Oak Ridge Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Free child car seat checkpoints scheduled for Oct. 23-24

Posted at 11:44 am October 23, 2018
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There is a free child passenger seat checkpoint in Oak Ridge on Saturday, May 12, 2018. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

There is a free child passenger seat checkpoint in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, Oct. 23, and Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Police Department and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital are teaming up to host child passenger seat checkpoints on Tuesday, October 23, and Wednesday, October 24. The events are free and open to the public.

The checkpoints will be held in the parking lot across the street from Oak Ridge Preschool, located at 304 New York Avenue. Parents and caregivers are invited to stop by anytime between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. either day with no need to pre-register, a press release said.

During the event, car seats will be checked for manufacturer recalls and examined for proper installation by certified technicians. Crews will also distribute educational materials about car seats. Attendees should follow the directional signage when arriving at the checkpoint, the press release said. [Read more…]

Robin Smith named Oak Ridge police chief

Posted at 11:07 am October 23, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Police Chief Robin Smith (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

Robin Smith, who had been deputy chief, has been promoted to police chief, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said Tuesday.

Smith has served as acting chief for the Oak Ridge Police Department since August. Former Police Chief James T. Akagi has retired.

“The Oak Ridge Police Department is an effective team built with good people who care about our community,” Smith said. “We want Oak Ridge to be a safe place for people to live, work and visit. I’m proud to be a member of the team.” [Read more…]

TBI identifies man killed in officer-involved shooting

Posted at 10:51 am October 9, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has identified the man who died in a Monday night officer-involved shooting at Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road as Isaiah D. Ramirez, 26. Above, police investigate after a chase was reported along Emory Valley Road and there were reports of shots fired on Monday evening, Oct. 8, 2018. The parking lot at Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road was blocked off with yellow tape, and there was a large emergency response presence that included members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and District Attorney General Dave Clark, right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was last updated at 11:55 a.m.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has identified the man who died in a Monday night officer-involved shooting in a courthouse parking lot on Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge.

The man has been identified as Isaiah D. Ramirez, 36.

Ramirez was reported to have struck an Oak Ridge police officer with a pickup truck before at least one officer fired shots at the vehicle, striking Ramirez, the TBI said Monday night.

The shooting near Anderson County General Sessions Court and other county offices followed a police pursuit that started on Cumberland View Drive along Emory Valley Road in east Oak Ridge at about 6:30 p.m. Monday, authorities said. The Oak Ridge Police Department tried to make a traffic stop, but Ramirez, who was pulling a utility trailer behind his pickup truck, didn’t stop, according to TBI spokesperson Leslie Earhart. Ramirez reportedly had outstanding warrants. Residents of Emory Valley reported a police pursuit involving at least four police cars. [Read more…]

Man dies in police shooting after striking officer with vehicle

Posted at 11:16 pm October 8, 2018
By John Huotari 1 Comment

Police are investigating after a chase was reported along Emory Valley Road and there were reports of shots fired on Monday evening, Oct. 8, 2018. The parking lot at Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road is blocked off with yellow tape, and there is a large emergency response presence that includes members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and District Attorney General Dave Clark, right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A man who struck an Oak Ridge police officer with a vehicle died when at least one officer shot at him in the parking lot of Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road on Monday evening, Oct. 8, 2018, authorities said. The vehicle that struck an officer and was shot into is facing toward the camera at top right-center between an Oak Ridge Police Department SUV and an Oak Ridge Transit bus. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was last updated at 9 a.m. Oct. 9.

A man who struck an Oak Ridge police officer with a vehicle died when at least one officer shot at him in a courthouse parking lot on Monday evening, authorities said.

The police pursuit and shooting started in a residential area along Emory Valley Road and ended at Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge. It was reported at about 6:30 p.m. Monday.

The Oak Ridge Police Department had recognized a man in a vehicle who had outstanding warrants on Cumberland View Drive in east Oak Ridge and tried to make a traffic stop, said Leslie Earhart, public information officer for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The man reportedly had warrants for domestic assault and aggravated burglary. [Read more…]

TBI investigating shooting that involved officer on Emory Valley Road

Posted at 8:52 pm October 8, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Police are investigating after a chase was reported along Emory Valley Road and there were reports of shots fired on Monday evening, Oct. 8, 2018. The parking lot at Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road is blocked off with yellow tape, and there is a large emergency response presence that includes members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and District Attorney General Dave Clark, right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

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

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has agents and forensic scientists on the scene of an officer-involved shooting on Monday along Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge, a spokesperson said.

Update (11:45 p.m.): A man who struck an Oak Ridge police officer with a vehicle died when at least one officer opened fire in a courthouse parking lot on Monday evening, authorities said. See newer story here.

The incident on Monday evening, which was said to have included a police pursuit and shots fired, was reported in areas along Emory Valley Road, including a residential neighborhood and the parking lot of Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II. The courthouse parking lot was blocked off with yellow police/fire tape on Monday evening, and members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and District Attorney General Dave Clark were there.

At about 8:30 p.m. Monday, TBI spokesperson Leslie Earhart said she was on her way to provide more information when possible. [Read more…]

Police investigating after chase, report of shots fired

Posted at 8:13 pm October 8, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Note: This story was last updated at 9 a.m. Oct. 9.

Police are investigating after a chase was reported along Emory Valley Road and there were reports of shots fired.

Update (9 p.m.): The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has agents and forensic scientists on the scene of an officer-involved shooting on Monday along Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge, a spokesperson said. See newer story here.

The parking lot at Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road is blocked off with yellow tape, and there is a large emergency response presence that includes members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and District Attorney General Dave Clark.

One person reported seeing part of the incident at about 6:30 p.m. Monday. Residents of Emory Valley reported a police pursuit involving at least four police cars though a residential area along Emory Valley Road. [Read more…]

Reminder: Fire & Crime Prevention Celebration is Saturday

Posted at 9:05 pm October 5, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Fire Department Fire Prevention Parade in 2017. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

A reminder: The Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, and Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program are teaming up to host the Fire and Crime Prevention Celebration on Saturday.

“Everyone is invited to participate and support this free event, which combines the police department’s annual National Night Out and the fire department’s Fire Prevention Parade into one big community celebration,” a press release said.

Goals of the Fire and Crime Prevention Celebration include: [Read more…]

No injuries reported after basement fire

Posted at 5:57 pm October 4, 2018
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No injuries were reported after a basement fire in a house on Delaware Avenue on Wednesday evening, Oct. 3, 2018. (Photo by Tom Scott, Oak Ridge Fire Department photographer)

No injuries were reported after a basement fire in a house on Delaware Avenue on Wednesday.

The fire was reported at about 6:23 p.m. Wednesday. The first unit from the Oak Ridge Fire Department was there within minutes, a press release said.

The occupants of the home said they were alerted by the smell of smoke and the sound of the smoke detector, the press release said. They were able to evacuate the residence without injury and call 911. [Read more…]

ORFD hosts ‘Stop the Bleed’ class on Oct. 24

Posted at 2:02 pm October 2, 2018
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The Oak Ridge Fire Department will host a “Stop the Bleed” course on Wednesday, October 24, at 6 p.m. Participation is limited to 20 people, and there is no cost involved in taking the course, a press release said.

Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and call to action, the press release said. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives, the release said. [Read more…]

Man shot during argument, after crash at Maytag Laundry

Posted at 9:13 pm September 19, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

At least one person was injured after a vehicle was reported to have crashed into the Maytag Laundry near South Illinois Avenue in central Oak Ridge on Tuesday evening, Sept. 18, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

At least one person was injured after a vehicle crashed into the Maytag Laundry near South Illinois Avenue in central Oak Ridge on Tuesday evening, Sept. 18, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A man was shot in the arm during an argument and after the crash into the Maytag Laundry on Tuesday evening, authorities said.

Before the crash, two men had been arguing, according to the Oak Ridge Police Department. The argument turned into a physical altercation, the ORPD said.

“During the altercation, one man appeared to reach inside the other man’s vehicle and held on as the vehicle was in motion,” the ORPD said in a press release. “The vehicle struck two other vehicles before crashing into the front of the building.”

The man outside the vehicle then fired a handgun at the male driver, hitting him once in the arm, the ORPD said. The male driver fled the scene on foot, but was soon located near the Oak Ridge Civic Center, the ORPD said. [Read more…]

Update: One injured after vehicle crashes into laundromat

Posted at 9:59 pm September 18, 2018
By John Huotari 1 Comment

At least one person was injured after a vehicle was reported to have crashed into the Maytag Laundry near South Illinois Avenue in central Oak Ridge on Tuesday evening, Sept. 18, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was updated at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 19.

At least one person was injured after a vehicle crashed into the Maytag Laundry near South Illinois Avenue in central Oak Ridge on Tuesday.

The crash was reported at the Tulsa Road business around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The cause of the crash wasn’t immediately clear. It also wasn’t clear if more than one person was injured.

The man who was injured was transported from the crash in an ambulance. [Read more…]

Low-flying helicopters part of emergency exercise Wednesday

Posted at 1:34 pm September 17, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

There will be an emergency exercise on Wednesday, and it will include low-flying helicopters, a press release said.

The emergency exercise is being conducted by emergency responders from the U.S. Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, along with state and local emergency management personnel.

“The public may observe emergency responders simulating response activities in the area surrounding the Oak Ridge Reservation,” a press release said. “Additionally, low-flying National Guard helicopters will be performing training in the area. The helicopters will be flying in the Melton Hill Lake area near ORNL. These activities are part of the exercise.” [Read more…]