AUGUST 2022 | VOL. 8, ISSUE 8

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OAK RIDGE?!

AUGUST IN THE SECRET CITY

 

This summer is flying by. There are lots of exciting things happening in Oak Ridge. Here's a look at what you may have missed and what's ahead. 

OakRidgeTN.gov

UPCOMING EVENTS

PROGRAMS AT ORPL

The Oak Ridge Public Library has a lot going on. Keep reading the newsletter to see what's coming up and check ORPL.org for a full calendar.

How to sign up for paperless billing and pay your utility bill online or by text message


We know the mail carriers in Oak Ridge are working hard to catch up on your mail delivery so, in the meantime, we want to make sure you know you don’t need to wait for the paper bill to arrive in the mail to pay it.


You can pay your bill online, by text message, and even sign up for paperless billing.


You can also sign up for text notifications, so you get a text message when your bill is ready to be paid!

How "Pay by Text" works:


When your next bill is ready, you could receive a text message letting you know it's time to pay. You can sign up for pay by text notifications and still pay online, by mail, or in person.


The text will have the account number, amount due, and due date. You don't need to pay your bill by text to receive text notifications.


To sign up for Pay by Text:

  • Go to https://customerservice.oakridgetn.gov/
  • Login to CSS or create an account
  • Select the payment tab
  • Choose Pay Online
  • Select “Edit” next to Account Details
  • Check the box for Bill Summary – Pay by Text
  • Enter your mobile number
  • Add or Select a Payment Method
  • Click “Save”


To pay, reply “PAY” within 10 days of receiving the text notification.

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Reporting Power Outages


Oak Ridge has experienced some big storms this summer. Thank you to all of our customers who stay patient with us while our crews work to restore power for you.


To report an outage, call (865) 425-1803.


Please DO NOT send an email to report your power is out. Our outage response system is triggered via telephone communication.


The city’s emergency dispatch center will answer the phone after business hours and on the weekends. Please be prepared to give the address of the outage and a phone number where you can be contacted. Because the dispatcher is also taking police and fire emergencies, they normally have limited time to discuss the outage.

ORED.OakRidgeTN.gov

2nd Annual Cars For Canines this month


Come down to the Melton Lake waterfront for the 2nd annual Cars for Canines event! The event is on August 20, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.


Enjoy a car show presented by Summer Knight Cruisers, live music, door prizes and pet-friendly fun! Grab a bite or a brew from Crafter’s Brew, Forks In the Road, Top Notch Tacos, or Kona Ice. Veterinarian Matt Jinks will be on site to microchip pets and provide rabies shots.


All proceeds will go to the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter and Anderson County Humane Society, who will be present with furry friends who need homes!

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3 ORFD firefighters graduate from Paramedic school


Three Oak Ridge Fire Department firefighters completed Paramedic school at Roane State Community College last month.


Ryan Fraser, Sandra Sila-Massengill, and Chad Linthicum persevered through three semesters of classroom lecture, skills lab instruction, and clinical internship to be eligible to challenge the licensure test.


"The Oak Ridge community just got more protection. With three more paramedics in the department, it will enhance our paramedical capabilities in the City,” said Oak Ridge Fire Chief Travis Solomon. “I’m extremely proud of these three for their accomplishment.”

A Paramedic can perform skills like advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support and other advanced treatments. 


The ORFD now has 18 paramedics with the department. 


The Oak Ridge Fire Department is currently hiring. Visit OakRidgeTN.gov and select ‘EMPLOYMENT’ at the top of the page.

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Help us keep you and your neighbors safe by keeping fire hydrants visible


In an effort to make sure first responders can see them when we need them, the Oak Ridge Fire Department would like to remind residents to keep fire hydrants on their properties visible.


If a resident does not keep a 3-foot clearance around the hydrant, there could be a delay in accessing the water needed to put out a fire nearby. City code states the space shall be maintained and if it is not, the City may remove, cut, prune, or clear the area.


In an emergency fire situation, fire crews will do what they need to do to gain access. If the vegetation surrounding the hydrant causes it not to be visible or accessible, the City has authority to remove it without notice.


“We are in the process of repainting hydrants to make them easier to see and have been noticing a lot of overgrown vegetation obstructing access to hydrants,” said Oak Ridge Fire Marshal Eric Rackard. “So, we would really like to give residents, who may not be aware of this ordinance, an opportunity to maintain the area on their own so that it is cleared in the way they’d like their property around it to appear before we come in and do it ourselves.”


To view City Codes related to pruning and clearance around a fire hydrant, visit OakRidgeTN.gov/department/FireDept/Safety/Fire-Hydrant-Codes-and-Policies.


As always, the Oak Ridge Fire Department would like to remind everyone of the importance of working smoke alarms. You can contact the Oak Ridge Fire Department for a free inspection of your smoke alarms at 865-425-FIRE (3473).

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Annual Senior Citizens Day at the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool


The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department held its annual Senior Citizens Pool Party at the Outdoor Pool on Aug. 3.


The pool was reserved exclusively for seniors 50 and older. The day included games and door prizes along with the opportunity to swim in one of the largest spring-fed pools in the Southeast.


Thanks to all of our community sponsors and those who attended!

KEEP UP WITH THE OAK RIDGE SENIOR CENTER:

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Oak Ridge Lifeguards honored for preventing drowning


Four City of Oak Ridge Lifeguards who saved a 5-year-old from drowning in June were honored at the Anderson County Commission meeting last month. 


The lifeguards, Mathias (Tais) Brown, Trevon Crowley, Parker Bell, and Ella Kendall (left to right), recovered the child from the Outdoor Municipal Pool after the child had been in the water for an unknown amount of time. The child was unconscious and not breathing when staff began CPR. After approximately 3 rounds of CPR, the child began to expel water and breathe on her own.


Following the incident, Captain Steve London of the Oak Ridge Fire Department stated, “The lifeguard staff, and any bystanders that may have helped, should be commended as their actions undoubtedly saved this young girl’s life.” 

MORE INFO

Brushing up on golf skills at summer camp


The kids attending summer camp last month got the chance to work on their golf skills last month. 


The lesson was taught by First Tee of Greater Knoxville. The kids learned about golf and responsibilities. 


Volunteers included Shawn Mauer, Director of the First Tee of Tennessee, James, The First Tee of Greater Knoxville, Dave, The First Tee of Greater Knoxville, and Mike Callender, PGA General Manager at Centennial Golf Course.

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We're Hiring! Come Work With Us!


The City of Oak Ridge is hiring for several openings right now. To view current job openings, click here or visit OakRidgeTN.gov and click the tab for 'EMPLOYMENT' at the top of the page.

ORPL hosts Know the Prose Book Club


The Library’s Know the Prose Book Club connects our reading community so we can enjoy the company of other readers, share our love of storytelling, offer book recommendations, and enjoy light refreshments in a relaxed, welcoming, and inclusive environment. Participants choose a book to read based on a monthly theme and are encouraged to bring the book to share with the group. Know the Prose meets on the second Thursday of every month from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Library plaza.

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT:

Oak Ridge Public Library Clerk

MEET YVONNE OLSON

Yvonne has worked for the City for seven years. You'll find her at the Oak Ridge Public Library where she may be at the public desk, recommending books to patrons and helping them find the information they need.


"I create all of the posters in the library, do all of the graphic design, and promote our events where I can. I run our social media pages and our website, and send out the library’s newsletter."


Her favorite part of the job? Talking to all of the library's patrons when they come in.


"Greeting who I can by name, learning their preferences in books or what they usually need help with so I can connect them to the right resources," she said. "Hearing about patrons’ favorite reads and seeing them enjoy books I love. I love how close Oak Ridger’s are – I can walk through the grocery store and see patrons and strike a conversation."


When she's not at work, Yvonne may be reading, watching Netflix, and hanging out with her two dogs, named Ringo and Shiloh. Ringo is a miniature pinscher and Shiloh is a Beagle/hound mix.


She also likes to explore new small businesses and restaurants. 


"I’ve been trying to take a lot of art classes this year, too, which has been fun!"


Yvonne moved to Oak Ridge from Denver, Colorado, less than two months before she started working at the library (seven years ago!).


"I started as a page and have moved up. I grew up in Germany, and my only library experience before Oak Ridge was volunteering at a library on a military base in Stuttgart."


If you need any help from Yvonne, you can reach her by phone at (865) 425-3455 x3481 or email her at yolson@oakridgetn.gov.

VISIT ORPL.org
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