Oak Ridge Today

Bailey appointed Oliver Springs fire chief

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Justin Bailey

Justin Bailey (Photo via Oliver Springs Fire Department on Facebook)

 

Justin Bailey, who had been assistant fire chief in Oliver Springs, has been appointed chief.

The Town of Oliver Springs Board of Mayor and Council appointed Bailey to the position on Thursday, according to an Oliver Springs Fire Department post on Facebook. Bailey takes over the department after the retirement and recent death of former Fire Chief Terry Phillips.

Bailey has been a member of the Oliver Springs Fire Department since 2001. He has held several ranks with the department including training officer and assistant fire chief.

Bailey was a member of the Oliver Springs Explorer Post two years before he was hired onto the fire department in 2001, the OSFD said. [Read more…]

Vehicular homicide, other charges sent to grand jury in Clinton Highway crash

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Scott Gray, who has been charged with vehicular homicide, among other counts, is pictured above in Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division I, in Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers testified Thursday that a driver charged with vehicular homicide smelled of alcohol and said he had been drinking and had taken two anti-anxiety pills before a two-vehicle crash on Clinton Highway in April that resulted in the death of a 23-year-old Heiskell woman.

There was a half-empty bottle of whiskey found between the driver’s seat and the rocker panel of the 1993 Eagle four-door sedan, according to testimony by a crash witness and THP Trooper Isaiah Lloyd, the lead trooper in the investigation. Lloyd testified that he saw a glass marijuana pipe with residue in the center console of the car, a marijuana joint inside a prescription bottle, and at least six beer cans on the passenger floorboard of the car, although it wasn’t clear if the cans were empty or full.

The THP said Scott Gray, 26, of Knoxville, was driving north on Clinton Highway in the Eagle sedan near Mehaffey Road on Thursday evening, April 28, when he turned into the path of a southbound 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicle driven by Kimberly Williamson, 32, of Knoxville. The SUV driven by Williamson hit the car driven by Gray.

The passenger side of the Eagle had significant damage, and passenger Jessica Miner Taylor, 23, of Heiskell, was trapped and critically injured. After she was extricated, she was flown by a Lifestar medical helicopter to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, authorities said. She was immediately taken into the operating room because her bladder was torn from the crash, Lloyd said in arrest warrants filed in May.

Gray was taken by ambulance to UT Medical Center the day of the crash. Williamson had minor injuries, and she was taken in a personal vehicle to Tennova North, where she was treated and released, authorities said earlier.

Miner died from her injuries about a week after the crash, on Friday, May 6, according to her obituary. [Read more…]

County agrees to spend up to $100,000 to fix computer security breach

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Anderson County Courthouse

The Anderson County Courthouse on Main Street in Clinton is pictured above. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—A computer security breach in Anderson County could have affected about 1,800 full-time and part-time government employees, and the Anderson County Commission has agreed to spend up to $100,000 to fix it.

Officials said the breach was discovered in the “later part of July.” But they declined to say who discovered it and how. The breach is under investigation by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, with technical support from other unnamed law enforcement agencies.

Natalie Erb, the new finance director in Anderson County, offered potential solutions to commissioners during a Monday evening meeting. The options included a lower-cost option of reformatting the computer equipment, or magnetically “wiping” it, and possibly reusing the gear, or a more expensive option of replacing the machines, including two servers in the Accounting Department and 26 workstations.

The consensus among commissioners—especially since confidential employee information could have been jeopardized—was that it would be better to start over with new, more state-of-the-art equipment that would not have any potential security risks remaining inside, at least not from the security breach that is currently being investigated. Commissioners voted 16-0 to spend up to $100,000 to address the problem. That motion was made by Commissioner Chuck Fritts, who was one of those who raised concerns about how employees might have been affected. [Read more…]

Motorcyclist, 21, flown to UT hospital after crash with Electric Department truck

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The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a crash between a motorcycle and a city electric truck at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Illinois Avenue on Sunday morning, Aug. 14, 2016. The electric truck is in the background at right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 9:30 p.m.

A 21-year-old motorcyclist was flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville after crashing into an Oak Ridge Electric Department utility truck at the intersection of Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike on Sunday morning, authorities said.

The motorcyclist, identified as Brandon W. Wyrick of Clinton, was going north on a 1999 Yamaha V-Star on Illinois Avenue when he did not stop at a red light at Oak Ridge Turnpike, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said in a preliminary report.

The Electric Department’s 2011 Freightliner was going south on Oak Ridge Turnpike and was legally going through the intersection at Illinois Avenue when Wyrick failed to stop, the THP said. The motorcycle hit the right front side of the utility truck.

Wyrick was treated at the crash site and taken to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge by an Anderson County EMS ambulance. He was then flown to UT Medical Center by a Lifestar helicopter, the Oak Ridge Police Department said in a press release.

Wyrick’s condition was reported to be critical at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, according to UT Medical Center. [Read more…]

ORPD, THP investigating truck-motorcycle crash

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The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a crash between a motorcycle and a city electric truck on Sunday morning, Aug. 14, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 9:40 a.m. Aug. 15.

The Oak Ridge Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol were investigating a crash between a motorcycle and a city electric truck on Sunday morning.

The crash was reported at about 7 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Illinois Avenue.

The driver of the motorcycle was taken to Methodist Medical Center, authorities said.

The intersection remained closed as of about 9 a.m. Sunday.

Note: Please see newer story here for more information. It includes ORPD and THP reports on the crash.

Copyright 2016 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Fire apparently starts with oily rags, causes heavy damage to Eagles building

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A fire caused heavy damage to the Fraternal Order of Eagles at 1650 Oak Ridge Turnpike early Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, authorities said. Damage is visible from a side door at the Eagles at about 4 a.m. Saturday. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 14.

A fire that appears to have started with oily rags being stored improperly in a kitchen caused heavy damage to the Fraternal Order of Eagles on Oak Ridge Turnpike early Saturday, and the structure may have to be rebuilt, authorities said.

The fire was reported at about 2 a.m. Saturday at 1650 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The Eagles building, which has yellow siding, is the first building on the right side of the Turnpike as you head toward Kingston from Illinois Avenue.

There was heavy smoke coming out of all sides of the building when firefighters arrived, Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley said.

An Eagles member said the building had an alarm system, but there is no record of the alarm company calling 911 to report the fire, the Oak Ridge Fire Department said in a press release. Instead, a passing motorist saw the heavy smoke coming from the building and called 911 to report the fire. [Read more…]

Wine sales drop by two-thirds in one month, Ridge Package Store closing

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Owner Donnie Knight, left, of Ridge Package Store is pictured above with customer Ramona Cooper on Wednesday Aug. 10, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12:45 p.m. Aug. 15.

Wine sales at Ridge Package Store on Oak Ridge Turnpike dropped about two-thirds in one month after grocery stores started selling wine on July 1, and owner Donnie Knight announced his family-owned store is shutting down in October.

“The wine in grocery stores was the final nail for me,” Knight said Wednesday. “I can’t survive.”

Knight said he had been considering leaving the business for a while, but “this just confirmed it for me.”

He estimates he lost 5 percent to 6 percent of his customer base at a time when he didn’t think he could lose even 1 percent.

Knight, the only employee at the store, said he had hoped to close October 1, but it could be later in October, or as soon as he is able to liquidate. [Read more…]

Attempted second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping charges dismissed

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Jacob Lynn Rutherford

Jacob Lynn Rutherford

Four charges against an Oak Ridge man that included attempted second-degree murder and especially aggravated kidnapping were dismissed in July after a victim or state witness failed to appear, according to court records and court officials.

Jacob Lynn Rutherford, 22, had also been charged with aggravated assault and assault. Those charges were also dismissed.

Rutherford had been charged in two separate alleged assaults this year, one on February 25 and another on April 28. Police responded to both alleged assaults at 101 Locust Lane, where Rutherford lives.

Rutherford allegedly used a metal rod in one of the beatings, authorities said, and he was also accused of hitting the woman in the head with a gun and forcing her into his vehicle at gunpoint, according to arrest warrants.

The charges were dismissed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge on July 26, when a state witness or victim did not appear. Judgements on the aggravated assault and especially aggravated kidnapping charges said the victim failed to appear. That’s the same victim as in the attempted second-degree murder charge. [Read more…]

Red Cross building—the city’s housing office in World War II—is for sale

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The Red Cross building, which was the city’s housing office during World War II, is for sale. The building, which is on Oak Ridge Turnpike, is pictured above on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Red Cross building, which was used as the city’s housing office during World War II, is for sale.

The American Red Cross had been in the building since 1945, but it last had a part-time employee there in 2014.

It’s one of the few original Oak Ridge buildings remaining on Oak Ridge Turnpike or Illinois Avenue, said Mick Wiest, president of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association.

A Red Cross official said the organization is trying to lower its overhead across the country and occupy fewer buildings. That leaves more money to serve clients, said Michelle Hankes, executive director of the Red Cross East Tennessee Chapter Office, which is based in Knoxville.

Much of the organization’s work is field work and can be conducted with a laptop and cell phone, Hankes said. [Read more…]

Computer security breach reported at main courthouse server in Anderson County

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A computer security breach has been reported at the main courthouse server in Anderson County, officials said this week.

It’s a system-wide breach, said Anderson County Law Director Jay Yeager.

“The extent, type, and amount of data compromised has not yet been fully determined,” Yeager said. “However, this may include your confidential personal identifying data including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, home addresses, health insurance information and claims, payroll information, bank accounts, routing numbers, Veterans Service Office benefit documents, and possible employee credit union account information.”

The notice was sent Monday to all Anderson County employees and retirees. Yeager also alerted elected officials, school officials and the school board, Veterans Service members, and county contractors.

“The Anderson County Commission is undertaking prompt efforts to protect this system and your confidential information from additional system intrusions,” Yeager said. “Law enforcement authorities are working diligently to determine the scope of the breach and identify possible perpetrators.” [Read more…]

Fire Department rescues four stranded at night on boat in Clinch River

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The Oak Ridge Fire Department rescued four people stranded on a boat Wednesday night on the Clinch River, authorities said.

There was an initial call of someone possibly missing Wednesday night, and the Oak Ridge Police Department called the Oak Ridge Fire Department to help locate the stranded occupants of the boat, authorities said.

The people in the boat were able to stay in touch with dispatchers using a cell phone. Someone in the boat had a flashlight, and they used it to help alert rescuers to their location. They told dispatchers they could see a bridge. Rescuers thought that must be either the Edgemoor Road or Solway bridge.

The boat’s occupants reported being in a cove near houses, said ORFD Firefighter and Engineer George Carroll. [Read more…]

Aerial photos: Oak Ridge Mall demolition

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The site of the former Sears store is pictured above at the former Oak Ridge Mall, most of which is being demolished to prepare for Main Street Oak Ridge, on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. The side of Walmart is just visible at upper right. (Photo courtesy Brad Jones/BBB-TV, Channel 12)

 

Here are aerial photos from Wednesday of the demolition work at the former Oak Ridge Mall. The photos were shared by Brad Jones of BBB-TV, Channel 12, and they are used here with his permission.

See more information about the 58-acre redevelopment, called Main Street Oak Ridge, along with a video, in this story. Main Street Oak Ridge is expected to include retailers, restaurants, residential units, and a hotel. Belk and JCPenney will be part of the project. Eight other new stores have been announced.

RealtyLink, the Greenville, South Carolina, developer, has said demolition of the enclosed mall spaces between Belk and JCPenney could take three months, and new stores could open at the mixed-use, open-air development in the spring of 2017.

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The site of the former Sears store is pictured above at the former Oak Ridge Mall, most of which is being demolished to prepare for Main Street Oak Ridge, on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. (Photo courtesy Brad Jones/BBB-TV, Channel 12)

[Read more…]