Oak Ridge Today

Interior Department protects 75,000 acres from surface mining, including in Anderson County

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U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell

U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell

 

A federal decision announced Wednesday designates about 75,000 acres of mountain ridge lines, including in Anderson County, as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations, a press release said.

The decision, which affects mountains in East Tennessee, was announced by Interior Secretary Sally Jewell.

“Today’s action helps protect a spectacular area of eastern Tennessee that is critical to the region’s tourism and outdoor recreation economy, provides valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and supports a healthy watershed,” the press release said.

The release said the Interior Department designated the mountain ridge lines as unsuitable for surface coal mining at the request of the State of Tennessee. Besides Anderson County, the other affected counties include Campbell, Scott, and Morgan. [Read more…]

Weather Service: Few inches of rain possible next week

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wetting-rains-possible-next-week-nov-26-2016

Image by National Weather Service in Morristown

 

A few inches of rain are possible starting Monday in areas hardest hit by the drought, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

That would be a reversal of a months-long trend as a drought persists in the Southeast. The Knoxville area hasn’t had more than one inch of rain in more than four months, or 142 days, the National Weather Service said. The last time Knoxville had more than one inch of rain was July 5.

The Weather Service said a slow-moving upper-level storm system will start affecting the region during the early to middle part of next week.

“Good chances for some beneficial rains will exist late Monday through Wednesday evening,” forecasters said. [Read more…]

Air quality forecast for Wednesday: Unhealthy

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air-quality-forecast-nov-16-2016

The air quality forecast on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, is unhealthy for East Tennessee, including the Knoxville area, as forest fires continue to burn in the Southeast, including in East Tennessee. Yellow is moderate, orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups, and red is unhealthy. (Image courtesy AirNow.gov)

 

The air quality forecast on Wednesday is unhealthy for East Tennessee, including the Knoxville area, as forest fires continue to burn in the Southeast, including in East Tennessee.

The air quality conditions in the Knoxville area at about noon Wednesday were moderate, according to AirNow.gov.

The National Weather Service in Morristown said the unhealthy air quality conditions will continue across must of the area into today. People with lung disease such as asthma and children and older adults should avoid prolonged outdoor exposure to the smoke, the Weather Service said.

“Everyone should limit prolonged outdoor exertion,” the NWS said. [Read more…]

Governor issues regional burn ban, including Anderson, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane

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neddy-mountain-fire-cocke-county-nov-13-2016

A Chinook helicopter drops water near a home to protect it from an advancing wildfire on Neddy Mountain in Cocke County on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. (Photo by Tennessee Division of Forestry)

 

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam on Monday issued a proclamation declaring a regional ban on burning in 51 counties in response to the ongoing drought and destructive wildfires throughout Middle and East Tennessee.

All eastern Tennessee counties are now under the burn ban. The counties include Anderson, Campbell, Loudon, Knox, Morgan, Roane, Scott, and Union.

Effective immediately, residents in counties covered by the regional ban are not permitted to conduct any open-air burning, a press release said. The ban includes campfires, and burning of brush, vegetation, household waste, or construction debris. The ban will remain in effect until December 15. The counties under the ban are listed below.

On Monday, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry was fighting 67 wildfires across nearly 16,000 acres in the Cumberland and East Tennessee districts.

One of the largest active fires in the area was a 2,432-acre fire on White Oak Circle in Morgan County. That fire was caused by arson, according to the Division of Forestry. That fire appears to be northwest of Harriman and Oakdale. [Read more…]

Football: Oak Ridge remains at No. 2 in Class 5A; Farragut moves up to No. 5

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Associated Press high school football polls for this week were released on Monday, and once again, East Tennessee is well-represented across the board.

In Class 6A, Maryville remains number one with Bradley Central representing East Tennessee as well at number four.

The Class 5A polls is dominated either by teams from our coverage area or those teams they could face in the postseason. Oak Ridge remains at number two, while Farragut moved up to number five after their win at Campbell County last week. Rhea County slipped to number six, McMinn County—which hosts Oak Ridge Friday—is number seven, with Campbell County falling three spots to number eight and Knox West hanging in the top 10 at number 10.

See the rest of the story on WYSH Radio for more information.

WYSH Radio in Clinton is an Oak Ridge Today news partner.

Black bears out in summer in East Tennessee, TWRA offers tips

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Black Bear at Anderson County High School on Oct. 6, 2015

No one was injured, and a black bear was chased away with rubber bullets and beanbag rounds after it spent three hours at Anderson County High School, mostly eating acorns, on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

It’s not unusual to see black bears in East Tennessee in the summer, including in Oak Ridge, Anderson County, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Here is information and tips about black bears from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Summertime brings about a plethora of outdoor activities including cookouts, camping, and fun on the water. It also brings out the black bears.

Reports of bear sightings are circulating around East Tennessee, which comes at no surprise considering this is bear country. Increased activity is also expected this time of year as bears continue their quest to replenish their energy and fatten back up from a long, lean winter.

Last fall, hard mast production was sparse and in particular, the acorn crop was very spotty. Black bears depend heavily on acorns as a food source to pack on those extra pounds before entering their winter dens.  Many bears went into their dens malnourished and some were so lean that they didn’t den at all. For example, Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend took in numerous cubs that were about 10 months of age that weighed a mere six and seven pounds.

Many bears emerged from their winter dens much leaner than in normal years and have been anxiously waiting the ripening of the summer berries. Fortunately, black berries, raspberries, dewberries, and mulberries are coming into season, and bears are reaping the bounties. Bears will also enjoy blueberries and huckleberries as the summer progresses followed by wild grapes, cherries, and other fruits that will hopefully carry them over until the hard mast matures this fall. [Read more…]

St. Brendan’s Orthodox Celtic Festival is Saturday in Oak Ridge

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St. Brendan Celtic Festival

You can celebrate Celtic orthodoxy, Celtic heritage, and the Celtic roots of East Tennessee on Saturday, May 14, in Oak Ridge.

The Celtic heritage of East Tennessee and Appalachia runs deep, sharing so much in common—from food to language, music, and dance, and the sense of the sacred, a press release said. The peoples of the British Isles were Orthodox Christians for more than a thousand years, producing many of the world’s most-loved saints, and a spiritual heritage second to none.

The St. Brendan’s Orthodox Celtic Festival at St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge on Saturday is a celebration of Celtic and Appalachian culture and folkways, of our common spiritual heritage of Orthodox Christianity, and of great music, food, and dance, the press release said.

Food

  • Irish fare from St. Andrews Square
  • Big O’s BBQ
  • Ice cream from Razzleberry’s

Music and Dance

  • 11-12—Oak Ridge Folk Dancers
  • 12-1—Myrrh-bearers Dancers
  • 1-2:30—Rowena Irish Dance School
  • 3-4:00—Red-Haired Mary
  • 4-5—Shamrock Road

[Read more…]

CNS provides $180,000 in grants to 30 nonprofits

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CNS Y-12 Fierley and Boys & Girls Clubs Likens and Pettyjohn

Mike Fierley (center), CNS employee committee chair, poses with Ann Likens (left) and Jennifer Pettyjohn of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Clinch Valley at the recent grant recipient celebration.

 

Expanding the availability of school supplies for children in distressed areas. Providing door-to-door transportation to senior citizens who can’t get to medical providers. Pairing at-risk children with horses rescued from abuse. These are just a few examples of the outstanding work going on in East Tennessee and supported by the Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC Y-12 Community Investment Fund.

The employee-directed fund provided grants totaling $180,000 to 30 nonprofit organizations in 10 East Tennessee counties. The fund is administered by the East Tennessee Foundation, or ETF, which issued a call for grant proposals in December. More than 70 East Tennessee nonprofits responded. The winning agencies were honored at a reception on May 4 at New Hope Center in Oak Ridge.

CNS is the managing contractor at Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. CNS began its partnership with ETF last year, organizing the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Advisory Committee. The committee is comprised of Y-12 employees who reviewed applications and recommended grants to support nonprofit organizations with projects that addressed one or more of the committee’s four focus areas: education, senior citizens, veterans, and youth. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge history before the 1930s, Emery Trace to be discussed Monday

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David Hackett

David Hackett

Some of Oak Ridge’s history before the 1930s will be discussed at the AAUW Oak Ridge Branch’s general meeting on Monday, April 25, when David Hackett, ethno-historian, will talk about the Emery Trace, which ran through Oak Ridge in the 18th century and made connection with the more well-known Natchez Trace. He will talk about the road’s origins and role in shaping the nation as well as its potential for heritage tourism, a press release said.

A lunch catered by The Soup Kitchen will be provided at the meeting at 11:30 a.m. at a cost of $8. Soup and sandwiches and cookies will be available. Reservations may be made by calling Marjorie Congdon at (865) 483-3120 or Mary Uziel at (865) 483-1043.

Anyone attending is asked to make a reservation to ensure enough seating at the meeting. It is not necessary to purchase lunch to attend, and people are welcome to bring sack lunches. [Read more…]

ORHS Orchestra shines in New York City

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The Oak Ridge High School Orchestra is pictured above at Ellis Island in New York City on March 14, 2016. (Photo by ORHS Orchestra via Twitter)

 

Submitted

Oak Ridge High School Orchestra is in the mist of a record-setting year. During the past month, 28 ORHS Orchestra students earned All-East Tennessee Orchestra honors, and 13 earned All-State Tennessee Orchestra recognition. Both of the previously mentioned accomplishments were the most of any orchestra program in East Tennessee.

Also, the orchestra performed in the East Tennessee Band and Orchestra Concert Festival this month and earned all superior ratings in every category and sub-category for all four judges at the event. This was the first time in ORHS Orchestra’s history to achieve this feat.

This past weekend, the orchestra traveled to Washington, D.C., and New York City to compete in a national orchestra competition with schools from Tennessee, Georgia, Missouri, California, Texas, and Arizona. ORHS Orchestra stole the show with 11 total awards including: [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools on two-hour delay Monday

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Oak Ridge Schools will be on a two-hour delay on Monday, February 15, officials said.

Snow and treacherous roads were reported in parts of East Tennessee on Sunday. Oak Ridge had a light dusting of snow, but there are reports of a potential for ice in East Tennessee on Monday morning.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Copyright 2016 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Video: Savanna Schubert talks to disc golfers in Oak Ridge

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Disc golf isn’t a sport you hear of often in the hills of East Tennessee. In Oak Ridge, we were able to catch up with some avid disc golfers who are happy to see the game growing.

Here is a video by Savanna Schubert. See the story here.

Savanna Schubert is a freelance contributor to Oak Ridge Today.

Copyright 2016 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.