$4.7M Chamber building opens early, under budget
Anderson County Chamber President and CEO Rick Meredith, left, introduces Clinton auctioneer and Realtor Bear Stephenson at the speakers’ podium during last Friday’s dedication of the new Chamber headquarters building. Stephenson donated $1 million to the Chamber Foundation to help pay for the new facility. - G. Chambers Williams III
“What a great day for Anderson County,” Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Rick Meredith said as he kicked off the dedication event for the Chamber’s new $4.7 million headquarters on Friday morning (Oct. 17). “Today we celebrate,” he said to the crowd of several hundred assembled in the parking lot outside the new building at 500 N. Charles G. Seivers Blvd. He noted that the 7,450-square-foot building project was completed “two months ahead of schedule and under budget.” “It was about three years in the making,” Meredith said. “Actually, it goes back about seven years. … And here we are. A little over a year ago, we stood right here and broke ground. And now we’re standing here – it looks great. “We went through three different boards of directors to make this happen,” Meredith said. “Without them, I couldn’t do my job. … “(And) as you know, we’re dedicating this building to a veteran, William ‘Bear’ Stephenson.” Stephenson, a longtime Clinton real estate broker and auctioneer, donated $1 million toward the cost of the new headquarters – his entire life savings in his personal 401-k account. On hand to speak at the event, Stephenson told the crowd: “Ninety-three years in the making, and it’s finally here. The chamber has a home.” Construction was mostly completed on the new facility about a month ago, and the Chamber staff has been moving in and setting up the offices and assorted rooms since then. “Since then, we’ve been working through our punch list and getting everything ready,” Meredith said.
Read MoreRocky Top OKs $187K paving, new roofs
Rocky Top City Manager Mike Ellis, left, watches as the City Council conducts business during its October meeting last Thursday. - G. Chambers Williams III
Several Rocky Top streets, including the busy Fourth Avenue link from Main Street to the Interstate 75 bridge, will be repaved, and the City Hall and fire/police station buildings will be getting new roofs. The City Council approved contracts for both projects last Thursday evening. The repaving, at a cost of $187,773, will also include High Street from Fourth to Seventh streets, and part of Pearl Street and Cobb Hollow Road. The work, to be done by the Rogers Group, mostly will be to smooth over the streets following the city’s recent sewer-rehabilitation project. That involved tearing up pavement to dig out and replace old sewer and some water lines. Money for the repaving is coming from federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) grants. Re-roofing of City Hall and the separate fire/police building will cost $120,000, and will be done by Dixie Roofing.
Read MoreNew lanes ready at Clinton Community Center
After renovations, the Clinton Community Center’s bowling alley is open again. A grand opening and ribbon cutting took place on Tuesday, Oct. 13. That day, the alley was open to bowling leagues, though not yet to the public as it is now. Already, however, the league participants were happy with the renovations. “I love it,” said bowler Deb Franklin that Tuesday. “We all love it.” The renovations involve new ball returns, gutters, gutter guards, masking and automated score keeping. A $2 rental fee covers shoes. Open Bowling games are $3 per game. Senior games for people 55 and over are $1.50 per game. The hours for the new Clinton Community Center Bowling Lanes are as follows.
Read MoreOak Ridge man charged with first-degree murder
The Oak Ridge Police Department says it has amended charges against Jacob Paul Yugo, 34, of Oak Ridge to first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence, following an assault that occurred Friday afternoon, Oct. 10. The ORPD reported in a news release just after 4 p.m. that day that officers responded to a report of an assault on East Newkirk Lane. Upon arrival, officers reportedly found Candace Yurgo suffering from life-threatening injuries. She was transported to an area hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries on the evening of Oct. 15. Following the initial investigation, the ORPD reportedly identified Yugo, who Candace Yugo’s son, as a suspect and took him into custody. The ORPD reported that he is currently at the Anderson County Detention Facility. The investigation remains ongoing, and the ORPD stated it would release no further details at this time. Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Oak Ridge Police Department at 865-425-4399.
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News
$4.7M Chamber building opens early, under budget Read More
Rocky Top OKs $187K paving, new roofs Read More
Clinton’s mayor praises city’s debt-free milestone ahead of re-election bid Read More
Oak Ridge man charged with first-degree murder Read More
New detours set as Main Street work advances Read More
Sports
Defense delivers Read More
Gillum ignites Mavericks rout Read More
Lady Dragons end their run in region Read More
Madron’s golden goal lifts Lady Mavs to title Read More
Oak Ridge survives scare to reach 8-0 Read More
Job, Bishop lead Lady Wildcats before region run Read More
Lady Mavs’ run ends at Dobyns-Bennett Read More
Mavs, Lady Mavs strong at Mounds Read More
County youth open preseason hoops Read More
ORHS soccer falls short in heartbreaker Read More
Community
Family STEAM Day: From Atoms to Art Read More
Ghosts and goodies Read More
New lanes ready at Clinton Community Center Read More
Willowbrook Baptist to host ‘Thanks-Giving-Away’ event Read More
Jesus, Elvis, Cornbread Chili supper fundraiser planned Dec. 6 in Norris Read More
Fall Heritage Days return this Friday Read More
Norris Lions’ Turkey Shoot set for Saturdays Nov. 1, 8 Read More
Business
Downtown Clinton plans Christmas Open House for weekend of Nov. 1-2 Read More
Git’N Go Market turns 50 Read More
Photo Galleries
Anderson County vs. Clinton Tennis at Jaycee Park View
Anderson County High School Homecoming View
Faces at the Fair View
Public Notices
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