Oak Ridge Today

Green McAdoo now part of TN State Museum system, U.S. Civil Rights Trail

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Photo via Adventure Anderson County and Explore Oak Ridge

Photo via Adventure Anderson County and Explore Oak Ridge

 

The Green McAdoo Cultural Center in Clinton has become a part of the Tennessee State Museum system in Nashville and the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, according to Adventure Anderson County and Explore Oak Ridge.

It’s a significant announcement, and Green McAdoo invites all those that have aided in their success to celebrate by attending a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 25, with a pre-celebration reception at 9 a.m. at the Green McAdoo Museum, an electronic newsletter said. [Read more…]

One killed in motorcycle crash on SR 61

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One person died in a motorcycle crash on State Route 61 in Oliver Springs on Wednesday, authorities said.

The single-vehicle crash killed Nakomia Joseph, 40, of Knoxville. She was a passenger in the custom “trike” motorcycle, according to a fatality report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported at about 7:21 p.m. Wednesday, the THP said.

The motorcycle was driven by Timothy Joseph, 38, of Clinton, and it was headed west on State Route 61 when an unknown object or animal “interrupted the vehicle’s path,” the THP said. [Read more…]

Knoxville man pleads guilty to reckless homicide after boy drowns

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James R. Baysinger

James R. Baysinger

 

James R. Baysinger

James R. Baysinger

 

CLINTON—A Knoxville man pleaded guilty to reckless homicide on Friday in the death of a five-year-old boy in Anderson County about three years ago. The child was reported to have drowned after being reported missing.

James R. Baysinger, 63, pleaded guilty to the single count of reckless homicide in Anderson County Criminal Court in Clinton on Friday afternoon. As part of the plea deal, the state will not prosecute a second charge, aggravated child abuse or neglect when the victim, Odin Elwood Fitton, was less than eight years old.

Baysinger has a sentencing hearing scheduled for November 27.

There was no allegation in court on Friday that Baysinger intended to injure or kill Odin. Instead, the boy’s death was alleged to have resulted from recklessness.

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Save the Date: Fire & Crime Prevention Celebration 2018

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Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge

Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge

 

The Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, and Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program are teaming up to host a Fire & Crime Prevention Celebration this year. The date is set for Saturday, October 6.

Everyone is invited to participate and support this free event, which combines the police department’s annual National Night Out and the fire department’s Fire Prevention Parade into one big community celebration, a press release said. Goals of the Fire & Crime Prevention Celebration include: [Read more…]

Council to hear updates on Blankenship, energy savings

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Blankenship Field and Jack Armstrong Stadium are pictured above on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Blankenship Field and Jack Armstrong Stadium are pictured above on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge City Council on Tuesday will hear an update on the progress and next steps in the Blankenship Field revitalization project and an update on energy savings projects.

The update on the Blankenship Field project, which includes the installation of synthetic turf, will be given by Jon Hetrick, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks director. [Read more…]

Next City Blueprint Open House is Thursday

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Photo by City of Oak Ridge

Photo by City of Oak Ridge

 

The next Oak Ridge City Blueprint Open House is Thursday. City residents and property owners are invited to participate in envisioning the future of the City Center Subarea, a press release said.

The open house is hosted by the Oak Ridge Community Development Department and Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission. It is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 23, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. A brief presentation during the meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The City Center Subarea involves a triangular area defined by three major street corridors: Oak Ridge Turnpike, South Illinois Avenue, and Rutgers Avenue, the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge police host Ask an Officer event on Aug. 28

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The Oak Ridge Police Department will offer an educational Ask an Officer session on personal safety at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on Tuesday, August 28, at 1 p.m.

You can join Oak Ridge Police Department Sergeant Shannah Newman and Investigator Wendy Zolkowski for this special program sponsored by the Oak Ridge Senior Center, a press release said. This event is open to participants of any age. Everyone is invited to come out and learn how to become safer and more secure in everyday life, the press release said.

A question and answer session will follow the presentation if time allows. There is no cost for the program, but please call the Oak Ridge Senior Center at (865) 425-3999 to reserve a spot.

Clinton man charged with attempted murder

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Sidney Bruce Jarvis

Sidney Bruce Jarvis

 

Note: This story was updated at 12:50 p.m. Aug. 18.

A Clinton man was charged with attempted first-degree murder and domestic assault after he allegedly grabbed a woman by the neck, tossed her out of a shower, and fired a handgun at her three times, court records said.

The armed disturbance was reported on Blockhouse Valley Road in Clinton on April 3. The defendant, Sidney Bruce Jarvis, 57, has a hearing scheduled at 2 p.m. Monday in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Clinton.

The April incident was the second time in two months that Jarvis was accused of assaulting the woman and firing a gun, according to affidavits filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court.

After he was read his Miranda rights in April, Jarvis told Clinton Police Department Officer Austin Powell that he pulled the female victim out of the shower because she “would not stop running her mouth,” the affidavits said.

He said he fired his handgun to get her attention, the affidavits said. [Read more…]

Updated: Chief Akagi retiring

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Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi

Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi

Note: This story was last updated at 10 a.m. Aug. 18.

Oak Ridge Police Chief James T. “Jim” Akagi is retiring in October, officials said Friday.

The retirement announcement was made by the Oak Ridge City Manager’s Office.

Akagi has been police chief since July 1, 2011. His retirement is effective October 20.

Akagi has led 64 sworn members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, managed the acquisition of new equipment for the department, achieved funding for a new radio and police software system, and increased training opportunities for Oak Ridge officers, a press release said. [Read more…]

Marshall resigns from school board

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Paige Marshall

Paige Marshall

Oak Ridge Board of Education member Paige Marshall resigned from the school board on Thursday.

Marshall and her family are moving to North Carolina for a new job, BOE Chair Keys Fillauer said Friday.

In her resignation letter on Thursday, Marshall expressed sadness and deep appreciation.

“I am sad to leave a wonderful school district in Oak Ridge and the wonderful people on the Board of Education as well as our wonderful Oak Ridge Schools staff and students,” Marshall said. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve our community. I wish you all the best as you and the rest of the board work to keep the Oak Ridge Schools the finest in the state.”

Elected in November 2014, Marshall’s four-year term expires this November, when there are three open seats on the five-member school board. [Read more…]

‘Sergeant York: The Play’ to benefit hurricane relief in Puerto Rico

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First United Methodist Church Sergeant York The Play 0818 500x333

The touring play, “Sergeant York: The Play,” will be presented in Oak Ridge on Friday and Saturday, and proceeds will benefit hurricane relief in Puerto Rico.

The play will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 17, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 18, in the Multi-Purpose Room at First United Methodist Church.

It’s a one-man show starring Greg Helton as Sergeant York, and it was written and directed by Lisa Soland.

Sergeant York grew up on a farm in Pall Mall, Tennessee, and he was the most highly decorated veteran of World War I, a press release said.

It said Soland did two years of research to put the play together, and it will travel across the United States. [Read more…]

Rope rescue used to remove injured Jeep driver from steep hill

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A rope rescue system was used to help remove an injured Jeep driver who had driven over a steep hill near Edgemoor Road in east Oak Ridge at about 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, authorities said. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Fire Department)

A rope rescue system was used to help remove an injured Jeep driver who had driven over a steep hill near Edgemoor Road in east Oak Ridge at about 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, authorities said. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Fire Department)

 

A rope rescue system was used to help remove an injured Jeep driver who had driven over a steep hill in east Oak Ridge on Sunday, authorities said.

Oak Ridge 911 dispatchers received a call at about 7 p.m. Sunday that a 4×4 that had driven over a steep hill near Edgemoor Road. The Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, and Anderson County Emergency Medical Services responded. When crews arrived, they found a Jeep that was occupied by two adults and two dogs about 50 feet down a steep grade, the Oak Ridge Fire Department said. [Read more…]