Oak Ridge Today

Tractor-trailer overturns with 6,500 chickens

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A truck carrying about 6,500 chickens overturned on South Illinois Avenue at Bethel Valley Road on Monday night, Dec. 10, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A truck carrying about 6,500 chickens overturned on South Illinois Avenue at Bethel Valley Road on Monday night, Dec. 10, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A tractor-trailer carrying about 6,500 chickens overturned on South Illinois Avenue on Monday night, authorities said.

Several of the holding pens broke free from the truck, and an unknown number of chickens were lost, the Oak Ridge Police Department said in a statement.

The crash was reported at about 8:25 p.m. Monday at Bethel Valley Road in the lanes headed toward Knox County. The semi truck veered off the right side of the roadway and flipped, the ORPD said. [Read more…]

Snow in Oak Ridge

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Many roads in Oak Ridge were covered by a wet, slushy snow on Sunday morning, Dec. 9, 2018, and some were slippery even when they appeared relatively clear. Pictured above is South Illinois Avenue. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Many roads in Oak Ridge were covered by a wet, slushy snow on Sunday morning, Dec. 9, 2018, and some were slippery even when they appeared relatively clear. Pictured above is South Illinois Avenue. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 1:15 p.m.

Many roads in Oak Ridge were covered by a wet, slushy snow on Sunday morning, and some were slippery even when they appeared relatively clear.

The Oak Ridge Police Department said there were slick spots coming into Oak Ridge from Solway.

Oak Ridge Today measured about 5/8 inch of snow on a sidewalk in one spot mid-morning Sunday.

Main roads such as Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike were mostly clear, with slush in some spots such as the median, while side streets remained snow-covered. [Read more…]

Man sentenced to 30 years in Oak Ridge shooting

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William Antwon Mollette

William Antwon Mollette

Note: This story was last updated at 4:45 p.m.

CLINTON—An Oak Ridge man was sentenced to the maximum 30 years in prison in an attempted murder case as part of a plea agreement on Thursday after a shooting last year left a woman with life-threatening injuries.

William Antwon Mollette, 44, pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony in Anderson County Criminal Court in Clinton on Thursday.

Mollette, who has a prior felony conviction in Alabama, received the maximum 25 years on the attempted first-degree murder charge, a Class A felony, and he received the maximum five years on the firearm possession charge, a Class D felony. The two sentences are to be served consecutively for a total 30-year sentence.

The victim of the shooting, Cathy Griffin, was agreeable to the 30-year sentence, Tony Craighead, deputy district attorney general in Anderson County, told Criminal Court Judge Don Elledge.

Griffin read a statement in court during the plea agreement hearing. She described being shot and stalked by Mollette at a home on Walsh Lane last year, having her lungs collapse and blood stream from her abdomen, and knowing that she, a nurse, was dying. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge police host ‘Ask an Officer’ on Wednesday

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The Oak Ridge Police Department will offer an educational “Ask an Officer” session focused on ways to prevent identity theft and fraud at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on Wednesday, November 7, at 1 p.m.

“Join Oak Ridge Police Investigator Wendy Zolkowski for this special program sponsored by the Oak Ridge Senior Center,” a press release said. The event will be held in the B Room and is open to participants of any age. Everyone is invited to attend and learn ways to protect themselves against identity theft, the press release said. [Read more…]

Man pleads guilty to reckless homicide in death of father after argument

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William Brent James

William Brent James

 

William Brent James

A 22-year-old man pleaded guilty Tuesday to reckless homicide in the death of his father after an argument in an Oak Ridge parking lot in 2014.

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Temporary road closure on Wednesday for ‘Halloween House’

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A temporary road closure is planned along part of Nebraska Avenue on Wednesday for the annual “Halloween House” residential attraction, a press release said.

The temporary road closure is scheduled between 5 and 10 p.m. Wednesday, October 31, the City of Oak Ridge press release said.

A large number of visitors is expected at the “Halloween House,” and the closure is necessary to create a safer environment for drivers and pedestrians, the press release said. [Read more…]

ASAP partners with Oak Ridge, Clinton police for Drug Take Back Day

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Naloxone training offered at Drug Take Back Day, which is this Saturday

Anderson County is participating in a Drug Take Back Day on Saturday.

It’s the 15th Annual DEA Rx Drug Take Back Day on October 27. The DEA is the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Community members can bring their expired or unused medicines to one of the Anderson County ‘take back’ locations anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, a press release said. Collection sites will be located at the police departments listed below. Each department will be set up outside in their respective parking lots to receive the expired or unused medicines, the release said. [Read more…]

Free child car seat checkpoints scheduled for Oct. 23-24

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There is a free child passenger seat checkpoint in Oak Ridge on Saturday, May 12, 2018. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

There is a free child passenger seat checkpoint in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, Oct. 23, and Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

The Oak Ridge Police Department and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital are teaming up to host child passenger seat checkpoints on Tuesday, October 23, and Wednesday, October 24. The events are free and open to the public.

The checkpoints will be held in the parking lot across the street from Oak Ridge Preschool, located at 304 New York Avenue. Parents and caregivers are invited to stop by anytime between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. either day with no need to pre-register, a press release said.

During the event, car seats will be checked for manufacturer recalls and examined for proper installation by certified technicians. Crews will also distribute educational materials about car seats. Attendees should follow the directional signage when arriving at the checkpoint, the press release said. [Read more…]

Robin Smith named Oak Ridge police chief

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Oak Ridge Police Chief Robin Smith (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge Police Chief Robin Smith (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

 

Robin Smith, who had been deputy chief, has been promoted to police chief, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said Tuesday.

Smith has served as acting chief for the Oak Ridge Police Department since August. Former Police Chief James T. Akagi has retired.

“The Oak Ridge Police Department is an effective team built with good people who care about our community,” Smith said. “We want Oak Ridge to be a safe place for people to live, work and visit. I’m proud to be a member of the team.” [Read more…]

TBI identifies man killed in officer-involved shooting

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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has identified the man who died in a Monday night officer-involved shooting at Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road as Isaiah D. Ramirez, 26. Above, police investigate after a chase was reported along Emory Valley Road and there were reports of shots fired on Monday evening, Oct. 8, 2018. The parking lot at Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road was blocked off with yellow tape, and there was a large emergency response presence that included members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and District Attorney General Dave Clark, right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has identified the man who died in a Monday night officer-involved shooting at Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road as Isaiah D. Ramirez, 26. Above, police investigate after a chase was reported along Emory Valley Road and there were reports of shots fired on Monday evening, Oct. 8, 2018. The parking lot at Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road was blocked off with yellow tape, and there was a large emergency response presence that included members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and District Attorney General Dave Clark, right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:55 a.m.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has identified the man who died in a Monday night officer-involved shooting in a courthouse parking lot on Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge.

The man has been identified as Isaiah D. Ramirez, 36.

Ramirez was reported to have struck an Oak Ridge police officer with a pickup truck before at least one officer fired shots at the vehicle, striking Ramirez, the TBI said Monday night.

The shooting near Anderson County General Sessions Court and other county offices followed a police pursuit that started on Cumberland View Drive along Emory Valley Road in east Oak Ridge at about 6:30 p.m. Monday, authorities said. The Oak Ridge Police Department tried to make a traffic stop, but Ramirez, who was pulling a utility trailer behind his pickup truck, didn’t stop, according to TBI spokesperson Leslie Earhart. Ramirez reportedly had outstanding warrants. Residents of Emory Valley reported a police pursuit involving at least four police cars. [Read more…]

Man dies in police shooting after striking officer with vehicle

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Police are investigating after a chase was reported along Emory Valley Road and there were reports of shots fired on Monday evening, Oct. 8, 2018. The parking lot at Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road is blocked off with yellow tape, and there is a large emergency response presence that includes members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and District Attorney General Dave Clark, right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A man who struck an Oak Ridge police officer with a vehicle died when at least one officer shot at him in the parking lot of Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road on Monday evening, Oct. 8, 2018, authorities said. The vehicle that struck an officer and was shot into is facing toward the camera at top right-center between an Oak Ridge Police Department SUV and an Oak Ridge Transit bus. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

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

A man who struck an Oak Ridge police officer with a vehicle died when at least one officer shot at him in a courthouse parking lot on Monday evening, authorities said.

The police pursuit and shooting started in a residential area along Emory Valley Road and ended at Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge. It was reported at about 6:30 p.m. Monday.

The Oak Ridge Police Department had recognized a man in a vehicle who had outstanding warrants on Cumberland View Drive in east Oak Ridge and tried to make a traffic stop, said Leslie Earhart, public information officer for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The man reportedly had warrants for domestic assault and aggravated burglary. [Read more…]

TBI investigating shooting that involved officer on Emory Valley Road

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Police are investigating after a chase was reported along Emory Valley Road and there were reports of shots fired on Monday evening, Oct. 8, 2018. The parking lot at Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road is blocked off with yellow tape, and there is a large emergency response presence that includes members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and District Attorney General Dave Clark, right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Police are investigating after a chase was reported along Emory Valley Road and there were reports of shots fired on Monday evening, Oct. 8, 2018. The parking lot at Anderson County General Sessions Court on Emory Valley Road is blocked off with yellow tape, and there is a large emergency response presence that includes members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and District Attorney General Dave Clark, right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 9 p.m.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has agents and forensic scientists on the scene of an officer-involved shooting on Monday along Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge, a spokesperson said.

Update (11:45 p.m.): A man who struck an Oak Ridge police officer with a vehicle died when at least one officer opened fire in a courthouse parking lot on Monday evening, authorities said. See newer story here.

The incident on Monday evening, which was said to have included a police pursuit and shots fired, was reported in areas along Emory Valley Road, including a residential neighborhood and the parking lot of Anderson County General Sessions Court, Division II. The courthouse parking lot was blocked off with yellow police/fire tape on Monday evening, and members of the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County EMS, and District Attorney General Dave Clark were there.

At about 8:30 p.m. Monday, TBI spokesperson Leslie Earhart said she was on her way to provide more information when possible. [Read more…]