Blue Ribbons Available at Sequoyah County Fair

It’s time to get a pat on the back, and maybe a blue ribbon, for all that hard work in the garden, the kitchen, at the sewing machine, out in the barn and elsewhere.

That’s because it’s time for the Sequoyah County Fair.

The fair will be held Sept. 16 and 17 at the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds, and has open classes for the public, 4-H classes, a livestock show and a 4-H horse show.

Tony Yates, OSU Extension Education agent and 4-H director, said, “The county fair will give youngsters and adults the opportunity to show off their hobbies and projects. The open class division is open to any resident, of any age, in the county.”

The in-door non-perishable exhibits must be entered from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 15. Check-in for perishables is from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Sept.16.

Judging for both will begin at 10 a.m. on Sept. 16, and the exhibits will be open for public viewing from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 16. Exhibits will be open again for public viewing from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 17, and exhibitors must pick up their entries between noon and 1 p.m. on Sept. 17.

The livestock show will be held Sept. 17.

Animals are to be checked in at 9 a.m. Judging begins at 10 a.m. and the classes, in order, are market hogs, rabbits, poultry, market lambs, heifers, steers, and goats. The show concludes with two fun classes – the Kiddy Show and Stick Horse Rodeo.

The 4-H Horse Show begins with registration at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 17, and the show begins at 2 p.m. Classes are halter and showmanship at halter.

The open classes offer many opportunities for gardeners, cooks, and hobbyists of all sorts. Exhibitors may have only one entry per class.

The classes range from canned goods – fruits and vegetables, pickles and relishes, jams, and jellies - to dried foods. The baking division, from scratch, includes breads, cakes, cookies, pies and candies of all flavors.

The horticulture classes include everything from apples to zucchini.

Sewing and needlework classes are for clothing for all sizes and ages, quilting, crocheting and knitting. Creative stitchery is for embroidery, needlepoint, needle-punch, plastic canvas and counted cross-stitch.

Floral arrangements offer 20 classes for everything from fresh flowers, to driftwood and silk flowers.

The Arts and Crafts Division offers 27 classes for nearly every craft, from holiday decorative items to hand-made greeting cards.

The Art and Photography Section is for art work in any medium and photos in color and black and white.

For a complete list of the many classes, or for more information, contact the OSU Extension office in the Sequoyah County Courthouse at 918-775-4838.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Gore 5K, Fun Run, Cruise Night Are Sept. 17

The fifth annual Gore Chamber of Commerce 5K Run and Fun Run and the 14th annual Gore Cruise Night and Burnout will be held Sept. 17.

Lacey Jackson, race director, said the 5K and Fun Run will start at Gore Landing. The entry fee is $25, and packet pickup is at 7 a.m.

The burnout is held at the Steve Owens Sports Complex and begins at 5 p.m. Cruise Night follows on Gore’s Main Street.

The 5K awards prizes to the top three male and females in each age category. The 5K starts at 8:30 a.m., while the fun run gets a head start at 8 a.m. Members of the Gore Student Council help with registration. Runners may still register for the race through a link posted on the Gore Chamber Facebook page.

According to Jackson, nearly 350 entries have been received for the 5K and fun run. The first 100 to 150 entrants get swag bags, with items donated by Gore merchants.

The 5K offers a USATF certified course, and the Gore Chamber partners with the Cherokee Nation Wings Program for the event.

Jackson said, “The race has definitely grown since the first year. We have a lot of Wings members.”

She explained the certification by USATF means those runners who finish in a certain time are qualified for a national race.

The burnout offers trophies for prizes, and attracts many different vehicles including motorcycles, trucks and cars.

Food vendors will be available for the burn out and cruise night.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

For more news stories stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com

Vian Man Changes Mind during Robbery

A 60-year-old Vian man apparently changed his mind midway through his attempt to rob the Keys Bank of Commerce last week, told the bank employee, “I can’t do this,” then apologized and left the bank.

The suspect, Larry Scott Speer, was recognized on the bank surveillance video by Cherokee County Sheriff investigators Larry Lane and Chris Grizzle, both of whom are from Sequoyah County or have local connections.

Vian police were dispatched to Speer’s home Thursday evening. According to police reports, Speer then confessed, was arrested and transported to the Cherokee County jail.

His bond was set at $25,000, and he was still being held Wednesday. 

Police reported Speer entered the bank shortly after noon on Thursday and asked for a loan application. He took the application and left the bank, but returned about 20 minutes later. Speer then delivered a note to a bank employee in her office, not a teller. The note read, “I need $15,000.” Speer also showed the employee a handgun hidden in his belt.

The employee and Speer talked for a moment, then Speer seemed to have a change of heart.

Cherokee County Undersheriff Jason Chennault said, “He was saying ‘I don’t want to do this. I’m sorry.’ He took the note back and said, ‘I’m sorry. This gun’s not even real. I can’t do this.’”

Speer then fled the bank, to be sought by the sheriff’s deputies, the FBI and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

At Speer’s home, Vian police also confiscated the note and the hand gun, which turned out to be a BB gun.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Three Suspects Arrested in Drug Sting

Jason Linebarger

Jessica Mclinn

William Knight

Three suspects were arrested Tuesday as the results of an investigation by the Sallisaw Police Department and Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Department.

Sallisaw Police Chief Terry Franklin said that, through the efforts of both departments, officers were able to set up a drug sting and purchase methamphetamines from a suspected drug dealer.

Arrested were Jason Linebarger, 42, Jessica Mclinn, 27, and William Knight, 21. Franklin said the three suspects face charges ranging from conspiracy to commit a felony to distribution of methamphetamine.

After the three arrests, officers and deputies continued their investigation which revealed enough information to lead to a search warrant in LeFlore County. The Leflore County Sheriff's Office and the District 16 Drug Task Force with assistance of the Sallisaw Police Department and the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at the Jason Linebarger residence. Linebarger will now face additional charges in LeFlore County.

Franklin concluded, “The great team work with all the agencies is what made this such a successful operation.”

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Woman Charged with Taking Contraband into Jail

A 24-year-old Fort Smith woman was charged last week in Sequoyah County District Court with bringing contraband into a jail, and three other charges, after two small bags of suspected methamphetamines were found in her bra when she was being booked into the Roland jail.

Danielle Nicole Bonilla was also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license.

According to the Roland police officer’s report, filed with the charges, Bonilla was driving east on U.S. Highway 64 in Roland on Aug. 23 when she was stopped for a non-working headlight. A check of her license revealed it was suspended and that Bonilla was wanted on a felony warrant from Sebastian County.

Bonilla was arrested and taken to the Roland Police Department where she was searched by a female jailer. The jailer found the two small bags of crystal-like substance. Bonilla told the officers the substance was rock salt she and her boyfriend planned to sell as methamphetamine.

Later testing revealed the substance was methamphetamine.

Bonilla was booked and transported to the Sequoyah County Jail in Sallisaw.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Fall Cleanup Kicks Off Sept.19

Sallisaw’s fall cleanup begins Sept. 19.

All items must be separated and at the curbside no later than by 7 a.m. on Sept. 19. Brush, junk and metal must be stacked and piled separately.

City officials ask that items not be put at the curb until one week prior to pick up.

Do not stack any items near water meters, gas meters or fire hydrants.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prohibits the city from picking up tires, batteries, oil, paint or hazardous materials.

This service is for residential customers inside the city limits only. Any debris left from contractors must be disposed of by the contractor. The city will not pick up any debris left from land clearing of any type.

The city crews will go through each neighborhood only one time.

For more information contact city hall at 918-775-6241, or by email at cityofsallisaw@sallisawok.org.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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History to Help Save Rotunda, Build Park

The “History of Sallisaw Schools” is helping save the remnants of an old Sallisaw school.

Earl Strebeck of Sallisaw, a 1958 graduate of Sallisaw High School and a retired teacher, collected the information and wrote the history. The book is available for $25, and may be purchased by contacting Strebeck at 918-775-6281.

Strebeck has dedicated the proceeds from the sale of the history to the Old Sallisaw High School Association for the restoration of the old Sallisaw High School rotunda and the development of the adjoining park.

The organization is also planning a fall yard sale to raise funds. The sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 24 in the parking lot by the old band room on the old high school-middle school campus. Table space is available for individuals for a $10 donation. Those planning to participate must bring their own table. Those who want to participate may contact a committee member or visit the group’s Facebook page to reserve a space.

Donations are also accepted, and may be sent to P.O. Box 1698, Sallisaw, Oklahoma 74955.                                

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

For more news stories stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com