Oak Ridge Today

Strong winds knock down about two dozen trees near Norris

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Norris-Trees-3-Feb-25-2016

Strong winds knocked down a few dozen trees in a small area south of Norris Dam on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

NORRIS—Strong winds knocked down a few dozen trees in a small area south of Norris Dam during the storms on Wednesday.

Meteorologist Glenn Carrin of the National Weather Service in Morristown said the vast majority of trees were down in the forecast area due to strong winds on a windy day. There was a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms, he said, and very tight pressure gradients with winds of 25 to 30 mph, and gusts over 40 mph.

The strong southwest winds could be stronger at higher elevations, Carrin said. [Read more…]

Swift rescue by nephew saves life of Clinch River fisherman

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TWRA logo for news release

Note: This story was last updated at 8:50 p.m.

NORRIS—A fisherman who fell overboard on the Clinch River below Norris Dam on Sunday afternoon has his nephew to thank for quick action that undoubtedly saved his life, officials said.

Cecil Branscom, 70, of Dublin, Virginia, and his nephew Scott Branscom, 48, of Knoxville, launched their boat at Peach Orchard Access Area on the Clinch River on Sunday afternoon and headed upstream toward Norris Dam. When they reached the weir dam at around 2 p.m., they prepared to begin fishing when the boat’s engine hit a rock in the water, sending Cecil overboard from the front of the vessel into 48-degree water.

Scott Branscom managed to get his uncle back into the boat. Cecil Branscom was wearing several layers of clothing that was saturated from the frigid water, and he was not wearing a life jacket, the press release said. [Read more…]

ACSD enhances security after Chattanooga shooting

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Anderson County Sheriff Patch

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department sent deputies to provide security at the National Guard Armory in Clinton and to the area around the Tennessee Valley Authority facilities at Norris Dam and Bull Run Fossil Plant in Claxton after officials learned of the fatal shootings at military centers in Chattanooga on Thursday.

Additional deputies were also sent to the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton and to county government buildings, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said.

He said the Tennessee Highway Patrol notified the ACSD on Thursday morning, July 16, about the unfolding events in Chattanooga.

“We informed all of our local police departments of this information,” Lucas said. “Our dispatch was also in contact with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville.” [Read more…]

Midnight Hike at Norris Dam on New Year’s, Norris Dam 12K on Jan. 17

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Norris Dam State Park

Norris Dam State Park

By Anderson County Tourism Council

New Year’s Midnight Hike at Norris Dam State Park—December 31

Never mind the New Year’s parties, start 2015 with us, on a hike along the Andrews Ridge Trail system.

Bring a flashlight or headlamp as it might just be dark! Hike starts at 12 a.m.

For more information, call (865) 426-7461. [Read more…]

State selling award-winning ‘green’ house in Norris

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New Norris House

The state of Tennessee is selling the award-winning “green” New Norris House in Norris. (Photo courtesy University of Tennessee)

KNOXVILLE—The state of Tennessee is selling one of the greenest homes in the state—the New Norris House.

Sealed bids will be taken through 1:30 p.m. (CST) on May 5. An open house will be held April 12, 2-4 p.m., at 143 Oak Road in Norris.

The New Norris House was completed in 2011 after a student-led team at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville worked for three years to bring the concept, first conceived in a classroom, to a modern and appealing home.

The house is a technologically advanced reinterpretation of the historic homes first built by the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1933 as part of the Norris Dam project. It has become a nationally recognized model for efficient and sustainable living. [Read more…]

Norris Dam, Museum of Appalachia among Top 10 on USA Today’s I-75 Guide

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Norris Dam

A USA Today travel guide recommends the view from the west entrance overlook at Norris Dam, a cliffside perch off the left side of this picture. (Photo courtesy TVA)

Norris Dam and the Museum of Appalachia were among the Top 10 attractions published by USA Today in an I-75 guide to the best stops between Detroit and Atlanta.

Reporter Ellen Creager of the Detroit Free Press drove 890 miles between Detroit and Atlanta during a four-day period and stopped at 32 places suggested by readers. The stops had to be within 2.5 miles of the freeway, which eliminated some potential places to visit such as Chattanooga. [Read more…]

State approves $1.4 million worth of renovations at Norris Dam park

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Norris Dam State Park

Norris Dam State Park (Image courtesy Tennessee State Parks)

Tennessee officials have approved new renovation plans valued at $1.4 million at Norris Dam State Park in Anderson County, two state legislators said Friday.

The State Building Commission has approved the restoration of the Tea Room, the Linen House, and 19 cabins built in the 1930s, said representatives John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican, and Dennis Powers, a Jacksboro Republican. [Read more…]

Man drowns in Clinch River near Norris Dam

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An elderly man drowned in the Clinch River Friday afternoon after his fishing boat capsized and he fell into the frigid water about a half-mile downstream of the Norris Dam, Anderson County Rescue Squad Chief Terry Allen said.

The victim’s name is being withheld pending family notification, Allen said.

The man’s body was found in the River Road boat launch area, about a half-mile downstream from where he was first reported in the water near a weir dam, Allen said.

[Read more…]