Oak Ridge Today

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

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

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…]

UT-Battelle fulfills $250,000 pledge to Emory Valley Center campaign

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Emory Valley Center and UT-Battelle Check Jan 2017

On hand for UT-Battelle’s check presentation at the new facility construction site are, from left to right, Shirley Raines, Emory Valley Center board vice president; Dottie Thompson and Gene Caldwell, EVC capital co-chairs; Jennifer Enderson, EVC president; ORNL’s Jeff Smith and Leigha Humphries; Tennessee senators Ken Yager and Randy McNally; and Janet Wood, EVC vice president of community engagement. (Photo courtesy ORNL)

 

UT-Battelle, the managing contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, made the final installment of a $250,000 pledge by presenting a $50,000 check in late December to the Emory Valley Center, a community facility that serves people with disabilities, a press release said.

UT-Battelle made the pledge in 2011 when the Emory Valley Center, which provides services and support for adults and children with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities, began a building program to replace its aging structure. The center’s new building is now under construction.

ORNL Deputy Director for Operations Jeff Smith and Community Relations Manager Leigha Humphries presented the check to Jennifer Enderson, the center’s president. [Read more…]

Council approves $120,000 for city-owned golf course

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Centennial Golf Course Dec 10, 2015

The Tennessee Centennial Golf Course is pictured above in Oak Ridge on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge City Council agreed in a 5-2 vote on Monday to provide $120,000 to continue operating the Tennessee Centennial Golf Course, which the city owns in east Oak Ridge off Edgemoor Road.

The request this year was smaller than it was in 2015, when Council approved a $325,000 transfer, but the golf course is still short of money needed to operate, despite all marketing efforts, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson told City Council members in a memo before Monday’s meeting.

Most of the $120,000 in funding—or $70,024 of it—will be used for accounts payable. The rest will be used for cash flow and salaries, Watson said.

“The slow winter season now requires funding to pay necessary costs and salaries through the winter quarter (January-March 2017),” Watson said. [Read more…]

With win over Cougars, Lady Wildcats now the only undefeated team in district

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak-Ridge-Campbell-County-Girls-Basketball-Kassner-Defense-Jan-10-2017-Web

Oak Ridge junior Destiny Kassner (30), who scored 13 points, plays defense against Campbell County sophomore Lexy Richardson (24) during a 56-39 win for the Lady Wildcats in Jacksboro on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

JACKSBORO—The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats became the only undefeated team in District 3-AAA with a 56-39 win over Campbell County in Jacksboro on Tuesday.

Both basketball teams were undefeated before the game.

The Lady Cougars (13-5, 6-1 District 3-AAA) led or were tied with the Lady Wildcats for much of the first half, and Oak Ridge trailed 14-10 at the end of the first quarter.

But the Lady Wildcats (15-2, 7-0) led 24-21 at halftime and never trailed again. Oak Ridge outscored Campbell County 21-9 in the fourth quarter.

Oak Ridge Paige Green called it a huge win. Campbell County has shooters and players who can drive to the basket, and the team is well-coached, she said. [Read more…]

Warrant: Defendant in Hibachi Burger robbery used gun

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

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…]

Westcott’s 95th birthday will be celebrated Jan. 21

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Ed Westcott

Ed Westcott is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

The family of Ed Westcott, the official government photographer in Oak Ridge during World War II, is inviting the community to celebrate his 95th birthday on Saturday, January 21.

The birthday celebration is at 2 p.m. January 21 in the Wildcat Den at Midtown Community Center at 102 Robertsville Avenue in Oak Ridge.

Westcott was the only authorized photographer in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project, a top-secret federal project to build the world’s first atomic bombs—before Germany could. Oak Ridge was a production site for the Manhattan Project, and the city, which was then known as Clinton Engineer Works, enriched uranium for the first atomic bomb used in wartime. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge seeks community input for new ‘city blueprint’

Posted at
By 4 Comments

city-blueprint-kickoff-flyer

With your help, Oak Ridge officials want to develop a long-range development plan, or “city blueprint.”

There will be a kickoff meeting for the project on Thursday, January 26, at High Places Community Church in Grove Center.

“The last year has been an exciting period in Oak Ridge,” a press release said. “New commercial buildings are being constructed in the city center, improvements in our parks and trails are on the horizon, and the National Historic Park is beginning to take shape. The Oak Ridge Planning Commission—with input from other boards, commissions, and city leaders—has decided that it is time to begin crafting an updated long-range development plan, or ‘City Blueprint,’ which would provide guidance in future growth and decisions. During the creation of this guiding document, it will be vital to receive input on its focus and content from the people of Oak Ridge.” [Read more…]

Norris accepting applications for city manager

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

The City of Norris is now accepting applications for the position of city manager. Norris is a city of 1,600 people, and it has a total work force of 24 employees, with an annual budget of more than $1 million.

The city manager carries out the policies approved by the City Council.

The city manager is the administrative head of the city and supervises heads of the Public Works, Public Safety (police and fire), and office staff. The city manager also administers the city’s personnel system, employs, maintains, and terminates city employees in accordance with applicable federal, state, and city legislative and procedural provisions. And the city manager serves as secretary-treasurer to the Norris Water Commission. [Read more…]

Police capture suspect quickly after armed robbery at restaurant

Posted at
By 1 Comment

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…]

McNally elected lieutenant governor, speaker of the Senate

Posted at
By 1 Comment

Randy McNally

Randy McNally (Submitted photo)

 

The Tennessee Senate on Tuesday elected Senator Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican, as Tennessee’s 87th speaker of the Senate. In Tennessee, the speaker of the Senate is also lieutenant governor.

McNally is only the second Republican Tennessee Senate Speaker in modern history and the first from Anderson County in nearly 150 years.

The Senate’s 33 senators met at noon Tuesday, the first organizational day of the 110th General Assembly, to elect their speaker.

McNally spoke to his colleagues and Tennessee residents after his election.

“I am truly humbled at the trust you have placed in me,” McNally said. “Over the last 10 years, our Tennessee Senate has developed a strong reputation as an efficient and fiscally responsible legislative body. It is a well-earned reputation that I plan to build on.” [Read more…]

Food City expands

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

food-city-expansion-officials-jan-4-2017-web

Mickey Blazer, left, executive vice president of operations for K-VA-T Food Stores Inc. in Knoxville and Chattanooga, is pictured above with store manager Joe Fahy, center, and Joe Greene, district manager, at the expanded Food City grocery store in Oak Ridge on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Food City in Oak Ridge has expanded. It’s now one of the larger stores of its type.

Food City and Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce officials celebrated last week with ribbon-cutting and flag retirement ceremonies.

Among the new, expanded, or renovated sections are a bakery, deli, and cafe; a specialty cheese section and salad bar; a wellness center, pharmacy, and natural section; a wine section and growler station for beer on tap to go; and drive-through pharmacy and Gas ‘N Go.

During the 10-month expansion project, the Food City store added 11,200 square feet using vacant space formerly occupied by H&R Block and Sally Beauty Supply, Food City officials said. [Read more…]

High school hoops poll released

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

The first high school basketball polls of 2017 were released on Monday.

In the Class AAA girls’ poll, Bearden is number 6, with Oak Ridge at number 7 and Morristown West at number 9.

On the boys’ side, Oak Ridge is number 2 in the AAA poll, with District 3 rival Karns at number 10. [Read more…]