Oak Ridge Today

TBI investigation of Oak Ridge apartment death still open, ongoing

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Thomas Stephen "T.S." Thrasher

Thomas Stephen “T.S.” Thrasher

The investigation of the death of an Oak Ridge man in an apartment in December 2014 remains open and ongoing, a state official said Monday.

Thomas Steven Thrasher Jr., 29, also known as “T.S.,” died December 8, 2014. He was found dead in a second-floor apartment when the Oak Ridge Police Department responded to a report of a possible intruder at about 4:40 a.m. that Monday at 615 West Vanderbilt Drive.

Anderson County District Attorney General Dave Clark said that month that a criminal investigation was under way, but there had not been an arrest and no charges had been filed. Clark said at the time that an autopsy had been performed by the Anderson County medical examiner.

“As a result of the circumstances, the Oak Ridge Police and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have been conducting a criminal investigation,” Clark said. “There has been no arrest or charges filed at this time.” [Read more…]

Children’s Museum International Festival features music, dance, crafts, cuisine on Feb. 20

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Shamrock Road

Shamrock Road (Submitted photo)

 

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will present entertainment, crafts, and cuisines from cultures around the world at its annual International Festival on Saturday, February 20.

Shamrock Road, a band specializing in Irish ballads, will be the featured performer for the international event. The family-friendly festival will feature musical and dance entertainment on stage throughout the day, international food and culture booths, and crafts for children to make and take home.

The festival will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. February 20 at the Children’s Museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

Shamrock Road plays many old pub standards and contemporary ballads by such artists as Mary Black, Christy Moore, and U2. Two of the band members have lived in Ireland. Bob Morin, on vocals and 12-string guitar, lived in County Tipperary for several years. Steve Reddick, on vocals, banjo and harmonica, attended college in Cork City. Other band members are Mary Tuskan, on vocals, guitar, banjo and mandolin; Jake Alexander, on bass; and Amanda Morgan, on fiddle. [Read more…]

Maine man pleads guilty to murder charge in OS drug deal that ended in death

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Scott-Benjamin-Pike-Nov 21-2014

Scott Benjamin Pike (November 2014 photo by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department)

A 32-year-old Maine man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated robbery in the death of an Oliver Springs man after a drug deal in May 2011.

Scott Benjamin Pike, of Lewiston, Maine, entered the guilty pleas in Anderson County Criminal Court on Friday, January 29.

Pike received a 20-year sentence on the second-degree murder charge, a Class A felony, and a 12-year sentence on the aggravated robbery charge, a Class B felony. There is no probation on either count, according to court records. The sentences will run concurrently. He will receive credit for time served.

Pike was indicted on a first-degree murder charge on February 7, 2012, by the Anderson County Grand Jury. Also indicted were Ronny Blake Hamrick of Oliver Springs and Tristin Jane Dayon of Lewiston, Maine. A first-degree murder charge could include a premeditated killing or an unlawful death that occurred during a robbery or attempted robbery, according to the indictments. [Read more…]

ORHS teacher suspended while police investigate info reported to schools

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An Oak Ridge High School teacher has been suspended from all teaching duties without pay while information reported to Oak Ridge Schools is investigated by the Oak Ridge Police Department, an official said Friday.

Officials have not identified the teacher.

“If the teacher is vindicated or reinstated following the investigation, the teacher shall be paid full salary for the period of the suspension,” Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers said in a brief statement issued in response to questions from reporters. [Read more…]

Higgins, who had committed to UT, re-opens recruitment in football, basketball

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Wildcats Tee Higgins Catch at Ooltewah Nov. 13, 2015

Oak Ridge junior wide receiver Tee Higgins announced on Twitter on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, that he is re-opening his recruitment for basketball and football. Above, Higgins (5) makes a catch during a 26-17 loss at Ooltewah in a second-round Class 5A playoff game on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:06 p.m.

Oak Ridge junior wide receiver Tee Higgins announced on Twitter on Thursday that he is re-opening his recruitment for basketball and football.

Higgins, who received a Mr. Football award in November, had announced in August that he had officially committed to play football at the University of Tennessee.

In his Twitter post on Thursday, Higgins said he has spent a lot of time thinking and talking to his mother and coaches about the decision.

“I’ve been thinking for a long time about this, and I’ve finally decided that I will be re-opening my recruitment for basketball and football,” the 6-foot-5 junior said. “Tennessee is not out of the conclusion, and I consider them a priority. But for me to make the best decision and eliminate questions later, I have to look at other opportunities.” [Read more…]

Anderson County Ally of the Year for 2016: Becky Grubb

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Anderson-County-Allies-of-the-Year-2016

2016 Anderson County Ally of the Year First Runner-up Theresa Scott, Ally of the Year Becky Grubb, and Second Runner-up Kim Pouncey are pictured above. (Submitted photo)

Becky Grubb has been named the 2016 Anderson County Ally of the Year.

The award is given by Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention of Anderson County, or ASAP, and it recognizes Grubb’s passion for creating a healthy and productive Anderson County, a press release said.

Grubb is the office manager at Fox Toyota, where she works with her family. She and her husband Stanley are active members of Grace Baptist Church, where they serve as greeters and small group home hosts. They have served with Lost Sheep Ministries in Knoxville for the past 12 years, assisting the homeless, and have taken several mission trips with Jesus Centered Ministries. Grubb is also a member of the Clinton Civitan Club, the press release said. She and Stanley have three children and four grandchildren. [Read more…]

Fall in love with ‘Dine and Donate’

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Dean's-Restaurant-Dean-Russell-Lynn-Randolph-Feb-2016

Dean Russell and Lynn Randolph, co-owners of Dean’s are pictured above. Ranked the number one restaurant in Oak Ridge on tripadvisor.com, Dean’s Restaurant and Bakery offers a variety of wood-grilled and home cooked favorites. (Submitted photo)

 

On Monday, February 8, several local restaurants will “share the love” by donating a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, ADFAC’s February Dine and Donate event provides an early opportunity to treat loved ones to a special meal.

Restaurants participating on Monday, February 8, are:

  • Dean’s in Oak Ridge,
  • Hoskins in Clinton,
  • Mediterranean Delight in Oak Ridge,
  • Popeye’s in Oak Ridge,
  • Razzleberry’s in Oak Ridge,
  • Secret City BBQ and Pies in Oak Ridge, and
  • Subway locations in Clinton (both), Oak Ridge (Four Oaks Center), Oliver Springs, and Rocky Top.

[Read more…]

Downtown Hardware, ADFAC partner to collect weatherization items for struggling families

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Downtown-Hardware-60th-Anniversary-ADFAC-January-2015

Downtown Hardware’s co-owner Roger Clary, along with his wife, Sondra, present the ADFAC collection area. (Submitted photo)

 

Families in need of utility assistance often request help in obtaining weatherization materials to reduce home energy costs.

This year, ADFAC and Downtown Hardware have partnered to collect those materials to help families struggling with higher energy bills through the colder months.

Downtown Hardware customers can help provide items or donations to help the families stay warmer and reduce utility bills. The hardware store is collecting donations purchased at a discounted price by customers, providing receipts, paying all sales taxes, and delivering the materials to ADFAC.

“When clients are able to weatherize their homes, it is a helpful, proactive step to clients becoming more self-sufficient,” ADFAC said in its monthly newsletter. “We are very grateful to Downtown Hardware and their customers for their generosity and commitment to the community.  If you would like to help with this effort, stop by Downtown Hardware at 298 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.” [Read more…]

Warrants: Man who crashed into Dunkin’ Donuts told police he had several drinks, beer

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Matthew-Ketron

Matthew Ketron

The Knoxville man who crashed a Volkswagen Beetle into Dunkin’ Donuts on Wednesday told Oak Ridge police he had consumed several mixed liquor drinks as well as beer before driving, according to court records.

Matthew Chance Ketron, 32, had a strong odor like that of an alcoholic beverage “coming from his person,” as well as glassy bloodshot eyes, Oak Ridge Police Department Officer John Torrence said in arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court. Ketron’s speech was also slow and staggered, Torrence said.

Ketron told police that he had been on his way to a staff meeting at Jet’s Pizza, according to the warrants. Jet’s is located next to Dunkin’ Donuts in a small shopping center on Oak Ridge Turnpike.

But when he arrived, Ketron said, there was no meeting, so he attempted to leave, the warrants said. However, when he rounded the east side of the building, Ketron said he lost control of his yellow 2000 VW Beetle and crashed into the building. [Read more…]

Prudden, former girls basketball coach, to be inducted into TSSAA Hall of Fame

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Jill Prudden

Jill Prudden

Note: This story was last updated at 1:20 p.m.

Jill Prudden, former girls basketball coach at Oak Ridge High School, will be inducted into the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in April.

Prudden was head girls basketball coach at Oak Ridge High School for 31 seasons. Her 908 wins rank third in the state. She led the team to three TSSAA state championships (1988, 1994, and 1997) and 21 TSSAA state tournament appearances.

Prudden retired from coaching in 2010 and is currently teaching at Robertsville Middle School.

Here is more information from a press release, including the names and additional information on all nine inductees. [Read more…]

Man facing charges after crashing VW into Dunkin’ Donuts

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VW-Beetle-Dunkin-Donuts-Feb-3-2016

A man is facing charges after crashing a Volkswagen Beetle into the side of Dunkin’ Donuts in Oak Ridge on Wednesday, authorities said. Pictured above are members of the Oak Ridge Fire Department and Oak Ridge Community Development. The drive-through window is to the left of the VW. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 6 p.m. Feb. 4.

A man is facing charges after crashing a Volkswagen Beetle into the side of Dunkin’ Donuts in Oak Ridge on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Officers charged the man, Matthew Ketron, 32, of Knoxville, with two counts of reckless endangerment and driving under the influence, the Oak Ridge Police Department said.

The crash was reported at about 2:50 p.m. Wednesday. At least five people were inside Dunkin’ Donuts at the time, the ORPD said. Two customers were treated for injuries and released at the scene. Officers said the building, which is in a small shopping center on Oak Ridge Turnpike, was heavily damaged.

The yellow 2000 Volkswagen Beetle crashed into a side wall, between the drive-through window and the glass at the front of Dunkin’ Donuts. But it’s not clear whether the driver had stopped at the drive-through. [Read more…]

Video: Savanna Schubert talks to disc golfers in Oak Ridge

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Disc golf isn’t a sport you hear of often in the hills of East Tennessee. In Oak Ridge, we were able to catch up with some avid disc golfers who are happy to see the game growing.

Here is a video by Savanna Schubert. See the story here.

Savanna Schubert is a freelance contributor to Oak Ridge Today.

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