Oak Ridge Today

Presentation on opioid drug epidemic Wednesday evening at RMS

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Chasing the Dragon Flyer Nov 29 2017

There will be a presentation on the opioid drug epidemic this evening at Robertsville Middle School.

The presentation is hosted by the offices of Safe Schools and Coordinated School Health. They are inviting the Oak Ridge community and friends of Oak Ridge Schools to the presentation, which is this evening (Wednesday, November 29) in the Robertsville Middle School Auditorium.

The evening will include a screening of the film “Chasing the Dragon,” a press release said. Following the film, the group will engage in a panel discussion with former Drug Enforcement Administration agent Neil Morgenstern as well as representatives from Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Ridgeview Behavioral Health, and ASAP of Anderson County.

The doors will open at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday to provide those who attend an opportunity to visit with area mental health, drug prevention, treatment, and recovery agencies. The program will start promptly at 6 p.m. [Read more…]

Forest fire northwest of Oliver Springs grew to 300 acres

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The forest fire reported on Big Brushy Mountain between Oliver Springs and Petros on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, grew to 300 acres, and it was reported to have containment lines around it on Tuesday, Nov. 28. The fire is pictured above from State Route 62 near Back Petros Road on Monday, Nov. 27. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The forest fire reported on Big Brushy Mountain between Oliver Springs and Petros on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, grew to 300 acres, and it was reported to have containment lines around it on Tuesday, Nov. 28. The fire is pictured above from State Route 62 near Back Petros Road on Monday, Nov. 27. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

PETROS—The forest fire reported between Oliver Springs and Petros on Sunday grew to 300 acres, a spokesperson said Tuesday.

Firefighters were reported to have containment lines around the fire, said Nathan Waters, assistant district forester in the Tennessee Division of Forestry Administration’s East Tennessee District.

The fire, about seven miles northwest of Oliver Springs and a few miles south of Petros, was reported at about 4 p.m. Sunday. On Monday, Waters said the cause was under investigation.

It hadn’t endangered any structures, Waters said Tuesday evening. [Read more…]

Sheriff’s Department investigating homicide

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The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting northeast of Oliver Springs on Sunday afternoon.

The shooting was reported before 5 p.m. Sunday on Back Half Moon Road in the Frost Bottom community, a press release said. When they arrived, deputies found that Buford Glenn Phillips, 62, had been shot and killed.

Sheriff’s investigators along with agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation were called to the scene and are currently investigating the circumstances of the shooting, the press release said.

“As this is an ongoing investigation, no additional information can be released at this time,” the release said.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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Three people escape house fire on Northwestern

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Three people escaped with no injuries from a house fire on Northwestern Avenue early Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, authorities said. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Three people escaped with no injuries from a house fire on Northwestern Avenue early Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, authorities said. The Oak Ridge Fire Department and Oak Ridge Police Department both responded. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Three people escaped with no injuries from a house fire on Northwestern Avenue in the Woodland neighborhood early Sunday, authorities said.

An adult male and two juveniles were home at the time of the fire, and all three escaped, said Eric Rackard, Oak Ridge Fire Department battalion chief.

The fire was reported near the intersection with Nasson Lane just after midnight Sunday.

The cause is under investigation, Rackard said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge donates fire engine to Briceville

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The City of Oak Ridge donated a fire engine to the Briceville Volunteer Fire Department on Nov. 6, 2017, as they awaited delivery of a new fire truck. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The City of Oak Ridge donated a fire engine to the Briceville Volunteer Fire Department on Nov. 6, 2017, as they awaited delivery of a new fire truck. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

This story and photos are from the City of Oak Ridge newsletter in November 2017.

The City of Oak Ridge donated a fire engine to the Briceville Volunteer Fire Department earlier this month as they awaited delivery of a new fire truck.

Oak Ridge Fire Department’s new engine was purchased using a stipend from Anderson County as part of a mutual aid program.

ORFD Chief Darryl Kerley and some of his firefighters walked Briceville VFD Chief Jamie Brewster through important details about the truck before they turned it over to the new owner. [Read more…]

Three killed in two crashes last weekend

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Three people were killed in two crashes in the area this weekend. One of the crashes involved a bicyclist and pickup truck in Roane County north of Oak Ridge, and the other involved a car that hit a tree and caught on fire in Solway.

The first crash was reported at about 6:48 p.m. Friday at the intersection of State Route 61 (Harriman Highway) and Highway 327 (Blair Road).

The Tennessee Highway Patrol said a bicyclist, Brent E. Carroll, 37, of Harriman, was traveling east on State Route 61 when he was hit from behind by a 2003 Dodge pickup truck driven by Austin M. Hicks, 24, of Harriman.

Carroll was killed in the crash, the THP said in a fatality report. He was not wearing any reflective clothing or safety equipment, the report said.

Carroll is suspected of drinking and using drugs, according to the THP report, and tests have been requested, which is routine in fatal crashes. [Read more…]

Ridenour, an ORPD officer & former chief deputy, running for sheriff

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Lewis Ridenour

Lewis Ridenour

 

Lewis Ridenour, an Oak Ridge Police Department officer and former chief deputy of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, is running for sheriff in the 2018 election.

In a press release, Ridenour, a Republican, pledged to only serve two terms if elected as Anderson County sheriff. He cited “great concern” over career politicians when announcing his term-limit pledge.

Ridenour pledged to use his community and law enforcement experience, sound judgment, and “know-how” in office, the press release said.

“During my over 20 years of law enforcement experience in this county, I have gained an understanding of the complexities of city and county government, including its capabilities and limitations,” Ridenour said. “Most importantly, the primary role for the sheriff should be to be to make our entire county safe, while also being an advocate for the taxpayers. There are real issues facing our county relating to drugs and crimes against persons and property. There are also many financial issues that will come before us in the years to come. We need a sheriff with extensive experience as an administrator as well as law enforcement.” [Read more…]

No injuries reported, police investigating after shots hit home, vehicle

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No injuries were reported and police are investigating after shots were fired in the direction of a home in west Oak Ridge early Wednesday, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department responded to the shots-fired call at about 2:58 a.m. Wednesday in the 100 block of West Bryn Mawr Circle, a statement said.

“The front of the home and a vehicle parked outside were struck by rounds,” the statement said. “Six people, two adults and four juveniles, were inside the home.”

No injuries were reported, and no arrests have been made, the statement said. [Read more…]

Three women taken to hospital after rollover crash on Melton Lake Drive

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Three women were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries after a single-vehicle rollover crash on Melton Lake Drive at Rolling Links Boulevard on Sunday evening, Nov. 12, 2017. Above, Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Kenny Prickett investigates the crash. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Three women were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries after a single-vehicle rollover crash on Melton Lake Drive at Rolling Links Boulevard on Sunday evening, Nov. 12, 2017. Above, Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Kenny Prickett investigates the crash. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Three women were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries after a single-vehicle rollover crash on Melton Lake Drive on Sunday evening, authorities said.

The crash of the minivan was reported at about 6:35 p.m. Sunday at Rolling Links Boulevard in east Oak Ridge.

The vehicle was going south on Melton Lake Drive when it left the right side of the road, hit a boulder, continued traveling south, and landed on its left side, said Oak Ridge Police Department Lieutenant Matt Tedford.

After the crash, the three women were trapped inside the van, and they had to be helped out, Tedford said. Emergency crews cut off the top of the van. [Read more…]

Fundraiser this evening for family of firefighter who died Tuesday

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Robert RL Braden Spaghetti Supper Flyer

Robert “R.L.” Braden, 44, a firefighter with the Medford Volunteer Fire Department, died at his home on Tuesday after a courageous battle with cancer, but a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser will still take place at Anderson County High School this evening (Saturday, November 11).

The fundraiser is scheduled to start at 5 p.m., and the “Light The Night” event will be held in Braden’s memory at 8 p.m.

Braden’s funeral arrangements are available here: http://www.holleygamble.com/obituary/robert-rl-braden.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends,” said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy.

For additional information, please contact Ambrea Peters at ambreapeters@gmail.com. [Read more…]

TBI identifies man who died in officer-involved shooting in Clinton on Wednesday

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Roger Raymond York Jr.

Roger Raymond York Jr.

 

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has identified the man who died in an officer-involved shooting in Clinton on Wednesday as Roger Raymond York Jr.

York, 32, is listed as having a Clinton address in Anderson County jail records.

He died after he fired a weapon at Clinton Police Department officers on East Drive in Clinton on Wednesday night, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. One of the officers fired back, hitting York, who died, according to preliminary information from the TBI.

The three Clinton Police Department officers were not injured, the TBI said. The three officers were at the home in the 1000 block of East Drive after receiving information that a man with outstanding warrants was at the residence, the TBI said. [Read more…]

Preliminary information: Man dies after firing at officers & officer returns fire

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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation responded to a shooting involving an officer on East Drive in Clinton, the TBI said late Wednesday night, Nov. 8, 2017.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation responded to a shooting involving an officer on East Drive in Clinton, the TBI said late Wednesday night, Nov. 8, 2017.

 

A man fired a weapon at officers on East Drive in Clinton on Wednesday night, and one of the officers fired back, hitting the man, who died, according to preliminary information from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The three Clinton Police Department officers were not injured, the TBI said. The three officers were at the home in the 1000 block of East Drive after receiving information that a male subject with outstanding warrants was at the residence, the TBI said.

“Upon arrival, officers confirmed the individual was at the home and attempted to take him into custody,” the TBI said. “The subject attempted to evade officers by climbing out a window. At some point during the encounter, the subject fired a weapon at officers, which resulted in one of the officers returning fire, striking the subject. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The officers were not injured.” [Read more…]