Oak Ridge Today

Photos: 9/11 memorial ceremony at ORHS on Sept. 11

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ORHS 9/11 Memorial Moment of Silence

Oak Ridge High School students and staff and police officers and firefighters have a moment of silence at the 9/11 memorial at ORHS on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A September 11 memorial ceremony at Oak Ridge High School paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001, and it honored military personnel.

Here are pictures from the Friday morning ceremony.

ORHS 9/11 Memorial Shichen Zhang and Melissa Yuan 2015

Shichen Zhang, Student Council president, left, and Melissa Yuan, Student Council vice president, raise the United States flag to half-staff during a 9/11 ceremony at Oak Ridge High School on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

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Three apply for 9th Judicial District Criminal Court opening; district includes Roane

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NASHVILLE—The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments will consider three applicants when it meets September 25 in Harriman to select nominees for the impending criminal court vacancy in the 9th Judicial District, which serves Loudon, Meigs, Morgan, and Roane counties.

The impending vacancy has been created by the announcement by Judge E. Eugene Eblen that he is retiring effective December 31, 2015.

The applicants are:

  • Walter B. Johnson II, of Lenoir City,
  • Porsche Lyn Shantz of Lenoir City, and
  • Jeffery H. Wicks of Rockwood.

[Read more…]

Man charged with aggravated assault after alleged shooting at Rocky Top

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Kendre K. Shields

Kendre K. Shields

A Nashville man has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault after a shot was reportedly fired into a vehicle with three adults and a five-year-old child at the Rocky Top Market on Jefferson Avenue early Sunday, authorities said.

Kendre’ K. Shields, 19, of Nashville, has also been charged with reckless endangerment, the Oak Ridge Police Department said in a city press release.

Authorities said the shooting into the occupied vehicle was reported at the Rocky Top at 20 Jefferson Avenue at about 12:15 a.m. Sunday, September 6. [Read more…]

ACSD Crime Prevention offers church safety, security seminar

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Anderson County Sheriff's Department Church and Safety Security Seminar

The Crime Prevention Unit of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department is presenting a Church Safety and Security Seminar on Saturday, September 19, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at LifeHouse Church at 535 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. This free seminar is open for all churches and denominations.

The Church Safety and Security Seminar is being presented for area houses of worship to assist with emergency planning, a press release said.

“Prior preparation is essential for successful prevention and mitigation of potentially catastrophic events,” the release said. “This seminar will offer valuable information to help prepare.”

An effective plan for keeping congregations safe requires a complete team effort and coordination, the release said. It involves participation of the pastoral staff, ushers, greeters, parking lot attendants, deacons, elders, trustees, medically trained personnel, and many others. Every member of the church team should make plans to attend this seminar. [Read more…]

AC Chamber, Tennova offer active shooter training for businesses

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Brandan Sharp

Brandan Sharp

The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce and Tennova Healthcare will offer active shooter training for businesses and workplaces on Tuesday, September 15. The training will be led by Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Brandan Sharp.

The training is scheduled from 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, September 15, at the Anderson County Chamber office in Clinton.

“An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and other populated area,” a press release said. “In most cases, active shooters use firearms, and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly.” [Read more…]

Armed robbery, assault reported on Waddell Circle

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Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

Two men, including one suspect allegedly armed with a gun, reportedly entered a home on Waddell Circle on Thursday night, assaulted someone, and stole money and property valued at $860, authorities said.

The robbery was reported at about 10:29 p.m. Thursday, September 3, at 214 Waddell Circle. The suspects fled before Oak Ridge Police Department officers arrived, a press release said.

The ORPD asked anyone who might have information about the robbery to call (865) 425-4399. You can also TEXT-A-TIP by texting “TIP ORPD” followed by your message to 888777. If it is an emergency, dial 911. [Read more…]

RT man charged with attempted murder after allegedly threatening wife, firing gun

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Steven Wayne Rice

Steven Wayne Rice

A Rocky Top man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after allegedly threatening his wife with a pistol early Sunday and firing it when three other people in the home tackled him and took away the gun, authorities said.

Steven Wayne Rice, 36, has also been charged with reckless endangerment, according to arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court.

The Rocky Top Police Department responded to the call of a shot fired at 411 Wallace Avenue at about 2:55 a.m. Sunday, August 30.

RTPD Officer Richard Foschino said Rice was on the front porch when he arrived. When asked what happened, Rice responded, “I fired the gun,” Foschino said. [Read more…]

No injuries, minor damage in Florida Avenue porch fire

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Florida Avenue Porch Fire

No one was injured and the damage was minor in a Thursday evening porch fire on Florida Avenue. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

No one was injured and the damage was minor in a Thursday evening porch fire on Florida Avenue.

The fire at 718 Florida Avenue was reported at about 5:35 p.m. Thursday.

Authorities said it was confined to a screened porch. Firefighters used a fire extinguisher to put it out. The cause is under investigation.

The house is an Emory Valley Center home, authorities said.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Woman facing charges after bringing loaded handgun to evening class at ACHS, report says

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Anderson County Sheriff Patch

A Lafollette woman reported to be suicidal is facing charges after she brought a loaded handgun to an evening class at Anderson County Career and Tech Center at Anderson County High School on Monday, authorities said.

The 36-year-old woman reportedly came to class aggravated and told the teacher of a certified nursing assistant class that “she would be better off dead,” according to an Anderson County Sheriff’s Department report.

The teacher said the woman told her she had everything in place “so she could die,” the report said. The teacher asked the woman if she had a gun in her bag, and the woman said “Yes, she had had it every night,” the report said.

A student in the class told Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Robert J. Collins that the woman said she had a gun in her bag if she needed it, and the woman had a journal stating that she wanted to die. [Read more…]

Man arrested after women’s clothing, property set on fire, neighbor assaulted

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Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

A man was arrested Thursday morning after women’s clothing and property were set on fire in a domestic dispute on Waddell Circle, and a neighbor was assaulted, authorities said.

Oak Ridge Police Department patrol officers and investigators responded to the call at 171 Waddell Circle at 7:58 a.m. Thursday, a press release said. They determined that it was a continuation of an earlier domestic call involving a male subject identified as Christopher Crandall.

“Officers discovered a large pile of personal belongings and women’s clothing belonging to the victim burning in the yard, which was extinguished by members of the Oak Ridge Fire Department,” the press release said. “Officers were unable to locate Crandall after a search of the area, as he had apparently fled the area on foot prior to police arrival.”

Two hours later, at 9:58 a.m., police officers were again summoned to the area for an assault that had taken place involving Crandall, the release said. [Read more…]

Woman reports falling asleep with cigarette in hand before Tuesday fire

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Smith Road Mattress Fire

A woman who escaped a Tuesday morning fire with her son and dog told authorities she fell asleep with a cigarette in her hand. (Photo by Tom Scott)

 

Information from WYSH Radio/Oak Ridge Today/Tom Scott

A woman who escaped a Tuesday morning fire with her son and dog told authorities she fell asleep with a cigarette in her hand.

The fire was reported at about 6:45 a.m. Tuesday on Smith Road in Anderson County, east of Oliver Springs in Marlow.

The 77-year-old woman who lives at the home woke up to her hand being burned, said the incident commander, Captain Jordan Alcorn of the Oliver Springs Fire Department.

She activated a Life Alert emergency alarm and fled the home with her son and small dog, said Alcorn, who is also an Oak Ridge firefighter. [Read more…]

FBI describes vehicle spotted near SmartBank kidnapping, extortion

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Early 2000s Ford Taurus

An early 2000s Ford Taurus is pictured above. (Image provided by FBI)

 

Authorities have released a description of the vehicle associated with the person of interest sought in the July kidnapping and extortion at SmartBank in Knoxville, an incident that is believed to be connected to a similar one at Y-12 Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge in April.

The vehicle is described as an early 2000s, powder blue/grey, Ford Taurus, with damage on the front passenger side bumper, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a Wednesday morning press release.

The person of interest was observed in the front passenger seat of this vehicle on July 1 in the vicinity of Swathmore Court and Dunwoody Drive in Knoxville.

The vehicle pictured in the photo above is of a similar make, model, and color of the vehicle that was observed, the FBI said. [Read more…]