Oak Ridge Today

Suspect shot, killed during struggle over deputy’s weapon in Marlow

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An unidentified person was shot and killed by an Anderson County Sheriff’s Department deputy in Marlow on Saturday morning after the suspect fled on foot from a traffic stop and then tried to take the deputy’s weapon during a struggle on Pine Ridge Road, authorities said.

Authorities aren’t releasing the name of the suspect or the deputy, who was injured and taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge, where he was treated and released.

The deputy had stopped the suspect’s car at about 10:22 a.m. Saturday, Anderson County Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said in a statement.

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

Lucas said the deputy and “all other personnel involved in the incident will receive critical incident debriefings over the next few days.”

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No one injured, but families displaced in Royce apartment fire

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Royce Circle Fire

No one was injured but five families were displaced after a stove fire in an apartment complex on Royce Circle on Thursday night. (Photos by Tom Scott)

No one was injured in a Thursday night stove fire in an apartment building on Royce Circle, but five families were displaced, authorities said.

An Oak Ridge press release said the third-floor apartment was filled with smoke when firefighters arrived at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. The fire had been contained by the building’s sprinkler system, and firefighters extinguished it.

“The fire was determined to be accidental due to cooking,” the press release said.

The five families displaced at the Royce Garden Apartments Complex included six adults and eight children. The American Red Cross was called to the scene and provided standard lodging and meal help to the displaced families for the next two days, the press release said.

A total of 20 emergency responders were at the apartment complex for about two hours. They included Oak Ridge firefighters and the Anderson County ambulance service.

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Houston Avenue resident burned when gasoline used on fire

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A Houston Avenue resident suffered facial burns and was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center on Wednesday with non-life threatening injuries after gasoline was used on a fire in Scarboro, authorities said.

The patient, who was not identified in an Oak Ridge Fire Department report, reportedly suffered second-degree burns from the fire at about 3:20 p.m. Wednesday.

Although he didn’t have more information on this particular incident, Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley said gasoline is generally dangerous to use on fires.

“Gasoline should never be used to start or enhance open burning,” Kerley said Thursday.

He cited a couple of examples to illustrate the dangers.

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Three charged with drug, gun crimes in OS raid

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Oliver Springs police seized almost 15 pounds of marijuana, several firearms, and drug paraphernalia during a raid at a home on Wilson Road on Sunday night, according to WYSH Radio in Clinton.

WYSH reported that police found 13 firearms, several boxes of ammunition, two homemade gun silencers, two vehicles, and paraphernalia including scales and assorted equipment that could be used to grow marijuana.

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Oak Ridge Fire Department promotes escape plans during Fire Prevention Month

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The Oak Ridge Fire Department will visit all the elementary and middle schools as well as many day cares during the next few weeks to talk to children about home fire escape plans.

It’s part of the department’s activities during national Fire Prevention Month, Oak Ridge Assistant Fire Chief Josh Waldo said in a press release.

The national fire prevention theme this year is “Have 2 Ways Out.” The release said children will be bringing home information to review with their parents to make sure that they have working smoke alarms, emergency exit plans, two ways out of their homes during a fire, and a safe meeting place.

“It is important to have a home fire escape plan that prepares your family to think fast and get out quickly when the smoke alarm in your home sounds,” the release said. “What if your first escape route is blocked by smoke or flames? That’s why having two ways out is such a key part of your plan.”

The press release said Tennessee routinely ranks in the Top 5 nationally in deaths from residential fires, and the lack of smoke detectors and home exit plans are contributing factors.

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Man charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault after car chase

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Note: This story was updated at 4:26 p.m.

A 39-year-old man has been charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault after he allegedly dragged his girlfriend from her bed and pulled her down the driveway at her west Oak Ridge home early Friday morning and fled from police into Knox County, authorities said.

The alleged kidnapping occurred after the woman told her boyfriend, Vinson Tyrone Floyd, 39, that their relationship was over, court records said.

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Clinton man dies after collapsing on Florida beach

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A Clinton man collapsed while walking in shallow water at a Florida beach on Tuesday, and he died in a hospital later, the Panama City News Herald reported.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Ronald Anderson, 68, of Clinton, the newspaper said.

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Bradyville man charged with child abuse, assault in Oak Ridge

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A 27-year-old Bradyville man has been charged with child abuse and aggravated assault after his girlfriend said he kicked and hit her six-year-old son in an Oak Ridge apartment and threatened her with a knife.

The woman said she found her son on the floor crying in the food department at the Oak Ridge Walmart early Saturday morning, according to Anderson County court records. She alleged that red marks she found on the back of her son’s neck were made by her boyfriend, Clayton K. Williams.

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Oak Ridge warns of utility scam

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An Oak Ridge utility customer helped expose a scam designed to steal money from residents, city officials said in a Tuesday press release.

The customer reported that she received a phone call from someone pretending to to be from the City of Oak Ridge Utility Business Office. The customer was told her account was more than 30 days past due, and she needed to pay at least $50 to someone who would stop by her house.

If she did not make the payment, the customer was told, her power would be disconnected.

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Anderson couple dead after husband apparently shoots wife, self

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An Anderson County couple found dead on Cove Lane Monday afternoon apparently died when a husband shot his wife and then himself, authorities said.

A family member reported the 3 p.m. shooting north of Oliver Springs.

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Griffith promoted to ORFD battalion chief

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Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley has promoted Marty Griffith to battalion chief.

A city press release said Griffith has more 14 years of experience in fire, rescue, and emergency medical services. He was one of five Oak Ridge Fire Department employees who sought the job, which was open due to a recent retirement.

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Public housing inspections lead to four evictions for criminal, drug activity

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Annual inspections of 127 public housing apartments this month led to four evictions for criminal and drug-related activities, the Oak Ridge Housing Authority announced Thursday.

Three of the evictions resulted in charges against a family member, a ORHA press release said. No one was charged in the fourth case due to the nature of the offense.

“However, in accordance with our policies, the offense will result in the family losing their housing assistance with ORHA,” the press release said. It did not give more information.

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