Oak Ridge Today

Sheriff’s Department warns IRS scam is happening again

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IRS Scam

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department has again received reports of the Internal Revenue Service scam being perpetrated in Anderson County.

The callers represent themselves as IRS agents threatening arrest for overdue income taxes.

“Please be aware the IRS does not call anyone in this manner, and these types of calls are scams,” said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy. “Never give out personal information over the telephone.”

For more information, visit the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/uac/report-phishing.

Rowe named Roane State’s paramedic student of the year

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Roane State paramedic student of the year Grady Rowe (center) is congratulated by Dr. Peter Kah with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine (left) and Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

Roane State paramedic student of the year Grady Rowe (center) is congratulated by Dr. Peter Kah with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine (left) and Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

 

Grady Rowe with Rural/Metro Fire Department has been named Roane State Community College’s paramedic student of the year.

Dr. Peter Kah with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine presented the award to Rowe during Roane State’s annual Knoxville paramedic program luncheon. Students completing the paramedic program were recognized at the event, which was sponsored by TeamHealth.

Rowe, of Halls, is a full-time firefighter, member of the Tennessee Army National Guard and a father of four. He started Roane State’s program in August 2015.

“I love emergency medicine, being there when a patient is at a critical point and making a difference,” Rowe said. “I have enjoyed the entire year. The material, the instructors, the fellow students, it has really been a joy.” [Read more…]

Photo: Oak Ridge cheerleaders check presentation

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The Oak Ridge cheerleaders recently posed with management representatives and "Lucky" from the Time to Shine Car Wash of Oak Ridge for a check presentation in the amount of $5,361.26 following a very successful fundraising event. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge cheerleaders recently posed with management representatives and “Lucky” from the Time to Shine Car Wash of Oak Ridge for a check presentation in the amount of $5,361.26 following a very successful fundraising event. (Submitted photo)

Engineer, Army veteran, community volunteer running for City Council

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Hans Vogel

Hans Vogel

Hans Vogel, current vice chair of the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission, is running for one of three seats on the Oak Ridge City Council in the November 8 election.

Vogel is also a member of the Board of Directors for Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC, and he is a graduate of the Leadership Oak Ridge 2015 class, a press release said.

He is also an engineer and Army veteran, according to the press release.

The release said Vogel has a strong vision for the city of Oak Ridge that centers around working together to achieve a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable community where people choose to live, work, and play.

“Oak Ridge has unlimited potential if the City Council, business community, and Department of Energy can join together with our citizens to address community priorities,” Vogel said in the release. “In order to achieve this goal, the city must have a plan.” [Read more…]

Manhattan Project public program: Jackson Square, the city center, on Aug. 27

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Historic Jackson Square

Historic Jackson Square is pictured above. (Photo courtesy National Park Service)

 

Join a park ranger for a walk through Jackson Square. Manhattan Project National Historical Park will present a free program on Saturday morning, August 27, at 10 a.m. in Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. The program will begin in the upper parking lot of Jackson Square in front of the fountain.

During the program, park rangers will discuss how routine, tradition, and the comforts of home helped keep Oak Ridge residents focus on the mission and not their hardships, a press release said.

“We will walk to the Alexander Inn Guest House and the Chapel on the Hill during the program,” the release said.

Jackson Square is located three blocks north of the Oak Ridge Turnpike on Broadway Avenue.  If you need directions, maps are available at the National Park desk in the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge or you can call (865) 576-6767. [Read more…]

Dodson has campaign kickoff party, fundraiser on Tuesday

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Jim Dodson is having a kickoff party and fundraiser for his campaign for Oak Ridge City Council at Razzleberry’s in Jackson Square on Tuesday, August 15. (Submitted photo)

 

Jim Dodson is having a kickoff party and fundraiser for his campaign for Oak Ridge City Council on Tuesday, August 15.

The kickoff will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 15, at Razzleberry’s restaurant in Jackson Square. Ridge City Ramblers, a local musical group, will perform. Those interested in showing their support or getting to know Dodson are invited to stop by, a press release said.

Dodson is a 30-year-teacher at Jefferson Middle School. He has a history of community involvement that includes United Way, Explore Oak Ridge (formerly the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau), Secret City Festival, Arts Council, and more, the press release said.

It said Dodson hopes to expand his community coalition building experience by bringing these skills to the Oak Ridge City Council. [Read more…]

United Way 2016 Campaign kicks off today

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The 2016 United Way of Anderson County Fundraising Campaign starts today (Monday, August 15).

“The fundraising campaign is being valiantly led this year by Bear Stephenson and Carroll Welch,” a press release said.

“This year also unveils a new mission statement for the organization: United Way of Anderson County improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community to advance the common good,” the press release said. “We focus on youth development, self-sufficiency, and senior and health services—the building blocks for a good life and strong community.”

The new mission statement focuses on United Way’s renewed goals of mobilizing volunteers, creating lasting change, and empowering social service programs that serve Anderson County citizens, the release said. In addition, the new mission statement highlights United Way of Anderson County’s new focus areas: youth development, self-sufficiency, and senior and health services. [Read more…]

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

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Oak-Ridge-Turnpike-and-Illinois-Avenue-Crash-Aug-14-2016

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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Oak-Ridge-Turnpike-and-Illinois-Avenue-Crash-Aug-14-2016

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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Eagles-Fire-Side-Interior-Aug-13-2016

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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Ridge-Package-Store-Closing-Donnie-Knight-and-Ramona-Cooper-Aug-10-2016-500-II

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…]