Oak Ridge Today

Report: Oliver Springs man brandishes butcher knife, faces kidnapping charge

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An Oliver Springs man was charged with aggravated kidnapping and domestic assault after he allegedly brandished a butcher knife while arguing with his wife—from whom he was separated—laid on top of her, held the knife to his throat, and told her she could not leave, authorities said.

Mark T. Phillips, 36, of Half Moon Road went to the victim’s home on Edmonds Drive at about 7 p.m. Thursday. He let her take children in the home to school at about 7 a.m. Friday, and she sought refuge at the Oliver Springs Police Department, according to affidavits filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court by Oliver Springs Sgt. Rick Hamby.

There were four children asleep in the house at the time of the Thursday night argument, court records said. They range in age from 6 to 13.

Oliver Springs officers tried to locate Phillips, but he had fled. They later found him at an abandoned house near Foxwood Circle. He was aggressive toward police, the affidavits said.

In addition to aggravated kidnapping and domestic assault, he has also been charged with aggravated criminal trespassing. He remained jailed Monday afternoon.

Two taken to hospital after Wednesday collision on Highway 58

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Highway 58 and Blair Road Accident

An Oliver Springs teenager and a Kingston woman were taken to the hospital after a Wednesday night collision between a pickup truck and SUV at Highway 58 and Blair Road. (Photo by Tom Scott)

An Oliver Springs teenager and a Kingston woman were taken to local hospitals after a Wednesday night collision between a pickup truck and sports utility vehicle at Highway 58 and Blair Road.

The 16-year-old Oliver Springs driver was headed east on Highway 58 in a Ford pickup at about 8:12 p.m. when he turned left at Blair Road in front of an Buick SUV driven west by Jack C. Moore, 71, of Kingston, an accident report said.

Moore’s passsenger, Nancy S. Moore, 66, was taken by ambulance to University of Tennessee Medical Center, the report said.

The teenager was taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center with possible injuries. His teenage passenger was not injured, and neither was Jack Moore, the report said.

Animal control officers resign, shelter open fewer hours

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Oak Ridge Animal Shelter

Two animal control officers have resigned, and the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Belgrade Road will be open fewer hours.

Two animal control officers resigned suddenly Tuesday, so the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter will reduce the hours it is open to the public, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Wednesday.

For now, the shelter on Belgrade Road in east Oak Ridge will be open from 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays thru Saturdays, a press release said.

Oak Ridge Police Chief James T. Akagi declined to name the two officers who resigned from the three-person staff or explain the circumstances.

The city is accepting applications for the two animal control jobs through Wednesday, Oct. 31. More information is available at oakridgetn.gov.

In the meantime, the press release said, volunteers are encouraged to continue to take part in shelter activities.

City replaces broken South Jefferson Circle utility pole

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City Replaces South Jefferson Utility Pole

Oak Ridge work crews on Monday replace a South Jefferson Circle utility pole that was damaged in a single-vehicle accident on Sunday night. (Photo by Tom Scott)

Oak Ridge work crews on Monday replaced a South Jefferson Circle utility pole that was damaged in a single-vehicle accident on Sunday night.

In that accident, a car hit a cable holding up the utility pole, breaking it and briefly knocking out power to about 690 customers on Louisiana Avenue and side streets.

The driver was reportedly taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center with what appeared to be minor injuries.

City workers used a utility truck to hold the pole in place through Sunday night.

Oak Ridge Electric Department Director Jack Suggs said there were no more power outages while the pole was replaced Monday afternoon.

Car collision breaks utility pole, knocks out power

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Car Accident South Jefferson Circle

A driver reportedly suffered minor injuries and power was knocked out in an area of west Oak Ridge after a single-vehicle accident on South Jefferson Circle on Sunday. (Photos by Tom Scott)

A car hit a utility pole cable on South Jefferson Circle on Sunday night, breaking the pole and knocking out power to about 690 customers, a city official said Monday.

The customers who lost power after the 7:45 p.m. accident were located along Louisiana Avenue and its side streets, Oak Ridge Electric Director Jack Suggs said. He said temporary repairs were made, and power was fully restored at about 9:15 p.m.

Suggs said the car left the roadway—it wasn’t clear whether it had been on Oak Ridge Turnpike or South Jefferson Circle—and struck a guy wire that holds up a pole near Weatherford Mortuary. The pole broke and split down the middle.

“Emergency responders arrived at the scene and secured it until personnel from the power company could be called in and respond,” Suggs said.

The driver was reportedly taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center with what appeared to be minor injuries.

Car and Power Pole Accident

Oak Ridge firefighter David Gray responds to a single-vehicle accident between a car and a utility pole on South Jefferson Circle on Sunday night.

City workers used a utility truck to hold the pole in place through Sunday night.

Suggs said crews planned to replace the pole today. Suggs said he didn’t expect many outages, if any, while the pole is changed.

“Although the ever present possibility of a power outage becomes even greater when lines are being repaired, we anticipate that we will be able to notify all customers affected individually,” Suggs said.

Caryville man accused of hitting Walmart officer after theft

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A Caryville man is accused of punching a Walmart loss prevention officer in the throat and chest after he ran out the door of a Clinton store with a shopping cart loaded with merchandise, authorities said.

Allen Jason Hall, 30, of Caryville, allegedly loaded an empty shopping cart with $318 worth of battery merchandise at the Clinton Walmart on Wednesday, including a battery, two battery cores, and a battery charger, the store employee told Clinton Police Department Officer Lucian Godwin, according to affidavits filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court.

Hall allegedly attempted to claim the items and return them, but he had no receipt, the affidavits said. He ran out the door with the cart, the loss prevention officer told Godwin.

The Walmart officer said she ran after Hall and grabbed the cart in the parking lot, but Hall struck her in the throat and chest with his fist, knocking her down to the pavement, the affidavits said. The officer was injured and taken by ambulance to a hospital.

Hall has been charged with robbery, theft, and assault. He remained jailed in the Anderson County Detention Facility on Monday. His bond has been set at $100,000.

Citizen’s Police Academy starts Nov. 8

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A police academy that starts next month will give Oak Ridge residents a chance to learn about crime scene investigations, crime prevention and analysis, tactical operations, and the police canine program.

It’s called the Citizen’s Police Academy. The free 12-week academy starts Nov. 8 and ends Jan. 31. Classes are scheduled to meet Thursday evenings from 6–9 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Police Department is now accepting applications for the program, a press release said.

It said the academy will give residents a better understanding of how the ORPD is organized and how each division operates.

“Participants will observe first-hand the daily challenges facing law enforcement professionals,” the release said.

City officials said the goal is to “create and develop a growing nucleus of responsible, well-informed citizens who have the potential to improve community understanding regarding police practices and enhance service delivery.” They hope it will help build a lasting and productive partnership between the ORPD and the community.

“Graduates of the program will fulfill the critical role of providing input and information to their neighborhoods and work environment, which increases citizen involvement on issues of mutual concern,” the release said.

The Citizen’s Police Academy will include classroom and hands-on learning, the release said. Class subjects will include legal reviews, the job of a uniformed police officer, investigations, crime scene investigations, crime prevention, the canine program, tactical operations, crime analysis, and much more.

Participants will be involved in activities such as touring the communications facilities and police department, using police equipment, firing department service weapons, observing canine demonstrations, and touring both the Anderson County Detention Facility and the National Forensic Academy.

The press release said each applicant must complete an application and undergo a criminal background investigation. Applicants must also be at least 21 years of age and must work or live within Oak Ridge. The instructional course will be held at Fire Station #3 on Tuskegee Drive.

To download an application for the Citizen’s Police Academy, visit www.oakridgetn.gov or at the police department.

For more information, call Oak Ridge Police Sgt. Shannah Newman at (865) 425-3519 or e-mail her at snewman@oakridgetn.gov.

Sheriff releases name of deputy involved in fatal shooting

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The officer involved in a fatal shooting in Marlow on Saturday was Deputy Steven Williams, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said Thursday morning.

Authorities had earlier declined to name the officer.

White said Williams has been a reserve deputy with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department since July 2008 and a senior patrol officer as of June 2012.

“He is one of only six reserve deputies out of 38 that have received advanced training and have the necessary qualifications to be used on patrol,” White said.

On Sunday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the man who died as Randall Kyle Wilcox, 30, of Clinton.

Authorities said Wilcox was shot after he tried to take Williams’ weapon. Williams had chased Wilcox on foot after a traffic stop at about 10:22 a.m. Saturday on Pine Ridge Road in Marlow.

“The driver pulled into a driveway, jumped from the car, and fled on foot,” White said. “Deputy Williams gave chase and a short distance later was confronted by the suspect, where a struggle ensued with the suspect trying to take his duty weapon. The suspect was shot and killed.”

After the shooting, Williams was taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge, where he was treated and released, White said, although he didn’t identify the type of injuries.

White said Williams has received his initial “critical incident stress debriefing,” and there will be more debriefings for him and other law enforcement officers.

“Since a shooting is one of the most traumatic events an officer will ever experience, we want to ensure Deputy Williams is ready to return to his duties,” White said.

He said the department’s incident report is not complete. “We will notify when it is available for release,” White said.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been asked to investigate, which is standard when an officer is involved in a shooting.

Authorities haven’t said why Williams stopped Wilcox, but TBI Public Information Officer Kristin Helm has said it was for a non-moving violation. Wilcox had a lengthy record that includes 20 arrests dating back to 2000, including for carjacking and assault charges, according to county records and the Sheriff’s Department.

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said Wilcox was wanted on three outstanding arrest warrants, two for contempt of court and one for failure to appear.

Note: This story was updated at 10:59 a.m. Oct. 18.

Hillside Road man charged with assault with beer bottle

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A Hillside Road couple has been charged with assault after an Oct. 8 dispute that allegedly ended with one man getting smashed over the head with a beer bottle and another man being hit with fists, Anderson County court records said.

Jose Marchant, 22, of Hillside Road, allegedly struck the first victim in the head with a 12-ounce Budweiser beer bottle, Oak Ridge Police Officer Marvell Moore said in affidavits filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court. The victim was cut and had to seek medical attention, Moore said.

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Lenoir City man arrested after allegedly punching man, taking Xbox in Clinton

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A Lenoir City man who remained jailed Tuesday is accused of punching a Clinton resident in the throat at his home and taking two Xbox 360 game systems and a Nintendo Wii.

The victim said he had opened the door for an acquaintance, Carson Garrett Hall, 22, of Lenoir City, at a home on Carden Farm Road in Clinton on Aug. 18, and he was immediately punched in the throat, according to arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court.

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ORFD recommends alarms that detect flaming, smoldering fires

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The Oak Ridge Fire Department has responded to a recent NBC news report that raised questions about smoke alarms and their effectiveness, including potential delays in notifying homeowners of fires.

In a press release last week, Oak Ridge Assistant Fire Chief Josh Waldo said there are two types of home smoke alarms available: ionization and photoelectric. The ion type reacts faster to open flaming fires and is usually the least expensive. The photoelectric type reacts faster to smoldering fires, like the ones shown in the NBC report, and is less likely to react to cooking, the release said.

Waldo said there are smoke alarms that contain both ionization and photoelectric technology. The Oak Ridge Fire Department recommends them and installs them as part of its smoke alarm program.

Waldo said smoke alarms should be installed on every level of a home, with more detectors in each sleeping area and directly outside of each sleeping area. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly to make sure they are operating, and the batteries should be changed every six months.

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Authorities identify man killed in Marlow shooting Saturday

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Randall Kyle Wilcox

Randall Kyle Wilcox

Note: This story was last updated at 11:16 a.m. Oct. 15.

State authorities have identified the person shot and killed during a struggle with a deputy in Marlow on Saturday as Randall Kyle Wilcox, 30, of Clinton.

However, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is providing no new details about the shooting, including the type of weapon involved and the nature of the injuries to an Anderson County Sheriff’s Department deputy.

“I am unable to provide any more details at this stage of the investigation,” said Kristin Helm, TBI public information officer.

Wilcox was shot by the Anderson County deputy near 602 Pine Ridge Road on Saturday morning after he reportedly fled on foot from a traffic stop and then tried to take the deputy’s weapon during a confrontation, authorities said Saturday.

Anderson County Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said the Sheriff’s Department is not naming the deputy. He was injured and taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge, where he was treated and released.

The injuries were not believed to be serious, Helm said.

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