The public health situation is rapidly changing, here are the latest updates affecting city facilities.

The City of Oak Ridge has concentrated on the implementation of “Tennessee Pledge” efforts by the state government in the last few weeks. Please refer to  State of Tennessee websites  for updates and advice on precautions to be taken by particular businesses.

City facilities will continue to be operated as below as precautions and security matters are considered for the safety of our employees and “social distancing” for our customers.  Visitors may receive a temperature scan and inquiry about current health. Please call the City Manager’s office or department offices on the   City’s website  for further information.
Oak Ridge Public Library is pleased to announce that beginning May 18, the library will offer curbside pickup of library materials.  

Curbside pickup will take place Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. 

As a reminder, the library will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday.
1)     Place It!
In order to place holds on materials, patrons will need to go to orpl.org and click on the Catalog tab. From there, patrons may search for and place holds on books, audiobooks, music CDs and DVDs. Patrons will be notified via text, email, or phone call when their materials are ready to be picked up.
2)     Park It!
Please park in one of the parking spaces designated for library pickup and call the number on the sign. You will be asked for your name and the last four digits of your library card, as well as the number of your parking space.
3)     Pop It!
Once you have spoken with a library staff member, please open your trunk or car door. Library staff will bring your materials out and place them in your car. 
City of Oak Ridge in-person court proceedings resumed May 11 with some precautions due to COVID-19.

There are some instances where you may be able to handle a citation over the phone. Therefore, it is important that only those who need to physically appear before the judge show up at court.

Call the Court Clerk’s Office at (865) 425-3536 prior to your scheduled hearing for guidance.
As a way to recognize our 2020 graduates, who crossed the stage and accepted their diplomas in front of a much-smaller audience this year, a digital billboard is now up in Solway.

COVID-19 has affected life for everyone in different ways and we wanted to to congratulate our graduates despite the change in graduation plans this year.

We hope this small gesture goes a long way.

Go Wildcats!
The annual Graduation Celebration put on by the City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department and the City’s Youth Advisory Board will look a little different this year due to COVID-19. In order to show these graduates the same level of support, several projects are in the works and the community’s support is needed to make it all happen.

For the last 23 years, we have hosted a big, free party for the new graduates on the night of graduation to show our support for these students. Unfortunately, this year, we will not be able to have a physical party on the night of graduation.

One of the projects is to give every student a graduation gift bag. If you’d like to help with this, you can donate gift cards (in increments of $10), cash or check. You can also donate via credit card at  graduationcelebration.org/donate .
The City of Oak Ridge is currently accepting applications for board members of the  Youth Advisory Board  (YAB) for the 2020-21 school year. The selection of board members will take place during the July City Council meeting.

Sixteen applicants will be confirmed and appointed by City Council to serve a one-year term of office that commences on August 1, 2020. To be considered, applicants must be residents of Oak Ridge and entering grade levels 8 through 12.

Participation on the YAB requires attendance at bi-monthly meetings on Wednesdays at 2 p.m., as well as special events that are held throughout the year.

All interested students are encouraged to  fill out the online application  on the City Clerk’s page on  OakRidgeTN.gov . Current terms end May 31, 2020. Paper copies of the application are available at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. To obtain a paper copy, please call (865) 425-3450 anytime Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to arrange pick-up or to receive one by mail.

Applications and online submissions are due on Monday, June 15, 2020, by 5 p.m. in the City Clerk’s Office. Late applications will not be considered.

The purpose of the YAB is to serve as a liaison between City Council and the youth of the community for issues that affect them. The Board's function is to encourage the positive growth and development of youth by involving them in social, cultural, recreational, and other drug-free and alcohol-free activities.

For more information, contact Recreation Manager Matt Reedy at (865) 425-3450 or by e-mail at  mreedy@oakridgetn.gov  or contact the City Clerk’s Office at (865) 425-3411.
The Oak Ridge Police Department joined other law enforcement agencies across the country to celebrate National Police Week, May 10-16, 2020.

As part of the week-long observance, the department hosted a virtual Peace Officers Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, May 15. It was streamed live on the ORPD Facebook page. Residents were also invited to participate in a virtual 5K the entire week to honor law enforcement personnel.

Once a year, Oak Ridge Electric linemen re-certify in 'Pole Top Rescue' and 'Bucket Rescue'. On Tuesday, May 12, linemen put their skills to the test at the Central Service Complex.

From time-to-time, accidents happen and a lineman can get injured, shocked and/or trapped at the top of an electric pole so other linemen need to step in to rescue them.

At this training, linemen practiced climbing up the pole and rescuing a dummy from the top and safely bringing them back down. They also practiced the same thing but with a bucket.

Thank you to our linemen who work hard to keep your power running, especially during this time when many people are working from home and are dependent on their power now, more than ever.
Drive-thru COVID-19 testing is available at the Anderson County Health Department located at 710 N. Main Street in Clinton. 

Testing takes place Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Free masks are also available for pickup at the health department. 

Call (865) 425-8801 with questions or visit the  Anderson County Health Department website.

For more information on COVID-19,  click here.
Oak Ridge was created without a central, mixed-use downtown during the Manhattan Project. That is all about to change .

Plans are being developed to turn the Wilson Street, near Main Street, into a buzzing, active Downtown Oak Ridge!

So, to help show off that area, the City of Oak Ridge is inviting everyone out to watch as we “ Paint the Town with Chalk ”!

COVID-19 precautions should be taken to help keep everyone safe and healthy. Spectators can walk or drive by as the artists complete their drawings. People are asked to practice social distancing and encouraged to wear masks when walking through. 

There will be 15 professional artists creating chalk artwork that will help promote the visions of a Main Street’s vitality and community spirit and you can watch as that excitement comes alive!
REMINDERS!
It's not too late to complete the 2020 Census!
The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community.

Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.
Starting on May 4, the Waste Connections’ Convenience Center on Warehouse Road began accepting bulk items and metal. It will begin accepting brush and yard waste on May 18, 2020.