Oak Ridge Today

Bank robbery alert, traffic stop lead to arrest of suspect

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Home Federal Bank Robbery Stop Oct. 20, 2015

A suspect in a bank robbery in Powell on October 20, 2015, was arrested just a few hours later in the eastbound lanes of North Charles G. Seivers Boulevard at Interstate 75. The suspect was stopped by the Clinton Police Department with help from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department. (Photo by Lisa Kincaid)

 

An alert sent to local law enforcement combined with a traffic stop in Clinton led to the arrest of a suspect in a Powell bank robbery in October, federal officials said.

Christopher Michael Miller, 36, is accused of a bank robbery at Home Federal Bank at 105 East Emory Road in Powell on Tuesday afternoon, October 20.

He was arrested just a few hours later on North Charles G. Seivers Boulevard at Interstate 75 in Clinton.

A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Knoxville alleged Miller entered the Home Federal Bank at about 1:38 p.m. that Tuesday, approached a teller, and passed a handwritten note that read: “I Have 2 Guns! I need all the 50’s, 100’s out of your drawer! No FAKE Blue Bills. NOW!”

The teller complied with the demand for money and provided an undisclosed amount of cash to Miller, the complaint said. [Read more…]

Read Manhattan Project Park agreement here

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Manhattan-Project-National-Historical-Park-Signing-Ceremony-Sally-Jewell-Ernest-Moniz-Nov-10-2015

And with a handshake, there’s a new national park. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz shake hands immediately after signing a memorandum of agreement that created the 409th park in the National Park System, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The ceremony took place at the South Interior Building in Washington, D.C., on November 10, 2015. The park was authorized by Congress in December 2014. The park will have three sites in Hanford, Washington; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Los Alamos, New Mexico. (NPS Photo by Anthony DeYoung)

 

After more than a decade of work, the U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Interior formally established the Manhattan Project National Historical Park on Tuesday. The new park, which includes Oak Ridge, commemorates one of the signature scientific achievements of the 20th century. It was formally established when Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz signed a memorandum of agreement, or MOA, in Washington, D.C.

The unique, three-site Manhattan Project National Historical Park includes Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Hanford, Washington; and Los Alamos, New Mexico. It’s the nation’s 409th park.

The Manhattan Project was a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic bombs during World War II.

Read the memorandum of agreement signed Tuesday here. See a story on the park and Tuesday’s signing ceremony here. See photos by the National Park Service here.

Photos: Manhattan Project National Historical Park signing ceremony

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Oak-Ridge-Group-Manhattan-Project-National-Historical-Park-Signing-Nov-10-2015

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz shortly after they signed a memorandum of agreement and created the 409th park in the National Park System, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The park was authorized by Congress in December 2014. The park will have three sites in Los Alamos, New Mexico; Hanford, Washington; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The ceremony took place at the South Interior Building in Washington, D.C., on November 10, 2015. (NPS Photo by Anthony DeYoung)

 

After more than a decade of work, the U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Interior formally established the Manhattan Project National Historical Park on Tuesday. The new park, which includes Oak Ridge, commemorates one of the signature scientific achievements of the 20th century. It was formally established when Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz signed a memorandum of agreement, or MOA, in Washington, D.C.

The unique, three-site Manhattan Project National Historical Park includes Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Hanford, Washington; and Los Alamos, New Mexico. It’s the nation’s 409th park.

The Manhattan Project was a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic bombs during World War II. Here are photos from Tuesday’s signing ceremony, taken by the National Park Service and used with their permission.

See a story on the park and the signing ceremony here.

Vic-Knox-Manhattan-Project-National-Historical-Park-Nov-10-2015

National Park Service Associate Director Victor Knox welcomed visitors from Hanford, Washington, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Los Alamos, New Mexico, to a ceremony at the South Interior Building in Washington, D.C., on November 10, 2015, where Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, signed a memorandum of agreement and created the 409th park in the National Park System, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The park was authorized by Congress in December 2014. The park will have three sites in Los Alamos, New Mexico; Hanford, Washington; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. (NPS Photo by Anthony DeYoung)

 

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Police investigate alleged animal cruelty but find no evidence to file charges

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The Oak Ridge Police Department has investigated a report of animal cruelty after a social media post said a dog had allegedly been smothered by its owner, but there is no evidence that allows charges to be filed, authorities said Tuesday.

The ORPD received the complaint of possible animal cruelty on Sunday, November 8, a press release said. Officers investigated the complaint and conducted interviews with a complainant, an employee of a local veterinary clinic, and the owner of the dog, who claimed her pet was being treated for severe heartworm issues, the press release said.

“The owner of the dog advised that her pet was very ill, and she put it down for compassionate reasons,” the release said. “Results of the investigation are being forwarded to the Anderson County District Attorney General’s Office for further review. However, per Tennessee Criminal Law (TCA 39-14-212/Aggravated Cruelty to an Animal), no evidence exists at this time which allows officers to file charges against the owner of the dog.”

No other information is available at this time, the City of Oak Ridge said in the press release.

Interior, Energy to sign agreement establishing Manhattan Project Park

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Building 9204-3 at Y-12

Building 9204-3 at the Y-12 National Security Complex could be among those included in a Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Also known as Beta 3, Building 9204-3 has beta calutrons that produced stable isotopes until 1998 and are still on standby. (Photo courtesy of Y-12 National Security Complex.)

 

Note: This story was updated at 7 p.m.

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz will sign a memorandum of agreement, or MOA, in Washington, D.C., to establish the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, which will include Oak Ridge.

The new park will be the first of its type to commemorate the Manhattan Project, a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic weapons during World War II. The park will have three locations: Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Hanford, Washington.

National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis will attend the Tuesday morning ceremony along with U.S. senators Lamar Alexander, Maria Cantwell, Martin Heinrich, and Tom Udall, who represent each of the park’s locations. Leaders of the communities that will host the park, including Oak Ridge, will attend the ceremony. [Read more…]

Photos: Oak Ridge cross country runners, coaches, team

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Oak Ridge Thomas Colburn and Tyler Boullie at State Cross Country Nov. 7, 2015

Oak Ridge senior Tyler Boullie (492) was 16th in the state Class AAA cross country meet in Nashville on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, crossing the finish line at Percy Warner Park Steeplechase Course at 16:36.85. At left is senior Thomas Colburn (493), who finished 20th at 16:40.94. Boullie was the second-fastest runner for the Wildcats, and Colburn was third. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

NASHVILLE—The Oak Ridge High School boys team finished second in Tennessee during the 2015 state cross country meet in Nashville on Saturday. Brentwood finished first.

See more photos of the runners, coaches, and team from Saturday’s race below. See a story on the race here.

Senior Gashaw Duhamel was the top runner for Oak Ridge, the runner-up in the Division I Class AAA boys race. It was a 5,000-meter, or 5k, race. Duhamel finished 10th, with a time of 16:20.01 on the muddy course on a chilly, overcast Saturday morning.

Brentwood had two of the top three runners: sophomore Brodey Hasty, who was first with a time of 15:35.09, and junior Taylor Vroon, who finished third with a time of 15:50.85.

Oak Ridge senior Tyler Boullie was 16th, crossing the finish line at Percy Warner Park Steeplechase Course at 16:36.85.

See the results here.

Oak Ridge Gashaw Duhamel and Farragut Louis Morris at State Cross Country Nov. 7, 2015

Oak Ridge senior Gashaw Duhamel (494), the top runner for the Wildcats, finished 10th at 16:20.01, and Farragut senior Louis Morris (443) finished 14th at 16:33.48 in the state Class AAA cross country meet in Nashville on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

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AC committee to consider mayor’s request to sit with, participate in Commission meetings

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Terry Frank

Terry Frank

The Anderson County Operations Committee on Monday will consider proposals from County Mayor Terry Frank to sit with County Commission and participate in meetings.

Frank has said she wants to serve as chair of the County Commission, and she’s asked to be considered as a candidate in September 2016. In an October 14 letter, Frank also asked commissioners to sit with them during meetings.

If she were commission chair, Frank said, she would have to surrender her veto power. She would have a non-voting position, but she would be able to cast a vote to break a tie. See previous story here.

The Anderson County Operations Committee meeting starts at 6 p.m. Monday, November 9, in Room 312 of the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton. [Read more…]

ORPD: Power outage in west Oak Ridge may affect traffic lights

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There was a power outage on the west end of Oak Ridge on Monday morning, and it could affect traffic lights, the Oak Ridge Police Department said.

In a text alert, the ORPD said utility workers are aware of the outage.

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.

Former POW featured at Veterans Day program on Tuesday

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William A. Robinson

William A. Robinson

A Veterans Day program on Tuesday will feature a former prisoner of war who is a retired U.S. Air Force captain.

William A. Robinson will be the featured speaker at the 10 a.m. program on Tuesday, November 10, at the American Museum of Science and Energy. It’s hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office.

The program is titled “To Those Who Watch for Us.” It’s in “honor of the courageous men and women who serve and have served in our nation’s armed forces,” a press release said.

The program, scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, is open to employees and the public. [Read more…]

Police negotiate, but man shoots himself with shotgun after traffic stop

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Note: This story was updated at 9:10 a.m.

A 45-year-old man shot himself with a shotgun after a traffic stop on Oak Ridge Turnpike on Tuesday night and after the Oak Ridge Police Department tried to negotiate with him, authorities said.

The initial call came in at about 10:26 p.m. Tuesday, November 3. ORPD officers were dispatched to the area near the intersection of the Oak Ridge Turnpike and Jefferson Avenue, after Oak Ridge Fire Department personnel reported three cars that appeared to be racing westbound from that location.

One officer stopped a 1999 Toyota pickup truck on the Oak Ridge Turnpike west of Louisiana Avenue for a speed violation, an ORPD press release said. The 45-year-old male driver, and sole occupant of the truck, exited the vehicle brandishing a 20-gauge shotgun, officers said.

The male subject then refused to comply with the officer’s repeated orders to place the weapon on the ground, and he proceeded to walk away from his vehicle while holding the barrel of the shotgun under his chin, the ORPD said. Numerous officers responded to the scene to assist in containing the male subject, who continued to pace back and forth on the sidewalk near his vehicle, the Police Department said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Turnpike closed Tuesday night as police, fire units investigate shooting incident

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Oak Ridge Turnpike Incident Nov. 3, 2015

A stretch of Oak Ridge Turnpike was closed west of Louisiana Avenue late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning as police and fire units investigated a shooting incident. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 9:13 a.m.

A stretch of Oak Ridge Turnpike was closed west of Louisiana Avenue late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning as police and fire units investigated a shooting incident.

A medical helicopter landed at Big Turtle Park in west Oak Ridge and could be seen taking off at about 11:40 p.m. Emergency workers reported a man with a gunshot wound to the face, although authorities hadn’t released details about the shooting as of early Wednesday morning. Update (9:13 a.m.): Police have since said the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.

All four lanes of the divided highway remained closed until past 2 a.m. Wednesday, and the Oak Ridge Police Department and Oak Ridge Fire Department were both on the scene early Wednesday. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department helped provide traffic control east of the incident near United Grocery Outlet at Louisiana Avenue on Tuesday evening and into Wednesday morning. Most traffic was taking a side street route down West Lincoln Road. [Read more…]

Updated: Missing child alert canceled; girl found safe

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Chloe Michelle Sullivan

Chloe Michelle Sullivan

 

Note: This story was updated at 8:08 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Police Department has issued a missing child alert for a two-year-old girl who was reportedly taken from her home on Tuesday morning.

Tuesday evening update from the ORPD: The missing child alert has been canceled. Chloe has been found and is safe. Thank you to everyone who assisted and shared our post!

The ORPD said Chloe Michelle Sullivan was taken from her home in Oak Ridge at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 3. Chloe is described as a two-year old female Caucasian, two feet tall and 25 pounds, with brown, shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink skirt and a white T-shirt with a square pattern on the front, a press release said.

Drake Sullivan, the child’s noncustodial birth father, is described as a Caucasian male, 20 years old, 5’8″ and 130 pounds, with brown hair and black eyes. He allegedly took Chloe, according to the release, and he is believed to be in the company of his father, Shane Sullivan, described as a Caucasian male, 39 years old, 6’01” and 215 pounds with brown hair and black eyes; and Shane Sullivan’s girlfriend, Jessica Meeks, Caucasian female, no further description available.

All four were last seen in a silver 2013 Chevrolet Sonic, TN license plate V2318T, and are believed to possibly be traveling to Slidell, Louisiana, the press release said. [Read more…]