Oak Ridge Today

ORPD taking applications for Citizens Police Academy

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The Oak Ridge Police Department is now taking applications for the Citizens Police Academy, which will begin on Jan. 23 and run through March 27, 2014.

The Citizens Police Academy allows citizens to gain knowledge of how the Oak Ridge Police Department is organized and learn more about its functions, as well as improve understanding of the challenges in serving and protecting the community, a press release said. It requires a 10-week commitment from the participants and will be held one night a week, on Thursdays beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m. [Read more…]

Red light camera ‘scam’ actually an ORAU training exercise

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Note: This story was last updated at 9:25 a.m. Nov. 19.

The red light camera scam that authorities warned about on Monday evening was actually a training exercise intended to only be used internally at Oak Ridge Associated Universities, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The e-mails were created as part of ORAU’s cybersecurity training, and they were meant to help educate employees about so-called “phishing” scams.

The e-mails told recipients they had been captured on camera running a red light and had to pay a $50 fine. They instructed recipients to pay a fine through a PayPal link and warned them they could be subject to an extra $95 fee if they failed to do so. [Read more…]

Roane County: Man suffers fatal heart attack behind wheel

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Information from WYSH Radio

A retired police detective died last week on a Roane County roadway when he suffered a heart attack behind the wheel.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol said Richard Phillip Hadorn, 67, had been driving his pickup truck on Winton Chapel Road Thursday afternoon when his truck left the roadway and crashed. State troopers said an autopsy determined that he had suffered a heart attack and was likely dead before the truck came to its final rest.

Hadorn, according to our partners at BBB-TV, had only recently moved here from Florida after retiring from the New York Police Department.

Anderson County Chief Jailer Avery Johnson retires

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Avery Johnson Retirement

Chief Jailer Avery Johnson, center, has retired after working for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department for almost 33 years. Also pictured are Anderson County Sheriff Paul White, right, and Chief Deputy Mark Lucas. (Submitted photo)

Chief Jailer Avery Johnson has retired after working for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department for almost 33 years.

Anderson County Sheriff Paul White announced the retirement this week.

Johnson began his career with the department in February 1981, a press release said. After working in patrol, Johnson was assigned to the jail, and he was promoted to sergeant in charge of the jail operations in March of 1984. As the responsibilities of the jail operations increased, Johnson was promoted through the ranks of lieutenant, captain, and later, chief jailer. [Read more…]

Roane wreck kills one

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Information from WYSH Radio

A Kingston man died in a single-vehicle crash early Friday morning in Harriman.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that Patrick E. Fly of Kingston, 22, had been headed south on Swan Pond Road at around 1:30 a.m. in a Nissan Altima when he failed to negotiate a curve. His car skidded and left the roadway, flipping several times and ejecting Fly, who was not wearing a seatbelt. [Read more…]

Arson suspected in AC fire

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Information from WYSH Radio

Firefighters from the Andersonville and Medford Volunteer Fire Departments responded to a fire this morning that destroyed a mobile home on Stephens Lane.

No injuries were reported, but the fire is being investigated as a case of arson after authorities discovered what were described as suspicious items at the scene.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Neighborhood Watch hosts Applebee’s pancake breakfast on Saturday

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Neighborhood Watch Logo

The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program will host a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m. Saturday at Applebee’s restaurant in Oak Ridge.

Tickets are $5 per person. Tickets for the all-you-can-eat breakfast may be purchased from Neighborhood Watch district leaders in advance and at the door the day of the event.

Proceeds from the breakfast will support the Neighborhood Watch, a program that supports groups of neighbors who organize and partner with the Oak Ridge Police Department to report suspicious activity and keep watch on neighbors’ homes. The program helps police reduce crime and keep neighborhoods safe, and it helps neighbors improve the quality of life in their communities. [Read more…]

Picture: Firefighters have controlled burns on Pine Ridge

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Pine Ridge Controlled Burning

The Tennessee Division of Forestry conducts controlled burns on top of Pine Ridge in south Oak Ridge on Saturday.

State and local firefighters had controlled burns on top of Pine Ridge in south Oak Ridge on Saturday.

The burning on the ridge between South Illinois Avenue and Scarboro Road was scheduled to start at about noon Saturday and end before dark. The burns were conducted by the Tennessee Division of Forestry with help from the Oak Ridge Fire Department.

The goal was to help reduce the risk of an uncontrolled fire occurring at the site, also called Summit Ridge, and to help promote the growth of new vegetation in the area, a press release said. [Read more…]

Thursday night fire destroys vacant mobile home in Marlow

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Pine Ridge Road Mobile Home Fire

A fire destroys a vacant mobile home on Pine Ridge Road in Marlow on Thursday night. (Photos by Tom Scott)

A fire destroyed a vacant mobile home on Pine Ridge Road in Marlow on Thursday night.

The fire was reported at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday at 221 Pine Ridge Road.

About 20 firefighters responded from the Marlow and Oliver Springs fire departments. Anderson County Emergency Medical Services and Anderson County Sheriff’s Department also responded.

Here are three more pictures from photographer Tom Scott: [Read more…]

Firefighters will have controlled burns on Summit Ridge on Saturday

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State and local firefighters will have controlled burns on a prominent ridge top in south Oak Ridge on Saturday.

The burning on Summit Ridge between South Illinois Avenue and Scarboro Road will start at about noon Saturday and end before dark, an Oak Ridge Fire Department press release said. The burns will be conducted by the Tennessee Division of Forestry with help from the ORFD.

The goal is to help reduce the risk of an uncontrolled fire occurring at the site and to help promote the growth of new vegetation in the area, the release said.

Worried about city judge’s reaction, tenant concocted home invasion story after alleged rampage, police say

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An Oak Ridge man who allegedly went on a rampage and broke bedroom windows inside his home concocted a story about a home invasion to try to avoid trouble with his landlord, City Judge Lawrence Tunnell, authorities said.

Derek Scott Fitzpatrick, 26, has been charged with false reporting, a felony. He remained jailed at the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton early Friday morning.

The alleged home invasion on North Hollywood Circle was reported one week ago at about 1 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1. The Oak Ridge Police Department quickly set up a perimeter in the Highland View neighborhood and searched for the two suspects for about 30 minutes before “finding out the story was made up,” Officer Garrett Robbins said in an affidavit filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court. [Read more…]

Venomous snakes seized by TWRA, charges filed

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LAFOLLETTE—Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers have seized numerous venomous snakes from a LaFollette pastor after an investigation Thursday morning, a press release said.

Officers received information that Andrew Hamblin, pastor of the Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollette, was illegally possessing venomous snakes. Two TWRA Officers visited Hamblin’s home Thursday morning to inquire about the snakes, and Hamblin admitted to being in possession of them at his church, the release said. Hamblin then led officers to the church where the snakes were being held. [Read more…]