Oak Ridge Today

Breakfast with Legislators on Monday

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League Women Voters Oak Ridge Logo

The Oak Ridge League of Women Voters will have this year’s first Breakfast with the Legislators on Monday, January 29. The meeting will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center, which is at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike. A free continental breakfast will be served.

Tennessee senators Randy McNally and Ken Yager and representatives John Ragan and Kent Calfee have been invited to speak about the legislative outlook for this session of the Tennessee General Assembly and respond to questions and hear opinions from the audience, a press release said. The public is invited to attend.

“The popular community event offers firsthand information on upcoming legislation and House and Senate committee activities, while prompting dialogue among legislators and citizens, and providing a great networking opportunity for members of the community,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Ray Smith selected to serve on Tennessee Historical Commission

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D. Ray Smith (Submitted photo)

D. Ray Smith (Submitted photo)

 

Ray Smith, historian for the City of Oak Ridge and the Y-12 National Security Complex, has been selected to serve on the Tennessee Historical Commission, a press release said.

It’s the first time an Oak Ridger has been selected to serve on the Tennessee Historical Commission, the press release said.

There are 20 members from across the state, and a balanced mix of members is maintained to best represent the entire state on the commission, the release said.

It said Oak Ridge contributes to the State of Tennessee in a number of significant ways, including economic development and heritage and science tourism. [Read more…]

General Assembly approves bill that would establish CROET as ETTP manager

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The East Tennessee Technology Park, now known as Heritage Center in west Oak Ridge, is pictured above in this aerial photo from 2015. The large building that extends from left to right at left-center is the former K-27 Building, where demolition work was completed in August 2016. (Photo courtesy CROET)

The East Tennessee Technology Park, now known as Heritage Center in west Oak Ridge, is pictured above in this aerial photo from 2015. The large building that extends from left to right at left-center is the former K-27 Building, where demolition work was completed in August 2016. (Photo courtesy CROET)

 

The Tennessee General Assembly has approved legislation that would establish the Community Reuse Organization of East Tennessee, or CROET, as the manager of the 1,300-acre East Tennessee Technology Park in west Oak Ridge, a press release said.

The legislation was sponsored by Tennessee Senator Ken Yager and Representative Kent Calfee, both Kingston Republicans. It has been sent to Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam for his signature.

East Tennessee Technology Park, or ETTP, is also known as Heritage Center and the former K-25 site. It once housed the K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Plant, which was built during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project. That was a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic weapons, before Germany could.

The ETTP site, once used to enrich uranium, is slowly being cleaned up. K-25 operations ended in 1985, and the site was permanently shut down in 1987. Now, it is being slowly converted into a large industrial park. Proponents hope it will become one of East Tennessee’s prime locations for new industry, the press release said.

CROET President Lawrence Young said the state legislation “is the latest step in efforts by the Department of Energy and CROET to reindustrialize the former K-25 site and help diversify the region’s economy.” [Read more…]

Breakfast with the Legislators is Monday

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McNally-Ragan-Calfee-at-Breakfast-with-Legislators-April-25-2016

The monthly Breakfast with the Legislators is Monday. It’s scheduled from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Monday, April 24, 2017, in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center. Pictured above from left during a Breakfast with the Legislators on Monday, April 25, 2016, are Sen. Randy McNally, Rep. John Ragan, and Rep. Kent Calfee. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The monthly Breakfast with the Legislators is Monday. It’s scheduled from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Monday, April 24, in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center, which is located at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Breakfast with the Legislators is organized by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge. A light continental breakfast is provided at no charge, and the public is encouraged to attend.

Tennessee senators Ken Yager and Randy McNally and representatives John Ragan and Kent Calfee have been invited to bring everyone up to date on what’s happening in the state legislature, the Tennessee General Assembly, the press release said. [Read more…]

Breakfast with Legislators is Monday

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McNally-Ragan-Calfee-at-Breakfast-with-Legislators-April-25-2016

The next Breakfast with the Legislators is at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on Monday, March 27, 2017. Pictured above in a breakfast in 2016 are Sen. Randy McNally (now lieutenant governor), Rep. John Ragan, and Rep. Kent Calfee. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The next Breakfast with the Legislators is Monday morning at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. The breakfast is scheduled from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Monday, March 27, in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The Civic Center is at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike. A light continental breakfast will be provided at no charge. The public is encouraged to attend, a press release said.

Senators Ken Yager and Randy McNally, who is now lieutenant governor, and representatives John Ragan and Kent Calfee have been invited to bring everyone up to date on what’s happening in the Tennessee General Assembly, the press release said. Members of the audience may ask questions and give opinions. [Read more…]

Breakfast with the Legislators is Monday

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McNally-Ragan-Calfee-at-Breakfast-with-Legislators-April-25-2016

Pictured above at a Breakfast with the Legislators on Monday, April 25, 2016, are, from left, Tennessee Sen. Randy McNally, Rep. John Ragan, and Rep. Kent Calfee. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Breakfast with the Legislators is Monday. It’s scheduled from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Monday, February 27, in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Civic Center, which is located at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Breakfast with the Legislators is organized by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge. A light continental breakfast is provided at no charge, and the public is encouraged to attend.

Senators Ken Yager and Randy McNally and representatives John Ragan and Kent Calfee have been invited to bring everyone up to date on what’s happening in the Tennessee Legislature, a press release said. Members of the audience may ask questions and give opinions. [Read more…]

UT-Battelle fulfills $250,000 pledge to Emory Valley Center campaign

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Emory Valley Center and UT-Battelle Check Jan 2017

On hand for UT-Battelle’s check presentation at the new facility construction site are, from left to right, Shirley Raines, Emory Valley Center board vice president; Dottie Thompson and Gene Caldwell, EVC capital co-chairs; Jennifer Enderson, EVC president; ORNL’s Jeff Smith and Leigha Humphries; Tennessee senators Ken Yager and Randy McNally; and Janet Wood, EVC vice president of community engagement. (Photo courtesy ORNL)

 

UT-Battelle, the managing contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, made the final installment of a $250,000 pledge by presenting a $50,000 check in late December to the Emory Valley Center, a community facility that serves people with disabilities, a press release said.

UT-Battelle made the pledge in 2011 when the Emory Valley Center, which provides services and support for adults and children with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities, began a building program to replace its aging structure. The center’s new building is now under construction.

ORNL Deputy Director for Operations Jeff Smith and Community Relations Manager Leigha Humphries presented the check to Jennifer Enderson, the center’s president. [Read more…]

Roane State to host special Welcome Back events for students

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Roane State Community College Greets Students

Roane State Community College President Chris Whaley greets students in the library on the main campus in Harriman. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Roane State Community College will offer a “sunny” welcome to both new and returning students with special celebrations to kick off the start of fall classes.

Under the theme “My Future’s So Bright,” students will be invited to participate in a variety of activities during the college’s annual Welcome Back celebrations. An event will be held on Roane State’s Roane County campus on Monday, August 22, from 10 a.m-2 p.m. in the courtyard. A celebration on the Oak Ridge campus will be held on Tuesday, August 23, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the atrium.

Students will be invited to write down their visions of their futures on a special banner and take a “future selfie” dressed in graduation attire or other gear associated with their future careers. A limited number of sunglasses will also be given away to attendees.

“We are excited to welcome students back to campus,” Roane State President Chris Whaley said. “A lot of exciting initiatives are happening at Tennessee’s community colleges with Tennessee Promise for high school students and Tennessee Reconnect for adults. The future is bright for Roane State students, and we want to show them how much we appreciate them and are committed to their success.” [Read more…]

Yager announces Senate re-election bid

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Ken Yager

Ken Yager

Information from WYSH Radio

Tennessee Senator Ken Yager, a Kingston Republican, recently announced his bid for re-election to the Tennessee Senate. Yager, unopposed in his reelection bid, is seeking his third term to the state Senate.

“It is an honor to serve,” Yager said. “I take my responsibility to serve very seriously and am guided by one—and only one—principle: Constituents come first.”

The 12th Senatorial District is one of the largest in the state geographically.

“I represent seven of the finest counties in East Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland region, and work hard to make sure each receives its fair of state funding and grants,” Yager said. “I have been proud to be able to announce millions of dollars in grants, road projects, and new funding which will improve the lives of all of our citizens.” [Read more…]

Learn what’s being done to address addiction, recovery at July 14 storytelling event

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Drug Addiction Recovery at Princess Theatre in July 14 2016

A community storytelling event on July 14 will share information on what’s being done to address addiction and recovery in East Tennessee. National Public Radio, which has been covering Roane County Recovery Court, will serve as the master of ceremonies, a press release said.

The storytelling event is titled “Roane is Better Together!” It’s scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at the Princess Theatre in Harriman.

It’s sponsored by Russell Johnson, district attorney general of the Ninth Judicial District, and Roane County Public Defender Kim Nelson, a press release said.

The press release said the Roane County Recovery Court launched in January, and NPR has shared several video and audio clips with its listening audience. [Read more…]

Area lawmakers announce $72,190 in arts grants in Anderson County

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Tennessee lawmakers announced this month that six arts grants worth a total of $73,010 have been awarded to five organizations in Anderson County.

The grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission include two awards with a combined total of $18,600 for the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge in the categories of Arts Education-Community Learning and Partnership Support.

Other grants include $23,110 to the Oak Ridge Community Playhouse in the category of Partnership Support, $16,900 to the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association in the category of Partnership Support, $11,620 to the Oak Ridge Community Art Center in the category of Partnership Support, and $2,780 to the Tennessee Mountain Writers in the category of Art Project Support. [Read more…]

Emory Valley Center breaks ground on new building

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EVC_Shovelers_grndbreak-15April16

Pictured above during a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, April 15, 2016, are Tennessee Representative John Ragan, Calvin with Emory Valley Center, Mike with EVC, state Senator Ken Yager, EVC Board President John Eschenberg, Gaye with EVC, EVC President Jennifer Enderson, state Senator Randy McNally, Capital Campaign Co-Chairs Dottie Thompson and Gene Caldwell, Michael with EVC, and EVC Board member Alan Icenhour. (Photo by Rob Welton)

 

Emory Valley Center held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new building on Friday, April 15. The ceremony included people that Emory Valley Center supports, EVC staff and board members, Capital Campaign co-chairs Dottie Thompson and Gene Caldwell, Tennessee Senator Randy McNally, Representative John Ragan, Senator Ken Yager, and representatives of Michael Brady Inc. and Hickory Construction Inc.

Emory Valley Center launched a Capital Campaign for a new building six years ago, when plans for probable demolition of the building the organization uses for some of its services to people with disabilities was discussed by the owners. Through the efforts of Thompson and Caldwell, business and individual donors, and grant awards for the project, the campaign is at a point where construction can begin.

“We are very excited to break ground on our new building and for construction to begin,” said EVC President Jennifer Enderson. “So many individual supporters, businesses, families, staff, and other community partners have worked very hard to make our new building a reality, and we are very grateful for their efforts and continuing support.” [Read more…]