Oak Ridge Today

Claxton fire burns through roof at home behind Bread Box

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Dogwood Road Fire

Firefighters battle a blaze that spread into the attic and burned through a roof at a home on South Dogwood Road in Claxton. (Photo by Tom Scott)

A Monday evening fire burned through the roof of a home behind the Bread Box convenience store on Edgemoor Road in Claxton.

The fire at 110 S. Dogwood Road was reported at about 6:45 p.m. Monday, photographer Tom Scott said. It was originally reported as a kitchen fire, but the fire extended into the attic and burned through the roof, causing extensive damage.

Before firefighters arrived, a neighbor kicked open a door after hearing what sounded like a cry for help and freed a trapped cat, according to WYSH Radio in Clinton. No injuries were reported.

The initial response was by the Claxton Fire Department. In one of the larger Anderson County mutual aid operations in recent years, the Rural Metro, Andersonville, Marlow, Medford, and Briceville fire departments responded, and so did Anderson County Emergency Medical Services and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, Scott said. The American Red Cross also responded to help the residents. [Read more…]

Shed, motorcycle destroyed in fire

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Information from WYSH Radio

A storage shed was destroyed along with a motorcycle Monday night in the Marlow community. The call came in shortly before 7 p.m., and crews responded to 397 Marlow Road, where they found the building in flames.

The structure and a 1985 Yamaha motorcycle were destroyed in the fire. The cause has not been determined.

City will recycle Christmas trees on Jan. 4, 11

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The city of Oak Ridge will recycle Christmas trees from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, and Saturday, Jan. 11.

The drop-off site is the parking lot at Big Turtle Park off Monterey Road.

Trees will be accepted any time up to Jan. 13, but if you come at the designated times, your Christmas tree may be exchanged for a sugar maple seedling. Wreaths and garland will be accepted, but brush will not. Please be sure to remove all tinsel and other decorations, a press release said.

For more information, contact the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3450 or visit the city’s website at www.oakridgetn.gov.

Oak Ridge man remains jailed after allegedly threatening woman with knife

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An Oak Ridge man was charged with aggravated domestic assault after a police officer witnessed him standing near a woman with a knife held over his head in a malicious manner and the blade facing the victim, authorities said.

Charles K. Hollinsworth, 45, was arrested after the family disturbance call on Mayfair Lane at 11:34 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20, and he remained jailed on Monday afternoon.

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Christopher Bayless responded to the call, and he said he found a distressed child outside the home, according to a warrant filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court. As Bayless approached the house, he said he could hear a loud, escalating argument and a high-pitched in-distress yell coming from a female. [Read more…]

Bicyclist reports man yells obscenities before running over his bike in Solway

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A 32-year-old man reported that a suspect leaving the Raceway gas station in Solway on Sunday afternoon first yelled obscenities toward him and then ran over his bicycle, authorities said.

The victim was examined by Rural Metro, but he said he was not injured in the incident, which occurred at 2:23 p.m. Sunday, according to a Knox County Sheriff’s Office report.

The suspect, who was reported to be driving a black Chevrolet Blazer, left before officers arrived.

Organizers announce new date for Dragon Boat Festival in May

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Colorado Dragon Boat Race

The first team to pull out the flag at the end of a dragon boat race in Colorado wins the 150-meter competition. (Jeff Towery, provided by Colorado Dragon Boat Festival)

The three Rotary clubs of Oak Ridge, which are planning to launch the inaugural Oak Ridge Dragon Boat Festival this spring, have announced a change of date for the community fundraiser. The festival will be held Saturday, May 31, 2014, at the Oak Ridge Marina and Pavilion in Melton Lake Park.

In addition, the clubs have announced a new website for the Oak Ridge Dragon Boat Festival: http://oakridge.racedragonboats.com/.

“The purpose of the festival is to provide a venue for dragon boat races, offer food and musical entertainment, and raise funds for a special project and nonprofit service organizations in the community,” said Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, president of the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge.

The boat-racing event, launched by OARS in the Water, will celebrate Oak Ridge’s waterfront and signature rowing venue. OARS stands for the Oak Ridge Association of Rotarians. The other two clubs are the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary and Oak Ridge Sunset Rotary clubs. [Read more…]

Residents evacuated, but home heavily damaged in Oliver Springs fire

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Oak Circle Oliver Springs Fire

Residents were safely evacuated, but a home and car were heavily damaged during a Saturday night fire on Oak Circle in Oliver Springs. (Photos by Tom Scott)

Residents were safely evacuated, but a home and car were heavily damaged during a Saturday evening fire in Oliver Springs.

The fire was reported at about 7:35 p.m. Saturday at 446 Oak Circle. A Nissan Sentra parked near the house suffered major damage, photographer Tom Scott said.

The home is on a hill. An Oliver Springs Volunteer Fire Department engine was positioned at the bottom of the driveway during the fire, and fire hoses were pulled up the hill, Scott said. [Read more…]

Fire destroys home on Hoskins Gap Road

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Jordan Alcorn at Hoskins Gap Road Fire

Oliver Springs Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Jordan Alcorn battles a fire that destroyed a home on Hoskins Gap Road near Winrock Road at about 7 a.m. Friday. (Photo by Tom Scott)

A fire destroyed a home on Hoskins Gap Road at about 7 a.m. Friday, but no injuries were reported.

The home was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, photographer Tom Scott said.

The home is near Windrock Road and in the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department area, but firefighters from Oliver Springs also responded, as did Anderson County Emergency Medical Services and the Sheriff’s Department.

Two people were reported to have escaped the fire, which was apparently started by a wood-burning stove. [Read more…]

THP IDs man found on I-40 in Roane County near Hwy 95, seeks help

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Brian William Taylor

Brian William Taylor

Authorities have identified the man found dead early Christmas morning on Interstate 40 in Roane County, and they said he appears to have either jumped or fallen from a moving vehicle before being struck by another vehicle.

The body of Brian William Taylor, 42, of Heath Springs, S.C., was found on the eastbound lanes of I-40 at mile marker 364, which is near Highway 95 and south of Melton Hill Dam, at about 2:30 a.m. Dec. 25, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said in a press release.

Taylor is a white man, and when he was found, he was wearing blue jeans, a blue and white checked flannel type shirt, and tan work boots, the THP said. [Read more…]

Watson one of four finalists for Texas job; decision possible in late January

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson is one of four finalists for a similar job in one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, and officials there could hire someone near the end of January, an official said Monday.

Jon Branson, one of two assistant city managers in Pearland, Texas, said the City Council is tentatively scheduled to conduct some final interviews on or around Jan. 25, and officials hope to have a decision shortly afterward.

Pearland’s current city manager, Bill Eisen, is retiring at the end of the month after 12 years. Branson will be the interim city manager starting Jan. 1, and he will serve until the Pearland City Council hires a new city manager. [Read more…]

Register for ORICL courses and trips by Jan. 8; semester starts Feb. 3

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ORICL Wagon Ride at Fall Retreat

More than 30 ORICL members enjoyed a fall retreat at Henry Horton State Park last October. Here, many are ready to take the first wagon ride tour around the park. The tractor driver is the tour guide. (Submitted photo)

Want to know how to improve your bidding in the game of bridge? Play easy songs on the guitar? Take better photos with your digital camera?

These are among the practical courses offered during the winter-spring 2014 semester of the Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning, starting Feb. 3.

You can also take ORICL how-to courses on drawing, painting with watercolors, designing earrings, using the computer for genealogical research, retiring successfully, and speaking French, German or Spanish.

The early registration deadline is Jan. 8, 2014, for the winter-spring semester, which ends April 25. Members should register by this date to have the best chance of getting preferred classes and trips. [Read more…]

Clinton Public Library has monthly computer lab for job seekers

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On the first Thursday of every month, the Clinton Public Library will have an open computer lab just for job seekers.

The first Job Seekers’ Lab will be held on Thursday, Jan. 2, from 2-3:30 p.m., a press release said. During that time, an instructor will be available to assist patrons with job searches, job applications, resumes, and cover letters.

The Clinton Public Library will also be hosting a free Computer Basics Class on Friday, Jan. 24, from 2-3:30 p.m. This class will teach a basic understanding of computer hardware and peripherals, Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader, the Internet, and search engines. There are only eight seats available for the Computer Basics Class. To reserve your seat, call the library at (865) 457-0519 or visit the library at 118 S. Hicks Street.