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County Commission Chairman Mike Hammond says he believes Knox County Schools could help fund its budget proposal, which is at the heart of a disagreement between the superintendent and the mayor.More >> County Commission Chairman Mike Hammond says he believes Knox County Schools could help fund its budget proposal, which is at the heart of a disagreement between the superintendent and the mayor.More >> Friends of the victims' in a triple fatal shooting in Powell, say the accused shooter and his wife were having marital problems.More >> Friends of the victims' in a triple fatal shooting in Powell, say the accused shooter and his wife were having marital problems.More >> A new study at the University of Tennessee's Early Learning Center may change how we think about playgrounds.More >> A new study at the University of Tennessee's Early Learning Center may change how we think about playgrounds.More >> Jackie L. McConnell, 60, of Collierville, Tenn., John Mays, 50, of Collierville, Tenn., and Joseph R. Abernathy, 30, of Olive Branch, Miss. all entered their pleas in federal court in Chattanooga.More >> Jackie L. McConnell, 60, of Collierville, Tenn., John Mays, 50, of Collierville, Tenn., and Joseph R. Abernathy, 30, of Olive Branch, Miss. all entered their pleas in federal court in Chattanooga.More >> The Mid-South Carpenters Regional Council pledged to do background checks on all its hires after two convicted sex offenders were arrested at a job site in Dandridge.More >> The Mid-South Carpenters Regional Council pledged to do background checks on all its hires after two convicted sex offenders were arrested at a job site in Dandridge.More >> A judge on Monday raised former Maryville church youth leader Laura Lee Salazar's bond to $50,000 in a child sex case. She was taken into custody after the hearing.More >> A judge on Monday raised former Maryville church youth leader Laura Lee Salazar's bond to $50,000 in a child sex case. She was taken into custody after the hearing.
More >> TDOT determined that due to the cost for changes to the State Route 33 bridge, it was best to cancel the contract with Mountain States Contractors, LLC and open bidding for the remaining work.More >> TDOT determined that due to the cost for changes to the State Route 33 bridge, it was best to cancel the contract with Mountain States Contractors, LLC and open bidding for the remaining work.More >> Jennifer Parton, 36, and Minda McCracken, 38, are charged with TennCare fraud in separate cases that follow a joint investigation.More >> Jennifer Parton, 36, and Minda McCracken, 38, are charged with TennCare fraud in separate cases that follow a joint investigation.More >> The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is looking for Charles Randy Kelly, 52, who's considered a person of interest in a White Pine man's homicide.More >> The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is looking for Charles Randy Kelly, 52, who's considered a person of interest in a White Pine man's homicide.More >> Three women were shot and killed Monday afternoon at a Powell apartment complex, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office. The husband of one of the victims is charged with their murders.More >> Three women were shot and killed Monday afternoon at a Powell apartment complex, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office. The husband of one of the victims is charged with their murders.More >>
OAK RIDGE (AP) - For decades at the Y-12 National Security Complex in East Tennessee, mercury from making hydrogen bombs flowed into East Fork Poplar Creek.
After its atomic bomb making in World War II, the Oak Ridge plant began work in the early 1950s on different processes to separate isotopes of lithium. The goal was to selectively concentrate the lighter lithium-6 isotope for use in fusion-type weapons that became known as hydrogen bombs.
Mercury was essential and Oak Ridge historian Bill Wilcox said there were big releases.
Mike Ryon told the Knoxville News Sentinel that by the mid-80s the creek showed little sign of any life.
Now there are lots of fish, and cleanup efforts are ongoing.
Oak Ridge National Lab scientist Mark Peterson said it's probably the most studied creek in Tennessee.
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