A short section of Highway 62, also known as Knoxville Highway, is closed north of Oliver Springs, authorities said Wednesday afternoon.
Both lanes are closed for about one-quarter mile between Big Mountain Road and Lookout Avenue, the Oliver Springs Police Department said.
The road was closed at about 2 p.m., and it could be closed a few more hours, the Oliver Springs Police Department said at 4 p.m. Wednesday. [Read more…]
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced in Nashville on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, that a year-long investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation resulted in a 320-count indictment and 10 people were arrested, including seven Anderson County residents, on charges of unlawfully filing liens and making false entries into records. (Photo courtesy TBI)
Note: This story was last updated at 12:15 p.m. Feb. 17.
Seven “sovereign citizens” from Anderson County, including Lee Harold Cromwell, have been indicted and arrested on charges related to filing fraudulent liens against local officials, law enforcement officers, and public employees, authorities said Thursday.
The sovereign citizens were arrested Wednesday by teams that included agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, according to a press release from Seventh Judicial District Attorney General Dave Clark in Anderson County.
The TBI said a year-long investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation resulted in a 320-count indictment, and 10 people were arrested on charges of unlawfully filing liens and making false entries into records. Multiple other state, county, and local law enforcement agencies also participated in the arrests.
Dave Clark
TBI special agents began their investigation at the request of Clark in May 2016. That was about the time that Anderson County Circuit and Criminal Court Judge Don Elledge learned that Cromwell had filed a lien against the judge, causing Elledge to recuse himself from a vehicular homicide and aggravated assault case filed against Cromwell. The judge vowed to do everything he could legally, morally, and ethically—both criminally and civilly—to prosecute Cromwell to the full extent of the law.
Elledge said he discussed the liens filed against him by Cromwell with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a federal task force, the Seventh District Attorney General’s Office (the Anderson County DA), and local legislators. [Read more…]
The Oliver Springs Fire Department announced last year that effective October 1, 2016, the department was to be an ISO class 4/4y department. That was an improvement from its previous rating of 6/9.
“This could mean a possible savings on your homeowners insurance if you live within the Town of Oliver Springs,” the Fire Department said. “This is also dependent upon your individual insurance carrier.” [Read more…]
Dave Clark
Thirteen people were charged this week during an investigation into human trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors, and prostitution in Anderson County, authorities said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, asked Anderson County’s Seventh Judicial Crime Task Force to work with it to detect and investigate any instances of human trafficking or related crimes that might be occurring in the Anderson County area, according to a Friday press release from District Attorney General Dave Clark.
Federal and state law enforcement agencies completed the investigation this week. They were helped by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, Clinton Police Department, and Oliver Springs Police Department, which all provided “important and considerable manpower and assistance,” the press release said.
The District Attorney General’s Office participated in planning, monitoring, and supporting the operation, the release said.
“Deputies, agents, and officers worked together to set up in an area hotel posing as an illicit sexual services customer,” the release said. “This operation included approximately 24 law enforcement officers from the participating agencies. The operation was carefully monitored and video recorded, and undercover deputies, agents, and officers were positioned outside and inside the hotel. The intended targets were any individuals exploiting women, particularly vulnerable women, and profiting from their participation in the sex trade.” [Read more…]
OLIVER SPRINGS—One person was killed and two were injured in a head-on crash on State Route 62 near Oliver Springs on Thursday evening, authorities said.
The two-vehicle crash was reported at about 7:34 p.m. Thursday at Big Mountain Hollow Road, a short distance north of Oliver Springs in Morgan County.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said Timothy J. Young, 35, of Oliver Springs, was driving a 2003 Ford vehicle west, toward Coalfield and Wartburg, when he tried to pass another westbound vehicle and collided head-on with a 2000 Nissan driven east by Goman E. Harness, 50, of Oliver Springs. Young was killed, and Harness and his passenger, Frances M. Richardson, 47, of Coalfield, were injured, according to a THP fatal crash report. [Read more…]
The Clinton Fire Department is pictured above responding to the fires in Sevier County on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. (Photo by Clinton Fire Department)
We have more information on local firefighters and law enforcement that have either responded to help fight the fires in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park—or remain in standby in case they are needed.
Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas and other officials said Andersonville, Claxton, Clinton, Marlow, Oak Ridge, and Oliver Springs fire departments all sent resources to the fire.
Anderson County EMS sent its mass casualty response vehicle on Monday night, and they sent three ambulances Tuesday morning, Lucas said.
Lucas said he talked to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals on Monday night, and Anderson County deputies are on stand-by in case Sevier County needs additional law enforcement personnel. [Read more…]
Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers walked into areas of Gatlinburg that were surrounded by fire to remove those who were trapped by flames in fires that started Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. (Photo by THP)
Note: This story was last updated at 4:50 p.m.
Fire departments in Oak Ridge, Clinton, Oliver Springs, and Marlow sent crews to help fight the fast-moving wildfires that started burning in the Gatlinburg area on Monday.
The Oak Ridge Fire Department was helping crews in the area around Gatlinburg, a mountain town near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on Monday night, the City of Oak Ridge said.
Oak Ridge Police Department officers were also on standby, the city said.
Tuesday morning, firefighter Jordan Alcorn said it was a long night, but the Engine 2 crew was on Interstate 40 West headed home.
“Thank you all for the prayers and kind words, that fight is not over, so keep our relief in your prayers!” Alcorn said.
Later Tuesday morning, the city said Oak Ridge Fire Department crews were continuing to help battle the Great Smoky Mountains wildfire.
“There is massive damage and reports of people injured or missing,” the city said. “Please continue to keep everyone affected by this in your thoughts and prayers today.”
Also Tuesday morning, Clinton Fire Chief Archie Brummitt said the Clinton Fire Department was in Gatlinburg in Sevier County. One CFD engine and five firemen responded Monday night around midnight, Brummitt said. [Read more…]
Oak Ridge resident Tom Giles collects supplies for firefighters at High Places Community Church on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
An Oak Ridge volunteer is collecting supplies for firefighters as they battle forest fires across East Tennessee.
Tom Giles set up three days in the past week at High Places Community Church in Grove Center. He has more donation dates scheduled at the church from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, December 3, and Saturday, December 10.
Here are the items needed: water, Gatorade, small packs of peanut butter crackers and cheese crackers, energy bars, beef jerky, etc. Last Saturday, he said the items should not melt. For example, a chocolate snack could melt in a firefighter’s pocket.
On Friday, November 25, Giles said Oliver Springs Fire Department is providing support to fires burning near Petros, north of Oliver Springs.
“If supplies are depleted, we may need to mobilize a donation date before our December 3 event,” Giles said. “I am in contact with officers from OSFD and will provide updates as needed. Thank you for support.” [Read more…]
You can get rid of unused, unwanted, or expired prescription or non-prescription medicines on Saturday. It’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
You can drop off the medications at locations in Clinton, Norris, Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs, and Rocky Top.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications, a press release said.
Oak Ridge and Anderson County participate by encouraging residents across the city and county to properly dispose of their unused, unwanted, or expired prescription or non-prescription medicines, the press release said. Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) of Anderson County has partnered with the Oak Ridge Police Department and other law enforcement agencies throughout the county to give two convenient options to residents for proper medicine disposal. [Read more…]
Robbery charges filed against Steven Scruggs, 31, of Oliver Springs, in orange above, were sent to a grand jury during a preliminary hearing in Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II, in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Note: This story was updated at 5:05 p.m.
The robbery, attempted robbery, and theft charges filed against an Oliver Springs man after an alleged robbery at Family Dollar in July have been sent to a grand jury.
Steven Scruggs, 31, had a preliminary hearing in Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II, in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, August 23. His two co-defendants, also Oliver Springs residents, were in court as well. One pleaded guilty to one charge, and another waived one to a grand jury.
Anderson County General Sessions Court Judge Roger Miller found probable cause to send the robbery, attempted robbery, and theft charges filed against Scruggs to the grand jury after hearing testimony from employee Kimberly Armes, who was working at the store the evening of July 20, when the alleged robbery occurred, and from Oliver Springs Police Department Lieutenant David Laxton, who investigated it. All three charges are felony charges.
A false imprisonment charge that had also been filed against Scruggs was dismissed.
The robbery was reported at about 10:04 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, at the Family Dollar store, which is at 51 Edmonds Drive in Oliver Springs. [Read more…]
Justin Bailey (Photo via Oliver Springs Fire Department on Facebook)
Justin Bailey, who had been assistant fire chief in Oliver Springs, has been appointed chief.
The Town of Oliver Springs Board of Mayor and Council appointed Bailey to the position on Thursday, according to an Oliver Springs Fire Department post on Facebook. Bailey takes over the department after the retirement and recent death of former Fire Chief Terry Phillips.
Bailey has been a member of the Oliver Springs Fire Department since 2001. He has held several ranks with the department including training officer and assistant fire chief.
Bailey was a member of the Oliver Springs Explorer Post two years before he was hired onto the fire department in 2001, the OSFD said. [Read more…]
Steven Scruggs
Note: This story was last updated at 7:40 p.m.
Three people have been charged after a robbery was reported at Family Dollar in Oliver Springs on Wednesday night, authorities said.
The robbery was reported at about 10:04 p.m. Wednesday at the store, which is at 51 Edmonds Drive in Oliver Springs.
When they arrived, Sergeant Kevin Armes and Patrolman Nathaniel Nelson of the Oliver Springs Police Department were told that, after closing and while the cashiers were doing the money count, a masked man came from the back of the store and ordered both employees to the floor and demanded all the money and cell phones, a press release said. After receiving all the cash from the register and safe, he reportedly left the store through the back, the release said. [Read more…]
