Anderson Commission unanimously approves budget with small tax cut

Terry Frank

Terry Frank

Note: This story was updated at 1:12 p.m. June 18.

CLINTON—The Anderson County Commission unanimously approved a budget that cut the property tax rate by one-third of a penny on Monday.

It was a small but symbolic gesture, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank said when she proposed the move, and commissioners endorsed it, during a special meeting last week.

For now, officials have resolved an impasse over whether there was enough money to cover the cost of new jailers hired in the past year by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department for a jail dormitory that is already open—and to pay for more than 30 new jailers needed when a 212-bed addition opens later this year or early next. [Read more...]

Anderson budget cuts tax rate; officials assure sheriff new jailers are covered

CLINTON—The Anderson County Commission endorsed a budget Thursday that lowers the property tax rate, gives employees a day off, and is supposed to provide enough money to pay for jailers hired in the past year while allowing the sheriff to hire new ones for a jail addition that could open later this year.

The budget would also restore some funding for the relatively new Alternatives to Incarceration program, which Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank had proposed cutting by 80 percent, and add money to cover the cost of increased health insurance premiums for county employees.

The budget was endorsed in a 12-1-1 vote during a special meeting Thursday, the second this week. It could officially be adopted during the County Commission’s regular meeting on Monday. [Read more...]

Female pioneer in law enforcement dies after battle with cancer, sheriff says

Peggy Murphy, a longtime deputy who was a pioneer in law enforcement, died Saturday after a long battle with cancer, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday. She was 68.

“Deputy Peggy Murphy was a veteran law enforcement officer,” Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said in a statement. “One of the female pioneers in law enforcement, she began her career with the Clinton Police Department in 1966. Peggy served with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department from 1976 until 1986. She returned to the Sheriff’s Department in 2006 and served until her death. [Read more...]

Anderson officials develop plan to hire 15 jailers for jail expansion

Terry Frank

Terry Frank

CLINTON—For now, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank has dropped her proposal to cut funding for the county law director, and she has worked with the budget director to put together a plan to hire 15 new jailers for a jail expansion that could open in November.

But it’s less than half the number of new jailers requested by Anderson County Sheriff Paul White for the 212-bed expansion of the Anderson County Detention Facility, which could be completed in November.

“They understand the budget constraints,” Frank said of the Sheriff’s Department. “In this tight economy, we’re doing the best we can.” [Read more...]

Police officers remembered, sworn in, honored, promoted during Memorial Day ceremony

Oak Ridge Peace Officer Memorial Day Ceremony

Law enforcement officers from the Oak Ridge Police Department and Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and other agencies honor Peace Officer Memorial Day on Thursday.

Eight new Oak Ridge police officers were sworn in, two were promoted, and many were honored with new awards during a Peace Officer Memorial Day ceremony on Wednesday.

The annual May 15 ceremony is part of National Police Week, and it pays tribute to local, state, and federal peace officers, including those who died on the job.

Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi said more than 20,000 officers have died while working since 1792, and on average, one is killed every 57 hours.

Last year, 127 died, and so far this year, 50 have been killed.

“Your unsung work is what binds us all together,” Akagi told several dozen officers gathered outside the Oak Ridge Municipal Building on a warm, sunny Wednesday afternoon. [Read more...]

Crime down 25 percent in Anderson County in two years, sheriff says

The total number of crimes reported to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department has dropped by about 25 percent in the past two years, Sheriff Paul White said.

He said overall crimes decreased by an even larger percentage, roughly 35 percent, from 2007 to 2012. Crimes against property, such as burglaries and thefts, fell about 20 percent over two years and close to 30 percent since 2007.

“This drop in overall crime can be directly attributed to proactive law enforcement and increased patrols of the rural areas of the county,” White said in a Monday press release. [Read more...]

Sheriff: Beer ‘sting’ nets four businesses

Four businesses sold beer to an underage person during a compliance check at 19 local businesses last week, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said in a Tuesday afternoon press release.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department conducted the compliance checks at local businesses that sell beer on Wednesday, Feb. 13, with help from Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention of Anderson County, or ASAP, a press release said.

[Read more...]

Sheriff: Two arrested after Briceville burglary

An intruder fled a Briceville home Wednesday after the resident, who had been asleep upstairs, woke up and called out, authorities said.

The resident had heard someone break into his home and walk up his stairs, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said in a press release Thursday.

After the intruder fled, the resident and a neighbor saw a white Jeep leave the area. The neighbor followed the Jeep in her car but lost sight of it as it traveled toward Lake City, White said.

[Read more...]

Anderson County Sheriff releases holiday crime prevention tips

Many people can can become victims of burglary, theft, and other crime during the holidays, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department has released tips to help prevent those crimes.

“Protecting yourself and home from crime is one way to be safe and happy this holiday season,” Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said.

Here are the tips:

[Read more...]

Sheriff’s Department offers Halloween safety tips

Today is Halloween, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department has recommended safety tips for families and drivers, particularly for trick or treating tonight.

The goal is to make Halloween more enjoyable and safer, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said.

Here are the tips:

  • Face paint is preferable to masks for children’s costumes. Trick or treaters should wear reflective clothing, carry a bright orange bag, and also carry a flashlight or glowstick to make it easier for passing cars to spot them. Always walk on the left side of the road facing traffic. Parents and children alike should watch for cars at all times.
  • An adult should always accompany young children. A parent or older child should stay close all times and never let children walk by themselves. Wait in the driveway or by the door until they return.
  • Older children should travel in pairs or in groups at all times while trick or treating. Parents should know the route their children are following. Children should always walk together to the front door of each house and never run across the road. Dark, unlighted houses should be avoided.
  • Children should save all their candy until they get home. Parents should closely inspect all candy. Throw away all unwrapped candy or any suspicious looking goodies.
  • Motorists should use extra caution Halloween night. When driving, slow down and be aware. Trick or treaters may dart into the road. Please drive at safe speeds and leave distance from the vehicle ahead of you. They may have to stop suddenly.

Sheriff’s deputies will be actively patrolling neighborhoods throughout the county during Halloween evening, a press release said.

Anderson County receives $40,000 state traffic safety grant

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department has been awarded a state traffic safety grant for the fourth year, Sheriff Paul White announced Monday.

The $40,000 grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Office will support the county’s traffic safety program. It will provide overtime for officers trying to reduce injuries and fatalities by cracking down on seat belt violators and drivers operating vehicles while impaired or driving under the influence, a press release said.

[Read more...]