Oak Ridge Today

One killed, two injured in head-on crash near Oliver Springs

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OLIVER SPRINGS—One person was killed and two were injured in a head-on crash on State Route 62 near Oliver Springs on Thursday evening, authorities said.

The two-vehicle crash was reported at about 7:34 p.m. Thursday at Big Mountain Hollow Road, a short distance north of Oliver Springs in Morgan County.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol said Timothy J. Young, 35, of Oliver Springs, was driving a 2003 Ford vehicle west, toward Coalfield and Wartburg, when he tried to pass another westbound vehicle and collided head-on with a 2000 Nissan driven east by Goman E. Harness, 50, of Oliver Springs. Young was killed, and Harness and his passenger, Frances M. Richardson, 47, of Coalfield, were injured, according to a THP fatal crash report. [Read more…]

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department K-9s help with Gatlinburg search

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Anderson County Sheriff’s Department K-9s helped search Gatlinburg after forest fires fed by hurricane-force winds raged through that tourist town and areas around the Chimney Tops trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Wears Valley, and Pigeon Forge on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, burning 17,000 acres, killing 14 people, and damaging or destroying more than 1,700 structures. Pictured above is Deputy Candy Stooksbury and her K-9 partner Barnabas. (Photo by ACSD)

 

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Candy Stooksbury and her K-9 partner Barnabas, a specially trained bloodhound, have helped in the search efforts in Gatlinburg after forest fires fed by hurricane-force winds raged through the tourist town last week. Corporal Rick Coley and K-9 Justus, and Deputy Matt Forsyth and K-9 BamBam, have also helped.

The deputies and K-9s helped the Knoxville Police Search And Rescue Team and the Tennessee Highway Patrol in the search, rescue, and recovery mission, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said Tuesday.

Other local agencies also responded to the fires, including Anderson County EMS and fire departments in Anderson County. (See this previous story for more information.) The Oak Ridge Fire Department helped rescue 12 people trapped in cars surrounded by fires near the Dollywood theme park near Pigeon Forge. [Read more…]

First guilty plea in cocaine conspiracies leads to 10-year prison sentence

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Marvel Lynette Carpenter

Marvel Lynette Carpenter

 

The first defendant to plead guilty in one of two alleged conspiracies involving close to three dozen defendants and 300 grams or more of cocaine has received a 10-year prison sentence, according to court records.

Marvel Lynette Carpenter, 45, of Oak Ridge, pleaded guilty to 10 drug-related charges in Anderson County Criminal Court on Friday, November 18.

Carpenter had been indicted May 3 in an alleged 24-person conspiracy. There was also an alleged 11-person conspiracy. A roundup of the cocaine conspiracy suspects started Thursday, May 5, as several law enforcement agencies swept through Oak Ridge and possibly other communities in what authorities described as a complex, multi-county criminal investigation. Authorities said parts of the investigation were unprecedented.

Carpenter had been charged with conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and sell 300 grams or more of cocaine—and conspiring to possess with the intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell 300 grams or more of cocaine. Those were Class A felony charges. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge firefighters help rescue 12 people trapped in cars surrounded by fires near Dollywood

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People being removed from vehicles while Oak Ridge Fire Department crews helped respond to the Sevier County wildfire starting Monday, Nov. 29, 2016. (Photo by Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley)

People being removed from vehicles while Oak Ridge Fire Department crews help respond to the wildfires that raged across Sevier County on Monday, Nov. 29, 2016. (Photo by Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 4:30 p.m.

Oak Ridge firefighters helped rescue 12 people and four dogs from three cars surrounded by fires behind Dollywood near Pigeon Forge on Monday.

The 12 visitors had been staying in rental cabins behind the Dollywood theme park.

The rescue happened at about 11 p.m. Monday after wildfires fueled by high winds spread from Chimney Tops in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the Gatlinburg area.

Before the rescue, an Oak Ridge Fire Department crew, along with five Maryville firefighters, had responded to several fire-related situations in Pigeon Forge, most of them in the Dollywood area, a City of Oak Ridge press release said. Pigeon Forge is near Gatlinburg.

At about 11 p.m., the firefighters were dispatched to Mitchell Road to help a man trapped in a cabin with fire all around him. But firefighters were unable to get there because the road was blocked by downed trees and power poles, the press release said. Firefighters began cutting trees until they encountered downed power lines and transformers.

Once Sevier County Electric System workers arrived and cut electrical power to the area, the crew again entered the fire area to rescue the man, the press release said. [Read more…]

More information on local firefighters, law enforcement responding to Gatlinburg fires

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The Clinton Fire Department is pictured above responding to the fires in Sevier County on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. (Photo by Clinton Fire Department)

 

We have more information on local firefighters and law enforcement that have either responded to help fight the fires in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park—or remain in standby in case they are needed.

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas and other officials said Andersonville, Claxton, Clinton, Marlow, Oak Ridge, and Oliver Springs fire departments all sent resources to the fire.

Anderson County EMS sent its mass casualty response vehicle on Monday night, and they sent three ambulances Tuesday morning, Lucas said.

Lucas said he talked to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals on Monday night, and Anderson County deputies are on stand-by in case Sevier County needs additional law enforcement personnel. [Read more…]

Here are places you can drop off supplies to donate to firefighters

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Firefighters are pictured above in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this week. (Photo by Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 3:45 p.m.

There are a number of places you can drop off supplies to donate to the firefighters battling destructive blazes in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Here are several, with two in Oak Ridge, one in Clinton, and one in Roane County: [Read more…]

Local fire departments send crews to help fight Gatlinburg wildfires

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Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers walked into areas of Gatlinburg that were surrounded by fire to remove those who were trapped by flames in fires that started Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. (Photo by THP)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 4:50 p.m.

Fire departments in Oak Ridge, Clinton, Oliver Springs, and Marlow sent crews to help fight the fast-moving wildfires that started burning in the Gatlinburg area on Monday.

The Oak Ridge Fire Department was helping crews in the area around Gatlinburg, a mountain town near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on Monday night, the City of Oak Ridge said.

Oak Ridge Police Department officers were also on standby, the city said.

Tuesday morning, firefighter Jordan Alcorn said it was a long night, but the Engine 2 crew was on Interstate 40 West headed home.

“Thank you all for the prayers and kind words, that fight is not over, so keep our relief in your prayers!” Alcorn said.

Later Tuesday morning, the city said Oak Ridge Fire Department crews were continuing to help battle the Great Smoky Mountains wildfire.

“There is massive damage and reports of people injured or missing,” the city said. “Please continue to keep everyone affected by this in your thoughts and prayers today.”

Also Tuesday morning, Clinton Fire Chief Archie Brummitt said the Clinton Fire Department was in Gatlinburg in Sevier County. One CFD engine and five firemen responded Monday night around midnight, Brummitt said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge volunteer collecting supplies for firefighters

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Oak Ridge resident Tom Giles collects supplies for firefighters at High Places Community Church on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

An Oak Ridge volunteer is collecting supplies for firefighters as they battle forest fires across East Tennessee.

Tom Giles set up three days in the past week at High Places Community Church in Grove Center. He has more donation dates scheduled at the church from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, December 3, and Saturday, December 10.

Here are the items needed: water, Gatorade, small packs of peanut butter crackers and cheese crackers, energy bars, beef jerky, etc. Last Saturday, he said the items should not melt. For example, a chocolate snack could melt in a firefighter’s pocket.

On Friday, November 25, Giles said Oliver Springs Fire Department is providing support to fires burning near Petros, north of Oliver Springs.

“If supplies are depleted, we may need to mobilize a donation date before our December 3 event,” Giles said. “I am in contact with officers from OSFD and will provide updates as needed. Thank you for support.” [Read more…]

Holiday Safety: Thanksgiving fire prevention

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Many families will be celebrating Thanksgiving this week, a holiday that tops the list when it comes to how many kitchen fires are called in to emergency dispatchers. The Oak Ridge Fire Department has some important reminders about fire prevention:

  • Always stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking.
  • Keep children at least three feet away from the stove or oven.
  • Be sure electric cords are not dangling off the counter.
  • Check your smoke alarms to be sure they’re working.
  • Keep the kitchen floor clear of items that may cause someone to trip.
  • Make sure the turkey is completely thawed prior to placing it into a turkey fryer.
  • Be sure not to have too much oil in the fryer in order to avoid the oil spilling out when the turkey is lowered into the fryer.
  • Do not use a turkey fryer on wood deck/porch or inside.
  • Never leave a turkey fryer unattended.

[Read more…]

Man charged with aggravated assault after allegedly pointing handgun at two people

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David Janis

David Janis

 

An Oak Ridge man was charged with two counts of aggravated assault after allegedly pointing a handgun at two people near Tacoma Road and California Avenue on Thursday, authorities said.

One resident in the area said he he came outside his home to see who was in his yard at about 7:45 p.m. Thursday, and he saw a man with a gray hooded sweatshirt, black vest, dark pants, dark long hair, and a tattoo on his left cheek pointing a black handgun at him, yelling, “You hawked me, b—-, come to 122,” as he walked around behind a home on East Tennessee Avenue, according to a warrant filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge.

The resident feared for his life and ran back into his home and called 911, the warrant said. [Read more…]

One hospitalized for burns from kitchen fire

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One person was taken to the hospital for burns from cooking oil during a fire in Oak Ridge on Thursday evening, authorities said.

The structure fire on Brandeis Lane was reported at about 5:57 p.m. Thursday. There were reports of flames in the kitchen and one disabled person inside the residence, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

“The first units on the scene found that everyone was out of the home and assisted those occupants away from the structure,” the press release said. “The fire was out upon arrival with smoke still in the residence.” [Read more…]

Robbery that ends in shooting arranged through social media, described as ‘drug deal gone bad,’ warrants say

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The Tuesday afternoon shooting on East Holston Lane was allegedly a robbery arranged through social media, and it was described by the alleged shooter as a “drug deal gone bad,” authorities said. The three defendants are, from left, Nicole Brewer, 19, of Oak Ridge; Nicholas Strickland, 25, of Oak Ridge; and Matthew A. Mashburn, 27, of Knoxville. (Photos by Anderson County Sheriff's Department)

The Tuesday afternoon shooting on East Holston Lane was allegedly a robbery arranged through social media, and it was described by the alleged shooter as a “drug deal gone bad,” authorities said. The three defendants are, from left, Nicole Brewer, 19, of Oak Ridge; Nicholas Strickland, 25, of Oak Ridge; and Matthew A. Mashburn, 27, of Knoxville. (Photos by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department)

 

The Tuesday afternoon shooting on East Holston Lane was allegedly a robbery arranged through social media, and it was described by the alleged shooter as a “drug deal gone bad,” authorities said.

The shooting, which injured Wesley Arnold of Peach Orchard Road in Clinton, occurred at about 12:58 p.m. Tuesday at 104 East Holston Lane. Arnold had two gunshot wounds, one to each leg. He was hit as he attempted to flee the East Holston Lane home, according to arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court by Oak Ridge Police Department Detective Marvell Moore.

After the shooting, three people were quickly arrested and charged with especially aggravated robbery, a Class A felony; aggravated assault, a Class C felony; and criminal conspiracy, a Class B felony. They are Nicholas Strickland, 25, of South Benedict Avenue in Oak Ridge; Nicole Brewer, 19, of Highland Avenue in Oak Ridge; and Matthew A. Mashburn, 27, of Knox Lane in Knoxville.

Brewer told Moore that she arranged the robbery, and she contacted Arnold, the victim, through a social media site to conduct the deal, Moore wrote in the warrants.

“She (Brewer) advised the drug deal was supposed to be a ‘rip,’ meaning there wasn’t going to be any money exchanged for the substance (methamphetamine),” Moore said. [Read more…]