.S. Department of Energy cleanup projects in Oak Ridge and, when appropriate, provides recommendations.

The citizens advisory board is the Oak Ridge Site Specific Advisory Board. It provides recommendations to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, or OREM. No technical expertise is required to serve on the board. Terms are for two years, and members may serve up to three terms, for a total of six years on the board.

The board and its Environmental Management and Stewardship Committee meet monthly to hear directly from OREM personnel on cleanup projects and related decisions. Topics include, but are not limited to, the removal of excess facilities, annual budget requests to Congress, groundwater remediation, hazardous waste management, and long-term stewardship.

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Child accidentally shot in face by sibling in AC

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A four-year-old child was accidentally shot in the face by a nine-year-old sibling on Offut Spur Road on Sunday night, law enforcement officers said.

The four-year-old did not have life-threatening injuries and, as of Monday, would not require surgery, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said.

A University of Tennessee Lifestar helicopter landed at Lake City Middle School after the accidental shooting on Sunday and flew the child to the hospital.

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All things—even fish—grow in Nancy’s greenhouse

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Roane State Community College Greenhouse Oct 2 2019
Nancy Humphreys is pictured inside the Roane State Community College greenhouse, admiring one of the many flowering plants inside. (Photo courtesy Roane State)

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

Most folks don’t know Roane State Community College has a greenhouse, much less its location.

But the hummingbirds do.

It’s not unusual for the tiny birds to dart among the bright flowers within— hovering with their wings a rapid-fire blur as they sip nectar from the blooms—after Nancy Humphreys opens the greenhouse door each morning.

Brilliant-hued flowering plants, some of them exotics, share space on wooden tables with succulents, tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, orchids, and even pineapples.

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Part of Nebraska Ave. closes for Halloween House on Thursday

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A temporary road closure is planned along part of Nebraska Avenue on Halloween, Thursday, October 31, between 5 and 11 p.m.

A small portion of the 100 block of Nebraska Avenue between Newridge Road and Newhaven Road will be blocked to through traffic, a press release said. Residents will still be able to get to and from their homes during this time, the press release said.

The closure is necessary to create a safer environment for drivers and pedestrians expected to visit the annual “Halloween House” residential attraction, the press release said.

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State announces $500,000 loan for OS water system repairs

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Tennessee officials on Friday announced a $500,000 loan for water system repairs in Oliver Springs.

The loan was announced by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner David Salyers. It’s a Clean Water State Revolving Fund, or SRF, planning and design loan. It’s meant to remediate water losses in the Oliver Springs water system in what is being described as a pilot project.

The loan consists of 100 percent principal forgiveness in the amount of $500,000 with a five-year term and a 0 percent interest rate, a press release said.

“We are pleased we can assist local communities with important infrastructure improvements,” Lee said in the press release. “This loan directly addresses a need and will improve quality of life.”

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Judge to discuss Juvenile Court, school truancy

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Anderson County Juvenile Court Judge Brian Hunt

Anderson County Juvenile Court Judge Brian J. Hunt will present a program about the court’s approach to truancy issues in Anderson County schools, including Oak Ridge, on Monday, October 28.

The presentation will be during the general meeting of AAUW (American Association of University Women) at First Presbyterian Church, Room 122 at 11:30 a.m. Monday.

Hunt’s talk will begin shortly after noon, with a luncheon catered by The Soup Kitchen being served at 11:30 a.m., a press release said. Reservations for the luncheon are $8.50 and may be made by calling Mary Uziel at (865) 483-1043. A choice of soups and sandwiches will be available, with desserts and iced tea and coffee. Those attending who want to bring a sack lunch or not have lunch are asked to make a reservation to ensure adequate seating for the program, the press release said.

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Fulmer the special guest at fundraiser for Blankenship Field

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Blankenship-Field-James-Mitchell-Aug-2019
The renovated Blankenship Field—the city’s football field—and its walking track are now open for public use. The main change is that the grass field has been replaced with synthetic turf, but there are other changes as well. The field is pictured above in August 2019. (Photo by James Mitchell via City of Oak Ridge)

University of Tennessee Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer will be the special guest at a fundraiser for the Blankenship Field Revitalization Foundation on Tuesday.

The fundraiser is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 29, on Blankenship Field.

Big Ed’s Pizza and cold beverages will be served. The cost is $125 per person, or you can sponsor a table of eight people for $1,000.

[Read more…]

Cleanup workers start processing U-233 powder at ORNL

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Oak Ridge U-233 Glovebox Installation Oct 2019
Workers at Oak Ridge install new gloveboxes to begin processing a portion of uranium-233 a year ahead of schedule. (Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management)

Workers have begun processing a powder form of uranium-233 a year ahead of schedule as part of a larger environmental management, or cleanup, project to process and dispose of the remaining inventory of the nuclear material stored at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

It’s the highest priority cleanup project at ORNL, a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory.

Isotek is the contractor responsible for processing and disposing of the uranium-233 inventory at ORNL. The work eliminates the need to use Building 3019, which is the oldest operating nuclear facility in the world, for storage of the material, according to DOE’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, or OREM.

In the 1970s and 1980s, nuclear facilities sent liquid uranium-233 to ORNL, and the site converted it into an oxide form, known as Oak Ridge Oxide, which is more stable for storage, OREM said in an “EM Update” newsletter published Tuesday. Some of the material was shipped to facilities for use as fuel in reactors. However, most of it was stored at ORNL until workers were able to dispose of it.

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Coria appointed district public defender

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Ann Coria has been appointed public defender in the Seventh Judicial District in Anderson County.

A Republican, Coria replaces Tom Marshall, a Democrat who was re-elected to a fourth eight-year term in 2014. Marshall, who had served as Anderson County public defender since 1989, retired at the end of September.

Coria, who has been an assistant public defender and worked in the office for about 20 years, applied for the position. After an interview process and background check, she was appointed district public defender by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Tuesday, October 15.

“I believe that I have the skills to run the office and the knowledge of what’s needed,” Coria said in a phone interview on Tuesday. “It is a unique set of skills.”

There will be a special election in 2020 to choose someone who will serve the last two years of Marshall’s eight-year term and a regular election for an eight-year term in 2022.

[Read more…]