Oak Ridge Today

Two fires reported early Friday

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Oak Ridge Fire Department firefighters responded to two structure fires early Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, including one at around 4:29 a.m. on Newport Drive. (Photo from City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge Fire Department firefighters responded to two structure fires early Friday. No one was injured in either fire.

The first fire was reported at 12:42 a.m. Friday at 109 Houston Avenue. When they arrived, Oak Ridge firefighters found a detached garage that was on fire, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

The second fire was reported about three hours later, at around 4:29 a.m. It was a structure fire at 129 Newport Drive.

“Firefighters got the fire under control and are remaining on scene this morning extinguishing hot spots,” the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release Friday.

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Blount County man dies in single-vehicle crash in Oak Ridge

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A Blount County man died Thursday night in a single-vehicle crash in Oak Ridge.

William F. Alldis, 34, of Louisville, Tennessee, was pronounced dead at the crash site, the City of Oak Ridge said in a news release.

Oak Ridge Police Department officers responded to the 200-block area of Lafayette Drive after a call about an erratic driver at 8:51 p.m., and a crash was reported minutes later at 8:53 p.m., the release said.

When they arrived at 8:55 p.m., officers began life-saving measures until they were relieved by Oak Ridge Fire Department firefighters and Anderson County Emergency Medical Services medics. However, these life-saving measures were not successful, the release said.

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Oak Ridge announces Independence Day concert, fireworks

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Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge

The City of Oak Ridge is sponsoring its annual fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. The display will be held in Alvin K. Bissell Park on July 4, and it is scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform prior to the fireworks, a press release said. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating. A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department, the press release said. Please sit only in the designated areas. The walking trail and most of A.K. Bissell Park will be closed for safety reasons during the fireworks show and set up.

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ORFD to unveil Safe Haven Baby Box

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The Oak Ridge Fire Department will unveil a new Safe Haven Baby Box on Wednesday, June 12. It will be a place where mothers can safely and anonymously drop off their newborn babies during a crisis, a media advisory said.

The baby box has been installed in honor of Baby Wyatt, a newborn whose body was found wrapped in an oversized T-shirt along the banks of Melton Hill Lake on March 26, 2020, the advisory said. His identity remains unknown.

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ORPD participates in Drug Take Back Day

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The Oak Ridge Police Department and ASAP of Anderson will participate in the national DEA Drug Take Back Day next Saturday.

The Drug Take Back Day is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Anyone in the community can drop off their expired or unused medication to a police officer at the ORPD at 200 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge, a press release said.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the most common method of obtaining pills is through family and friends.

“Prescription drugs could be easily stolen at home when they are left in unlocked cabinets and drawers,” the press release said.

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Motorcyclist in fatal crash identified

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The motorcyclist who died in a crash on South Illinois Avenue on Saturday has been identified as Eric M. Barnes, 54, of Knoxville.

Barnes was riding a motorcycle south on South Illinois Avenue (State Route 62) at the Bethel Valley Road overpass at about 6:13 p.m. Saturday when the motorcycle hit another vehicle and left the road, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. Barnes died at the crash site.

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Motorcyclist dies in crash on S. Illinois

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A motorcyclist died in a crash on South Illinois Avenue on Saturday.

The motorcycle was traveling south on South Illinois Avenue (State Route 62) at the Bethel Valley Road overpass at about 6:13 p.m. Saturday when it struck another vehicle and left the road, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. The motorcyclist died at the crash site, the city said.

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Man accused of crashing into Y-12 barrier, fleeing inside plant

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Jonpaul Payne

A 27-year-old Lenoir City man allegedly drove a car without permission, did not stop at a Y-12 National Security Complex entrance, struck a barrier, and fled on foot inside the nuclear weapons plant before being detained, court records said.

The incident was reported at about 5 a.m. Saturday. At that time, the Oak Ridge Police Department sent a text message that entrance to Y-12 was closed on Bear Creek Road in response to the incident.

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C&D Tire remains closed for now after fire

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C&D Tire in Oak Ridge remains closed until further notice, according to a sign posted on its door on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. The popular tire store had a fire on Feb. 2, which remains under investigation. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A popular tire store in Oak Ridge remains closed after a fire this month.

A sign posted on C&D Tire on Sunday said the store will be closed until further notice.

In the meantime, the fire is under investigation, and there is yellow fire line tape strung across doors.

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C&D Tire fire under investigation

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A fire at C&D Tire in Oak Ridge on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, is under investigation. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The fire on Friday at C&D Tire is under investigation.

The Oak Ridge Fire Department arrived at the fire within two minutes after receiving the report of the fire, according to City of Oak Ridge spokesperson Lauren Gray.

The fire was reported at 6:27 p.m. Friday. It was under control in less than 10 minutes and extinguished in less than 15 minutes, Gray said.

On Sunday, the garage doors at the shop, a popular place to buy tires in Oak Ridge, were boarded up with yellow fire line tape strung across the doors.

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Fire reported at C&D Tire

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A fire was reported at C&D Tire in Oak Ridge on Friday.

The fire was reported just before 6:30 p.m. Friday, City of Oak Ridge spokesperson Lauren Gray said.

“Crews have the fire under control,” Gray said at about 7:19 p.m. “Black smoke is visible in the area. ORFD (Oak Ridge Fire Department) is still on scene.”

No injuries have been reported.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Freezing rain affects roads

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Rutgers Avenue is pictured above near Walmart early Friday morning, Jan. 19, 2024. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Freezing rain Thursday night affected roads in the region, and crashes, road closures, and icy roads were reported.

The Oak Ridge Police Department said the rain had turned most roads to ice.

“We advise that you do not travel as conditions may worsen throughout the night,” the ORPD said about 10 p.m. Thursday.

Friday morning, the department said police officers had responded to several weather-related crashes.

“The roads have had minor improvements,” the ORPD said. “However, there are still a large amount of troubled areas.”

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