Oak Ridge Today

Woman, two children escape Easter morning grease fire

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wade-lane-fire-5

An Oak Ridge woman and her two children escaped an Easter morning grease fire at this Wade Lane home. (Photos by Tom Scott)

Note: This story was last updated at 8:20 p.m.

An Oak Ridge woman and her two children safely escaped an Easter morning grease fire that started in a pan on a stove while she was preparing to fry chicken in a Wade Lane home.

But their home, one of four units in a two-story building, was likely destroyed, Oak Ridge Fire Department Chief Darryl Kerley said.

Still, resident Dee Crumm said she is just glad that she and her 13-year-old son Seth and 10-year-old daughter Shelby are okay.

“As long as the kids are okay, that’s what counts,” Crumm said. [Read more…]

Claxton fire burns through roof at home behind Bread Box

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Dogwood Road Fire

Firefighters battle a blaze that spread into the attic and burned through a roof at a home on South Dogwood Road in Claxton. (Photo by Tom Scott)

A Monday evening fire burned through the roof of a home behind the Bread Box convenience store on Edgemoor Road in Claxton.

The fire at 110 S. Dogwood Road was reported at about 6:45 p.m. Monday, photographer Tom Scott said. It was originally reported as a kitchen fire, but the fire extended into the attic and burned through the roof, causing extensive damage.

Before firefighters arrived, a neighbor kicked open a door after hearing what sounded like a cry for help and freed a trapped cat, according to WYSH Radio in Clinton. No injuries were reported.

The initial response was by the Claxton Fire Department. In one of the larger Anderson County mutual aid operations in recent years, the Rural Metro, Andersonville, Marlow, Medford, and Briceville fire departments responded, and so did Anderson County Emergency Medical Services and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, Scott said. The American Red Cross also responded to help the residents. [Read more…]

Guest column: ‘Tis the season of giving

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By Charles, Edwena, Rebecca, and Nicholas Crowe

United Way of Anderson County’s 2013-14 Campaign Chairing Family

As the holidays are upon us, we are reminded of how fortunate we are and become increasingly aware of how many others do not share our good fortune. Donors are inundated with requests for food, spare change, and gifts to make the holidays brighter for those who are struggling. It is a season of giving, so to speak, but what happens when the calendar strikes January? Back to work, back to school, and back to our routines, but the needs are still there for many in our community. There are still more than 50 percent of children on reduced lunch programs in our schools, there are still families visiting emptying food pantries, and working poor who make every effort to support their families and still have to choose between paying the electric bill or the rent. United Way of Anderson County works to mobilize the caring power of our community to create lasting change.

UWAC had to reduce funding to our partner agencies by $200,000 last year. These agencies do a phenomenal job of leveraging their allocations and running their programs so efficiently, doing more with less. A dollar a week in our pocket doesn’t seem to go very far, but $1 a week invested in the Green Thumb Garden Program run by Second Harvest Food Bank can provide gardening supplies to grow $1,400 of food for three families, fresh produce that is not often found on pantry shelves. Ten dollars a week can provide emergency food, clothing, and shelter by American Red Cross for a family of three in a time of crisis. Each year, a team of more than 30 community volunteers closely audits the agencies and programs requesting funding. Your friends and neighbors make certain your dollars are being efficiently invested. [Read more…]

Letter: Let’s help Applewood residents displaced by fire

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On Thanksgiving Day, an electrical fire broke out at the Applewood Apartments in the Highland View neighborhood. Eighteen people were displaced from their apartments while most of us were enjoying rich feasts with friends and families. Although the Red Cross was able to find these people temporary housing, they asked for help to meet the need of meals for these families.

On Monday morning checkout time, these families may be able to return to their apartments or they may have no place to go until the repairs are made to the electrical system of their building. The Red Cross representative said that because of the holiday and because many of these people couldn’t afford to have heat during this cold snap, they were able to extend the amount of care they could normally give. However, that will be ending and reaching beyond the scope of what they can further do during this emergency. [Read more…]

City has lifeguarding course in October

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is conducting the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course in October. Classes will be held during Oak Ridge schools fall break Oct. 14-18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Successful completion of this course qualifies students who are 16 and up to apply for a lifeguard position with the City of Oak Ridge. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory. Successful completion of the class will provide the student with Lifeguarding, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, and First Aid Certification. [Read more…]

Water Safety Instructor’s Class starts Wednesday

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is offering an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor class starting Wednesday. [Read more…]

Lifeguarding class starts Dec. 13

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is offering an American Red Cross Lifeguarding class that starts Dec. 13.

The class will meet:

  • Thursday, Dec. 13 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Monday–Wednesday, Dec. 17-19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday and Friday, Dec. 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oak Ridge offers lifeguard course during Fall Break

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An American Red Cross Lifeguarding course will be offered during Oak Ridge schools’ fall break next week, Oct 22-26.

Students who are 16 years old and older and successfully complete the course can apply for a City of Oak Ridge lifeguard position, a press release said.

The class is offered by the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department, and it will be taught daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory, a press release said.

Successful completion of the class will provide the student with certificates for Lifeguarding, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, and First Aid, the press release said.

All students must be at least 15 years old. Prerequisites include a 300-yard continuous swim using the front crawl and breaststroke using rhythmic breathing, a timed 20-yard swim and recovery of a 10-pound weight, and treading water for two minutes using legs only. The prerequisites must be met the first day of class.

The class fee is $135. Registration is available at the Oak Ridge Civic Center front desk, and payment is due at the time of registration. Enrollment is limited.

For more information, call the Recreation and Parks Department at (856) 425-3450 or visit www.orrecparks.org.

Water safety instructor course starts May 16

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The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is offering an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor class starting May 16. After successfully completing this course, the participant will be able to teach American Red Cross water classes.

[Read more…]