Oak Ridge Today

Local attorney spearheading stuffed animal drive for Juvenile Court

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Information from WYSH Radio

A local attorney who practices primarily in Anderson County Juvenile Court has organized a stuffed animal drive to help calm the fears and anxiety of children who have to testify in court.

Rebecca Franklin is celebrating her birthday this year by spearheading a drive to collect new stuffed animals that will be placed in a toy box that was custom-built by her husband and will find a permanent home in the juvenile courtroom where children must speak to the judge. Franklin said she has seen a similar program work in Knox County and the stuffed animals helps children feel more comfortable and open up about the issues that have brought them to the courtroom. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge asks for county land on Emory Valley Road for sewer system tank

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Emory Valley Equalization Basin

Oak Ridge officials have asked Anderson County to consider donating up to 2.05 acres on Emory Valley Road for a sewer system holding tank.

Oak Ridge officials have asked Anderson County to consider donating up to 2.05 acres on Emory Valley Road for a sewer system holding tank east of the former Daniel Arthur Rehabilitation Center.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered Oak Ridge to stop all sewer system overflows by 2015, and studies have shown that several holding tanks are required at critical locations “to equalize and detain excess flow during heavy rain events,” Public Works Director Gary Cinder said in a July 26 memo. One equalization tank would be required near the county-owned Daniel Arthur Center, which is used by satellite county offices, the Oak Ridge Senior Center, and the Emory Valley Center.

The Anderson County Operations Committee will consider the request during a Monday evening meeting. [Read more…]

Property values decreasing, some Oak Ridge homes selling for much less than appraised values, county board says

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Anderson County Aerial View

An aerial view of Anderson County north of Oak Ridge.

Anderson County property values are decreasing to less than about 85 percent of their appraised values, and Oak Ridge appears to have several types of property that are selling for much less than their state appraisals, including older, low-priced homes and high-priced, high-quality homes, officials said.

All land tracts in the county also appear to be selling for much less than their state appraisals, the Anderson County Board of Equalization told Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and county commissioners in a July 15 letter.

The board said the Oak Ridge properties selling for much less than their appraised values include low-priced homes built during the Manhattan Project era in World War II and high-priced, high-quality homes that are now unaffordable for most working-class employees. The Oak Ridge properties, as well as land tracts in Anderson County, appear to be selling at about 70 to 85 percent of the state appraised values. [Read more…]

Free prescription discount cards available to Anderson County residents

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CLINTON—In partnership with the National Association of Counties, or NACo, the Anderson County government is offering free prescription discount cards to Anderson County residents, a press release said.

The program “is open to anyone who wants to use it,” said Alex Koroknay-Palicz, NACo membership coordinator. The free prescription discount card program is funded, in part, by Anderson County’s annual NACo membership dues, he said. [Read more…]

First legal challenge filed over ‘In God We Trust’ signs

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Steve McDonald at In God We Trust Ceremony

During a Tuesday ceremony, Steve McDonald, left, pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, says the “In God We Trust” signs at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton honor the nation’s heritage and remind residents that “it is in God that we trust.” Also pictured are Kathy Moore, Tom Byrge, Anthony Allen, and Gil Bates.

Information from WYSH Radio

The first legal challenge to the signs bearing the inscription “In God We Trust” over the entrances to the Anderson County Courthouse came on Wednesday but not from any organization. Instead, it came from a man charged with attempted first-degree murder. Kenneth Darrin Fisher, 22, of Clinton is accused of the attempted first-degree murder of his wife and illegal possession of an assault rifle, and his case is due to go trial next spring.

Through attorney David Stuart, Fisher filed a motion in Anderson County Criminal Court on Wednesday seeking to dismiss all charges against him, asserting that the signs violate his freedom of worship rights under the U.S. and Tennessee constitutions. The motion states that Fisher is a blood member of the Cherokee Nation and a follower of “a Red Road” faith. [Read more…]

Residents, pastors celebrate ‘In God We Trust’ signs on Anderson County Courthouse

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Bates Family of Lake City TN

The Bates family of Anderson County, including County Commissioner Zach Bates, left, and father and pastor Gil Bates, second from right, and mother Kelly Bates, right, sing “This Land is Your Land” and “God Bless America” during a Tuesday ceremony for new “In God We Trust” signs at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

CLINTON—In a ceremony that featured pastors, prayers, and patriotic songs, a group of about 150 people watched Tuesday morning as the first of four signs emblazoned with the national motto “In God We Trust” was unveiled at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

Supporters celebrated the installation of the seven-foot, 180-pound sign as a victory for the majority, a chance to honor the nation’s heritage.

“Whether you agree with this or disagree with this, the democratic process took place,” said Tom Byrge, director of missions for Clinton Baptist Association. “The majority of the U.S. citizens will continue to believe, and will not be ashamed to say, ‘In God We Trust.’” [Read more…]

Public ceremony for ‘In God We Trust’ signs this morning

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CLINTON—Four pastors, including the father of an Anderson County commissioner, are scheduled to speak during an unveiling ceremony this morning for four new “In God We Trust” signs on the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

The ceremony starts at 10 a.m., said Lynn Byrge, an Oak Ridge business owner who spearheaded the drive to install the signs inscribed with the nation’s motto. [Read more…]

After setbacks, workers start installing ‘In God We Trust’ signs at Anderson courthouse

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In God We Trust Courthouse Signs

Workers from Island Home Granite, Signs, and Monuments install the first of four black granite “In God We Trust” signs over the entrances at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

CLINTON—Several setbacks put the project behind schedule on Monday, delaying the work for several hours, but by Monday evening, workers from a Knoxville company began installing the first of four black granite signs emblazoned with the national motto “In God We Trust” over the entrances at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

Plans had called for completing the work by Monday night, but it wasn’t clear if that would be possible. Among the setbacks were rain, a traffic jam, a hydraulic hose that popped off a hydraulic lift, and a drill that ran into rebar in the rock-solid courthouse walls.

Still, those who supported the project—with the work being done by Island Home Granite, Signs, and Monuments of Knoxville—were pleased to see it was under way. [Read more…]

‘In God We Trust’ signs to be installed on Anderson courthouse today

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Public Hearing on In God We Trust Motto

Philip Warfield of Andersonville says county residents should be able to decide what goes on the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton during a March committee hearing on putting the national motto “In God We Trust” on the three-story building.

New granite signs engraved with the national motto “In God We Trust” are scheduled to be installed on the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton this afternoon.

The Anderson County Commission approved the signs this spring after hours of discussion and five meetings.

They will be installed above the four courthouse doors starting at about 1:30 p.m. today, the Anderson County Mayor’s Office said in a media advisory. The work will be done by employees from Island Home Granite and Signs. [Read more…]

County denies payment to attorney detained taking pictures near Clinton Middle

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CLINTON—With no discussion Monday, the Anderson County Commission denied a payment request from a local attorney who had allegedly demanded money before filing a lawsuit over an incident last fall where he was detained while taking pictures near Clinton Middle School.

Clinton attorney Phil Harber said he was photographing school buses that were parked on Marshall Street in Clinton on Oct. 10 when he was detained. The buses allegedly block the route to his home, and he was reportedly planning to use the pictures in a lawsuit against the city, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Deputy William S. Lucas said in an incident report. [Read more…]

Anderson Commission unable to resolve salary dispute between sheriff, mayor

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Terry Frank

Terry Frank

Note: This story was updated at 1:45 a.m. July 16.

CLINTON—The Anderson County Commission on Monday was unable to resolve a dispute between the county mayor and the sheriff over an annual salary agreement, meaning a judge could be asked to intervene.

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank has refused to sign the proposed salary agreement for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department. She said it includes about $7.66 million for salaries, which is roughly $1 million more than the $6.63 million approved by commission in June as part of this year’s budget.

“I cannot do anything more than what was passed,” Frank told commissioners Monday morning. “The only way I can sign that is if you go ahead and approve that new $1 million.” [Read more…]

Longtime county employee retires after 36 years

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Brenda McKamey Retires From Anderson County

Longtime Anderson County government employee Brenda McKamey, center, is pictured above with Mayor Terry Frank, left, and Budget Director Chris Phillips. (Submitted photo)

Brenda McKamey recently retired after 36 years working for the Anderson County government.

McKamey was hired on July 7, 1977, to work as a clerk in the Anderson County Budget Office. She was scheduled to retire on July 7.

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank proclaimed July 7, 2013, as Brenda McKamey Day in Anderson County. [Read more…]