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Update: Truck driver was ill, but shipment was routine, posed no threat to public

Posted at 6:30 pm May 17, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Turnpike re-opened near Big Turtle Park after about 1.5 hours Wednesday afternoon, May 17, 2017, after authorities investigated a possible hazardous materials situation involving a truck pulling a flatbed trailer with two cargo containers marked radioactive. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Oak Ridge Turnpike re-opened near Big Turtle Park after about 1.5 hours Wednesday afternoon, May 17, 2017, after authorities investigated a possible hazardous materials situation involving a truck pulling a flatbed trailer with two cargo containers marked radioactive. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 6:45 p.m.

Authorities investigated a truck shipment labeled radioactive after a driver was reported ill on Wednesday afternoon, and they found the shipment was routine and posed no threat to the public, the Oak Ridge Fire Department said.

The Oak Ridge Fire Department responded to the call of the truck driver who was ill on Oak Ridge Turnpike near Newport Drive at about 11:50 a.m. Wednesday.

When they arrived, firefighters saw the truck and its flatbed trailer were transporting hazardous waste, so as they evaluated the patient, the Fire Department said in a City of Oak Ridge press release.

Firefighters also followed procedure to evaluate the shipment to ensure there was no association with the truck driver’s illness, the press release said.

“Officials closed that section of the Oak Ridge Turnpike as a precautionary measure until the patient could be evaluated and transported to the local hospital,” the press release said. “The truck was relocated off of the state highway to a city parking lot for additional evaluation and the highway was re-opened.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Police and Fire, Slider Tagged With: Big Turtle Park, City of Oak Ridge, hazardous waste, Montana Avenue, Newport Drive, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Turnpike, Toxco

Lifestar responds after crash reported

Posted at 5:33 pm December 23, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A Lifestar medical helicopter landed at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge on Friday afternoon because of a serious crash reported on Newhaven Road, authorities said.

The crash was reported at 3:08 p.m. Friday.

Authorities received reports that the crash involved a four-wheeler and a man, possibly in his 30s. It wasn’t clear if the man was riding the four-wheeler. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Oak Ridge, Police and Fire Tagged With: Big Turtle Park, crash, Lifestar, Lifestar medical helicopter, Newhaven Road, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD

Mutt Strutt on Saturday benefits Animal Shelter

Posted at 1:39 am September 18, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Mutt Strutt 2014

The 4th Annual Mutt Strutt on Saturday will benefit the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter.

The charity dog walk is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at the PetSafe Dog Park at Big Turtle Park on Oak Ridge Turnpike in west Oak Ridge. It’s been organized by the Young Professionals of Oak Ridge.

The Mutt Strutt will feature a group dog walk, raffle prizes, and dogs available for adoption.

Visit www.ypor.org for more information.

Filed Under: Business, Community, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Pets, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Big Turtle Park, charity dog walk, Mutt Strutt, Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, PetSafe Dog Park, Young Professionals of Oak Ridge

City will recycle Christmas trees on Jan. 4, 11

Posted at 6:05 pm December 30, 2013
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The city of Oak Ridge will recycle Christmas trees from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, and Saturday, Jan. 11.

The drop-off site is the parking lot at Big Turtle Park off Monterey Road.

Trees will be accepted any time up to Jan. 13, but if you come at the designated times, your Christmas tree may be exchanged for a sugar maple seedling. Wreaths and garland will be accepted, but brush will not. Please be sure to remove all tinsel and other decorations, a press release said.

For more information, contact the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3450 or visit the city’s website at www.oakridgetn.gov.

Filed Under: Front Page News, Government, Holidays 2013, Oak Ridge Tagged With: Big Turtle Park, Christmas trees, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department, recycle

Oak Ridge’s first dog park now open

Posted at 3:25 pm December 9, 2013
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

PetSafe Big Turtle Park Dog Park

The city’s first dog park is now open at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge. Officials and pet owners celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on Monday.

The city’s first dog park is now open at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge. Officials and pet owners celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on Monday.

The dog park has been planned for five years. It was made possible by a $100,000 donation by Radio Systems Corp.

The PetSafe Dog Park features include separate fenced areas for small dogs and large dogs, benches, water fountains, and a shade structure.

Community members and their dogs joined city officials and representatives from Radio Systems Corp. and PetSafe at a dedication ceremony on Monday morning to mark completion of the new park.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Filed Under: Business, Community, Government, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Big Turtle Park, dog park, Oak Ridge, PetSafe, Radio Systems Corp., ribbon-cutting

Dog park ribbon cutting is Monday

Posted at 3:57 pm December 4, 2013
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Dog Park Entrance

The city will have a ribbon-cutting for the new dog park at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge on Monday. Above, the park is pictured under construction in October.

The city will have a ribbon-cutting for the new dog park at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge on Monday.

The ribbon-cutting is at 11:30 a.m. Monday.

Construction has been under way since this summer at the city’s first dog park, which is being built with help from a $100,000 donation from Radio Systems Corp. through Legacy Parks.

The park is roughly one acre, and it includes one fenced-in field for small dogs and another for all dogs, said Jon Hetrick, Oak Ridge Parks Division supervisor. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Big Turtle Park, dog park, Jon Hetrick, Josh Collins, Legacy Parks, Mark Watson, Oak Ridge Parks Division, PetSafe, Radio Systems Corp.

New dog park could have ribbon-cutting soon, city manager says

Posted at 10:40 am November 7, 2013
By John Huotari 8 Comments

Oak Ridge Dog Park Entrance

City Manager Mark Watson says there could soon be a ribbon-cutting for the new dog park at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge. The entrance to the dog park is pictured above in this Oct. 25 photo and so is the fencing that was then under construction.

The city is about to have a “soft opening” for the new dog park at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge, and there could soon be a ribbon-cutting, an official said Tuesday.

Construction has been under way since this summer at the city’s first dog park, which is being built with help from a $100,000 donation from Radio Systems Corp. through Legacy Parks.

The park will include a “gorgeous entrance” and fenced-in fields for large and small dogs, and it will allow dogs to socialize and build community through resident interactions, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said during a “State of the City” presentation at Lunch with the League on Tuesday. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Big Turtle Park, dog park, Josh Collins, Legacy Parks, Mark Watson, Oak Ridge, PetSafe, Radio Systems Corp.

Dog park under construction at Big Turtle Park

Posted at 12:02 pm August 27, 2013
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Dog Park Construction

Construction continues at the dog park at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department)

Construction continues at Petsafe Dog Park located at Big Turtle Park on the west end of Oak Ridge.

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has posted pictures of the work. They show sign structures, sidewalks, and site improvements that are currently under way.

The dog park construction is being funded by a $100,000 donation from Radio Systems Corp. in Knoxville. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Government, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Big Turtle Park, dog park, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department, PetSafe Dog Park, Radio Systems Corp.

Parks Board has March 21 open house on dog park

Posted at 10:48 am March 15, 2013
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Dog Park Layout Draft

A draft layout of the proposed dog park at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge. (Submitted image)

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Advisory Board will have an open house on Thursday, March 21, to discuss the city’s first dog park, including a concept plan and proposed rules.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the Oak Ridge Civic Center Social Room.

Radio Systems Corp. has agreed to give the city $100,000 through Legacy Parks to help build the dog park, which could be at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Government, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Big Turtle Park, dog park, Oak Ridge Civic Center, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department, Parks Board, Radio Systems Corp.

Open house scheduled for planned dog park

Posted at 12:31 pm March 4, 2013
By John Huotari 3 Comments

Oak Ridge Dog Park Layout Draft

A recent draft of a proposed dog park at Big Turtle Park. (Image submitted by city staff)

The Oak Ridge Dog Park Committee and Recreation and Parks Advisory Board have scheduled an open house this month to share information on the progress of the dog park, as well as give the public an opportunity to comment or share concerns.

The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21, in the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

“Please plan to attend this meeting,” a press release said. “We will soon have an opportunity to have a safe place for our dogs to exercise.”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Government, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Big Turtle Park, dog park, Dog Park Committee, Josh Collins, Oak Ridge Civic Center, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, Radio Systems Corp.

Radio Systems Corp. donates $100,000 to help build Oak Ridge dog park

Posted at 3:31 pm February 8, 2013
By John Huotari 9 Comments

Oak Ridge Dog Park Layout Draft

Oak Ridge Dog Park Layout Draft (Image submitted by city staff)

Radio Systems Corp. has agreed to give Oak Ridge $100,000 through Legacy Parks to help build a dog park, a Friday afternoon press release said.

“At Radio Systems, we are always looking for ways we can give back to our community,” said Randy Boyd, founder and chief executive officer of Radio Systems Corp., maker of the PetSafe Brand. “We’ve seen the incredibly positive impact dog parks have made on communities, and we are excited to continue this effort in East Tennessee. We know Oak Ridgers and their dogs will enjoy a PetSafe dog park.”

The press release said PetSafe will partner with Oak Ridge to build the dog park within Big Turtle Park on the west end of the city.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Government, Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Big Turtle Park, dog park, Josh Collins, Legacy Parks, Mark Watson, Oak Ridge Dog Park Committee, PetSafe, Radio Systems Corp., Randy Boyd

Oak Ridge recycles Christmas trees in January

Posted at 7:46 pm December 28, 2012
By John Huotari 3 Comments

Oak Ridge is sponsoring a Christmas tree recycling event on Saturday, Jan. 5, and Saturday, Jan. 12.

Trees can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the parking lot at Big Turtle Park off Monterey Road.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Big Turtle Park, Christmas trees, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department

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Classifieds

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

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