Oak Ridge Today

Two fires reported early Friday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Fire Department firefighters responded to two structure fires early Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, including one at around 4:29 a.m. on Newport Drive. (Photo from City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge Fire Department firefighters responded to two structure fires early Friday. No one was injured in either fire.

The first fire was reported at 12:42 a.m. Friday at 109 Houston Avenue. When they arrived, Oak Ridge firefighters found a detached garage that was on fire, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

The second fire was reported about three hours later, at around 4:29 a.m. It was a structure fire at 129 Newport Drive.

“Firefighters got the fire under control and are remaining on scene this morning extinguishing hot spots,” the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release Friday.

[Read more…]

Outdoor Pool to close for season Aug. 12

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool is pictured above on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Indoor Pool to re-open Monday

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool will closed for the season on Monday, August 12, and the Indoor Pool will re-open Monday, July 29, after being closed for a few months for renovations.

The last day the Outdoor Pool will be open is Sunday, August 11, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for open swim, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

The Puppy Pool Party, marking the official end of the season, is set for Saturday, August 17, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

[Read more…]

Blount County man dies in single-vehicle crash in Oak Ridge

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

A Blount County man died Thursday night in a single-vehicle crash in Oak Ridge.

William F. Alldis, 34, of Louisville, Tennessee, was pronounced dead at the crash site, the City of Oak Ridge said in a news release.

Oak Ridge Police Department officers responded to the 200-block area of Lafayette Drive after a call about an erratic driver at 8:51 p.m., and a crash was reported minutes later at 8:53 p.m., the release said.

When they arrived at 8:55 p.m., officers began life-saving measures until they were relieved by Oak Ridge Fire Department firefighters and Anderson County Emergency Medical Services medics. However, these life-saving measures were not successful, the release said.

[Read more…]

Learn about Oak Ridge history during World War II

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy Manhattan Project National Historical Park

You can learn more about the history of Oak Ridge during World War II during a free national park walk through Jackson Square on Thursday, July 18.

The walk is offered by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, which includes Oak Ridge.

The program is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. July 18, at the fountain in the main parking lot in Jackson Square.

[Read more…]

Manhattan Project Park: Walk through Wheat

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy National Park Service

You can walk through Wheat with a National Park Service ranger on Saturday, July 13, and learn more about the history of this community before the Manhattan Project.

Wheat was in an area that is now west Oak Ridge, and it was one of the communities displaced by the Manhattan Project, a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic bombs during World War II.

The free July 13 walk is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge announces Independence Day concert, fireworks

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge

The City of Oak Ridge is sponsoring its annual fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. The display will be held in Alvin K. Bissell Park on July 4, and it is scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform prior to the fireworks, a press release said. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating. A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department, the press release said. Please sit only in the designated areas. The walking trail and most of A.K. Bissell Park will be closed for safety reasons during the fireworks show and set up.

[Read more…]

Lavender Festival is Saturday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Lavender Festival is pictured above in Jackson Square on Saturday, June 16, 2018. (File photo by Julio Culiat)

The annual Lavender Festival is Saturday in Jackson Square.

It’s the 24th festival and presented by the City of Oak Ridge. It’s scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the city’s historic center.

“Lavender Festival celebrates good health, local creativity, the environment, and of course, all things lavender!” a press release said. “The highlight of the festival are 150 juried artisan and food vendors, with handmade and locally grown items, everything from pottery and woodworking, iron work, handmade baskets, and more.”

Some of the new artisan vendors this year include Aviary Broom Co., Butter from the Block, Millborne Bakery, Marigold & Marie, and Rising Star Leather. New food vendors include Groovy Grub, Knox Bun, Frog Juice, and Barriga Llena.

[Read more…]

Deputy city manager announced

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Tom Pessemier (Submitted photo)

Oak Ridge City Manager Randy Hemann has selected Tom Pessemier as his next deputy city manager.

Pessemier is scheduled to begin Monday, May 6.

He has 16 years of municipal government and finance experience, serving in various roles including city manager, assistant city manager, public works director, community development director, and city engineer, a press release said.

He most recently served three years as city manager and public works director in Independence, Oregon. Before that, he was assistant city manager of Sherwood, Oregon, for six years, the press release said.

[Read more…]

City’s household trash pickup starts Monday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The citywide household trash pickup program will begin Monday, April 1. Household trash, old appliances, and minor remodeling materials will be picked up, a press release said.

The city said its collections will follow the published schedule as closely as possible.

“Residents have always been very cooperative, and we ask for their continued cooperation this year by following a few guidelines,” the press release said.

[Read more…]

City manager to present State of City on Tuesday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Randy Hemann (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge City Manager Randy Hemann is scheduled to present the State of the City of Oak Ridge during a lunchtime meeting on Tuesday.

Hemann has been city manager since November 1, 2023.

His Tuesday presentation is to the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge. It is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The presentation will begin at noon, and it has been organized by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge. You don’t have to be a League member to attend.

“All are welcome to bring their lunch or purchase a boxed lunch for a nominal fee,” a press release said. “Coffee and tea will be served.”

[Read more…]

City’s egg hunt is March 23

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

A previous community egg hunt is pictured above in Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge. (File photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The annual Community Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, March 23.

The egg hunt is scheduled to start at 11 a.m., and it has been organized by the City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department.

The free egg hunt will be a traditional-style Egg Hunt held at Alvin K. Bissell Park, a press release said. Parking will be available at both the east and west parking lots at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

[Read more…]

Turkey hunts in April to affect some greenways

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Turkey hunts in Oak Ridge in April will affect some greenways.

The spring turkey quota hunts in the Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area are being held by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency with help from the U.S. Department of Energy, City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee Valley Authority, and University of Tennessee. Hunters must have the appropriate TWRA hunt license and a valid quota hunt permit issued by TWRA.

“Designated hunting areas are closed to the public during scouting and hunting periods,” a press release said.

[Read more…]