Oak Ridge Today

Sheriff: Man lying on home owner’s bed arrested for burglary, vandalism

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Michael Lee Smith

Michael Lee Smith

A Claxton man who appeared to be under the influence of drugs was found lying on a home owner’s bed in a house on Edgemoor Road on Thursday, and he was arrested on burglary and vandalism charges, authorities said.

The home owner found Michael Lee Smith, 31, of Old Edgemoor Road, inside the home when he returned home at about 6 a.m. Thursday, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said. The resident said his van and motor home had been both burglarized and vandalized, a press release said.

The rear door of his home had also been damaged but it appeared secure, so the home owner did not initially believe anyone had entered his house, Sheriff Paul White said in the press release. [Read more…]

Two caught while carrying items from home after burglary, sheriff says

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Dustin Adam Bunch

Dustin Adam Bunch

Two men were caught carrying items from a home right after an alleged Thursday afternoon burglary in Marlow, authorities said.

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a burglary-in-progress call on Pine Ridge Lane off East Wolf Valley Road near Clinton at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday. A neighbor had reported two men breaking into a nearby home, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said. [Read more…]

Guest column: Celebrate safely during proms, graduations

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Paul White

Paul White

It’s that time of year again. Proms, graduations, and other events mark the end of the school year. Memories of these wonderful occasions will be with our youth for the rest of their lives.

Our young students headed to the prom and from graduations are reminded not to drink and drive. Deputies with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department will be out in force on prom nights and after graduations. DUI, illegal drugs, and underage drinking will get you a stay at the county jail.

The Sheriff Department also reminds teens that getting caught drinking while under the age of 21 can result in losing a driver’s license, getting suspended from school, ejected from sports teams, and even banned from graduation ceremonies. [Read more…]

Meet mayor, sheriff candidates at AARP today

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aarp-sheriff-mayor-candidates-0414-300x250

The local AARP chapter has organized an event today that will allow voters to meet candidates for Anderson County mayor and sheriff.

It starts at 1 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Senior Center. Those who attend are encouraged to bring a snack.

Candidates for mayor include the incumbent, Terry Frank, a Republican first elected in August 2012; her GOP opponent, Commissioner Zach Bates; and Democrat Jim Hackworth, a former state representative. [Read more…]

Sheriff: Investigators arrest three, find four pounds of pot, seize two vehicles

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Sheriff Paul White and Wells Road Drug Raid

Anderson County Sheriff Paul White says investigators found about four pounds of marijuana, hash, and suspected prescription narcotics during a drug raid in Claxton on Thursday. Two vehicles and electronic items were seized, and three people were arrested. (Submitted photo)

Investigators found about four pounds of marijuana, hashish, and suspected prescription narcotics during a drug raid in Claxton on Thursday, authorities said. Three people were arrested, and two vehicles were seized.

Investigators also found drug paraphernalia at the home at 105 Wells Road, and they seized electronic items along with items used to process marijuana for resale, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said in a press release.

Investigators with the Sheriff’s Special Operations Unit obtained the search warrant for the home after an investigation into illegal drug activity. [Read more…]

ORPD officer resigns to focus on campaign for sheriff

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Randy Myers

Randy Myers

Note: This story was updated at 3:48 p.m. April 11.

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Randy Myers is resigning so he can focus on campaigning full-time for sheriff.

His last day on the job will officially be Tuesday, April 15.

“We’re campaigning full-steam,” Myers said Thursday. “We’re fully committed.”

Myers, 48, started with the ORPD in 2007. He is a Republican candidate for Anderson County sheriff in the May 6 primary election, where he has one opponent, Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper Anthony Lay. The primary winner will face the incumbent, Sheriff Paul White, a Democrat, in the Aug. 7 county general election.

[Read more…]

Sheriff White has meet-the-candidate fundraiser Tuesday

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Paul White

Paul White

Anderson County Sheriff Paul White has a meet-the-candidate fundraiser on Tuesday.

The fundraiser is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Holiday Inn Express on Hillvale Road near the Clinton/Norris exit off Highway 61.

“Refreshments will be served,” a press release said. “Bring your family and friends.”

For more information, contact the campaign at [email protected] or https://www.facebook.com/paul.white.31.

Anderson County primary deadline Thursday at noon

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Information from WYSH Radio

The deadline to qualify as a candidate in any of the races on the ballot for Anderson County’s May 6 primaries is at noon Thursday.

Here is a look at who has qualified so far:

  • So far, only incumbent Judge Don Elledge has qualified to run for his seat as criminal and circuit judge.
  • Five people have qualified to run in the hotly-contested Juvenile Court judge primaries. Two Democrats—J. Michael Clement and David Dunkirk—are seeking the nomination, while three Republicans—Victoria Bannach, Lauren Biloski, and Brian Hunt—have qualified to seek their party’s nod to run for the seat in the August general election.
  • Brandon Fisher, the current Juvenile Court judge, had qualified to run for the Democratic nomination for chancellor, a seat coming open due to the retirement of William Lantrip, but he announced just a couple of weeks ago that he will be dropping out of the race to join a company in Pennsylvania. On the Republican side, Mike Farley and Phil Harber have qualified to appear on the May ballot. [Read more…]

Sheriff White seeks re-election

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Paul White

Paul White

Sheriff Paul White is seeking re-election as Anderson County sheriff. White was first elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2010.

White is a veteran law officer with 38 years of experience, a press release said. His first five years were with the Oliver Springs Police Department, where he served as a police officer and patrol sergeant. The remaining 33 years have been with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, where he advanced through the ranks from patrol deputy to commanding the Patrol Division and Court Services.

During his career, White had the opportunity to hold almost every position within the Sheriff’s Department and at one time was appointed “acting sheriff,” the release said.

“Having served under the last five administrations, Paul White had the unique opportunity to observe and utilize many ideas and practices as to how the Sheriff’s Department could best serve the needs of Anderson County,” the release said. [Read more…]

Man allegedly fires handgun at renters, surrenders after eight-hour standoff

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Gregory Allen Denton

Gregory Allen Denton

The Anderson County man who surrendered as officers prepared to use tear gas after an eight-hour standoff that started on Batley Road early Wednesday morning had fired a handgun at his renters, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Gregory Allen Denton, 50, of Batley Road, had allegedly assaulted Benjamin Emory, 47, inside the home and then fired a shot at him, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said in a press release. Denton is also accused of shooting at Emory’s girlfriend, Angela Badgett, 45, as she fled from the home. Neither Emory or Badgett were shot.

Deputies responded to the shots-fired call near Oliver Springs at about 3 a.m. Wednesday. When they arrived, they found Emory injured from the assault on the rear porch and took him to safety. Emory was treated by Anderson County Emergency Medical Services, White said. [Read more…]

Myers announces Republican candidacy for Anderson County sheriff

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Randy Myers

Randy Myers

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Randy Myers has announced he will run for Anderson County sheriff in the May 6 Republican primary.

Myers is the second Republican candidate to announce he is running for the seat now held by Sheriff Paul White, a Democrat, in the 2014 election.

In a press release, Myers said he has been a law enforcement officer for 24 years and has worked as a patrol officer, criminal investigator, domestic violence officer, hostage negotiator, Crisis Intervention Team officer, and public relations officer. [Read more…]

Anderson mayor used lawsuit agreement to settle scores, sheriff says

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Anderson County Detention Facility Expansion

The salary dispute between the Anderson County mayor and sheriff focused on the spending to hire up to 36 new jailers to staff a 212-bed expansion that is still under construction at the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton.

CLINTON—He had reserved comment until a judge signed an order resolving a staffing dispute, but then Anderson County Sheriff Paul White accused Mayor Terry Frank of using a lawsuit agreement to try to settle perceived political scores—and he came to the defense of the two county officials that Frank attacked Friday.

“Sheriff White regrets that Mayor Frank has used the settlement of the salary suit, which (she) could have used as an event to set a more civil tone in Anderson County politics, as an opportunity to attempt to settle perceived political scores with Law Director Jay Yeager and Anderson County Commissioner Myron Iwanski,” the sheriff said in a Monday afternoon press release, after the lawsuit order had been signed by Knox County Circuit Court Judge Dale Workman. “Sheriff White cannot express how much he believes that Director Yeager and Commissioner Iwanski are decent and selfless public servants and that the people of Anderson County are lucky to have such competent and dedicated individuals working for the efficient operation of their government. [Read more…]