Oak Ridge Police Department Archives - Page 21 of 75

ORPD arrests student after finding evidence related to two recent explosions

Posted at 5:38 pm January 23, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

An Oak Ridge High School student was arrested Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, after police found evidence in a car that was connected to two recent explosions, one at Blankenship Field and the other at Milt Dickens Park, authorities said. The Oak Ridge Police Department was helped by the Knoxville Police Department Bomb Squad. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Police Department/City of Oak Ridge)

An Oak Ridge High School student was arrested Tuesday after police found evidence in a car that was connected to two recent explosions, one at Blankenship Field and the other at Milt Dickens Park,Â authorities said.

The male student is a juvenile and is not being publicly identified.

Investigators with the Oak Ridge Police Department Juvenile Unit detained and questioned a male at Oak Ridge High School while working with Oak Ridge Schools on Tuesday morning, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. The boy wasÂ believed to have knowledge regarding both explosions.

“Further investigation led investigators to determine that potential evidence was still inside the studentâ€™s vehicle, which was parked in the front lot of the high school,” the ORPD said. “Investigators immediately identified the vehicle, established a safe perimeter, and requested assistance from the Knoxville Police Departmentâ€™s Bomb Squad. At no time were any students, staff, or bystanders in danger. Bomb squad personnel were asked to assist out of an abundance of caution.” [Read more…]

Police investigating reports of explosions at Milt Dickens Park, Blankenship Field

Posted at 10:08 pm January 17, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Police Department found a small crater that might have been caused by an explosion at Milt Dickens Park in east Oak Ridge late Monday afternoon, Jan. 15, 2018. The crater pictured here on Tuesday morning measured about 4.5 feet across and one foot deep, but the hole had been enlarged by officers taking dirt samples during the investigation. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was updated at 9:25 a.m. Jan. 19.

The Oak Ridge Police Department is investigating a report of an explosion that left a small crater in the playground and rattled nearby windows at Milt Dickens Park in east Oak Ridge late Monday afternoon. Police recovered physical evidence that indicated an explosion might have occurred, the City of Oak Ridge said in a statement Wednesday.

Police are also investigating a report of an explosion near Blankenship Field on Saturday night. Officers foundÂ a concrete picnic table in the area of Blankenship Field that appeared to be damaged as the result of an “over-pressure or impact-related event,” but no physical evidence at the scene definitivelyÂ indicated that an explosion had occurred or that the initial reporting was the result of an explosive device, the city said.

The Blankenship Field explosion was reported at 9:12 p.m. Saturday, January 13.Â A witness reported seeing a black vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed just after the incident occurred, the City of Oak Ridge said. [Read more…]

Hazardous driving conditions remain in Anderson County

Posted at 9:53 am January 17, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A view of snow-covered Dutch Valley from Waldens Ridge in Anderson County on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. (Photo by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department)

Note: This story was updated at 11:05 p.m.

Update:Â State routes were mostly clear Wednesday afternoon, but secondary roads still had snow and ice in spots, especially where they are shaded. Some roads remained entirely snow-covered. Areas that melted in the sun Wednesday wereÂ expected to refreeze overnight as the temperatures will once again be in the single digits. Motorists should continue to use caution.

Three traffic crashes had been reported as of 4 p.m., and deputies planned to continue patrolling and answering calls in four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Hazardous driving conditions remained in Anderson County on Wednesday morning, with some state routes still having snow and ice.

Secondary roads are mostly snow-covered, with ice in places, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy.

“Bitter cold temperatures overnight resulted in many roads freezing over and becoming dangerous,” Lucas said. “Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is necessary.”

Three traffic crashes were reported Tuesday, but none have been reported so far Wednesday morning, Lucas said. [Read more…]

Road conditions still bad, police say; Y-12 closed

Posted at 8:55 am January 17, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

An Oak Ridge Public Works Department snow truck is pictured on South Illinois Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was last updated at 11:15 p.m.

Update: Driving conditions on mainÂ roadsÂ and side streets in Oak Ridge seemed to have improved by about 5 p.m. Wednesday,Â although there were still patches of ice and snow, including in shopping center parking lots.

WednesdayÂ evening, theÂ Oak Ridge Police Department said conditions had improved on main roads, but side streets were still extremely slick. Drivers should use extra caution if they have to get out tonight. There could be some refreezing on the roads overnight with the low temperatures. Oak Ridge Schools will be closed again on Thursday, January 18, due to the conditions.

A few inches of snow fell Tuesday, and road conditions are still bad Wednesday morning, especially in the city’s neighborhoods, the Oak Ridge Police Department said. The Y-12 National Security Complex and the Uranium Processing Facility offices are closed.

Oak Ridge Public Works Department crews are out clearing and treating the roads.

“If you must go out, please use extreme caution,” the ORPD said.

Y-12 said normal operations will resume Thursday, January 18. [Read more…]

Roads slippery, snow-covered; schools, Key Springs closed

Posted at 9:09 pm January 16, 2018
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Streets in Oak Ridge, including main roads, were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening, Jan. 16, 2018, and schools announced they would be closed again on Wednesday. Above, the Oak Ridge Police Department responds to a crash on South Illinois Avenue near Centrifuge Way on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy ORPD/City of Oak Ridge)

Streets in Oak Ridge, including main roads, were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening, and schools announced they would be closed again on Wednesday. Key Springs Roadâ€”a steep, curvy road that goes down Black Oak Ridge from north Oak Ridge to Marlowâ€”was closed.

The Oak Ridge Police Department advised residents to stay home if they don’t have to be on the roads tonight.

“All roads are snow-covered,” the ORPD said Tuesday evening. “(Oak Ridge) Public Works crews are working to clear and treat roads.”

Even heavily traveled main roads such as Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening. Side streets were as well.

The snow, which had started at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, continued past 7 p.m. The forecast had called for a few inches. [Read more…]

ORPD: Roads slippery, crashes reported, Key Springs closed

Posted at 11:49 am January 8, 2018
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Slow down, and use caution, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Monday morning, Jan. 8, 2018. “Roads are very slick. Stay home if you donâ€™t need to be out.” Several crashes have already been reported this morning, and Key Springs Road, which goes down into Marlow, has been closed. (Photo courtesy ORPD)

Roads are slippery, several crashes have been reported, and Key Springs Road, which goes down into Marlow, has been closed, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Monday morning.

“Roads are very slick in Oak Ridge,” the ORPD said. “If you must drive, slow down and use caution! Stay home if you donâ€™t need to be out.”

The icy conditions had led school systems to closeâ€”including in Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Clinton, and Roane Countyâ€”and some organization opened late, including the City of Oak Ridge and Roane County Courthouse. The Anderson County Courthouse is closed, and so is Roane State Community College. [Read more…]

ORPD: Missing teen is safe, back with family

Posted at 10:41 am January 5, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The teenager who was last seen at her home on Halloween is safe and back with her family, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Friday.

On Thursday, the Oak Ridge Police Department posted on Twitter that the search remained active forÂ Shayla Cook, 16, of Oak Ridge.

On Friday morning, the ORPD said CookÂ came to the Police Department overnight, and she is now back with her family.

“Thank you to everyone who called and helped in this search,” the ORPD said.

More information will be added as itÂ becomes available.

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Man escapes, home destroyed by fire

Posted at 10:07 am January 5, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A man escaped with minor injuries, but a home was destroyed in a fire on Friday morning, Jan. 5, 2018, on Lindale Lane in west Oak Ridge. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A man escaped with minor injuries, but a home was destroyed in a Friday morning fire on Lindale Lane in west Oak Ridge.

The fire was reported at about 6:30 a.m. Friday at 15 Lindale Lane, which is off West Lincoln Road just north of the Dollar General store.

The fire was reported to have started in the basement, where there is a garage in a corner of the house. The cause was unknown, Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley said Friday morning.

The fire was fueled by natural gas, Kerley said. A gas line comes into the house in that area, and there is a water heater next to the gas line in the garage, he said.

The fire burned up a wall on that side of the house, went into the attic, and set the attic on fire, Kerley said. [Read more…]

ORPD asks for help finding missing teen

Posted at 11:43 am January 4, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Image by Oak Ridge Police Department

The Oak Ridge Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing teenager.

Shayla Cook, 16, of Oak Ridge, was last seen at her home on the evening of October 31, 2017, the Oak Ridge Police Department said.

She was reported missing the following day by a family member who believes Shayla left on her own and may be with a non-custodial parent, the ORPD said. [Read more…]

Monday night standoff with police ends with no injuries

Posted at 5:14 pm December 19, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A Monday night standoff with police ended with no injuries, authorities said.

It started when the Oak Ridge Police Department responded to conduct a welfare check at a home in the 100 block of Robertsville Road at about 5:44 p.m. Monday.

“When officers attempted to make contact with the person inside the home, they observed a man in a crouched position holding an object that may have been a firearm,” the Oak Ridge Police Department said.

“Crisis negotiators were called to the scene to assist, but the individual threatened officers and refused to come out of the house,” the ORPD said. [Read more…]

Two charged with aggravated assault in West Bryn Mawr shooting

Posted at 4:10 pm December 18, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Terris Lavonte Marsh

A man and woman, both 18 years old, have been charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment in the shooting that was reported into a house with five people inside, including three juveniles, on West Bryn Mawr Circle in west Oak Ridge on November 15, according to court records.

The suspect has been identified as Terris Lavonte Marsh, 18, a transient in Oak Ridge and Knoxville, according to arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge.

In the warrants, Oak Ridge Police Department Detective A. Marvell Moore said Marsh was identified through interviews, physical evidence, and social media posts, and he was interviewed at the Knox County Detention Facility.

After he was advised of his Miranda rights, Marsh said he shot into the home on West Bryn Mawr Circle because of an ongoing dispute with one of the residents, Moore said in the affidavits attached to the warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court. [Read more…]

More sick wildlife reported. Contact ORPD if you see a sick animal.

Posted at 12:32 pm December 18, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Belgrade Road is pictured above.

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter has noticed an increase in the number of reports of sick animals, or animals in distress, and the City of Oak Ridge is asking residents toÂ notify the Oak Ridge Police Department about potentially sick wildlife.

Many of the reports involve raccoons or foxes, but other wildlife can also be affected, the city said in a press release Monday.

“Shelter staff believe these animals could be suffering from a strain of distemper,” the press release said.

“As a safety precaution, it is important that citizens do not attempt to capture wildlife on their own or transport wildlife to the animal shelter for treatment,” the press release said. “This is recommended to avoid possible injury to humans and animals as well as preventing the spread of disease or infection.” [Read more…]

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