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Man dies, others injured in multi-vehicle crash at Midtown Community Center

Posted at 2:42 am July 5, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Midtown Community Center Crash Reconstruction

A man died and at least a half-dozen people went to the hospital after a mutli-vehicle crash in the parking lot of Midtown Community Center after fireworks in Oak Ridge on Saturday night. Above, an accident reconstruction team works in the pouring rain at Midtown Community Center on Robertsville Road at about 2 a.m. Sunday. At right is Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Grant Gouldie.

 

Note: This story was last updated at 10:15 p.m.

One person died after a multi-vehicle crash in the parking lot of Midtown Community Center sent at least a half-dozen people to the hospital after fireworks in Oak Ridge on Saturday night, authorities said.

The man who died has a Knoxville address, but police aren’t identifying him yet because family members are still being notified. It appeared that the man was on foot at the time of the crash, authorities said. The man who died was with his wife and children, Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi said.

Akagi said at least six people, including two children, were sent to three hospitals in three ambulances. The injured were taken to Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge and Children’s Hospital and University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Their names and conditions weren’t immediately available.

Akagi said a pickup involved in the crash hit several vehicles, although it’s not clear how the man who died was injured.

It’s also not clear how fast the red Dodge pickup truck was going or whether it was backing up, he said. Witnesses said the truck had been parked at the east end of the parking lot facing east, or away from the entrance, and the driver backed up to leave as soon as fireworks were over. Witnesses said the truck was in reverse and driving fast. So far, authorities have been unable to confirm that.

“We don’t know what happened,” Akagi said.

But the truck’s back end appeared to have struck at least one vehicle.

Akagi said there were at least a half-dozen vehicles involved in the crash. He said he didn’t know if any other vehicles were moving at the time of the collision. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police, Police and Fire, Slider Tagged With: accident reconstruction, Adam Daugherty, Alvin K. Bissell Park, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Clinton Police Department, crash, Darryl Kerley, Dave Clark, fireworks, Grant Gouldie, Jim Akagi, Mark Lucas, Midtown Community Center, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Turnpike, ORPD, Robertsville Road, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Wildcat Den

Independence Day: ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’

Posted at 12:38 am June 26, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Independence Day is one of America’s favorite holidays. And why not? Families and friends gather to celebrate our country with food, parades, parties, picnics, and fireworks.

For many, the celebration includes alcohol, but the holiday quickly goes from festive to fatal when people choose to drive after drinking, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said in a press release. From 2009 through 2013, nearly 40 percent of all traffic fatalities over the Fourth of July period occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.

To crack down on drunk driving this Independence Day weekend, Anderson County law enforcement will be out in full force, aggressively targeting those who put lives in danger, the press release said. Sheriff’s deputies will be out working to make our roadways safe. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Police and Fire Tagged With: alcohol-impaired-driving, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, crashes, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, drunk driving, fireworks, Fourth of July, Governor’s Highway Safety Office, Independence Day, Paul White, Tennessee Department of Transportation

Body of missing five-year-old boy found in pond near family home

Posted at 12:33 am June 25, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Olin Elwood Fitton

Olin Elwood Fitton

The body of the five-year-old boy who went missing Wednesday afternoon was found in a pond near his family’s home in Anderson County, authorities said.

Ground search teams working with K-9s tracked the missing child, Odin Elwood Fitton, to a pond in the creek near the family home on Brushy Valley Road, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said.

“Our dive team was called to search the water, and sadly, the child’s body was found,” Lucas said Wednesday night.

Odin was reported missing at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, and ground and air searches began shortly after that. His family’s home is in the 1600 block of Brushy Valley Road near Interstate 75. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Andersonville, Blount County, Campbell County, Front Page News, Knox County, Knoxville, Police and Fire, Tennessee, Top Stories Tagged With: air searches, Anderson County Rescue Squad, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Andersonville Fire Department, Blount County Sheriff’s Office, Brushy Valley Road, Campbell County Sheriff's Office, ground search, Interstate 75, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, Mark Lucas, Odin Elwood Fitton, Tennessee Highway Patrol

Anderson County, others search for missing five-year-old

Posted at 7:35 pm June 24, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 4 Comments

Olin Elwood Fitton

Odin Elwood Fitton

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies are searching for a missing five-year-old boy who apparently wandered away from home at about lunchtime Wednesday.

Authorities have conducted several ground searches on foot with K-9s as well as by ATV and horseback, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said Wednesday evening. Knox County Sheriff’s Office Airwatch is assisting by helicopter. The searches are continuing to use assets from several agencies, including the Knoxville Police Department Search and Rescue team, Lucas said.

The child was reported missing around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, and ground and air searches began shortly after that. The home is in the 1600 block of Brushy Valley Road near Interstate 75.

The child information is as follows: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Sheriff's Department, ATV, horseback, K-9, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, missing child, Olin Elwood Fitton, Search and Rescue Team

Report: Scammers extorting money after claiming missed jury duty

Posted at 6:33 pm June 22, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge officials say unknown suspects have been contacting residents claiming to be representatives of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and claiming to be contacting people who failed to show up for jury duty. The suspects have allegedly extorted money from victims in return for supposedly excusing them from jury duty, a press release said.

The press release said that anyone who is asked to pay money in return for being excused from jury duty should contact their local law enforcement agency immediately. Oak Ridge citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to (865) 425-4399, or dial 911 if it is an emergency.

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Sheriff's Department, jury duty, Oak Ridge, scam, suspicious activity

Robbery warrant against Bartley recalled, dismissed

Posted at 7:40 pm June 15, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Kenneth Stuart Bartley

Kenneth Stuart Bartley

The aggravated robbery warrant against Kenneth Stuart Bartley has been recalled and dismissed, authorities said.

Bartley, 23, had been identified as a suspect in a Sunday morning robbery in Anderson County. The alleged robbery occurred shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday, June 14, at the Marathon Station on Lake City Highway near Rocky Top (the former Lake City).

But authorities said Bartley was located in Vienna, Virginia, on Sunday night, and his family said he had been in Virginia.

On Sunday evening, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said its investigators would travel to Vienna to interview Bartley and work with Virginia authorities to determine if “Bartley was indeed in Virginia at the time of (the Sunday morning) robbery.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Campbell County, Front Page News, Police and Fire Tagged With: aggravated robbery, Anderson County, Anderson County District Attorney, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Gregory P. Isaacs, Kenneth Stuart Bartley, Lake City Highway, Marathon Station, Mark Lucas, robbery, Vienna

Update: Bartley located in Vienna, Va.

Posted at 10:20 am June 15, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Kenneth Stuart Bartley

Kenneth Stuart Bartley

Kenneth Bartley, who has been identified as a suspect in a Sunday morning robbery in Anderson County, was located in Vienna, Virginia, on Sunday night, authorities said.

“We are aware his family is saying he has been in Virginia,” Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said. “Therefore, our investigators will be traveling there this evening (Sunday evening) to interview Bartley and work with Virginia authorities to determine if Bartley was indeed in Virginia at the time of this morning’s robbery. We will update everyone tomorrow (Monday, June 15) as to the results of the follow-up investigation.”

Bartley, 23, served time for homicide after a school shooting in Campbell County in 2005.

On Sunday afternoon, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said Bartley was the suspect in an armed robbery near Rocky Top on Sunday morning. The alleged robbery occurred shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday, June 14, at the Marathon Station on Lake City Highway near Rocky Top (the former Lake City). [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Campbell County, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: aggravated robbery, Anderson County, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, armed robbery, Campbell County, Kenneth Bartley, Lake City Highway, marathon, Mark Lucas, robbery, Rocky Top

Bartley wanted in aggravated robbery near Rocky Top, authorities say

Posted at 5:58 pm June 14, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Kenneth Stuart Bartley

Kenneth Stuart Bartley

Kenneth Stuart Bartley, who served time for homicide after a school shooting in Campbell County in 2005, is the suspect in an armed robbery near Rocky Top on Sunday morning, authorities said.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said the alleged robbery occurred shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday, June 14, at the Marathon Station on Lake City Highway near Rocky Top (the former Lake City).

“The suspect entered the store, brandished a black handgun, and robbed the market of cash,” Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said. “He was described as a white male with brown to black facial hair wearing glasses, black toboggan, black jacket, and blue jeans. No vehicle was seen leaving the store.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Campbell County, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: aggravated robbery, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, armed robbery, Campbell County, Kenneth Bartley, Lake City Highway, Marathon Station, Mark Lucas

ACSD: Daughter’s boyfriend charged with murder in Andersonville shooting

Posted at 10:39 am June 11, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

William James McMillan

William James McMillan

Note: This story was updated at 11:33 a.m.

An Andersonville man has been charged with murder in a shooting that allegedly killed his girlfriend’s mother early Wednesday, authorities said.

William James McMillan, 48, is accused of fatally shooting Karen Zahrobsky, 66, according to authorities. They said McMillan, Zahrobsky, and Zahrobsky’s daughter, Christin Dixon, 45, all lived at 460 Lone Mountain Road in Andersonville, where the shooting allegedly occurred.

The shooting was reported at about 4:45 a.m. Wednesday. Zahrobsky was dead when deputies arrived.

McMillan was charged by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which helped investigate. McMillan was booked into the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton, and he is being held on $625,000.00 bond. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Tennessee, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Andersonville, Christin Dixon, Dave Clark, gunshot wound, Karen Zahrobsky, Lone Mountain Road, murder, shooting, TBI, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, William James McMillan

Sheriff’s Department, TBI investigate fatal shooting in Andersonville

Posted at 7:50 pm June 10, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Authorities are investigating the death of a 66-year-old woman in Andersonville from an apparent gunshot wound on Wednesday.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department responded to the shooting call at about 4:45 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, at 460 Lone Mountain Road in Andersonville. The woman was dead when they arrived.

Sheriff’s investigators were called and have processed the scene and are conducting interviews to determine the circumstances of the shooting, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said in a statement. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Andersonville, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Andersonville, gunshot wound, Lone Mountain Road, Mark Lucas, shooting, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Fire destroys AC mobile home

Posted at 1:59 pm June 9, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

A Sunday evening fire destroyed a mobile home on Cedar Grove Lane in Anderson County.

The fire was extinguished by crews from the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department with assistance from both the Clinton and Oak Ridge fire departments, and no injuries were reported.

The resident of the mobile home, Michelle Turnbill, told an Anderson County Sheriff’s Department deputy that she had grilled hot dogs on a small grill on the front porch. She said she checked it when she was done to make sure that the coals were out, and she told the deputy that it appeared to be cool to the touch. After going back inside, she heard what sounded like the grill turning over, and she looked out to see the indoor/outdoor carpet on the front porch ablaze.

She and her family made it out safely and called 911. She told investigators that there had been three dogs and a cat inside the home at the time of the fire, but the report does not indicate their fate.

Filed Under: Anderson County, Clinton, Marlow, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire Tagged With: Anderson County, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Cedar Grove Lane, fire, Marlow Volunteer Fire Department, Michelle Turnbill

Report: Discarded cigarette starts fire in truck’s cargo area on I-75

Posted at 11:35 am June 8, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

A discarded cigarette that was still lit started a fire in the cargo area of a commercial truck on Interstate 75 on Friday night, authorities said.

The cigarette was discarded by an unknown motorist who threw it out of an unknown vehicle, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Steve Owens said in a report. It landed in the cargo area of a 2013 Ford F3D commercial truck owned by Classic Installs of Knoxville and driven by employee Ryan A. Johnson, the report said.

Johnson was driving south on I-75 near mile marker 121, just south of the Clinton exit, when he saw flames coming from the cargo area of his truck. He quickly pulled over to investigate and called for police and fire help at about 10 p.m. Friday. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Andersonville, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department, Classic Installs, fire, I-75, Interstate 75, Ryan A. Johnson, Steve Owens

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Classifieds

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

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