Oak Ridge Today

Crash seriously injures motorcyclist, officer applies tourniquet

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The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a crash between a Kia and a motorcycle that seriously injured a motorcyclist between California Avenue and Ogden Drive on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. The Toyota at right was not involved in the crash. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a crash between a Kia and a motorcycle that seriously injured a motorcyclist between California Avenue and Ogden Drive on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. The Toyota to the right of the motorcycle was not involved in the crash. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 11 a.m. Feb 23.

A crash between a Kia sport utility vehicle and a motorcycle seriously injured a motorcyclist on Outer Drive on Wednesday afternoon, and a police officer used a tourniquet to help stop bleeding, possibly saving the man’s life, authorities said.

The crash was reported at about 3:50 p.m. Wednesday.

The motorcyclist had a serious injury to his lower left leg, Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi said.

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Tim Buckner and Probationary Officer Michael Wilson were the first to arrive at the crash. Buckner, who had received training on a tactical tourniquet in April 2017, applied a tourniquet and stopped the blood flow, Akagi said. The motorcyclist had several punctured arteries and was suffering from blood loss, authorities said. [Read more…]

Two hit in arms during Claxton shooting

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Jacob Lynn Rutherford

Jacob Lynn Rutherford

 

CLAXTON—Two men were hit in the arms during the shooting in Claxton on Saturday evening, January 13, and the Oak Ridge man charged with attempted murder in the case also shot at a woman but missed, according to court records.

The shooting at the home at the intersection of Clinton Highway and Lonesome Dove Road allegedly occurred “during some type of altercation” in a bedroom, according to affidavits filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Clinton.

Jacob Lynn Rutherford, 23, of Oak Ridge, has been charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of reckless endangerment in the shooting.

The affidavits, which summarize the alleged facts of the case and are attached to arrest warrants, said Rutherford pulled a handgun from his waistband during the altercation, pointed it at Nathan Phillips, 36, and fired. Phillips had two gunshot wounds to his left upper arm, the affidavits said. [Read more…]

No injuries reported after car crashes above river along Melton Lake Drive

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No injuries were reported after a car crashed off the side of the road above the Clinch River on Melton Lake Drive near Rivers Run Boulevard on Friday afternoon, Feb. 2, 2018, authorities said. (Photo by Oak Ridge Police Department)

No injuries were reported after a car crashed off the side of the road above the Clinch River on Melton Lake Drive near Rivers Run Boulevard on Friday afternoon, Feb. 2, 2018, authorities said. (Photo by Oak Ridge Police Department)

 

No injuries were reported after a car crashed off the side of the road above the Clinch River on Melton Lake Drive near Rivers Run Boulevard on Friday afternoon, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department reported that the single occupant of the vehicle was able to get out of the car on his own before officers arrived.

Pictures posted by the ORPD showed the car off the road, over the Melton Lake greenway, and a short distance down the embankment leading down to the Clinch River. [Read more…]

Girl donates stuffed animals for children in stressful situations

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Cynthia Barreira brought dozens of stuffed animals contributed by her 10-year-old daughter to the Oak Ridge Police Department for staff to pass out to children during stressful incidents. Also pictured above are ORPD Chief Jim Akagi, right, and Deputy Chief Robin Smith. (Photo by ORPD)

Cynthia Barreira brought dozens of stuffed animals contributed by her 10-year-old daughter to the Oak Ridge Police Department for staff to pass out to children during stressful incidents. Also pictured above are ORPD Chief Jim Akagi, right, and Deputy Chief Robin Smith. (Photo by ORPD)

 

A 10-year-old girl has donated dozens of stuffed animals to the Oak Ridge Police Department, which staff can pass out to children during stressful incidents.

The stuffed animals were brought to the Police Department by the girl’s mother, Cynthia Barreira. The ORPD reported the donation on Wednesday.

Oak Ridge police ask for help identifying burglar

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Image by Oak Ridge Police Department

Image by Oak Ridge Police Department

 

The Oak Ridge Police Department has asked for help identifying a burglar.

The commercial burglary was reported at a liquor store in Oak Ridge on December 24, 2017. The getaway vehicle was an older model white Ford Taurus sedan, the ORPD said.

The Police Department has surveillance photos of the suspect and the getaway vehicle. However, no descriptive details of the male suspect are available.

Anyone with information to share is encouraged to call ORPD Investigator Kevin Craig at (865) 425-3511.

Juvenile facing felony weapons charges after recent explosions

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The Oak Ridge Police Department found a small crater that might have been caused by an explosion at Milt Dickens Park in east Oak Ridge late Monday afternoon, Jan. 15, 2018. The crater pictured here on Tuesday morning measured about 4.5 feet across and one foot deep, but the hole had been enlarged by officers taking dirt samples during the investigation. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Police Department found a small crater that might have been caused by an explosion in mulch at a playground at Milt Dickens Park in east Oak Ridge late Monday afternoon, Jan. 15, 2018. The crater pictured here the next morning, Tuesday morning, measured about 4.5 feet across and one foot deep, but the hole had been enlarged by officers taking dirt samples during the investigation. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The juvenile arrested Tuesday in connection with recent explosions in Oak Ridge has been charged with two counts of possession or manufacture of prohibited weapons, a Class B felony, authorities said Wednesday.

The juvenile appeared in juvenile court for a detention hearing on Wednesday and was released, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

“The investigation is continuing,” the city said. “No additional information will be released at this time.”

The student, an Oak Ridge High School student who has not been publicly identified because he is a juvenile, was arrested Tuesday after the Oak Ridge Police Department found evidence in a car that was connected to two recent explosions, one at Blankenship Field and the other at Milt Dickens Park, authorities said. [Read more…]

Warrants: Man charged with terrorism after threatening to blow up hospital, shoot everyone inside

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Agey Christopher Stamey

Agey Christopher Stamey

 

A Knoxville man who allegedly fought with officers and was carrying a box cutter and pole while acting erratically was charged with committing an act of terrorism after threatening to blow up Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge with dynamite and shoot everyone inside with a shotgun, court records said.

Agey C. Stamey II, 40, of Asheville Highway, was charged with the one count of commission of an act of terrorism and two counts of assault. He was arrested Friday, January 12, and remained jailed in the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton on Tuesday, with his bond set at $110,000.

Affidavits filed in Anderson County General Session Court in Oak Ridge said Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Tim Nguyen checked on the welfare of a white man wearing a brown jacket and red hat who was carrying a pole and acting erratically while walking on East Tennessee Avenue behind Methodist Medical Center on January 12. [Read more…]

ORPD arrests student after finding evidence related to two recent explosions

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An Oak Ridge High School student was arrested Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, after police found evidence in a car that was connected to two recent explosions, one at Blankenship Field and the other at Milt Dickens Park, authorities said. The Oak Ridge Police Department was helped by the Knoxville Police Department Bomb Squad. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Police Department/City of Oak Ridge)

An Oak Ridge High School student was arrested Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, after police found evidence in a car that was connected to two recent explosions, one at Blankenship Field and the other at Milt Dickens Park, authorities said. The Oak Ridge Police Department was helped by the Knoxville Police Department Bomb Squad. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Police Department/City of Oak Ridge)

 

An Oak Ridge High School student was arrested Tuesday after police found evidence in a car that was connected to two recent explosions, one at Blankenship Field and the other at Milt Dickens Park, authorities said.

The male student is a juvenile and is not being publicly identified.

Investigators with the Oak Ridge Police Department Juvenile Unit detained and questioned a male at Oak Ridge High School while working with Oak Ridge Schools on Tuesday morning, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. The boy was believed to have knowledge regarding both explosions.

“Further investigation led investigators to determine that potential evidence was still inside the student’s vehicle, which was parked in the front lot of the high school,” the ORPD said. “Investigators immediately identified the vehicle, established a safe perimeter, and requested assistance from the Knoxville Police Department’s Bomb Squad. At no time were any students, staff, or bystanders in danger. Bomb squad personnel were asked to assist out of an abundance of caution.” [Read more…]

Police investigating reports of explosions at Milt Dickens Park, Blankenship Field

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The Oak Ridge Police Department found a small crater that might have been caused by an explosion at Milt Dickens Park in east Oak Ridge late Monday afternoon, Jan. 15, 2018. The crater pictured here on Tuesday morning measured about 4.5 feet across and one foot deep, but the hole had been enlarged by officers taking dirt samples during the investigation. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Police Department found a small crater that might have been caused by an explosion at Milt Dickens Park in east Oak Ridge late Monday afternoon, Jan. 15, 2018. The crater pictured here on Tuesday morning measured about 4.5 feet across and one foot deep, but the hole had been enlarged by officers taking dirt samples during the investigation. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

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

The Oak Ridge Police Department is investigating a report of an explosion that left a small crater in the playground and rattled nearby windows at Milt Dickens Park in east Oak Ridge late Monday afternoon. Police recovered physical evidence that indicated an explosion might have occurred, the City of Oak Ridge said in a statement Wednesday.

Police are also investigating a report of an explosion near Blankenship Field on Saturday night. Officers found a concrete picnic table in the area of Blankenship Field that appeared to be damaged as the result of an “over-pressure or impact-related event,” but no physical evidence at the scene definitively indicated that an explosion had occurred or that the initial reporting was the result of an explosive device, the city said.

The Blankenship Field explosion was reported at 9:12 p.m. Saturday, January 13. A witness reported seeing a black vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed just after the incident occurred, the City of Oak Ridge said. [Read more…]

Road conditions still bad, police say; Y-12 closed

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An Oak Ridge Public Works Department snow truck is pictured on South Illinois Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

An Oak Ridge Public Works Department snow truck is pictured on South Illinois Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:15 p.m.

Update: Driving conditions on main roads and side streets in Oak Ridge seemed to have improved by about 5 p.m. Wednesday, although there were still patches of ice and snow, including in shopping center parking lots.

Wednesday evening, the Oak Ridge Police Department said conditions had improved on main roads, but side streets were still extremely slick. Drivers should use extra caution if they have to get out tonight. There could be some refreezing on the roads overnight with the low temperatures. Oak Ridge Schools will be closed again on Thursday, January 18, due to the conditions.

A few inches of snow fell Tuesday, and road conditions are still bad Wednesday morning, especially in the city’s neighborhoods, the Oak Ridge Police Department said. The Y-12 National Security Complex and the Uranium Processing Facility offices are closed.

Oak Ridge Public Works Department crews are out clearing and treating the roads.

“If you must go out, please use extreme caution,” the ORPD said.

Y-12 said normal operations will resume Thursday, January 18. [Read more…]

Roads slippery, snow-covered; schools, Key Springs closed

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Streets in Oak Ridge, including main roads, were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening, Jan. 16, 2018, and schools announced they would be closed again on Wednesday. Above, the Oak Ridge Police Department responds to a crash on South Illinois Avenue near Centrifuge Way on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy ORPD/City of Oak Ridge)

Streets in Oak Ridge, including main roads, were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening, Jan. 16, 2018, and schools announced they would be closed again on Wednesday. Above, the Oak Ridge Police Department responds to a crash on South Illinois Avenue near Centrifuge Way on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy ORPD/City of Oak Ridge)

 

Streets in Oak Ridge, including main roads, were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening, and schools announced they would be closed again on Wednesday. Key Springs Road—a steep, curvy road that goes down Black Oak Ridge from north Oak Ridge to Marlow—was closed.

The Oak Ridge Police Department advised residents to stay home if they don’t have to be on the roads tonight.

“All roads are snow-covered,” the ORPD said Tuesday evening. “(Oak Ridge) Public Works crews are working to clear and treat roads.”

Even heavily traveled main roads such as Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening. Side streets were as well.

The snow, which had started at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, continued past 7 p.m. The forecast had called for a few inches. [Read more…]

ORPD: Roads slippery, crashes reported, Key Springs closed

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Slow down, and use caution, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Monday morning, Jan. 8, 2018. "Roads are very slick. Stay home if you don’t need to be out." Several crashes have already been reported this morning, and Key Springs Road, which goes down into Marlow, has been closed. (Photo courtesy ORPD)

Slow down, and use caution, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Monday morning, Jan. 8, 2018. “Roads are very slick. Stay home if you don’t need to be out.” Several crashes have already been reported this morning, and Key Springs Road, which goes down into Marlow, has been closed. (Photo courtesy ORPD)

 

Roads are slippery, several crashes have been reported, and Key Springs Road, which goes down into Marlow, has been closed, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Monday morning.

“Roads are very slick in Oak Ridge,” the ORPD said. “If you must drive, slow down and use caution! Stay home if you don’t need to be out.”

The icy conditions had led school systems to close—including in Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Clinton, and Roane County—and some organization opened late, including the City of Oak Ridge and Roane County Courthouse. The Anderson County Courthouse is closed, and so is Roane State Community College. [Read more…]