Oak Ridge Today

Pictures: Bill Wilcox celebrates milestones with friends, officials

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Bill Wilcox and Ray Smith

These half-dozen photos are from a collection by D. Ray Smith showing city historian Bill Wilcox, who died Monday, celebrating recent milestones, including his 90th birthday earlier this year and the unveiling of the Birth of a City monuments in front of the Oak Ridge Municipal Building a few years ago.

Smith is Y-12 National Security Complex historian and newspaper columnist, and Wilcox, a passionate advocate for preserving Oak Ridge’s history, was his friend.

The funeral for Wilcox and a community reception are Saturday. [Read more…]

Police arrest two teens after recovering items from two-week burglary spree

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Burglary Items Recovered by ORPD

The Oak Ridge Police Department recovered several thousand dollars worth of merchandise allegedly stolen during a string of burglaries during the past two weeks. Two teenagers were arrested and charged with burglary and possession of stolen property.

Police searching an apartment in east Oak Ridge early Thursday morning recovered several thousand dollars worth of items allegedly taken in burglaries during the past few weeks, and two teenagers were arrested and charged with burglary and possession of stolen property, authorities said.

The stolen items, which fill a table at the police station, include backpacks and women’s accessories, sporting equipment such as golf clubs, and electronic merchandise  such as cell phones, GPS systems, and a television. Police said they will try to match the items to recent reports of stolen equipment, and officers will call victims.

After the Thursday morning search, the Oak Ridge Police Department arrested Chase Davis, 19, and Bryson Higgins, 18. They both live in an apartment on Erskine Lane at the Tara Hills Apartments, and they face multiple counts of burglary and possession of stolen property. [Read more…]

One pleads, one backs out of deal in 2011 robbery, murder

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Information from WYSH Radio

One man pleaded guilty to reduced charges in an August 2011 robbery that ended with one man being shot dead while his brother—the accused gunman—backed out of a plea deal and will stand trial next year.

On Wednesday, James Brooms, 24, entered a best-interest plea to facilitation to commit second-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. [Read more…]

Altrusa launches weekly meeting of international women on Sept. 12

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Around the World Hands and Globe

Altrusa International of Oak Ridge will launch a weekly gathering of international women called Women of the World, or WOW, on Thursday, Sept. 12. The gathering will welcome women from countries around the world who are interested in making friends, practicing English, and learning more about Oak Ridge and its resources.

The group will hold its first meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in Room 102 of the Activities Building of the First Presbyterian Church, 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike at Lafayette Drive, for the beginning of a 12-week program this fall and winter. [Read more…]

Taste of Oak Ridge this month features food, music

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Jackson Square Merchants Association

Members of the Jackson Square Merchants Association are pictured above. From left to right standing are Myra Langley, Debbie Magill, Jeannie O’Brien, Nancy Cosgrove, Wendy Holloway, and Bob Bardoff. Seated are Manderley Swain, Jo Ann Hasty, and Barbara Ferrell. (Submitted photo)

The Fifth Annual Taste of Oak Ridge later this month will feature small portions of food from local restaurants and music by local musicians—and raise money for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

This year’s Taste of Oak Ridge is scheduled from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, in Jackson Square. The “tastes” from each food vendor will cost $1 or $2 per item. Attendees can buy as many tickets as they want for $1 each. In addition, beer and wine will be available for sale.

Taste of Oak Ridge is sponsored by the Jackson Square Merchants Association.

Former TVA executive pleads guilty to unlawful investments in Iran, filing false tax returns

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A former Tennessee Valley Authority executive pleaded guilty Wednesday to unlawful financial investments in Iran and filing false tax returns, federal officials said.

Former TVA Vice President Masoud Bajestani, 58, formerly of Chattanooga, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, and Iranian Transactions Regulations, and two counts of filing false income tax returns, said U.S. Attorney William C. Killian of the Eastern District of Tennessee. Bajestani also agreed to forfeit $600,000 in U.S. currency, representing the funds used to promote the specified unlawful activity, Killian said.

[Read more…]

AC EMS doesn’t carry most medications found during search of doctor’s home, director says

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Michael Lapaglia

Michael A. Lapaglia

Its former medical director was arrested Tuesday on drug and gun charges, and Anderson County Emergency Medical Services issued a statement on Wednesday that said most of the medications allegedly found in the home of Dr. Michael A. LaPaglia are not carried by the ambulance service.

The statement also said that the Anderson County EMS medical director is never allowed or provided access to any controlled equipment, supplies, or medications.

“Anderson County EMS has a very solid and concise procedure for controlled substances, with many levels of reporting and accountability,” Director Nathan Sweet said. [Read more…]

KPD: Doctor arrested on drug, weapons charges after officers find pipes, pot, pills

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Michael Lapaglia

Michael LaPaglia

Note: This story was last updated at 12:02 p.m.

An East Tennessee doctor with ties to Oak Ridge and Anderson County was arrested Tuesday morning at his Knoxville home on drug and weapons charges after officers allegedly found about 125 marijuana pipes and bongs, more than two pounds of high-grade marijuana, and pills and vials containing liquids commonly used in hospitals, with the medicines ranging from Valium and amphetamine to oxycodone, propofol, and morphine, authorities said.

The Knoxville Police Department arrested Michael A. LaPaglia, 42, after responding to a report of a domestic dispute at a home on Fox Cove Road about 11:46 p.m. Monday, spokesman Darrell DeBusk said. When police entered the home, they said they noticed a strong marijuana smell throughout the house. They also saw several Mason jars with marijuana residue as well as bongs, or water pipes used to smoke marijuana, according to a KPD statement. [Read more…]

Funeral, community reception for city historian Bill Wilcox on Saturday

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Bill Wilcox

Bill Wilcox

A funeral and community reception have been scheduled for Saturday for Bill Wilcox, a chemist who came to Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project in World War II and went on to become technical director for federal facilities K-25 and Y-12, was named Oak Ridge city historian, and led the fight to preserve the history of the former K-25 site, which was built during World War II to enrich uranium for atomic bombs.

The funeral is at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 212 N. Tulane Ave. in Oak Ridge. The community reception is at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the lobby at Pollard Auditorium at Oak Ridge Associated Universities at 120 Badger Ave. [Read more…]

Woman alleges excessive force, brutality at jail; files $17.6 million lawsuit

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A multi-million dollar federal lawsuit filed last month and amended Tuesday alleges an Anderson County woman with multiple sclerosis was sprayed with chemical spray in the face and eyes at least twice while restrained and had her forehead slammed into a cement wall after she was arrested for public intoxication at her home earlier this year.

The lawsuit seeks $17.6 million for Heather Bolling, 30. She accused Anderson County jailers of using excessive force and brutality, and she alleged she was severely and permanently injured after she was arrested on Oak Road near Norris on April 28 and taken to the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton. [Read more…]

Roane State’s online biology courses earn national recognition

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Roane State Community College’s online biology courses have been named among the country’s best by BestOnlineColleges.org.

According to information on BestOnlineColleges.org, the site’s 2013-14 listing of best online programs takes into account “student surveys, teacher surveys, expert analysis, cost, academic offerings, career services rankings, and availability.” [Read more…]

Drug investigations lead to eight arrests, 17 indictments, sheriff says

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Brandy Danielle Braden

Brandy Danielle Braden

Joshua Travis Crowley

Joshua Travis Crowley

Eight people have been arrested on drug-related charges in Anderson County, including for prescription narcotics offenses and methamphetamine-related charges, after investigations by the Special Operations Unit of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, authorities said.

More arrests are expected because an Anderson County grand jury indicted a total of 17 people on 30 charges after the investigations, Sheriff Paul White said Tuesday. Authorities are also continuing to investigate related drug activity. [Read more…]