Oak Ridge Today

Third Annual First Responders Appreciation Day is Saturday

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Flags are pictured above at the First Responders Appreciation Day in 2016. (Submitted photo)

Flags are pictured above at the First Responders Appreciation Day in 2016. (Submitted photo)

 

The First Responders Appreciation Committee of Oak Ridge will present the Third Annual First Responders Appreciation Day on Saturday, October 7, in the parking lot of Swifty’s Atomic Bar and Grill in Oak Ridge. The event begins at 2 p.m., a press release said.

“This year’s event will be much larger than last year!” the press release said. “We will have a waterslide for the kids, free food provided by Sysco Foods, and music. We’ll also have booths featuring DotDotSmile; Handmade Wreaths; Honey Pots; The Mystic Orb jewelry; National Martial Arts; Outta the Attic; Paparazzi Jewelry; Plum Crazy Boutique; and SET Guns and Range.

“Most importantly, we will be honoring all local area first responders to include law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical services personnel. We will read a roll call of the fallen police, firefighters, and EMS in 2017 and have a candlelight vigil to honor their memory.” [Read more…]

Broadband working group meets this evening

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Anderson County Property Assessor Johnny Alley, left; County Mayor Terry Frank, center; and Deputy Property Assessor Billy Brown look at some of the areas in the Andersonville area lacking broadband service. (Submitted photo)

Anderson County Property Assessor Johnny Alley, left; County Mayor Terry Frank, center; and Deputy Property Assessor Billy Brown look at some of the areas in the Andersonville area lacking broadband service. (Submitted photo)

 

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank is asking for interested Anderson County citizens to form a working group in advance of upcoming broadband opportunities made possible by newly passed legislation in Tennessee, a press release said.

Those who are interested can meet on Tuesday, July 11, at 6 p.m.in the conference room at the Anderson County Health Department, 710 North Main Street in Clinton.

Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee State Legislature passed the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act that provides $45 million over three years in grants and tax credits for service providers to assist in making broadband available to unserved homes and businesses, in addition to allowing nonprofit electric cooperatives to provide retail broadband service, the press release said.

Guidance has not yet been released on the grant application process, but in the press release, Frank said she hopes a working group assembled prior to the release of grant guidance could help Anderson County be ready and prepared once grants are released. Frank also hopes the working group will serve as a forum for new ideas regarding connectivity in areas of the county where access is already available. [Read more…]

Anderson County’s Memorial Day ceremony is Monday morning

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Anderson County Memorial Day at Courthouse

File photo from May 2015 by John Huotari

 

Anderson County’s Ninth Annual Memorial Day ceremony starts at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29.

The event will be held rain or shine, said Leon Jaquet, director of the Anderson County Veterans Service Office.

There will be speeches from Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, retired U.S. Army Major Jason Deel, and Clinton City Council member Zach Farrar, Jaquet said.

“The program will include a 21-gun salute and wreath laying at the Veterans Memorial at the Anderson County Courthouse to pay tribute to the men and women of the U.S. military who have given their lives to protect the freedoms we all enjoy every day,” Jaquet said. “The day itself is sacred, and veterans need no reminder of the reason for it. But what about the general public, and more importantly, the next generations? Everyone is invited to attend and show their support of our military past, present, and future. [Read more…]

Anderson County EMS has public information session this evening

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Anderson County EMS

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and Nathan Sweet, director of the county’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS), will host a public information session this evening to answer citizens’ questions about the service, how it is funded, challenges going forward, and meeting the needs and expectations of Anderson County citizens, a press release said.

The public session will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, in Room 312 at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

“Everyone is encouraged and welcome to attend,” the press release said.

Veterans Breakfasts have one-year anniversary on Saturday

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The next Veterans Breakfast is Saturday, and it’s the one-year anniversary of the monthly breakfasts for military veterans from Anderson County.

The Saturday breakfast, hosted by Anderson County residents, is sponsored this month by Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and Representative John Ragan, a press release said. The breakfast will be held this Saturday, May 13, at the Clinton Community Center. “Chow line” opens at 8:30 a.m., and there will be a brief program at 9 a.m.

“All of the Veterans Breakfasts will recognize and honor local veterans and their families for their service to the United States,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Jeep Jamboree at Windrock Park this weekend

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Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and coordinator Bob Yarbrough welcome nearly 250 participants and their 125 jeeps from 26 states to the Tennessee Mountains Jeep Jamboree on Thursday morning, April 27, 2017, at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy Terry Frank)

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and coordinator Bob Yarbrough welcome nearly 250 participants and their 125 jeeps from 26 states to the Tennessee Mountains Jeep Jamboree on Thursday morning, April 27, 2017, at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy Terry Frank)

 

There is a Jeep Jamboree at Windrock Park north of Oliver Springs this weekend, and close to 250 participants in 125 Jeeps from 26 states are reported to be attending.

The Tennessee Mountains Jeep Jamboree is an event inspired by local coordinator Bob Yarborough. Participants kicked off their three days of off-road trail adventures Thursday morning at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge with a hearty welcome, discussion of trail guides and ground rules, and a review of the schedule of events that includes an awards dinner, the Anderson County Mayor’s Office said.

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and Yarbrough welcomed the participants at AMSE on Thursday.

According to organizers, “the mountain vistas create a dynamic back drop for this scenic” jamboree, the Mayor’s Office said. Frank said she welcomed participants to Anderson County and encouraged them to have fun and enjoy the beauty of Anderson County and East Tennessee.

Anderson County Animal Care & Control partnering with Finding Rover, a facial recognition app for your pet

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Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, left, Animal Care and Control Director Brian Porter, and Officer Jimmy Miller display the new website andersonanimals.org and the new smart phone app to connect lost pets with owners. (Submitted photo)

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, left, Animal Care and Control Director Brian Porter, and Officer Jimmy Miller display the new website andersonanimals.org and the new smart phone app to connect lost pets with owners. (Submitted photo)

 

Anderson County Animal Care and Control announced a new partnership this week with Finding Rover, a new facial recognition app for your pet. Anderson County Animal Care and Control, or ACACC, will now use smart phone facial recognition technology to help identify and reunite lost dogs with their worried owners, a press release said.

It’s one of several developments announced this week by Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, Anderson County Animal Care and Control Director Brian Porter, and Officer Jimmy Miller. The other announcements: a new website, www.andersonanimals.org, to help better connect Anderson County citizens with the information they need and an updated name for the department.

The new website will help citizens understand local laws and procedures, provides helpful tips in areas such as locating a lost pet, and helps direct residents to the appropriate agency for animal issues not under the purview of Anderson County Animal Care and Control, among other information, the press release said.

The department is also announcing an updated name that adds the word “care” to its department identity, the press release said. Now called Anderson County Animal Care and Control, the change is to reflect the department’s broadened efforts in animal welfare, education, and partnership with the community—not just “controlling” animals at large, the press release said. [Read more…]

City Council agrees to give $30K per year for five years to General Sessions Court

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Anderson-County-General-Sessions-Court-Interior-Oak-Ridge-Nov-19-2015

The Oak Ridge City Council agreed on Monday, April 10, 2017, to contribute $30,000 per year for five years to continue operating Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge. The interior of the current courthouse on Bus Terminal Road is pictured above. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council agreed on Monday to contribute $30,000 per year for five years to continue operating Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge.

The money will be used for court operations and capital costs for Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II, in Oak Ridge.

Council approved the funding in a 6-0 vote, with Council member Hans Vogel absent.

The city and the Oak Ridge City Council have supporting having the General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge since it started in 1993, according to City Manager Mark Watson.

“We believe that it is important to have that here,” Watson said. “It does save us a little bit of time.” [Read more…]

Emert running for Anderson County mayor

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Steve Emert

Steve Emert

Steve Emert, chair of the Anderson County Commission, is running for Anderson County mayor as a Republican in the 2018 election.

Emert has served the last five years as a county commissioner from District 3, which includes Norris and Andersonville. He has been county commission chair for the past two years.

When he was elected to County Commission in 2012, Emert said in a press release, he immediately started furthering his education in every aspect of the local government, and he earned the CPA designation (certified public administrator).

Emert is a longtime local businessman and entrepreneur, the press release said. [Read more…]

County taking steps to move General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge

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Anderson-County-General-Sessions-Court-Exterior-Nov-19-2015

Anderson County officials are taking steps to move General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge from a privately owned building on Bus Terminal Road, pictured above, to a county-owned building on Emory Valley Road. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 12:50 p.m.

Anderson County officials are taking steps to move General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge from a privately owned building on Bus Terminal Road to a county-owned building on Emory Valley Road.

An 18-month lease on the current privately owned building, where the court has been since 2009, expires in June, officials said Wednesday.

Renovations are planned at the county-owned building on Emory Valley Road before the court moves there. Bid packages for the renovation work could go out to contractors this week, and the bid could be awarded in mid-April, said Anderson County Commissioner Phil Yager, one of two commissioners who represent District 8 in Oak Ridge.

The renovation work could take two to three months, Yager said. Michael Brady Inc., a Knoxville architectural firm helping Anderson County, has estimated the renovations could cost around $300,000. [Read more…]

Community listening event in Rocky Top to focus on painkillers, substance abuse, addiction

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Terry-Frank-Aug-15-2016

Terry Frank

A community listening event in Rocky Top in April will focus on painkillers, substance abuse, addiction, and overdoses.

The listening event will be at the Rocky Top Community Center on Monday, April 3, from 6-7:15 p.m. It will be hosted by Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and concerned citizen Patricia Adkins, a press release said.

“The open invitation event will focus on receiving community comments about opiate abuse, addiction issues, and/or treatment, and any concern surrounding substance abuse issues in the community,” the press release said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdoses now account for more deaths in the U.S. than motor vehicle accidents, with 52 percent attributed to prescription medications. [Read more…]

Council to consider supporting OS request to have state widen SR 61

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The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday will consider supporting an Oliver Springs request to ask the state to widen nine miles of State Route 61 between Oliver Springs and Harriman, where 114 crashes—some of them fatal—were reported between February 2013 and December 2016.

In a January 24 email, Oliver Springs Mayor Cecil E. Crowe told several city and county mayors that Oliver Springs has asked that State Route 61, which is two lanes, be widened to four.

“This highway project has been discussed for a number of years, but it has lacked the support necessary to get it approved,” Crowe told Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, and Roane County Executive Ron Woody. “We need your support to increase the priority of this highway project to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities.”

The improvement could boost both the economies in Oak Ridge and Oliver Springs, as well as in Harriman and Anderson, Morgan, and Roane counties, according to Crowe and the Oliver Springs resolution. [Read more…]