Oak Ridge Today

Sheriff: Man lying on home owner’s bed arrested for burglary, vandalism

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Michael Lee Smith

Michael Lee Smith

A Claxton man who appeared to be under the influence of drugs was found lying on a home owner’s bed in a house on Edgemoor Road on Thursday, and he was arrested on burglary and vandalism charges, authorities said.

The home owner found Michael Lee Smith, 31, of Old Edgemoor Road, inside the home when he returned home at about 6 a.m. Thursday, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said. The resident said his van and motor home had been both burglarized and vandalized, a press release said.

The rear door of his home had also been damaged but it appeared secure, so the home owner did not initially believe anyone had entered his house, Sheriff Paul White said in the press release. [Read more…]

Dispose of unused medicine safely at four locations Saturday

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ASAP Logo

Anderson County residents can get rid of their unused medicine on Saturday as the county participates in National Drug Take-Back Day sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Oak Ridge Police Department, Clinton Police Department, Norris Police Department, Lake City Police Department, and Oliver Springs Police Department, along with ASAP, will host the event as part of a continued effort to reduce drug abuse and practice stewardship toward our environment. Medication may be dropped off with officers between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the Oak Ridge Police Department at 200 S. Tulane Ave. or dropped in the bin at the locations listed below. All packaging materials will be recycled.

  • Clinton Police Department—125 W. Broad St., Clinton
  • Lake City Police Department—104 Lawson St., Lake City
  • Norris Police Department—9 West Circle Road, Norris
  • Oliver Springs Police Department—701 Main St., Oliver Springs [Read more…]

Police: Man says he was a victim of random gunshot

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Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

A 21-year-old Oak Ridge man admitted to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg on Monday told police he was the victim of a random gun shot in the woods behind Wadsworth Place, authorities said.

The victim, who lives on Wadsworth Place, was admitted to the Emergency Department at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge on Monday night.

The incident was reported to have occurred between 8 and 8:20 p.m. Monday, Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Christopher G. Luethge said in a report.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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…]

More than $11K in damage, stolen currencies reported at golf course

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Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

Centennial Golf Course reported that unknown suspects caused more than $11,000 worth of property damage and stole $5,381 in various currencies from the business sometime between Sunday evening and Monday morning, authorities said.

The golf course is on Centennial Boulevard off Edgemoor Road in east Oak Ridge.

The Oak Ridge Police Department responded at 7:30 a.m. Monday, April 14, Officer Chris Bayless said in a report. The incident was reported to have occurred between 9:30 p.m. Sunday, April 13, and 7:30 a.m. Monday, April 14. [Read more…]

Man reports revolver, cell phone, cash stolen in home invasion

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Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

An East Forest Road man reported an unknown suspect entered his home Monday evening and stole a .38 revolver, a cell phone, and more than $6,000 in cash, authorities said.

The reported home invasion occurred between 4:40 and 5:08 p.m. Monday, Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Chris Bayless said in a report.

The investigation is still ongoing to identify the suspect, Bayless said.

East Florida Road is off Florida Avenue north of Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Cash, computer, TV reported stolen during home invasion robbery

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Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

Two men who live on Devon Lane in Oak Ridge reported cash and a computer, television, video game system, and other items were stolen during a home invasion robbery early Tuesday morning.

The victims reported the robbery on Devon Lane at about 2:24 a.m. Tuesday.

The list of stolen items included $900 in cash, a gold watch valued at $500, a laptop computer valued at $300, a 35″ flatscreen television valued at $275, a cellphone valued at $200, a video game system valued at $150, drug paraphernalia, and bags that contained $50 in coins. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge man charged with Friday night robbery at Subway

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Matthew Parker

Matthew Parker

An Oak Ridge man has been charged with the Friday night robbery of a Subway restaurant.

Matthew Parker, 25, was initially arrested Monday afternoon for driving on a suspended license, and he was taken to the Oak Ridge Police Department for questioning. After being interviewed by ORPD Detective John Criswell, Parker was charged with the robbery of the Subway, a press release said.

The robbery at the Subway at 1968  Oak Ridge Turnpike on the west end of town occurred at about 8:14 p.m. Friday. A man entered the Subway and gave the clerk a note demanding money, the ORPD said. The clerk gave the man close to $300, and he left in a silver Mazda sedan with a temporary tag, the ORPD said. The vehicle was then involved in a minor collision at the intersection of Louisiana Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike, the press release said. The drivers of both vehicles got out, checked the damage, spoke briefly, and then left. The suspect vehicle was then seen traveling east on the Turnpike. [Read more…]

Spotlight: ORFD officers receive national accreditation

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Charlie Elliott

Charlie Elliott

The Center for Public Safety Excellence has notified three members of the Oak Ridge Fire Department that they have received national accreditation.

The Center for Public Safety Excellence Inc. is a nonprofit organization that, for more than a decade, has helped local public safety agencies around the world streamline and improve the services they provide their communities, a press release said. Through its individual commissions, CPSE provides a host of programs including accreditation for fire and emergency service agencies and professional designations for senior-level fire and emergency service officers.

Capt. Charlie Elliott, Capt. Brandon Payne, and Firefighter Engineer Jordan Alcorn have received notification from the Center for Public Safety Excellence that they have been approved for the designation of fire officer, or FO. [Read more…]

ORPD officer resigns to focus on campaign for sheriff

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Randy Myers

Randy Myers

Note: This story was updated at 3:48 p.m. April 11.

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Randy Myers is resigning so he can focus on campaigning full-time for sheriff.

His last day on the job will officially be Tuesday, April 15.

“We’re campaigning full-steam,” Myers said Thursday. “We’re fully committed.”

Myers, 48, started with the ORPD in 2007. He is a Republican candidate for Anderson County sheriff in the May 6 primary election, where he has one opponent, Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper Anthony Lay. The primary winner will face the incumbent, Sheriff Paul White, a Democrat, in the Aug. 7 county general election.

[Read more…]

Lightning strike may have caused house fire on Graceland Road

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Graceland Road Fire

A lightning strike may have caused a house fire on Graceland Road on Thursday morning. (Photos by Tom Scott)

A Thursday morning fire possibly started by a lightning strike likely destroyed a home in west Oak Ridge and caused a few hundred thousand dollars in damage, authorities said.

The residents of the home at 118 Graceland Road knew their home had been hit by lightning at about 4:30 a.m. Thursday, Oak Ridge Fire Department Chief Darryl Kerley said. They heard the strike and found siding blown off the side of their house. They used a ladder to climb on the roof and check the home. Then, they re-checked it later before the man who lived there went to work.

But at about 7:45 a.m. Thursday, neighbor Chris Wetherall reported the roof of the house was on fire. The female resident, Yvonne McClellan, remained asleep inside, Kerley said.

Wetherall went to the burning home and banged on the door until McClellan woke up and answered the door, Kerley said. Wetherall moved a pickup truck out of the home’s garage and turned off the power. He took McClellan next door to his house, where she was evaluated by the fire department and Anderson County Emergency Medical Services. [Read more…]

Spotlight: Neighborhood Watch cleanup in Highland View

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Highland View Neighborhood Watch Cleanup

From left to right are Sharon Crane, Oak Ridge Community Resource Officer Brandan Sharp, Theresa Scott, Kenny Crane, and Neighborhood Watch Program President Brad Stephenson. (Submitted photos)

Submitted

Despite heavy rain Saturday, about 21 volunteers turned out to clean up trash in Highland View.

Here are two pictures provided by resident Theresa Scott, pictured at center in the photo at left.

Scott said Pizza Inn provided several pizzas for the volunteers, who also included Pat Imperato, Jerry Creasey, Whitey Hitchcock, Kay Williamson, and Mare Martell. [Read more…]