Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge peace group has vigil today despite plans for fence at Y-12

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The government’s decision to erect a new fence in front of the Y-12 National Security Complex could affect plans for an annual spring demonstration next Saturday, but the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance announced it will have its weekly Sunday vigil today.

The group said the decision by the National Nuclear Security Administration to close off the area immediately outside the Y-12 gates at the intersection of East Bear Creek and Scarboro Roads is “aimed at preventing demonstrations and peace vigils by the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance and others.” [Read more…]

ORPD hosts mid-April seminar on preventing tragedy

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James T. Akagi

James T. Akagi

The Oak Ridge Police Department will host a mid-April seminar on preventing tragedies. The seminar is scheduled four months after the December massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

“The recent tragedy in Newtown, Conn., has stimulated a broad nationwide discussion aimed at preventing future such events,” a city press release said. “This seminar is designed to make citizens aware of possible warning signs of violent behavior and a plan for how to alert the proper agency. Topics of discussion will be mental and emotional health, precautions, and solutions.”

The release said residents, employers, and employees are encouraged to attend. The seminar is titled “Preventing Tragedy: A Community United.” It’s scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 15, at New Hope Center at the Y-12 National Security Complex. [Read more…]

Y-12 to install new fence to reduce trespassing

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OREPA Protest at Y-12 National Security Complex

A new fence at the Y-12 National Security Complex would enclose this field near the entrance at Bear Creek and Scarboro roads, and the nonprofit organization that organizes demonstrations and vigils here plans to challenge the fence.

After three trespassing incidents involving five people in the past year, the National Nuclear Security Administration announced plans on Thursday to extend the boundary fence at the Y-12 National Security Complex along Scarboro Road.

The new fence will be relatively close to the road, an NNSA spokesman said. A field traditionally used for protests near the Y-12 sign at the entrance on Bear Creek Road would be behind the fence. The new fence would run along Scarboro Road from Bear Creek Road to New Hope Road, and it would also enclose New Hope Center, which is often used for public events.

The new fence, which would run along the U.S. government property line, is expected to be in place by April 4, the NNSA said.

“Events of the past several months have shown that there is a greater threat of trespassing on the site, and the costs for responding to this threat are increasing,” the NNSA said in a Thursday afternoon press release. “Y-12 is taking conservative and appropriate measures to make such illegal actions more difficult.” [Read more…]

Teachers admitted free to Thursday lecture on World War II bombing decision

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Clifton Truman Daniel

Clifton Truman Daniel

The Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association is hosting journalist Clifton Truman Daniel, oldest grandson of former U.S. President Harry S. Truman, at a special speaking engagement at 7 p.m. Thursday at the New Hope Center.

Tickets to the lecture are $20, but the ORHPA is providing complimentary tickets to school teachers and their families, a press release said. [Read more…]

President Truman’s grandson to discuss decision to bomb Japan in World War II

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Clifton Truman Daniel

Clifton Truman Daniel

In a speech later this month, the oldest grandson of former president Harry S. Truman will discuss his grandfather’s decision to use the world’s first atomic weapons at the end of World War II, a momentous decision that depended, at least in part, on work done in Oak Ridge.

Clifton Truman Daniel will also share insights about his grandfather’s life after Truman left the White House, and Daniel will discuss a family trip to Japan in 2012 for the 67th anniversary of the World War II bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.

Daniel will be in Oak Ridge on Thursday, March 28. His speech is hosted by the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association. It’s open to the public, and tickets are $20.

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Sport 4 Peace co-founder to address Girls Inc. Committee of 100

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Sarah Hillyer in Baghdad

Sarah Hillyer in Baghdad, Iraq (Submitted photo)

Sarah Hillyer, co-founder of Sport 4 Peace, will be the guest speaker at the Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge annual Committee of 100 luncheon on Feb. 15 at New Hope Center, 602 Scarboro Road, Oak Ridge.

The annual luncheon honors a select group of women who each contribute $100 or more to help address the growth and development of girls through programs offered at Girls Inc. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15. Girls Inc. invites women of the community to join the committee. To become a member of the Committee of 100 and attend the luncheon, contact Carol Mullane, executive director of Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge, at  (865) 482-4475.

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Department of Labor has meetings Wednesday for nuclear weapons workers

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The U.S. Department of Labor will host three town hall meetings on Wednesday in Oak Ridge to provide information about the medical benefits provided under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to employees who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. At the meetings, specific information will be discussed concerning home health care services, the Privacy Act, and how to better serve EEOICPA claimants.

The meetings are scheduled for 9:30 a.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. Wednesday.

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Clinch Valley Science Fair to be held at New Hope Center

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The Fourth Annual Clinch Valley Science Fair, organized by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge Sunset and sponsored by B&W Y-12 and several other businesses, will be held at Y-12’s New Hope Center on Feb. 23 and 24.

Students in third, fourth, and fifth grades in public, private, and home schools in Oak Ridge, Anderson County, and Roane County may participate.

Cash prizes of $100, $75 and $50 will be awarded to the top three winners in each grade in each of three categories: life, earth and physical sciences. Teachers of winning students will receive School Box gift certificates in the same denominations.

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Small business conference on how to benefit from $6.5 billion UPF

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A conference at the end of February will give small businesses a chance to learn how to benefit from the planned $6.5 billion Uranium Processing Facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The 2013 Construction Opportunities Conference is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the New Hope Center at Y-12. It’s offered by the Tennessee Small Business Development Center and partners.

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Entries accepted Friday, Saturday for amateur photo display at Y-12

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Camera Club of Oak Ridge at New Hope Center

Gallery at New Hope Center (Photo by Alice Reed)

Amateur photographers can have their artwork displayed starting Monday at the New Hope Center at Y-12 National Security Complex.

The Camera Club of Oak Ridge has invited photographers from across East Tennessee to bring their artwork to New Hope Center on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning for possible inclusion in the display.

Entries will be judged starting at 1 p.m. Saturday, the Camera Club of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

The release said prints can be in color or black and white. All prints should be mounted on 16”x20” foamcore board.

Entry forms and labels are required. They can be found on the Camera Club’s website at oakridgecameraclub.org, along with instructions and rules.

Photographers who want to enter their work should bring it to the New Hope Center between noon and 5 p.m. Friday or from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. New Hope Center is open to the public near the main entrance to Y-12 on Scarboro Road.

Photographers and the public can watch the Saturday afternoon judging, but they cannot comment or participate in any way, the release said.

The Camera Club will have a Gallery Walk and Meet the Artist reception at New Hope Center from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9.

For more information about submitting artwork or attending the exhibition, call the Salon Chairman at (865) 482–3296.

First Safety Fest starts Sept. 11 at New Hope Center

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The first Oak Ridge Safety Fest will be held Sept. 11-14 at the New Hope Center and other venues.

The purpose of Safety Fest is to offer free training to promote safety and good health at work and home, a press release said. It is sponsored by the Oak Ridge Business Safety Partnership.

At least 30 courses, all taught by experienced volunteer trainers, will be offered for free to anyone who registers at www.safetyfest-oakridge.org, the release said.

[Read more…]