Oak Ridge Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Rope rescue used to remove injured Jeep driver from steep hill

Posted at 2:54 pm August 14, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

A rope rescue system was used to help remove an injured Jeep driver who had driven over a steep hill near Edgemoor Road in east Oak Ridge at about 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, authorities said. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Fire Department)

A rope rescue system was used to help remove an injured Jeep driver who had driven over a steep hill in east Oak Ridge on Sunday, authorities said.

Oak Ridge 911 dispatchers received a call at about 7 p.m. Sunday that a 4×4 that had driven over a steep hill near Edgemoor Road. The Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, and Anderson County Emergency Medical Services responded. When crews arrived, they found a Jeep that was occupied by two adults and two dogs about 50 feet down a steep grade, the Oak Ridge Fire Department said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch has pancake breakfast Saturday

Posted at 10:41 pm August 10, 2018
By Joana Springmier Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program will host a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m. Saturday, August 11, at Aubrey’s Restaurant at 481 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

Tickets are $5 per plate. A plate includes two pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a fountain drink, milk, orange juice, tea, or coffee. Tickets are on sale now from Joana Springmier at [email protected] or (865) 272-5153, or Barbara Brower at [email protected].

The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program is a self-funded organization that relies solely on donations and fundraisers to promote safe neighborhoods.

“Thanks for your support!” organizers said.

This press release was submitted by Joana Springmier.

Motorcyclist in stable condition after crashing into power pole

Posted at 9:52 am August 10, 2018
By John Huotari 1 Comment

A motorcyclist was flown to a Knoxville hospital in a medical helicopter with what were described as serious injuries after crashing into a power pole on West Outer Drive on Wednesday morning, Aug. 8, 2018, authorities said. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The 20-year-old motorcyclist injured in a crash with a power pole in north Oak Ridge on Wednesday was listed in stable condition at a hospital on Thursday, officials said.

Matthew McKamey was airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville from Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge after the crash on West Outer Drive at about 7:10 a.m. Wednesday.

He remained at the UT Medical Center on Thursday. McKamey’s injuries were described as serious after Wednesday’s single-vehicle crash a few blocks east of North Illinois Avenue. [Read more…]

Missing teen found safe, ORPD says

Posted at 2:14 pm August 9, 2018
By John Huotari 1 Comment

The teenager who had been missing more than three weeks was found safe Wednesday night, the Oak Ridge Police Department said.

Jade Dush, 17, had been reported missing July 17. She was found safe in Oak Ridge, the ORPD said.

“Thank you to everyone who shared information during the search,” the ORPD said.

Courts: Attempted murder charges sent to grand jury after apartment shooting

Posted at 10:59 pm August 8, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Two attempted first-degree murder charges filed against a 20-year-old woman after a shooting in an Oak Ridge apartment parking lot in May have been sent to the Anderson County Grand Jury.

The charges against Kali Annabelle Bailey, whose last known address was in Powell, were bound over, or sent to, the grand jury, after a 100-minute preliminary hearing in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, July 31. A victim and a police officer both testified during the preliminary hearing.

Bailey is accused of shooting into a Kia Optima car that had two people inside and was backed into a parking space in the Manhattan Apartments on North Purdue Avenue at about 11:03 p.m. May 6 as part of a possible dispute between two women over a man, which was described in court as jealousy or a “love triangle.”

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Oak Ridge Police still looking for missing teen

Posted at 9:46 pm August 8, 2018
By John Huotari 2 Comments

The Oak Ridge Police Department said Wednesday that it is still searching for a missing teenager, 17-year-old Jade Dush.

She was reported missing July 17. Investigators now believe she may be traveling in a white 2003 Toyota RAV4 with TN plate 0M3-8B4, the ORPD said. Jade was also recently spotted in the Farragut area.

“If you’ve seen Jade or have any information on where she might be, contact Oak Ridge Police at (865) 425-4399,” the ORPD said.

Motorcyclist airlifted to UT after crashing into power pole

Posted at 9:54 am August 8, 2018
By John Huotari 3 Comments

A motorcyclist was flown to a Knoxville hospital in a medical helicopter with what were described as serious injuries after crashing into a power pole on West Outer Drive on Wednesday morning, Aug. 8, 2018. authorities said. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was updated at 2:50 p.m.

A 20-year-old motorcyclist was flown to a Knoxville hospital in a medical helicopter with what were described as serious injuries after crashing into a power pole on West Outer Drive on Wednesday morning, authorities said.

The single-vehicle crash, which was a few blocks east of North Illinois Avenue in an area with a curve and a hill, was reported at about 7:10 a.m. Wednesday. The motorcycle was heading west when it left the roadway and struck a utility pole, according to the Oak Ridge Police Department.

After the crash, the male motorcyclist was airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville from Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, said Eric Rackard, battalion chief for the Oak Ridge Fire Department. [Read more…]

Home damaged by fire Monday, cause under investigation

Posted at 9:33 pm August 7, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

A fire damaged a home on Gorgas Lane in north Oak Ridge on Monday evening, Aug. 6, 2018. No injuries were reported. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

A fire damaged a home in north Oak Ridge on Monday evening. No injuries were reported.

The house fire was reported at about 8:22 p.m. Monday in the 100 block of Gorgas Lane.

When firefighters arrived, they could see flames coming from the rear of the home and the attic, the Oak Ridge Fire Department said in a press release. Firefighters from Engine 2 laid a supply line from the fire hydrant and used two hand lines to quickly extinguish the fire, along with crews from Engines 1 and 3, Tower 10, and Rescue 30, the press release said. [Read more…]

Woman sentenced to 10 years, $50,000 restitution on meth charges

Posted at 11:25 am July 29, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Kimberly Hughes Welch

CLINTON—A Knoxville woman received a 10-year sentence and was ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution after pleading guilty Friday to a methamphetamine manufacturing charge following a raid at an apartment in Oak Ridge two years ago.

The meth lab raid occurred at an apartment on Tusculum Drive in central Oak Ridge on March 30, 2016. Agents found an active meth lab and items used to make meth, according to a property forfeiture affidavit filed by Russell Barker, who was director of the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force in Anderson County. The raid followed an undercover or covert narcotics investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine.

Kimberly Hughes Welch, 51, pleaded guilty to four charges related to the raid in Anderson County Criminal Court in Clinton on Friday. Three are felonies, and one is a misdemeanor. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge police ask for help finding missing teen

Posted at 8:54 pm July 27, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Jade Dush

The Oak Ridge Police Department is asking for the public’s help to find a missing teen. Jade Dush, age 17, of Oak Ridge, was last seen at her home on the evening of July 16, 2018.

She was reported missing the following day by her legal guardian, the ORPD said.

If you’ve seen Jade or have any information on where she might be, contact the Oak Ridge Police Department at (865) 425-4399. [Read more…]

Animal adoption fees will be lower on Aug. 18

Posted at 1:52 pm July 26, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Belgrade Road is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Animal adoption fees will be lower at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Saturday, August 18.

The Animal Shelter is participating in the nationwide “Clear the Shelters” pet adoption event that day.

“Reduced adoption fees of $55 will be available all day as staff work to find a forever home for each adoptable animal at the shelter,” a press release said.

Animal shelters all over the U.S. are teaming up as part of the effort to find loving homes for pets in need, the press release said. This is the fourth year for the event. Oak Ridge is one of three animal shelters in East Tennessee to commit to the cause so far this year, the said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge police kick off new school year with Operation Safe Start

Posted at 1:20 pm July 26, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

An Oak Ridge Police Department school zone patrol is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

A new school year will start next week, and the Oak Ridge Police Department will help to make sure students and families stay safe with Operation Safe Start beginning Monday, July 30, the first day of school, a press release said.

“The effort steps up police patrols to increase awareness of school zones and ensure drivers are following the law,” the press release said. “Residents will likely notice additional police vehicles and officers in school zones across the city.”

The press release said officers will be on the lookout for drivers who exceed posted speed limits, ignore school bus stop signs, and fail to yield for pedestrians. ORPD will also be enforcing seat belt, child passenger restraint, and distracted driving laws, including the new state law requiring the use of hands free devices in active school zones, the press release said. [Read more…]