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The Mountain Press ◆ Wednesday, December 30, 2009
sunrise in the smokies
TODAY’S Briefing Local n
SEVIER COUNTY
Book clubs set January meetings
Sevier County Library System monthly book club meetings schedule: n Fireside Book Club, 10 a.m. Jan. 8, to discuss William P. Young’s “The Shack.” The club meets at Fort Sanders Sevier Senior Center. n Inspirational Reading Club, 1 p.m. Jan. 13, featuring Debbie Macomber and her books. The club meets at the Seymour Library. n Literary Classics Book Club, 6 p.m. Jan. 22, featuring Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner.” The club meets at the Kodak Library. n
SEVIER COUNTY
Deadline nears for heritage book
The opportunity to be part of the book, “Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage, Volume 2,” is nearing. Those who have not ordered a copy at $55 can do so now. “Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage, Volume 2” will be a limited edition book. The deadline for submitting materials and ordering books is Jan. 5. For free, persons can include a personal or family story of no more than 500 words and one picture. Send check or money order for book purchase, or a free family story, to P.O. Box 4056, Sevierville 37864-4056.
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SEVIERVILLE
Christmas tree program to begin
The city’s “Give a Tree/ Take a Tree” program has begun. A designated area has been established in the parking lot by the Community Center. Residents may drop off their live Christmas trees and receive three tree saplings at the Community Center gym/pool office. The seedlings will be donated by the Trees/Trails and Beautification Board. The Community Center gym/office is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
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Lottery Numbers
K-25 bomb plant razing may halt OAK RIDGE (AP) — Demolition of a Cold War bomb plant in Oak Ridge is proving difficult, and the Department of Energy doesn’t plan to extend the current contract. It has been reported reported Bechtel Jacob Co. and its subcontractors have taken down most of one wing of the huge, U-shaped K-25 building, but another wing and the north tower remain. The department modified and extended the contract last year, allowing more time to complete
tearing down the mile-long contaminated structure. The contract is valued at $1.48 billion. Accomplishing the task proved more difficult than expected. The department, Bechtel Jacobs and environmental regulators are still trying to determine the best way to safely take down the rest of the World War II-era plant. DOE Manager Gerald Boyd said he doubted the contractor would finish demolition by the end of 2011, when the contract
TODAY’S FORECAST
LOCAL:
runs out. Boyd said federal officials are making other plans to complete the work. Once the largest building under one roof, K-25 separated uranium for the first nuclear weapons and later for commercial reactors. It has been shuttered since 1985. The newspaper reported Boyd said DOE wants to have another contractor ready by the end of Bechtel Jacob’s contract, so the workers can be transferred and demolition can continue at K-25.
Today's Forecast
City/Region High | Low temps
Forecast for Wednesday, Dec. 30
Partly cloudy
Chicago 27° | 18°
Washington 36° | 22°
High: 47° Low: 36° Memphis 43° | 32°
Wind 5-10 mph
Chance of rain
It also appears Bechtel Jacobs’ work at the K-27 plant will be reduced. The company received $118 million in federal stimulus funds to prepare that structure for demolition. It was reported the work will be reduced in scope and terminated next fall, and most of the funds will be shifted to other work at the Oak Ridge reservation. The government is slowly converting the 1,500acre site around K-25 into an industrial park.
Raleigh 45° | 25°
30%
Atlanta 50° | 29° ■ Thursday High: 49° Low: 31° ■ Friday High: 37° Low: 20°
Sevier County Humane Society will be closed the day of New Year’s Eve and on New Year’s Day. The shelter will be open for normal business hours on Saturday SEVIERVILLE
Road closing temporarily
The city of Sevierville Department of Public Works has scheduled installation of new drainage tiles on Reed Schoolhouse Road, beginning Monday. Weather and other conditions permitting, the estimated project completion date is Jan. 15. The work necessitates the closure of Reed Schoolhouse Road to through traffic between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Motorists can expect delays while work is ongoing and may wish to choose an alternate route if possible. n New
Miami 76° | 56°
Douglas 961.4 U1.3
© 2009 Wunderground.com
■ Ober ski report Base: 20-30 inches
New Market Fire and Rescue New Year’s Dance is 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Fire Department. Advance tickets are $5 on sale until today. Tickets at the door, $6. Activities include fireworks, free snacks, balloon drop at midnight, $25 given away every hour, and watch the UT Bowl Game. For further information, call (865) 475-4064 or (865) 475-1417.
Midday: 5-0-4-4 Evening: 3-0-5-5
Showers Rain T-storms Flurries Snow
Ice
Sunny Pt. Cloudy Cloudy Weather Underground • AP
Today is Wednesday, Dec. 30, the 364th day of 2009. There is 1 day left in the year. n
— President Barack Obama in response to an attempted attack on a U.S. airliner, saying he has directed his national security team to keep up the pressure on those overseas who aim to attack the United States.
“Running a security agency with a revolving door is a recipe for failure.” — Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., speaking on the vacancies at some top posts in government security agencies.
“You better be in fear. If you tell anybody, I’ll kill you. ... Your mother’s money means nothing, I have ex-police I can hire who know how to get the job done and they won’t leave any trace.” — Brooke Mueller Sheen quoted in an arrest warrant affidavit what she claims her husband, actor Charlie Sheen, said during a Christmas Day fight in Aspen, Colo.
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Publisher: Jana Thomasson Editor: Stan Voit Production Director: Tom McCarter Advertising Director: Joi Whaley Business Manager: Mary Owenby Circulation Distribution Manager: Will Sing (ISSN 0894-2218) Copyright 2008 The Mountain Press. All Rights Reserved. All property belongs to The Mountain Press and no part may be reproduced without prior written consent. Published daily by The Mountain Press. P.O. Box 4810, Sevierville, TN, 37864, 119 River Bend Dr., Sevierville, TN 37876. Periodical Postage paid at Sevierville, TN.
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Locally a year ago:
The morning worship service of Fellowship Church of the Smokies sounded a little less joyful on Sunday, thanks to a grinch who stole the church’s audio equipment right around Christmas Day. Pastor Steve Taylor said he opened the latest worship service by leading a prayer for those responsible for the theft. Today’s highlight:
On Dec. 30, 1853, the United States and Mexico signed a treaty under which the U.S. agreed to buy some 45,000 square miles of land from Mexico for $10 million in a deal known as the Gadsden Purchase. On this date:
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Ten years ago:
Former Beatle George Harrison fought off a knife-wielding intruder who broke into his mansion west of London and stabbed him in the chest. (Michael Abram was later acquitted of attempted murder by reason of insanity.) Five years ago:
Democrat Christine Gregoire was declared victor of Washington’s gubernatorial election over Republican Dino Rossi by a mere 129 votes out of more than 2.8 million cast. n
“It’s absolutely critical that we learn from this incident and take the necessary measures to prevent future acts of terrorism.”
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This day in history
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Market
Fire/Rescue party on New Year’s Eve
Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009
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■ Lake Stages:
quote roundup
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In 1972,the United States halted its heavy bombing of North Vietnam.
New Orleans 65° | 47°
Flurries
Trails open: Ober Chute, Bear Run, Castle Run, Cub Way, Ski School, Mogul Ridge
Midday: 2-6-4 Evening: 3-2-1
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Rain
Primary surface: Machine groomed
Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009
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SEVIER COUNTY
Humane Society holiday closing
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top state news
Thought for today:
“Work is a dull thing; you cannot get away from that. The only agreeable existence is one of idleness, and that is not, unfortunately, always compatible with continuing to exist at all.” — Rose Macaulay, English poet and essayist (1881-1958).
Celebrities in the news n Lil Wayne
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Lil Wayne emerged as a topselling musician known for his clever wordplay and risque lyrics, but like rappers before Lil Wayne him, he’s staring down a year behind bars at the peak of his career. The artist returned to his hometown of New Orleans for a performance Monday on what he’s calling his farewell tour. “I’m nothing without you,” he told the screaming crowd of thousands of fans at the New Orleans Arena after opening the concert with “A Milli,” which last year earned him a Grammy for best rap solo. The 27-year-old rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Carter, pleaded guilty in October to a weapons possession charge and will be sentenced Feb. 9.