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Clinton man dies after two-vehicle crash on Oak Ridge Turnpike

Posted at 12:39 pm December 11, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

A Clinton man died after a two-vehicle crash on Oak Ridge Turnpike on Thursday, authorities said.

The crash was reported at about 8:22 p.m. Thursday, December 10, at the intersection of the Turnpike and Wisconsin Avenue, the Oak Ridge Police Department said.

Charles Edward Smith, 75, of Clinton was extricated from his vehicle by the Oak Ridge Fire Department and flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center by a UT Lifestar medical helicopter. He later died from his injuries, the ORPD said.

Smith had been driving a 2012 Volkswagen.

The second vehicle, a 1998 Cadillac, was driven by Janet Eileen Kelley, 61, of Harriman. Kelley was treated at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

The investigation remains ongoing and no further details will be released at this time, the ORPD said.

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: crash, Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Turnpike, Wisconsin Avenue

Man sentenced to 30 years for possessing heroin for sale in school zone

Posted at 1:33 pm December 9, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 1 Comment

Charles Randolph Johnson

Charles Randolph Johnson

A man convicted in September of possessing heroin and marijuana for sale in a school zone has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, authorities said.

Charles Randolph Johnson was sentenced by Anderson County Criminal Court Judge Donald R. Elledge on Monday, November 30, District Attorney General Dave Clark said in a press release.

Johnson, a Michigan native, was convicted by a jury on September 18. He was found guilty of possessing heroin with the intent to sell it within 1,000 feet of a school, possessing marijuana with the intent to sell it, and possessing drug paraphernalia, Clark said.

Authorities said Johnson possessed a large amount of heroin and marijuana inside a mobile home near Claxton Elementary School. He was arrested on January 31 when a search warrant was executed after a joint investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, and the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Criminal Court, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Charles Randolph Johnson, Dave Clark, district attorney general, Donald R. Elledge, heroin, marijuana, Oak Ridge Police Department, possessing heroin, possessing marijuana, Ryan Spitzer, Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

She alleges abuse, imprisonment, Sharia law; he cites immigration as possible motive for claims

Posted at 2:47 pm December 8, 2015
By John Huotari 2 Comments

The wife of a city employee has alleged that she has essentially been held captive in a home that operates under Sharia law, been physically abused, not allowed to work or go to school, and deprived of food and medical care.

But her husband, an Oak Ridge Electric Department project manager, said he can prove that the charges are unfounded. He called the allegations, which were publicized in a newspaper story last month, “salacious accusations.” The allegations sparked a social media backlash against the city employee, Oak Ridge Electric Department Project Manager Ardo Isma Ba.

The Oak Ridge Police Department has investigated some of the allegations against Ba, including the charge that he held his wife, Madina Sall, against her will for the past three years. That information was reported to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, where Ba is a reserve deputy.

Ba was not charged after the investigation. Officers said Sall’s definition of abuse is different than what is defined in Tennessee law. Also, detectives appeared to have questions about the accuracy of some of the information, and they warned Sall of the consequences of reporting false information to law enforcement.

“The matter did appear to be a non-criminal matter due to the initial information given to (the Knox County Sheriff’s Office) not being accurate and no proof that any physical abuse has occurred,” the ORPD said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Anderson County, Front Page News, Government, Knox County, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County chancellor, Anderson County Chancery Court, Ardo Ba, Ardo Isma Ba, City of Oak Ridge, David Stephens, Jack Suggs, Kevin Craig, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Lauren R. Biloski, M. Nichole Cantrell, Madina Sall, Oak Ridge Electric Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, order of protection, ORPD, Patrick B. Slaughter, Sharia law, Williams Weaver

Man injured in truck fire; others OK as fuel ignites

Posted at 3:37 pm November 27, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Pickup-Truck-Fire-Briarcliff-Nov-27-2015

The driver of a pickup truck that caught on fire on Friday afternoon, Nov. 27, 2015, was taken to the hospital with minor burns, and emergency workers were not injured when fuel vapors ignited after the fire was first extinguished, authorities said. Pictured above are ORFD Battalion Chief Eric Rackard, left, and ORPD Officer Christopher Wallace. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The driver of a pickup truck that caught on fire Friday afternoon was taken to the hospital with minor burns, and emergency workers were not injured when fuel vapors ignited after the fire was first extinguished, authorities said.

The 62-year-old man tried to open the hood of the blue Ford Ranger and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, said Oak Ridge Fire Department Battalion Chief Eric Rackard. The man, who was not identified, received minor burns on both hands.

The cause of the fire at Diversicare of Oak Ridge, on Elmhurst Drive near Hank’s Market on Emory Valley Road, was unknown.

But a fuel line on the engine ruptured, and gasoline vapors ignited while emergency workers tried to plug the line.

“Anytime you see that, you worry,” Rackard said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fire, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Brandon Payne, Christopher Wallace, Diversicare of Oak Ridge, Elmhurst Drive, Eric Rackard, Gary Williamson, Marietta Circle, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORFD, ORPD, truck fire

Third arrest in shooting that injured woman’s liver

Posted at 11:04 am November 25, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Daniel Michael Rose

Daniel Michael Rose

Police have made a third arrest in the November 13 shooting that sent two people to the hospital, one with an injury to her liver, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department announced two arrests in the shooting last week: Tyler Earl Gulley and Sedrick D. Davis.

The third person, Daniel Michael Rose, 25, of Utica Circle, was arrested Wednesday, November 18. Rose has been charged with aggravated assault. He was released Tuesday, November 24, in lieu of a $50,000 bond, according to court records.

Rose was one of the two people injured in the Friday, November 13, shooting near the intersection of Fisk and Dillard avenues in the Scarboro neighbhood. He was struck in the left foot, police said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: aggravated assault, Daniel Michael Rose, Dillard Avenue, Fisk Avenue, Hampton Road, John Thomas, Josie Wisman, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD, Sedrick D. Davis, shooting, Tyler Earl Gulley, William Weaver

Parking lot sweeps at ORHS designed to ensure safe, healthy campus, principal says

Posted at 8:08 pm November 20, 2015
By John Huotari 1 Comment

Oak-Ridge-High-School-Safety-Check-Coley-Justice-Nov-20-2015-1

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Rick Coley and his police dog Justus help conduct a safety check at Oak Ridge High School on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The random parking lot sweeps conducted several times per year at Oak Ridge High School with officers and police dogs are meant to help ensure a safe, healthy campus, an official during one sweep Friday.

The school conducted the Friday sweep with help from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and Oak Ridge Police Department and several canine officers.

Officials said it was a successful operation, although they declined to give specific information, including because the searches involve juveniles.

It was the first parking lot sweep since new ORHS Principal Martin McDonald replaced David Bryant, who retired this summer. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Oak Ridge, Police, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: ACSD, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, BamBam, Bieka, David Bryant, Justus, Martin McDonald, Matt Forsyth, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORHS, ORPD, Ray Steakley, Rick Coley, Scott Carroll, Scotty Herrell, Shawn Williams

Wanted fugitive arrested in joint operation with ACSD, ORPD SWAT team

Posted at 9:06 pm November 18, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Robertsville-Road-Raid-Officers-Nov-18-2015-2

A wanted fugitive was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 18, 2015, in a joint operation by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and the Oak Ridge Police Department. The operation involved the deployment of the ORPD SWAT team at a home on Robertsville Road. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A wanted fugitive was arrested Wednesday afternoon in a joint operation by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and the Oak Ridge Police Department. The operation involved the deployment of the ORPD SWAT team at a home on Robertsville Road.

ACSD Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said deputies received information that Jesse Lee Shackelford, 32, was in the home. Shackelford was wanted on seven outstanding warrants that included felony charges and was reported to be armed with a handgun, Lucas said.

Jesse-Lee-Shackelford

Jesse Lee Shackelford

Deputies and officers surrounded the home, and ORPD SWAT was called to the scene. ORPD SWAT members entered the residence and arrested Shackelford without incident, Lucas said. He said Shackelford was found to be armed with not one but two handguns.

Additional charges for drug and weapons offenses will be forthcoming, Lucas said. Shackelford was also wanted in Knox County on warrants. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Jesse Lee Shackelford, Mark Lucas, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD SWAT, Robertsville Road, wanted fugitive

Animal Shelter closed due to power outage

Posted at 2:26 pm November 18, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Due to a power outage, the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter will be closed until further notice, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Wednesday afternoon.

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.

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, Oak Ridge Police Department, power outage

Updated: Two charged in Friday shooting that injured two

Posted at 3:17 pm November 17, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Tyler-Earl-Gulley

Tyler Earl Gulley

Note: This story was last updated at 5:33 p.m.

An Oak Ridge man has been charged in the shooting that left two people seriously injured in the Scarboro neighborhood on Friday, authorities said.

Tyler Earl Gulley, 22, of Hampton Road, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault in the alleged shooting. He is accused of shooting Daniel Rose in the left foot. Also wounded in the shooting was Josie Wisman, who was hit in the abdomen, according to an arrest warrant filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court.

Officers found one handgun at the scene, the Oak Ridge Police Department said in a press release Tuesday.

They searched the area and executed a search warrant at 101 Hampton Road, where two firearms were recovered, a Glock 26 9mm and a Glock 22 40-caliber, authorities said.

The ORPD arrested Gulley that evening for the shooting that morning, the ORPD said. Gulley was located at his home on Hampton Road and detained without incident, said the arrest warrant, filed by Oak Ridge Police Department Detective William Weaver. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County General Sessions Court, Daniel Rose, Fisk Avenue, Hampton Road, Josie Wisman, Oak Ridge Police Department, Scarboro, shooting, Tyler Earl Gulley, William Weaver

California Ave. temporarily closed, power out after SUV hits utility pole

Posted at 11:04 am November 17, 2015
By John Huotari 2 Comments

California-Avenue-Utility-Pole-Crash-Nov-17-2015

A mother and her son were taken to the hospital with injuries reported as non-life threatening after a small sport utility vehicle hit a utility pole on California Avenue, flipped, and landed on its top Tuesday morning, authorities said.

 

Note: This story was updated at 12:46 a.m.

A mother and her son were taken to the hospital with injuries reported to be non-life threatening after a small sport utility vehicle hit a utility pole on California Avenue, flipped, and landed on its top Tuesday morning, authorities said.

The single-vehicle crash was reported at about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. The SUV was reportedly driving north on California Avenue when it crashed.

Authorities temporarily closed a short section of California Avenue at West Arrowwood Road as utility workers repaired the pole.

In a text alert at 10:08 a.m. Tuesday, the Oak Ridge Police Department said there was a power outage in east Oak Ridge from California Avenue east, and it could affect traffic signals. The signal at Melton Lake Drive and Oak Ridge Turnpike was reported to be out.

At about 11 a.m., the Oak Ridge Electric Department said there was damage to a substation as well.

“As a result, power is expected to be off east of Florida Avenue on both sides of the Turnpike, including residents and businesses along East Emory Valley Road, for the next few hours in order to make the necessary repairs,” the Electric Department said.

The ORED reported at about 12:30 p.m. that power had been restored on the east end of Oak Ridge.

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.

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: California Avenue, crash, Florida Avenue, Oak Ridge Electric Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Turnpike, power outage, West Arrowwood Road

Update from ORPD: Two victims wounded by gunfire in Scarboro

Posted at 3:17 pm November 13, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Tuskegee Drive Shooting Nov. 13, 2015

Two people were taken to the hospital, including one in a Lifestar helicopter, after a shooting was reported in Scarboro on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The two people wounded by gunfire on Friday were victims of a shooting in Scarboro, authorities said.

The shooting occurred at about 11:57 a.m. Friday near the intersection of South Dillard Avenue and South Fisk Avenue, the Oak Ridge Police Department said in a press release.

The victims left the scene in a vehicle and traveled to a nearby fire station, Oak Ridge Central Fire Station on Tuskegee Drive, where they summoned a passing police officer, the press release said.

Both victims were treated at the scene and transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Their conditions are unknown at this time, and officers haven’t identified them.  One, reported to be a female, was flown out by a UT Lifestar medical helicopter, and the other was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Oak Ridge Central Fire Station, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD, Scarboro, shooting, South Dillard Avenue, South Fisk Avenue, University of Tennessee Medical Center, UT Lifestar

Two taken to hospital after shooting reported on Tuskegee

Posted at 12:54 pm November 13, 2015
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Tuskegee Drive Shooting Nov. 13, 2015

Two people were taken to the hospital, including one in a Lifestar helicopter, after a shooting was reported on Tuskegee Drive on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:36 p.m.

Two people were taken to the hospital after a shooting was reported on Tuskegee Drive in central Oak Ridge on Friday.

One person was taken by ambulance, and another, reported to be a female, was flown out on a UT Lifestar medical helicopter, which landed on Tuskegee Drive in front of the Oak Ridge Central Fire Station.

There was a report that a person of interest had been detained.

The shooting was reported at about 12 p.m. Friday. The Oak Ridge Police Department and Oak Ridge Police Department were on the scene investigating, and Tuskegee Drive was temporarily closed until about 1:30 p.m. One vehicle, a four-door sedan, was towed away, although it’s not clear why. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: medical helicopter, Oak Ridge Central Fire Station, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD, shooting, Tuskegee Drive, UT Lifestar

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