Oak Ridge Today

Sheriff’s Department announces enforcement partnerships to reduce traffic fatalities

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The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and local law enforcement agencies have announced a partnership designed to reduce traffic fatalities in East Tennessee.

In a Friday press conference at the Knoxville office of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Steve Dillard, East Tennessee Law Enforcement Liaison Officer for the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, reported an increase in fatalities last year in four East Tennessee counties: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, and Sevier. During the last five years, Anderson County alone has averaged 11 fatal crashes per year, with 13 fatal crashes in 2012, a press release said.

In response, Dillard and GHSO Director Kendall Poole outlined traffic safety activities for the next six months in the four counties. Authorities will focus on impaired and distracted drivers, and those violating speed limit and seatbelt laws. [Read more…]

Forty-two face federal charges for allegedly conspiring to make 50+ grams of meth

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Federal Meth Prosecution

Flanked by local, state, and federal law enforcement officers, U.S. Attorney William C. Killian, center, announces that 42 people, including many Anderson County residents, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine.

CLINTON—In an unprecedented case, 42 people, including many Anderson County residents, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges they conspired to make 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney William C. Killian announced the charges during a Tuesday afternoon press conference at the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton.

Other charges listed in a 17-count indictment filed March 19 in U.S. District Court in Knoxville include possessing the equipment, chemicals, products, and materials used to make meth; maintaining homes used to manufacture the illegal stimulant, including one residence within 1,000 feet of Claxton Elementary School; and federal firearms violations. [Read more…]

Clinton Fire Department receives $389,000 grant

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Information from WYSH Radio

Clinton officials announced Friday morning that the Clinton Fire Department has received a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response—or SAFER—grant that will pay the salaries and benefits for four more firefighters for the next two years.

The city was notified Friday by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security that the grant award totals $388,944. City leaders thanked the area’s congressional delegation for their assistance in obtaining the funding. There is no local match for the grant.

Four arrested after alleged theft of more than $3,000 at Walmart

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Information from WYSH Radio

Four people were arrested and charged Wednesday in connection to the theft of more than 600 items from the Clinton Walmart.

Knoxville Police called the Clinton Police Department and informed them that there had been a theft at the Walmart in Clinton and that four suspects had been detained in Knoxville in connection to thefts at several area Walmarts, including the one in Clinton.

[Read more…]

Anderson school bus involved in crash, no students injured

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Information from WYSH Radio

An Anderson County school bus was involved in a traffic accident Wednesday morning in South Clinton.

A car reportedly pulled in front of bus #14 from David Road onto Blockhouse Valley Road and was struck by the bus, which was carrying approximately 15 to 20 students to Clinton Middle and High School, according to school officials.

[Read more…]

WYSH: Anderson man pleads in robbery

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Information from WYSH Radio

An Anderson County man pleaded guilty last week to charges stemming from a robbery at the Dollar General Store in Clinton in May of 2011 that left a clerk with a broken leg.

Kelly Matthew Dick, 30, of Heiskell, was originally charged with aggravated robbery in connection to the May 14 incident in which he pushed a 57-year-old store employee to the ground, causing her to break her leg, before fleeing with $120 in cash.

[Read more…]

Damage from two Clinton fires estimated at $300,000

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Information from WYSH Radio

Following up on last week’s fires at a pair of industries in Clinton, we now have damage estimates from Rexnord and Eagle Bend Manufacturing.

A Thursday night fire at Rexnord caused approximately $105,000 worth of damage. That blaze was sparked by an equipment malfunction.

[Read more…]

Two industry fires reported in Clinton

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ORFD Tower Truck

The Oak Ridge Fire Department responded with a tower truck and personnel to a Thursday evening fire at Rexnord Link Belt Plant on J.D. Yarnell Industrial Parkway in Clinton. (Photos by Tom Scott)

Two fires were reported Thursday night and early Friday morning at businesses in Clinton.

The first fire broke out Thursday night at Rexnord, and the second one occurred early Friday at Eagle Bend Manufacturing, according to WYSH Radio in Clinton. In both fires, no injuries were reported, and they are not believed to be suspicious in nature.

[Read more…]

SUV stolen, pickup vandalized at Clinton dealership

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Information from WYSH Radio

A Clinton auto dealer reported that one vehicle was stolen from his lot over the weekend and another vandalized.

David Worthington called the Clinton Police Department to Worthington Motor Company on South Seivers Boulevard Monday morning and told officers that he had discovered the theft and the vandalism when he arrived at work.

[Read more…]

WYSH: Clinton store robbed

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Information from WYSH Radio

Clinton Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the AT&T store in Tanner Place on Saturday night.

Police were called to the store at around 7 p.m. Saturday by a contract sales associate for AT&T, who told investigators that she had been packing up her belongings to leave for the night when she heard the front door open. When she turned around, she spotted a white man with a pistol approaching her. The man laid the gun on the counter facing her and demanded money.

[Read more…]