Oak Ridge Today

Oliver Springs man stable at UT hospital after car rolls over, ejects him

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Robertsville Road Rollover Accident

An Oliver Springs man remained in stable condition at the University of Tennessee Medical Center on Wednesday after being ejected from a Cadillac SRX on Robertsville Road early Saturday morning. (Photos by Tom Scott)

An Oliver Springs man was in stable condition at the University of Tennessee Medical Center on Wednesday evening after being ejected from a vehicle that overturned on Robertsville Road early Saturday morning, authorities said.

Jared M. Coker, 25, was westbound on Robertsville Road in a Cadillac SRX just west of Bermuda Road at about 3:20 a.m. Saturday when he veered right into on-street parking, striking an unoccupied Chrysler sedan.

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William Arthur Bell Jr.

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William Arthur Bell Jr.

William Arthur Bell Jr.

William Arthur Bell Jr., age 96, of Oak Ridge, passed away Saturday, Dec. 22, at Blount Memorial Medical Center in Maryville.

He was born Nov. 24, 1916 in Powell Station, the son of Nola (Hibbs) and William Arthur Bell Sr.

We were blessed to be at the side of our father and hero, holding his hand, at the end. His very labored breathing stopped, his eyes opened very wide staring straight up towards heaven, and his heart stopped. He was at peace and his suffering gone. He had fought the good fight, and it was done.

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Tammy Waddle Bean Vann

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Tammy Waddle Bean Vann

Tammy Waddle Bean Vann

Tammy Waddle Bean Vann, age 53, of Oak Ridge, passed away Sunday, Dec. 23, at her residence.

Tammy was born February 24, 1959, in Oak Ridge to the late James “Jim” R. Waddle Sr. and Chris Holt Waddle.

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Strong, damaging winds possible through this afternoon

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A strong low pressure system moving northeast through East Tennessee and southwest North Carolina and Virginia could produce damaging winds through this afternoon along the foothills and eastern mountains, and some snowfall is possible in the region, forecasters said.

The system could produce strong southerly winds between 25 and 40 mph, and gusts over 70 mph are possible, the National Weather Service in Morristown said.

“As a cold front moves through the region today, cold air will rush in behind it, changing the rain to snow late this afternoon, with some snow showers persisting across the area tonight,” an NWS hazardous weather outlook said. “Light snowfall is possible, especially across the higher elevations of southwest Virginia and far East Tennessee mountains Wednesday night into Thursday.”

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Anderson County Commission planning to audit Andersonville Fire Department

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Information from WYSH Radio

Last week, the Anderson County Commission voted to get the ball rolling on an audit of the Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department.

Earlier this year, the department announced it was switching to a subscription-based service due to a lack of funds so severe, officials said, that the AVFD might have to close without the subscription plan.

The county has a 40-year lease with the AVFD for the land where the new Belmont Fire Station is being built, and part of the lease agreement calls for the department to be audited each year. The matter was referred to the Commission’s audit and budget committees for consideration and further discussion.

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Youth Board seeking vendors for summer jobs, career fair for teens

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Summer Jobs and Career Fair for Teens

Students are pictured at last year’s Summer Jobs and Career Fair for Teens at Oak Ridge High School. (Submitted photos)

The Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board is seeking vendors for a Summer Jobs and Career Fair for Teens in February.

The jobs and careers fair will be from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, in the Oak Ridge High School Café.

It will introduce students to possible summer job opportunities, future careers, and to potential colleges as well, a press release said. It will also serve as an excellent opportunity for vendors to meet potential employees.

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Free community meal at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church

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Stone Soup Ministry Community Meal

Sister and brother Lilly and Logan Swain help serve food at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church’s Stone Soup Ministry meal in November. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church has a free community meal on Friday, and everyone is invited, a press release said.

It’s a Stone Soup Ministry free community meal. They are held the last Friday of each month in the church’s Social Hall. Food for the meal is provided by the ORUUC congregation and financial support from Oak Ridge community members.

The Stone Soup Ministry name is derived from the Stone Soup Fable, a medieval tale in which a hungry stranger came upon a small village.

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Anderson County court clerk proposes new fee for school security

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Note: This story was updated at 7:33 p.m.

An Anderson County official has proposed a new fee that would be used to help provide more school security.

The new fee—a school security fee—would be added to the court costs paid by a defendant charged with a crime in Anderson County.

In a Wednesday morning press release, Anderson County Circuit Court Clerk Tyler Mayes said he’s already told Anderson County Commission Chairman Chuck Fritts and Law Director Jay Yeager that he intends to lobby local and state officials to add the new court cost fee. It would have to be approved by the Tennessee General Assembly in Nashville.

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Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays: Oak Ridge Today closed Tuesday

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Christmas Lights in Oliver Springs

Christmas lights on Browder Circle in Oliver Springs

Oak Ridge Today has published a limited number of stories today (Monday, Christmas Eve), and we don’t plan to publish on Tuesday, Christmas Day, unless something major happens.

We want to enjoy this day with our family and friends. We hope you are able to enjoy the day as well.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and we’ll see you again on Wednesday.

Video: Oliver Springs Marching Bobcats at 2012 Christmas Parade

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OLIVER SPRINGS—Here is a short video of the Oliver Springs Marching Bobcats at the Dec. 15 Christmas parade in Oliver Springs.

This is the second video we have posted on our new YouTube channel, which is available at http://www.youtube.com/oakridgetoday.

Enjoy.

Educators respond to proposals to allow armed teachers in Tennessee

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The Tennessee Education Association said this week that it is neutral on gun laws.

But the organization did release a statement after some legislators proposed allowing teachers to carry guns in Tennessee schools. The proposals followed the Dec. 14 school shooting at Newtown, Conn., that killed 20 students, six adults, the gunman, and his mother.

Here’s the TEA statement:

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Clarence ‘Gene’ Kelley

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Clarence Eugene Kelley

Clarence Eugene Kelley

Clarence “Gene” Kelley, age 65, of Clinton, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Norris Health and Rehabilitation Center in Andersonville.

Gene was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, working on cars, and playing with his grandchildren. His home and heart were open to all children, especially his own. It was normal for Gene’s home to be full with his five kids and all of their friends.

Gene was a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1966–1971. He was an auto mechanic for Goodyear and also worked for Pinkerton Security as a security guard deputy sheriff.

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