Oak Ridge Today

Police, fire respond to serious crash at Emory Valley Road, Lafayette

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Emory Valley Road and Lafayette Drive Crash Jan 13 2017

The intersection of Lafayette Drive and Emory Valley Road was closed Friday evening, Jan. 13, 2017. after a serious crash that required multiple ambulances. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story has been updated. Please see newer story here.

The intersection of Emory Valley Road and Lafayette Drive is closed as authorities investigate a serious crash Friday evening.

There were, at one point, four ambulances at the crash site, although it’s not clear if they were all used. The Oak Ridge Fire Department and Oak Ridge Police Department both responded.

The crash was reported at about 5:15 p.m. Friday. [Read more…]

Missing boy located

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The 12-year-old boy reported missing Thursday afternoon was located Thursday evening.

Police appeared to locate the boy at about 6 p.m. Thursday in the 900 block of West Outer Drive.

A command post had been set up at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge, and K-9 units and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department had responded. [Read more…]

Man surrenders after allegedly holding 9-year-old girl hostage

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New York Avenue Man Surrenders Jan 12 2017

A man surrendered to Oak Ridge police after allegedly holding a 9-year-old girl hostage on Norton Road for about 1.5 hours on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 10:15 p.m.

A man who had allegedly taken a nine-year-old girl hostage and was armed with a rifle when police responded to a family disturbance peacefully surrendered to Oak Ridge police officers after about 1.5 hours of negotiations on Thursday, authorities said.

The child was rescued, and the armed suspect was taken into custody, the Oak Ridge Police Department said.

No injuries were reported after the man, later identified as Robert Foreman, 36, of Oak Ridge, surrendered. Part of New York Avenue was closed Thursday evening as officers negotiated with Foreman and set up a perimeter.

Foreman’s relationship to the girl wasn’t immediately clear Thursday. His motive also wasn’t clear. [Read more…]

Updated: ORPD searching for missing boy

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Updated: The Oak Ridge Police Department is searching for a missing 12-year-old boy late Thursday afternoon.

The boy’s name is James Creel. He is described as white with short blonde hair and hazel eyes, and he is wearing a royal blue jacket, camouflage pants, and red and black shoes.

He was last seen near West Outer Drive at Windgate Place, the ORPD said in a text alert. [Read more…]

Warrant: Defendant in Hibachi Burger robbery used gun

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Dominique Leshawn Gordon

Dominique Leshawn Gordon

The defendant in the robbery of Hibachi Burger in Grove Center on Tuesday had a gun, and he showed it to several employees and customers, “placing them in fear of serious bodily injury,” according to court records.

Dominique Leshawn Gordon, 21, of Hamilton Circle, has been charged with aggravated robbery, according to an affidavit filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court. He remained jailed in the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton on Thursday morning.

The affidavit said Gordon allegedly entered Hibachi Burger at about 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, and he displayed a firearm.

“The defendant demanded money from the register while displaying the firearm to several employees and patrons, placing them in fear of serious bodily injury,” said the affidavit, filed by Oak Ridge Police Department Detective A. Marvell Moore. “After obtaining the money, the defendant fled on foot. The defendant was apprehended a short time later by patrol officers.” [Read more…]

Police capture suspect quickly after armed robbery at restaurant

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An armed robbery suspect is in custody after holding employees of a Grove Center business at gunpoint and leading Oak Ridge police on a brief foot pursuit Tuesday evening, a press release said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department got a call at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, that an armed robbery had just occurred at the Hibachi Burger restaurant at 138 Randolph Road in Grove Center.

The person calling 911 said a man armed with a pistol and a bandana covering his face had demanded money from the business. The caller said the suspect took an undetermined amount of cash and then ran out of the restaurant. [Read more…]

‘Amazing’: Small pole keeps large tree from falling on house

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leaning-tree-manhattan-avenue-dec-29-2016

A small utility pole, pictured at center, kept a large oak tree from falling on a home on Manhattan Avenue, next to Woodland Elementary School, for a few hours on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016. The tree was estimated to be about 75 years old and weigh roughly 10 tons. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 10 p.m. Dec. 30.

A small utility pole kept a large, leaning oak tree, estimated to weigh about 10 tons, from falling on a home on Manhattan Avenue, next to Woodland Elementary School, for several hours on Thursday morning.

Emergency workers were assessing how to remove the oak tree late Thursday morning. Barnhart Crane and Rigging was called to help find city workers and tree crews find a solution.

In the meantime, Manhattan Avenue was closed near Woodland Elementary School. [Read more…]

Y-12 firefighter puts out car fire at Weigel’s gas station

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Eric Mocasri of the Oak Ridge Fire Department checks a Volkswagen Beetle that caught fire at a gas pump at Weigel's gas station and convenience store on South Illinois Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Eric Mocsari of the Oak Ridge Fire Department checks a Volkswagen Beetle that caught fire at a gas pump at Weigel’s gas station and convenience store on South Illinois Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A firefighter on his way to work at the Y-12 National Security Complex extinguished a fire in a Volkswagen Beetle at Weigel’s gas station Saturday evening.

Jim Wilson of the Y-12 Fire Department used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire in the back of the VW car, which was at a gas pump, just after 5 p.m. Saturday. The flames burned through a grill on the back of the car above the engine, and they were visible from South Illinois Avenue.

It wasn’t clear what caused the fire. [Read more…]

Lifestar responds after crash reported

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A Lifestar medical helicopter landed at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge on Friday afternoon because of a serious crash reported on Newhaven Road, authorities said.

The crash was reported at 3:08 p.m. Friday.

Authorities received reports that the crash involved a four-wheeler and a man, possibly in his 30s. It wasn’t clear if the man was riding the four-wheeler. [Read more…]

Trial for Cromwell, defendant in fatal July 4 parking lot crash, set for Feb. 13

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The trial for Lee Harold Cromwell, 67, the defendant in a fatal parking lot crash after fireworks in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2015, has been set for the week that starts Monday, February 13, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—The trial for Lee Harold Cromwell, the defendant in a fatal parking lot crash after fireworks in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2015, has been set for the week that starts Monday, February 13, 2017.

The trial will be in Anderson County Criminal Court in Clinton. Tennessee Senior Judge Paul G. Summers has been appointed to hear the case.

Officials expect that the trial could last at least four days. The plea deadline is 5 p.m. February 3.

Cromwell, 67, is accused of killing one person and injuring 11 others when he backed his Dodge Ram pickup truck through the crowded parking lot at the Midtown Community Center on July 4, 2015, after fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park. [Read more…]

Manhunt in Claxton follows incident in west Knox, chase, crash

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CLAXTON—The manhunt in Claxton on Sunday evening is related to a possible vehicle break-in or attempted break-in at Concord Park in west Knox County, followed by a possible chase by a victim down Pellissippi Parkway and Edgemoor Road, and then a crash on Edgemoor Road, authorities said.

Authorities reported that there might have been three or four men in the rental van that was chased and then crashed on Edgemoor Road at Ozella Lane, just east of Bull Run Fossil Plant.

The incident was reported at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy. [Read more…]

ORPD: Manhunt underway for three people in Claxton area

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A manhunt is under way for three people in the Claxton area, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Sunday evening.

Residents in the area of Edgemoor Road and Melton Lake Drive should use caution and lock their doors, the ORPD said.

Also, motorists should avoid picking up any person who is on foot, and use caution. [Read more…]