Oak Ridge Today

Updated: No impact on local investigations, but FBI agents working without pay

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Note: This story was updated at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 24.

Local law enforcement officers haven’t noticed an impact on investigations or criminal proceedings from the partial shutdown of the federal government, but agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has helped investigate crimes in Oak Ridge, are working without pay.

The shutdown is in its 33rd day, and it is the longest ever. It began Saturday, December 22, and it affects about 25 percent of the U.S. government, including the departments of Homeland Security and Justice, among other federal agencies. The shutdown hinges on a dispute between President Donald Trump and Democrats in Congress over whether to spend $5.7 billion to build a wall on the border with Mexico.

On Wednesday, the Oak Ridge Police Department said it has not observed any impact from the partial government shutdown, and the ORPD continues to work with its federal partners. Besides the FBI, the ORPD also works with, for example, the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Seventh Judicial District Attorney General Dave Clark said he is not aware of any impact at this time, including on investigations or criminal proceedings. Clark said he just met with the Anderson County sheriff and the county’s police chiefs on Tuesday, and “there was no mention of anyone experiencing issues.” [Read more…]

(For members) Five ORPD officers injured in fight with defendant

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Oak Ridge Police Department Badge

Five Oak Ridge Police Department officers were injured in a fight with a defendant on Saturday, a man was held against his will by the defendant, and officers used a Taser on the defendant more than once, police said.

Oak Ridge Police Department Badge

Five Oak Ridge Police Department officers were injured in a fight with a defendant on Saturday, a man was held against his will by the defendant, and officers used a Taser on the defendant more than once, police said.

The 39-year-old defendant is now charged with five counts of aggravated assault on an officer and aggravated kidnapping, among other charges.

It’s not the first time the man has been accused of assaulting a police officer. In September, he pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer in a previous case.

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Mower operator killed in crash on South Illinois

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The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a crash between a pickup truck and a riding lawn mower on South Illinois Avenue south of Lafayette Drive/Scarboro Road on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 13, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a crash between a pickup truck and a riding lawn mower on South Illinois Avenue south of Lafayette Drive/Scarboro Road on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 13, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The operator of a commercial mower died after a vehicle struck it on South Illinois Avenue at about 2 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.

The crash was near Summit Place, just south of Lafayette Drive/Scarboro Road in south Oak Ridge.

The name of the mower operator will not be released at this time, pending notification of family, the Oak Ridge Police Department said in a statement. The driver of the other vehicle, a GMC pickup truck, was not injured. [Read more…]

Missing teen found safe, ORPD says

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Jade Dush Found Aug 8 2018

The teenager who had been missing more than three weeks was found safe Wednesday night, the Oak Ridge Police Department said.

Jade Dush, 17, had been reported missing July 17. She was found safe in Oak Ridge, the ORPD said.

“Thank you to everyone who shared information during the search,” the ORPD said.

Oak Ridge Police still looking for missing teen

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Jade Dush MIssing Poster Oak Ridge Police Department Aug 8 2018

The Oak Ridge Police Department said Wednesday that it is still searching for a missing teenager, 17-year-old Jade Dush.

She was reported missing July 17. Investigators now believe she may be traveling in a white 2003 Toyota RAV4 with TN plate 0M3-8B4, the ORPD said. Jade was also recently spotted in the Farragut area.

“If you’ve seen Jade or have any information on where she might be, contact Oak Ridge Police at (865) 425-4399,” the ORPD said.

Oak Ridge police kick off new school year with Operation Safe Start

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An Oak Ridge Police Department school zone patrol is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

An Oak Ridge Police Department school zone patrol is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

A new school year will start next week, and the Oak Ridge Police Department will help to make sure students and families stay safe with Operation Safe Start beginning Monday, July 30, the first day of school, a press release said.

“The effort steps up police patrols to increase awareness of school zones and ensure drivers are following the law,” the press release said. “Residents will likely notice additional police vehicles and officers in school zones across the city.”

The press release said officers will be on the lookout for drivers who exceed posted speed limits, ignore school bus stop signs, and fail to yield for pedestrians. ORPD will also be enforcing seat belt, child passenger restraint, and distracted driving laws, including the new state law requiring the use of hands free devices in active school zones, the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge police chief placed on leave

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Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi

Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi

 

Note: This story was updated at 12:35 a.m.

Oak Ridge Police Chief James T. Akagi has been placed on administrative leave, and Deputy Chief Robin Smith has taken over daily operations for now, City Manager Mark Watson said Thursday.

Akagi is on leave until Watson can meet with him after returning from a trip to China, the city manager said.

Three anonymous letters were sent in June and July to Watson, Oak Ridge City Council members, other law enforcement officials, and local media outlets. The letters have been reviewed and have been a catalyst for concern, Watson said Thursday.

The letters are not signed, but they said they are from Oak Ridge Police Department employees. One letter said it represented an “overwhelming majority” of ORPD members. Among other things, the letters raised concerns about harassment, a hostile work environment, hostility, retaliation, policy decisions, and turnover. The letters ask for Akagi’s removal or termination, and an investigation by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission or some other “independent and unbiased agency.” They said conditions have not improved since the 2015 review by the Municipal Technical Advisory Service at the University of Tennessee and have gotten worse instead. [Read more…]

Exclusive: Two plead guilty in robbery that ends with shooting

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The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a shooting on East Holston Lane at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a shooting on East Holston Lane at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a shooting on East Holston Lane at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a shooting on East Holston Lane at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—An Oak Ridge man and woman pleaded guilty on Monday to their roles in a robbery that started as a drug deal set up through social media and ended with a shooting that injured one person.

The plea agreements for the two defendants, Nicole Marie Brewer, 21, and Nicholas Rashad Strickland, 27, were entered in Anderson County Criminal Court in Clinton on Monday. The robbery and shooting were reported on East Holston Lane in Oak Ridge on Tuesday, November 15, 2016.

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Note: Most news stories on Oak Ridge Today are free, brought to you by Oak Ridge Today with help from our advertisers, sponsors, and subscribers. Some are considered premium content. This story is premium content. Premium content can include in-depth, investigative, and exclusive stories.

ORPD: Man forces woman from wheelchair & vehicle in reported carjacking

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A woman was forced from her wheelchair and vehicle during a carjacking reported in Oak Ridge on Saturday, and the suspect crashed after a police chase into Knox County, authorities said.

The carjacking was reported in the parking lot of the Red Lobster restaurant on South Illinois Avenue at about 1:50 p.m. Saturday, the Oak Ridge Police Department said.

“It was reported that a man forcibly took a vehicle that was occupied by an adult female passenger in a wheelchair,” the ORPD said. “After taking the vehicle, the suspect forced the passenger from her wheelchair and from the vehicle in the restaurant parking lot. The victim was not injured.” [Read more…]

Victim identified in fatal crash

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One person died in a two-vehicle crash on Melton Lake Drive near the rowing course finish line on Sunday, May 27, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

One person died in a two-vehicle crash on Melton Lake Drive near the rowing course finish line on Sunday, May 27, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Authorities have identified the female driver who died in a head-on two-vehicle crash on Melton Lake Drive on Sunday night as Jessica Hotchkiss, 37, of Clinton.

No other details had been released as of Tuesday, and the Oak Ridge Police Department said the investigation was ongoing.

The fatal crash was reported at about 11:23 p.m. Sunday just south of the tower at the Oak Ridge rowing course finish line. It involved a sport utility vehicle and a Comcast utility bucket truck.

The ORPD said then that it appeared the SUV had crossed the center line, striking the Comcast truck head-on. [Read more…]

Charged with attempted murder, woman allegedly conspired to lock, erase cell phone

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Kali Annabelle Bailey

Kali Annabelle Bailey

 

The Heiskell woman who was charged with attempted murder after she allegedly shot into an occupied vehicle in Oak Ridge on May 6 is now accused of conspiring with her grandmother and one of the victims to lock or erase her cell phone, which is being held in evidence at the Oak Ridge Police Department.

After the shooting, Kali Annabelle Bailey, 20, was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment.

New charges related to the alleged attempt to lock or erase her cell phone were filed Monday. The charges are criminal conspiracy to tamper with evidence, attempted tampering with evidence, and solicitation of tampering with evidence. Like the original charges, they are all felony charges.

Bailey’s bond on the original charges had been set at $250,000. Bond on the new charges is $25,000.

Bailey’s alleged co-conspirators, Becky A. Bell of Heiskell and Seth M. Davis of Oak Ridge, have also been charged. Bell is Bailey’s grandmother, and Davis is a victim of the alleged shooting, according to court records. [Read more…]

Warrants: Woman charged with attempted murder had threatened to shoot victim

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Kali Annabelle Bailey

Kali Annabelle Bailey

 

A Powell woman who has been charged with attempted murder had threatened to shoot a female victim several months before she allegedly shot into a vehicle occupied by two people in Oak Ridge on Sunday night, and the defendant had reportedly tried to argue with the female victim about her relationship with a male victim, authorities said.

A bullet path in the vehicle that was shot into on Sunday night grazed the driver’s seat, very close to the head and shoulder area of the male victim, Seth M. Davis of Oak Ridge, according to affidavits filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court by Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Christopher W. Wallace.

The female victim, Bailee D. Bolden of Oak Ridge, was hit with glass fragments from the windshield, the affidavits said.

Charged in the case is Kali Annabelle Bailey, 20, of Powell. She has been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment. Those are all felony charges.

Bailey was located and arrested Monday. Her bond has been set at $320,000, and she remained jailed at the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton on Tuesday afternoon. [Read more…]