Oak Ridge Today

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

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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…]

Photos: History talk at Freels Bend Cabin, city’s oldest structure

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Aaron Astor, an associate history professor at Maryville College, discussed life along the Clinch River in Anderson and Roane counties before Oak Ridge was built in a special meeting at the historic Freels Bend Cabin on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 during a meeting of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association. The Freels Bend Cabin was built in 1844, and it is the oldest structure in Oak Ridge. It’s on the National Historic Register. (Photo by D. Ray Smith)

 

Aaron Astor, an associate history professor at Maryville College, discussed life along the Clinch River in Anderson and Roane counties before Oak Ridge was built in a special meeting at the historic Freels Bend Cabin on Thursday, October 13.

It was the monthly public and membership meeting of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association. Here are pictures by D. Ray Smith.

The Freels Bend Cabin was built in 1844, and it is the oldest structure in Oak Ridge. It’s on the National Historic Register. [Read more…]

Before Oak Ridge: Life along the Clinch River in Anderson, Roane counties

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historic-freels-band-cabin

Historic Freels Bend Cabin: A marvelous setting for the Oct. 13, 2016, public and membership meeting of Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, in partnership with UT-Battelle. The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. to be sure the program can be completed before dark. (Photo courtesy ORHPA)

 

Aaron Astor, an associate history professor at Maryville College, will discuss life along the Clinch River in Anderson and Roane counties before Oak Ridge was built in a special meeting at the historic Freels Bend Cabin on October 13.

It’s the monthly public and membership meeting of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, a press release said. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, October 13, at the Freels Bend Cabin.

“We will meet at the parking lot at the Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ South Campus at 5 p.m., and at 5:15 p.m., we will caravan to the Freels Bend Cabin,” the press release said.

Astor’s topic is “Before Oak Ridge: Life Along the Clinch River in Anderson and Roane Counties.” [Read more…]

Winter storm warning issued; 3 to 5 inches of snow possible

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Snowfall-Amounts-Friday-Saturday-Jan-21-2016

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

 

Note: This story was last updated at 3:54 p.m.

A winter storm warning has been issued for Anderson, Knox, Roane, and other counties starting Friday afternoon, and three to five inches of snow is possible in the area, forecasters said.

The winter storm warning goes into effect at 1 p.m. Friday and continues through 7 p.m. Saturday. It’s been upgraded from a winter weather advisory.

A strong winter storm is expected to affect the region starting late Thursday night (January 21) and continuing through early Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

The winter storm warning also applies to Loudon, northwest Blount, and north Sevier counties, among other counties, and it includes the cities of Clinton, Kingston, Oak Ridge, Knoxville, Lenoir City, Maryville, and Sevierville. (See the winter storm warning here.) [Read more…]

Wicks appointed Criminal Court judge in 9th District, which includes Roane

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Jeffery-Wicks

Jeffery H. Wicks

NASHVILLE—Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam on Thursday appointed Jeffery H. Wicks of Rockwood as Criminal Court judge for the Ninth Judicial District, replacing Judge E. Eugene Eblen, who is retiring effective December 31.

The Ninth Judicial District serves Loudon, Meigs, Morgan, and Roane counties.

Wicks, 52, has served as General Sessions Court judge in Roane County since 2006. He was an attorney in Kingston from 2003 to 2006, operating a law practice that included criminal, civil domestic, juvenile, and probate matters, a press release said.

“We are fortunate to have a public servant with such a depth of experience as Judge Wicks to fill this role,” Haslam said. “He will serve the Ninth Judicial District well in this capacity.” [Read more…]

Three apply for 9th Judicial District Criminal Court opening; district includes Roane

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NASHVILLE—The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments will consider three applicants when it meets September 25 in Harriman to select nominees for the impending criminal court vacancy in the 9th Judicial District, which serves Loudon, Meigs, Morgan, and Roane counties.

The impending vacancy has been created by the announcement by Judge E. Eugene Eblen that he is retiring effective December 31, 2015.

The applicants are:

  • Walter B. Johnson II, of Lenoir City,
  • Porsche Lyn Shantz of Lenoir City, and
  • Jeffery H. Wicks of Rockwood.

[Read more…]

ETTP emergency exercise to be held Tuesday, June 16

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An emergency exercise will be conducted at the East Tennessee Technology Park in west Oak Ridge beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16.

The emergency exercise is being conducted by URS-CH2M Oak Ridge, LLC, or UCOR.

The exercise, which should conclude no later than 1 p.m., is being conducted in coordination with the U.S. Department of Energy and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, a press release said. It will involve participants from multiple state agencies; the city of Oak Ridge; and Anderson, Knox, Loudon, and Roane counties. [Read more…]

Tuesday closings: Anderson, Roane, Clinton schools; Oak Ridge open

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Note: This story was last updated at 8:14 a.m. Feb. 24.

Schools in Clinton and Anderson, Roane, Morgan, Campbell, Scott, and Union counties are among those closed again Tuesday because of the weather.

Anderson County Schools said schools will be closed due to icy conditions on many of the county’s back roads. The Central Office will follow the inclement weather procedure, and principals should report to their schools.

Oak Ridge Schools said they plan to be open. Update: Oak Ridge Schools are also closed Tuesday. Please see newer story here.

“At this point, school will start on time tomorrow, but weather will be monitored during the night,” Oak Ridge education officials said. “We will alert you if there are changes.” [Read more…]

Breakfast with Legislators kicks off Monday

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Randy McNally

Randy McNally

John Ragan

John Ragan

This year’s Breakfast with the Legislators kicks off Monday.

Breakfast with the Legislators is a monthly morning meeting with state legislators from Oak Ridge and Anderson and Roane counties. It’s held the first few months each year while the Tennessee General Assembly is in session in Nashville.

It includes brief updates of the legislative session from local legislators and a question-and-answer session with those who attend. It’s open to the public. [Read more…]

Apply for literacy grants from Altrusa, Breakfast Rotary by Dec. 31

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There is a December 31 deadline for grant applications for work that will improve literacy in Oak Ridge and Anderson and Roane counties.

The application deadline was announced this week by Altrusa International of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club. Applications and award criteria may be found on the Altrusa International website at www.oakridge.altrusa.org/What-We-Do/Literacy.aspx or the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club website at www.orbrc.org.

“Lack of literacy skills continues to be a serious problem in the lives of many of our East Tennessee neighbors and for many throughout the world,” a press release said. “Non-readers and below-grade readers cannot realize their full potential in life, which in turn adversely affects our local and national economies and society in general.” [Read more…]

Free Medical Clinic needs volunteer nurses

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Free Medical Clinic

The Free Medical Clinic in Oak Ridge needs nurses and is offering active and retired nurses a great opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering. FMC provides high quality primary health care to low-income, uninsured people in Anderson, Morgan, and Roane counties. Various shifts are available.

“Nursing at FMC is a true joy,” said Monica Musrock, director of nurses. “The art of nursing is practiced in a warm and supportive environment. We take the time to provide excellent care for our patients who would otherwise go without. Four hours is all it takes to directly impact the health care crisis in our community. Your skill and compassion can make a difference. And we have fun to boot! You never know who you might find here. Many old friendships have been rekindled here at FMC.”

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the clinic,” said FMC Executive Director Teresa Brittain. “The use of volunteer physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals allow us to keep costs low while providing free care. Many of our patients are facing unimaginable hardships, but they’re the lucky ones, the ones who have been able to get care. But the demand is getting higher. We simply need more nurses.” [Read more…]

ET hospitals, health departments sponsor community forum on Ebola

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Ebola Virus

A colorized transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealing some of the ultrastructural morphology displayed by an Ebola virus virion.
(Photo credit: Frederick A. Murphy/Public Health Image Library (PHIL))

All the hospital systems and facilities in the Knoxville area have joined with the Knox County Health Department to sponsor an unprecedented community forum to educate the public about Ebola and address any questions and concerns about the disease, a press release said.

The East Tennessee Health Forum on Ebola is open to the public and will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 21, in the auditorium on the lower level of the Knoxville Convention Center. Parking will be available in the Poplar Street parking lot across Cumberland Avenue from the center and free in city garages, including nearby Locust Street Garage.

Medical experts from the Knox County Health Department, Blount Memorial Hospital, Covenant Health, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, TeamHealth, Tennova Health System, and the University of Tennessee Medical Center will discuss the disease, its treatment, and the measures being taken to protect the public. [Read more…]