Oak Ridge Today

AC man charged with attempted murder after alleged shooting

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Cody Alexander Thomas

A 24-year-old Anderson County man was charged with attempted murder Friday after an alleged shooting following an argument in Clinton on Wednesday sent another man to a hospital with a gunshot wound on the right side of his abdomen, according to court records and Clinton police officers.

Besides attempted murder, a Class A felony, Cody Alexander Thomas, who has a Marlow address, was also charged with three other felony counts: unlawfully carrying or possessing a weapon, possessing a firearm while committing a dangerous felony, and tampering with evidence.

The shooting was reported at about 2:05 a.m. Wednesday on Rolling Acres Lane, which is off Longmire Road near the Clinch River and State Route 61 a few miles east of downtown Clinton.

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County law director dies at 65

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Jay Yeager

Anderson County Law Director Nicholas “Jay” Yeager, of Clinton, died Friday. He was 65.

Yeager was assistant attorney in Anderson County from 2001 to 2006, and he has been law director since then.

“Mr. Yeager was known for his unwavering commitment to his profession and Anderson County government, having joined Anderson County nearly 23 years ago, on October 29, 2001,” officials said in a statement from Anderson County Commission Chair Tyler Mayes, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, and Anderson County Commission. “His expertise and leadership significantly contributed to our community. He was a constant presence at meetings, active in the operations of government, and his legacy will be felt for years to come.

“His contributions extended beyond his professional role; he was a mentor, a colleague, and a friend to many. In his committed dedication to his work, he built relationships that he held for a lifetime.”

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Blount County man dies in single-vehicle crash in Oak Ridge

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A Blount County man died Thursday night in a single-vehicle crash in Oak Ridge.

William F. Alldis, 34, of Louisville, Tennessee, was pronounced dead at the crash site, the City of Oak Ridge said in a news release.

Oak Ridge Police Department officers responded to the 200-block area of Lafayette Drive after a call about an erratic driver at 8:51 p.m., and a crash was reported minutes later at 8:53 p.m., the release said.

When they arrived at 8:55 p.m., officers began life-saving measures until they were relieved by Oak Ridge Fire Department firefighters and Anderson County Emergency Medical Services medics. However, these life-saving measures were not successful, the release said.

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Tennis court dances recreate wartime event

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Photo courtesy Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Monthly dances by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park recreate the open-air tennis court dances that entertained 75,000 workers and their families in the Secret City during World War II.

“Put on your dancing shoes, another summer of tennis court dances are kicking off on the Jackson Square tennis courts,” a press release said.

The all-ages dances are scheduled monthly on the third Thursday.

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County wants to improve access to government services

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Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank is asking residents for help improving physical and electronic access to county government facilities and services.

A kickoff meeting for the “Access Anderson County Initiative” is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, August 1, in Room 118A of the Anderson County Courthouse at 100 North Main Street in Clinton.

“Clear and effective government signage, as well as website navigation, can help county government facilities and departments communicate effectively with citizens, as well as improve safety,” a press release said. “It can also help provide citizens with the information they need to access government and resources.”

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Oak Ridge Philharmonia presents two free concerts in August

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The Oak Ridge Philharmonia will present two free POPS concerts in August in Oak Ridge and Knoxville.

“We hope you can join us for a generous portion of very enjoyable and inspiring music,” a press release said.

Musical performances will include:

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Learn about Oak Ridge history during World War II

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Photo courtesy Manhattan Project National Historical Park

You can learn more about the history of Oak Ridge during World War II during a free national park walk through Jackson Square on Thursday, July 18.

The walk is offered by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, which includes Oak Ridge.

The program is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. July 18, at the fountain in the main parking lot in Jackson Square.

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Candidate forums this week

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There are two forums this week in Oak Ridge featuring candidates in the Tennessee primary election and Anderson County and Roane County general elections in August.

The forums have been organized by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, and the public is invited.

Early voting begins in both counties on Friday, July 12.

The Anderson County forum is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 9. It will take place at the Oak Ridge Campus of Roane State Community College in Room 107 in the Goff Building.

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Manhattan Project Park: Walk through Wheat

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Photo courtesy National Park Service

You can walk through Wheat with a National Park Service ranger on Saturday, July 13, and learn more about the history of this community before the Manhattan Project.

Wheat was in an area that is now west Oak Ridge, and it was one of the communities displaced by the Manhattan Project, a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic bombs during World War II.

The free July 13 walk is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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Roane State celebrates construction milestone for new health science campus in west Knoxville 

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Roane State Community College and its nonprofit Foundation hosted a ceremony on July 2, 2024, commemorating a major milestone in the construction of the college’s new Knox Regional Health Science Education Center in West Knoxville, when construction crews hoisted and installed the final piece of steel for the facility’s frame. (Photo courtesy Roane State)

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Roane State Community College and its nonprofit Foundation hosted a ceremony on July 2, 2024, commemorating a major milestone in the construction of the college’s new Knox Regional Health Science Education Center in west Knoxville.

Construction crews hoisted and installed the final piece of steel for the facility’s frame as part of the event. Project supporters and members of the community were invited to watch the “topping off” ceremony. Many of those in attendance signed their names to the beam prior to it being lifted into place at the top of the structure.

“This moment is symbolic as we move ever closer to opening the doors of this new campus, a facility which will help the college fulfill its mission of strengthening lives through the power of higher education and building thriving communities,” said Scott Niermann, Roane State Foundation’s executive director.

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Oak Ridge announces Independence Day concert, fireworks

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Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge

The City of Oak Ridge is sponsoring its annual fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. The display will be held in Alvin K. Bissell Park on July 4, and it is scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band will perform prior to the fireworks, a press release said. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating. A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department, the press release said. Please sit only in the designated areas. The walking trail and most of A.K. Bissell Park will be closed for safety reasons during the fireworks show and set up.

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Paddle with a Ranger: Learn about Clinch River Valley history

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Bring your human-powered watercraft and explore the history of life on the Clinch River on Saturday.

“On a quiet bend of Melton Hill Lake sits the oldest surviving structure in Oak Ridge, the Freels Bend Cabin dating back to 1810,” the National Park Service said. “On a 1.5-mile roundtrip paddle from Guinn Park, explore the history of the Clinch River Valley leading up to the Manhattan Project.”

Note: This is a paddle program on Melton Hill Lake. Freels Bend Cabin is on U.S. Department of Energy property, and no landings will be permitted. 

The trip is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 22. To participate, please bring your own self-propelled watercraft. No boats are provided by the NPS.

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