Skip to main content

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Oak Ridge

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

🌱 What will UCOR’s new CEO mean for Oak Ridge cleanup?

Good morning to you Oak Ridge! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What will UCOR’s new CEO mean for Oak Ridge cleanup?
  • What does TVA’s first BWRX-300 plan mean for Oak Ridge?
  • How a 1950s Oak Ridge elf became a global holiday phenomenon

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Oak Ridge? Post it to Oak Ridge photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Oak Ridge Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T-Mobile and UScellular have joined forces to connect people from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between. UScellular is now a part of T-Mobile. Find out more at T-Mobile.com/Better-Together.
Find a T-Mobile store near Oak Ridge.AdvertisementAdvertisement

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: An a.m. shower; mostly cloudy, with a high of 52 and low of 34 degrees.
  • Thursday: Cloudy with afternoon rain, temps: high: 55, low: 33.
  • Friday: Sunny and cooler, with a high of 45 and low of 25 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Amentum official tapped to lead Oak Ridge's main cleanup contractor UCOR (oakridger.com) — Oak Ridge’s main federal cleanup contractor, UCOR, will get new leadership next spring as longtime nuclear executive Jim Blankenhorn becomes president and CEO on April 1, 2026. He’ll succeed Ken Rueter, who retires March 30 after guiding major Department of Energy cleanup work that’s central to the city’s economy and future site redevelopment.
   

2. BWRX-300 SMR passes U.K. regulatory milestone (ans.org) — Oak Ridge is highlighted as the planned U.S. site for the first BWRX-300 small modular reactor, with TVA’s Clinch River project now under Nuclear Regulatory Commission review. While this article focuses on a U.K. regulatory milestone, it underscores that the same reactor design is advancing in Canada and could eventually bring new nuclear generation and jobs to the Oak Ridge area.
   

3. ‘Elf on the Shelf,' brainchild of Marietta family, celebrates 20 years (macon.com) — Oak Ridge gets a nostalgic shout-out as the childhood home of Carol Aebersold, whose family tradition with a mischievous pixie elf there in the 1950s and 60s eventually inspired Elf on the Shelf. The story traces how that simple Oak Ridge tradition grew into a global holiday brand, with books, TV specials, merchandise, and a thriving Atlanta-based company.
   

4. Hua Bai and Sheng Dai Named NAI Fellows (utk.edu) — Oak Ridge gets a nod through Oak Ridge National Laboratory as UT Knoxville chemist Sheng Dai, who holds a joint ORNL appointment, is named a National Academy of Inventors Fellow alongside engineering professor Hua “Kevin” Bai. Their energy-focused innovations, from EV power electronics to advanced materials and plant-based graphite, underscore the region’s growing role in cutting-edge research and clean-energy technology.
   

📸 Around Oak Ridge

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Oak Ridge

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Oak Ridge Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hi- does anyone do work to replace a capacitors my Amana air/furnace?
    I’m pretty sure that’s the issue and other estimates are nits given the part costs less than 10$. I also need some other handy man stuff done - Let… (Nextdoor Highland View)
  • Hi, I am looking for an individual that is able to do various projects around the house at an affordable rate.
    Please understand I helped rebuild this house so no scammers. I will know if you don’t. (Nextdoor Florida Ave)
  • Acrisure posted a job opening for Processor in Oak Ridge. Apply here.
  • Weigel's Stores, Inc. posted a job opening for Cashier - Customer Service Team Member in Oak Ridge. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Oak Ridge here.

Ok Oak Ridge! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Oak Ridge

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Oak Ridge

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.