Monday, December 30, 2013

Colorado Fugitive Captured In Roland

It was announced Sunday by the U S Marshal's office that they arrested Harry Mapps, who is sus- pected in the slayings of three people in Colorado.  Mapps, 59, was captured at a hotel near Inter- state 40 in Roland.  He was wanted on charges of first degree murder in the shooting deaths of three people, plus arson.

The shootings took place on November 27 at a residence outside the small town of Rye in Pueblo County located in southern Colorado.  It is believed by officials that the house where the three bodies were discovered was set on fire to try and cover up the shootings.

Mapps signed the extradition waiver Monday morning at the Sequoyah County Courthouse.  Accord- ing to Sequoyah County Sheriff Ron Lockhart, it will now take four to five days for Colorado law en- forcement to transport him back to Colorado, where he will be tried.

Mapps, a former handyman, was one of the country's most sought-after fugitives.

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No Arrest In Central High Area Shooting

 There are no plans to arrest the 95 year old man who shot and killed a Van Buren man over the weekend, according to Sequoyah County Sheriff Ron Lockhart.  The District Attorney's office, who now has the case, will make the decision of whether or not charges will be filed.

The 95 year old suspected shooter has been identified as Douglas Vaden who resides in the Central High area near Sallisaw.  The man killed was Clinton McCormick, 29 of Van Buren.  For the past three years McCormick's mother, Teresa McCormick, has worked for Vaden as a live-in caretaker.

On the day of the shooting McCormick's girlfriend, Erica Holder, accompanied him to Vaden's resi- dence to speak with his mother.  Upon arrival Holder stayed in the vehicle while McCormick went to talk to his mother who came outside.  She then saw Vaden come out of the house at which time the mother spoke to the elderly man, who then went back in only to return with something in his hand.  Holder at that time rolled the window down and heard McCormick's mother say "If you want to shoot somebody then shoot me".  Holder got out of the car and saw the mother being pushed out of the way by McCormick before Vaden shot him.

The investigation is ongoing and the decision on how to go forth with the case will be made by the D. A.'s office Lockhart said.

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Franklin Will Not Seek Further Counsel

Sallisaw Chief of Police candidate, Terry Franklin confirmed last week that he will not seek further legal counsel in his appeal against his opponent in the race, Sandra Girdner.  A hearing was held Thursday at the Sequoyah County Courthouse to present evidence for an appeal filed by Franklin against the Sequoyah County Election Board and Sallisaw Police Detective Sandra Girdner.

District Judge Mike Norman decided he would review the evidence presented, then make his decision Friday morning.  Judge Norman contacted both Franklin and Girdner's attorneys, Chip Sexton and Fourth Scofous, respectively, with his decision to allow Girdner to continue to run.

Two weeks prior, the Sequoyah County Election Board ruled on an appeal filed by Franklin that Sandra Girdner would remain eligible to run and her name be left on the ballot.  This was a decision made based off the Sallisaw City Charter.

Back on December 5, Franklin filed a protest against his opponent in the race for Chief of Police, Sandra Girdner, due to "residency requirements to run for Chief of Police".  Franklin stated "Ms. Girdner has resided at her residence off McCoy Ford Road for the last eight years".  Article 2 Section 3 in the Sallisaw City Charter which addresses specifically the Chief of Police, states "No person shall be eligible to the office of Chief of Police of the City of Sallisaw unless he has been a resident of the City for at least one year prior to his election".

In the appeal filed by Terry Franklin, the word PRIOR is what was in question.  Mr. Franklin said "While I respectfully disagree with the court's ruling, I am going to continue my campaign for Chief and will let our voters decide on February 11, 2014".

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Friday, December 20, 2013

Heavener Soldier Killed

An announcement was made Thursday by the Department of Defense that a soldier from Heavener has been killed.  Chief Warrant Officer Randy L. Billings, 34, was among six killed in a helicopter crash.  The crash happened December 17 in Now Bahar Afghanistan.

It has been confirmed by the Army that the soldiers died Tuesday when the Black Hawk UH- 60 they were in went down in Zabul during a mission.

Military officials said that they don't know if it was a mechanical failure occurred or if the helicopter was shot down.  The crash is under investigation.

Billings was assigned to the 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division Fort Riley, KS.

In August, some 2,000 soldiers were sent to Afghanistan for a nine month deployment by the 1st Division Combat Aviation Brigade.  They were replacing 3rd Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade.

The soldiers were killed while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

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Friday, December 13, 2013

Willie Nelson Concert Rescheduled

The Willie Nelson Fayetteville concert has been tentatively rescheduled for Tuesday March 4 at the Walton Arts Center.  The performance, originally set for November 26, was postponed due to an accident involving Nelson's tour bus.  Although Nelson was not on the bus at the time of the crash, three of his band members were injured.  One suffered an ankle injury, another sustained injury to his hip and the third member had rib injuries.

In 2012 Nelson cancelled a show scheduled to be held at the Ft. Smith Convention Center due to lack of ticket sales.

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

4 Dead In Shooting Near Alma


A domestic disturbance resulted in a deadly shooting Tuesday afternoon in Crawford County.  The incident happened at a home at 2127 Old Rudy Road north of Alma just before 3 p.m.  According to Sheriff Ron Brown there were four people reported dead, one of which is identified as Tim Adams, the shooter.

The incident started when Adams' daughter pulled into the driveway with her boyfriend, a four month old boy and a four year old girl.  Adams then shot and killed the boyfriend deputies said.  According to Brown, they believe he then shot the four month old who was in a carseat.  At that time the woman grabbed the infant and ran to the house while Adams was shooting at her, missing her.  After that, de- puties said, he shot and killed the four year old girl who was in the front yard.

A little while after that, Adams was in the backyard talking to deputies on the phone.  Brown said the shooter had his back to the deputy.  He then put the phone down and turned around.  He was holding a shotgun at which time he shot himself.

There was another child at the home during the incident who was unharmed, along with Adams' dau- ghter.

According to county property records the home belongs to Tim and Regina Adams.  Public director- ies show that same address as that of Adams Roofing.

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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Area Christmas Parades

Below are the locations, dates and times for area Christmas Parades:

Gore - Saturday, December 14th at 11:30 am

Muldrow - Saturday, December 14th at 5:30 pm
Roland - Saturday, December 14th at 12 pm
Sallisaw - Saturday, December 14th at 6 pm
Tahlequah - Saturday, December 7th at 6 pm

Vian - MONDAY - December 16TH at 6 pm
Webbers Falls - Saturday, December 14th at 10 am

Monday, December 2, 2013

Muldrow Girl Sells Design To GAP

GAP, a popular clothing retailer has ordered 15,000 units of a T-shirt design from Danielle Kling of Muldrow.  Kling is a graphic design student at University of Ark -Ft. Smith.  She made the design as part of a project in her Digital Illustration class.  Students submitted designs into a weekly contest.  They would submit them on Threadless, an online clothing retailer, which sells designs that are creat- ed by online users.  GAP partnered with Threadless to sell the website's clothing merchandise at se- lect GAP locations.

Even though Kling's design did not win the contest, she received an email from GAP showing interest in buying her design.  It took several months after she signed the contract to hear anything back from them, but approximately seven months after receiving the first email, she received a royalty check in the mail.

Kling got the idea for her design while at her house working on sketches for her project.  She notice a spider outside her window that had been there for almost a week.  Kling began to think about the spi- der building a web.  Thus came her design, a blue print diagramming a spider web titled "Web Con- struction".

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Monday, November 25, 2013

Click It Or Ticket Campaign Begins This Week

This Thanksgiving holiday there will be a concentrated effort by state and local law enforcement offi- cers to watch for drivers and passengers not wearing their seat belts.  This will be carried out espe- cially along Interstate 40 during the heaviest traveled hours of the holiday.  It will begin November 26 to December 1.

Oklahoma State Police will join with other state such as Arkansas, Texas and Tennessee in assign- ing a trooper to every 20-mile stretch of I-40.

Nationally in 2011, seat belts saved almost 12,000 lives according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics.  52% of 21,253 passengers killed in 2011 in vehicle crashes nationally were not wearing seat belts.

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Willie Nelson Concert Postponed

The announcement of a postponing of the Willie Nelson concert scheduled for Tuesday, November 26 was made by the Walton Arts Center Saturday.

The reason for the postponement is that the bus on which the Willie Nelson band was riding was in- volved in an accident on Interstate 30 outside Sulphur Springs, Texas.  The incident happened early Saturday morning when the tour bus driver was trying to drive in heavy rains and winds, causing the bus to spin out of control and hit a bridge pillar.

Three band members were hospitalized.  One has an ankle injury, another suffered a bruised hip and the third has a cracked rib.  According to Nelson's website, no one was seriously injured and all are expected to fully recover. There were five band members and the driver on the bus at the time of the accident.

Their four dates remaining in November are postponed.  The tour will be resumed in December as scheduled.  Ticket holders are to hold all tickets until further information is announced, officials said.

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Panama Teen Shot Over Weekend

At approximately 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon, a 16 year-old boy from Panama was shot on Pierce Rd on the way back from a camping trip.  According to Panama Police Sargent Andrew Bevil, the victim was with a 14 year-old friend.  The friend tripped, causing his gun to fire hitting the 16 year-old in the neck.

Bevil said the victim was flown immediately to St. Francis in Tulsa by medical helicopter where he was listed in critical condition Sunday morning.

No arrest has been made or charges filed.  Bevil said the incident is being investigated as an acci- dental shooting.  The District Attorney will decide if any charges will be filed after receiving the case.

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Friday, November 22, 2013

Sallisaw Tag Agent Charged With Exploitation

Owner of Sallisaw Tag Agency, Carol Wood, has been charged with one felony count of exploitation against Sallisaw resident, Gladys Walters.  Wood, 56, was arrested Wednesday after an ongoing investigation showed Wood had taken more than $80,000 from Walters, age 94, a resident of Seq- uoyah Manor Nursing Home.  Wood held power-of-attorney over Walters from 2007 until 2011, ac- cording to an affidavit filed by Detective Sandra Girdner of the Sallisaw Police Department.

District Attorney Brian Kuester filed the case earlier this month.  Wood is scheduled to appear in court on November 27 at 1:30 p.m. before Special Judge Larry Langley.  Wood is currently out on a $3,000 bond.

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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Muldrow Father & Son Lose House To Fire

Early Wednesday morning about 3 a.m., a call was received regarding a house fire located on Hwy 64B just north of Muldrow.  When crews arrived, flames were shooting out of the home and an SUV parked in the driveway was on fire.  The residents, a father and son, were both home but got out safely along with the family dogs.

According to Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Fuller with the Maple Rural Fire Department, it is believed the fire started in the chimney, spreading to the attic.  It then went across the metal roof due to the wind.  Fuller said the house was a total loss.  He also said the location of the house made it very challenging for the crews to get to.  It sits on a hill approximately a quarter of a mile from the road with a narrow driveway that has a creek running across it.

Muldrow, Liberty and Maple fire departments along with Sequoyah County deputies were on the scene of the fire.

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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Crack Down On Seat Belt Use

This Thanksgiving holiday there will be a concentrated effort by state and local law enforcement off- icers to watch for drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts.  According to an Arkansas State Police news release, this will be carried out especially along Interstate 40 during the heaviest traveled hours of the holiday.  It also stated the Arkansas State Police is teaming up with other states such as Oklahoma, Texas and Tennessee in assigning a trooper every 20-mile stretch of I-40 during those hours.

In 2011, three people died and two hundred forty-nine seriously injured in vehicle accidents in Arkan- sas during the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the news release.

Nationally in 2011, seat belts saved almost 12,000 lives according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics.  Fifty-two percent of 21,253 passengers killed in 2011 in vehicle crashes nationally were not wearing seat belts.

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Monday, November 18, 2013

Moffett Business Owner Arrested

Jason Tuck, owner of the Outer Zone in Moffett, was arrested Friday by Ft. Smith police.  Deputies stopped the pickup truck in which Tuck, 39, was riding due to the driver, Jessie R. Wilson 58, was allegedly breaking several traffic laws.  Drug-sniffing dogs were called to the scene after deputies spoke with the occupants of the vehicle.

A 45 caliber handgun was turned over by Tuck before the search began.  He was found to have three ounces of methamphetamine in his front pocket later during a search.  He also had a pain pill and fifty packages of suspected synthetic marijuana, authorities said.

Investigator Phillip Pevehouse with the Sebastian County Sheriff's office said this arrest was the lar- gest they have done so far in Sebastian County or the Ft. Smith area of K2 or synthetic marijuana.

Tuck was taken to the Sebastian County Detention Center on suspicion of possession of metham- phetamine and synthetic marijuana, as well as simultaneous charges of possession of a firearm & drugs and refusal to submit to arrest.  According to the sheriff's office, Wilson was arrested and he faces charges of driving while under the influence of drugs.

Tuck's business, advertised as selling smoking equipment and novelties, was raided last year during a drug raid.

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Spiro School Bus Rear-Ended

Oklahoma Highway Patrol said last week a truck side-swiped a vehicle in the city limits of Spiro.  The truck them proceeded onto Hwy 271 near Hamilton Circle where it rear-ended a Spiro Public Schools bus.  According to school officials, at the time of the accident there were twelve students on the bus including ten elementary students.

The driver of the vehicle told the OHP that he doesn't know how or why the accident occurred due to he blacked out.

No one was injured and there is no word as of yet if the driver will be cited.  An investigation is being conducted by the OHP.

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Friday, November 15, 2013

Daniel Fears Not Allowed To Change Facilities

In a special court hearing Thursday, District Judge Jeff Payton ruled that Daniel Fears will not be allowed to change treatment facilities from a secured facility in Vinita to an unsecured facility in the Grand Lakes area.

Fears is serving two consecutive life sentences after a jury found him guilty on multiple charges in connection to Sequoyah County shootings in 2002.  On  October 26 of that year Fears went on a fifteen minute, cross country shooting spree in Sallisaw.  He wounded eight people and killed two other people.  Fears was eighteen years old at the time.

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Sallisaw Chief Of Police To Retire

The Sallisaw City Commissioners held a special meeting late last week to consider the resignation of Sallisaw Chief of Police, Shaloa Edwards.  The meeting convened at 9 a.m. the morning of the meet- ing, at which time the Commissioners elected to enter executive session to speak on the matter.  Al- most an hour later, they reconvened in public session. 

The Commissioners voted unanimously to accept Chief Edwards' resignation.  They also approved paying Edwards a gross amount of $19,978 for accrued vacation time and what would have been his salary from November 30 of this year until April 14, 2014. Edwards' last day in office will be November 30, 2013.

He was first elected to office in 2005.  His seat is up for re-election in Oklahoma's annual municipal elections in February 2014.  At this time, there has been no word on who the interim Chief of Police will be.  Sallisaw Mayor Shannon Vann said the commission has until Edwards' last day to decide.

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Thursday, November 7, 2013

Couple Identified In Stand-Off



The Roland couple that were arrested after a stand-off with police have been identified as Jason Pearson, 49 and Andrea Brittingham, 46.

According to Roland Police Chief David Goode, Wednesday at approximately 8:20 p.m. a call went in to police regarding a domestic dispute with possible shots fired at a residence on Countryside Lane.  Seven Roland officers and a Sequoyah County deputy responded.  When they arrived they found the highly intoxicated Pearson with a gun.  At around 8:45 p.m. the stand-off was over and the couple were arrested without incident.

Officers seized approximately ten guns.  There were no injuries reported.

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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Muldrow Man Missing

Over the weekend, Albert Eugene Mears from Muldrow left to go metal detecting and has not been heard of since.  His family said he left without his cell phone.  He was wearing a white t-shirt and jeans and was driving a 2008 black Toyota car.

Mears' daughter, Donna Casey, said this is the first time anything like this has happened.  Sequoyah County Undersheriff Roger Fuller said they've checked everywhere, along with the family.  Mears is believed to be out of the county.

They are about to celebrate their fifty-eighth wedding anniversary Mears' wife, Helen, said and the idea of him not returning home scares her.  She thought maybe he had had a wreck or something.  She also said she figured they would probably know where he was at or get a phone call from him.

Mears has no serious medical problems the family said.  His bank account records are being moni- tored.  However there's been no activity.

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Water Resources Reform Passed

The US House of Representatives passed Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 with overwhelming bipartisan support this past week by a vote of 417-3.  WRDDA brings extraordinary reform through cutting the red tape of federal regulation and clearing the path for increased efficiency and competition in our nation's water infrastructure system.

Congressman Markwayne Mullin said in a release late last week that people often believe water infra- structure doesn't directly impact them if they do not live near a port or a waterway.  But on the contra- ry, many of the products Oklahomans rely on each day are transported by ports and waterways.  Such products include food, clothing and appliances.  Without an up-to-date water infrastructure sys- tem, these products no longer move efficiently and sometimes not at all.

Oklahoma's water infrastructure alone plays a critical role in global competition.  With the McClellan- Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) Oklahoma is connected to the rest of the nation and the world, while having a $2 million daily impact on Oklahoma's economy.

WRRDA not only means an empowered economy with less federal regulation, but it also means jobs for Americans.  As a member of Congress who is actually creating jobs in the private sector, this is huge.  Thirteen million jobs depend on water infrastructure.  WRRDA is pro-business legislation that will partner with the private sector and result in greater efficiency and accountability.  

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Thursday, October 24, 2013

100 Roland Students Sick (Updated)

Wednesday more than one hundred students were out of school in Roland due to high fever and vomiting.  The school's cafeteria was inspected by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, according to Leslea Bennett-Webb with the department.  Everything was inspected and the depart- ment has ruled out any food-borne illness.

Bennett-Webb said only nine students had symptoms Tuesday, but as of Wednesday that number escalated to more than one hundred students and thirteen adults.

It is likely a virus that spreads from person to person, according to the Health Department.  Parent Tara Keach said she thinks maybe it's a virus.  Her son has a runny nose and upset stomach.

The Health Department stated that the school contacted them for the inspection.

- - - UPDATED 3/27 10:03 - - -

This would be where we would write the update to the story is there was anything else to report or if there were any new developments.

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

71 Yr-Old Pilot Found Dead At Crash Site

Ray Broadbent of Heber Springs has been found at the site where the plane he was piloting cra- shed.  A signal believed to be from the transponder of the plane was picked up Thursday by rescue crews in Leflore County.  The team received a strong signal near the border of Pushmataha County where the plane was found three miles off Indian Hwy in K Trails rugged terrain, according  to Leflore County Sheriff Rob Seale.  He said the wings were off and debris was scattered pretty far, with one piece in a nearby tree.  Most of the plane's body lay on the ground in the woods.

Leflore County deputies, Civil Air Patrol, Okla. Hwy Patrol and volunteers from local fire departments assisted in the search in the air and on the ground.

Dardee Broadbent, the pilot's wife, reported to the FAA Tuesday that her husband was missing.  She had been unable to contact him.

Broadbent took off Monday around 1:30 p.m. from Scearcy heading to Elk City, OK.  He had not checked into his Elk City hotel.  The last known radio contact with the pilot was at 8:03 p.m. Monday, Sheriff Seale said.  According to FAA record, Broadbent was traveling at approximately 105 mph when contact was lost.  The aircraft was a single-engine Piper and is reliable and has never had any problems, Dardee said.

Broadbent was 19 when he received his pilot's license.  He flew commercial planes for Pan-Am and owns three planes in Sceary.


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Couple Killed In Plane Crash Identified

The pilot and passenger on board the 1997 single engine Piper Saratoga that crashed near Huntsville Monday have been identified as Ivan and Adina Williams, husband and wife, owners of Williams Con- struction Company in Pryor, Oklahoma according to officials.

Monday afternoon emergency crews and law enforcement agencies searched for several hours in an area approximately twelve miles south of Huntsville for a possible plane crash.

According to flight records at 11:01 a.m. a single-engine plane left Sylacauga, Alabama heading to Claremore, Oklahoma.  Air traffic control was notified by the plane's operator that the plane was ex- periencing problems.  The operator never checked back with air traffic controllers, according to the Madison County Sheriff's office.  The plane was suppose to have arrived in Claremore around 3 p.m.

The plane, according to officials, was losing altitude near Huntsville.  It was flying at approximately 156 knots or about 170 mph when the aircraft was last seen on radar.  Phyllis Turner, who lives near the search area, said she heard a boom between 2:10 and 2:30 in the afternoon.

The search was resumed Tuesday at 7 a.m.  The last place crews had looked on Monday was be- tween Mountain Road and Ball Creek Road near St. Paul.  The plane was found early that morning, according to Robert Loeher with the Civil Air Patrol.  About eighty people from agencies in Benton, Madison and Washington County assisted in the search.  The U. S. Forest Service, Game & Fish Commission and the Arkansas State Police from Troop L in Springdale also responded.

From 1968 to 1972 Ivan Williams, 63, majored in industrial management at the University of Arkan- sas.  He has owned Williams Construction since 1977 which laid the concrete structure for the BOK Center in Tulsa.

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Man Arrested For Gans Store Robbery

The Sequoyah County Sheriff's Department arrested James A. Reed, 50 from Gans, for the armed robbery of the Git-N-Go in March.


According to Sequoyah County Sheriff Ron Lockhart, the suspect entered the Git-N-Go on March 24 a little before 10 p.m.  He locked the store employee in a cooler, at gunpoint.  He then left with an unknown amount of money.  There was no one injured in the robbery.

Surveillance video of the robbery was viewed by investigators.  They suspected the robber was either an employee or former employee at the convenience store.  An employee, Sissy Crow, said Reed is the husband of a former employee.  She said he was at the store all the time.  He knew where every- thing was and everyone's schedule.

According to records, in July Reed had been booked into the Sequoyah County Detention Center on charges of lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child and two counts of rape by instrument.  He will now also be charged with aggravated armed robbery, Lockhart said.

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Monday, October 14, 2013

Sallisaw Man Killed By Train

Michael Crabtree, 20 of Sallisaw, was killed Saturday evening when he was struck by a train as he was attempting to cross the tracks near the intersection of Cherokee & Wheeler.  There was a carni- val going on nearby.

According to eyewitness Tawaun Smith, the rails were going down as the train approached.  She then saw Crabtree walking by the barricade and the train blew its horn.  He just leaped in front of the train.  Smith said she guessed he must have thought he could make it.

Police Captain Bo Gabbert of the Sallisaw Police Department said that the Police Department and Union Pacific Railroad authorities are investigating to determine what happened in the moments be- fore Crabtree darted in front of the train.

The driver of the train has not been issued a ticket and is not expected to be cited in the accident, according to the authorities.

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Friday, October 11, 2013

Train Speeds Increase

Union Pacific Railroad has notified the City of Sallisaw that it plans to increase train speeds through the city beginning November 1, 2013.

In an excerpt from the letter written to the city's officials, Union Pacific states, "The Union Pacific tracks through your area are Class 4 track, for which the speed limit for freight trains is 60 miles per hour.  Although we have in the past restricted speeds over this track to 35 miles per hour for various reasons, we will increase the speed to 50 miles per hour.  Weekly speed increases of not more than 5 miles per hour will start on November 1, 2013 and will be 50 miles an hour effective December 1, 2013.  The speed increase will start at Mile Post 525 to Mile Post 526.2.There are 8 crossings in this area.  These crossings include Dogwood, US 59 or Wheeler, Oak, Elm, Maple, Hickory, Washington and Adams in downtown Sallisaw."  This according to the city's website.

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2 Elections In Sequoyah County

Two elections took place Tuesday, October 8 in Sequoyah County, one for the Vian Public School and one for the Gore Public Schools.

Vian Public School's school board election was for the vacated seat no. 3 position.  The candidates running were Sherry Pack-Pickles and Ed Barton.  The winner by a margin of 185 to 98 was Ed Barton.

The Gore Public School NO TAX increase bond divide into two separate proposals.  Proposal 1, being for $300,00 will go towards designated repairs, updates to the facilities and technology updates to meet current students needs, passed by a margin of 202 for and 67 against.  Proposal 2, being for $100,000 will go towards one late model route bus and other student/staff transportation vehicles, passed by a margin of 205 for and 67 against.

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Stabbing In Lake Tenkiller Area

Darrell Brown of the Vian area and Kevin Robinson of Gore were at a residence north of Vian and Gore, west of Fin & Feather, when the stabbing occurred.  The stabbing took place beginning with an argument between Brown and his mother.  It was regarding how much money she owed him for pur- chasing groceries for her on his food stamp card, according to Sequoyah County Sheriff's office De- puty Monty Davis.

Brown is accused of stabbing Robinson once in the abdomen with a four-inch blade.  Robinson is now recovering at St. Francis Hospital where he was life-flighted after the altercation.  He is in improving condition.

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Monday, September 23, 2013

Mobile Home Fire In Sallisaw


At around 9:30 a.m. Friday morning, the Sallisaw Fire Department responded to a fire at Ramm's Mobile Home Park in Sallisaw.  A mobile home on the east side of the mobile home park, facing the Cherokee Casino, caught fire.  The mobile home was burned on the backside of the structure.  The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

The City of Sallisaw also responded to cut electricity to the mobile home to avoid an explosion.  There were also four vehicles from the Sallisaw Police Department, three trucks from the Sallisaw Fire Department and an EMS that responded.  The EMS responded due to minor burn injuries on the homeowner's hand.  The Fire Department worked hard and quickly to extinguish the fire.

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Friday, September 20, 2013

Vehicle Fire in Muldrow



(Muldrow)- At approximately 11:31 am on Friday, September 20th, Muldrow Fire Department responded to a dispatch call for a vehicle fire.  The fire was located at 507 Southwest 4th Street in Muldrow.  According to reports, the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames and was located next to a structure. Firefighters extinguished the blaze quickly.

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Power Outage due to Fire at Marble City Substation


(Marble City)- An electrical power outage occurred at approximately 7 am on Friday, September 20th, due to a substation fire.  According to a spokesperson with Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative the cause of the fire was due to a pole catching fire at the Marble City electrical substation.  The fire continued to burn causing major damage to equipment. The substation is located just west of the community. The outage affected residents in Marble City, Brushy, Dwight Mission, Pinhook Corner and other areas north of Sallisaw.  Utility workers worked for several hours to restore the power. 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Fire At Local Business

Last week, Sallisaw Fire Department responded to a fire at Don's Mobile Homes.  The fire was coming from a shop located in the back left corner of the business.  The shop contained vehicles and equipment, all of which could possibly have started the fire.

Sallisaw Police Department and the McKey Fire Department, along with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol were on hand, working hard to help with directing people out of the area safely and carefully.  No injuries were reported.

The Sallisaw Fire Department worked for over an hour to contain the fire.  They were still trying to discover the cause of the fire.

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Sallisaw Mother Arrested


Earlier last week, a Sequoyah County mother was arrested after her baby was left in a hot vehicle outside of the Walmart store in Sallisaw.  Christine Danielle McFarland, 25, is now facing a child endangerment charge, according to Police Chief Shaloa Edwards.

A call was made to the police department when a customer heard the 1 1/2 year-old girl crying in the car, Edwards said.  He believes the baby was in the vehicle for 30-40 minutes.  The baby was taken to a local hospital and is expected to be ok, according to Edwards.  McFarland told police she was preoccupied, however Edwards said she did take her four-year-old child into the store with her.  

The Department of Human Services is now investigating the incident.  Temperatures reached a high of 98 in the River Valley that day.

Edwards said McFarland was arrested back in December for allegedly not putting one of her children in school.

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New Half-cent Sales Tax


The new half-cent sales tax for Phase 1 of the new sports complex will become effective on October 1, 2013.

The sales tax will be dedicated to the construction of the first phase of the facility which will include utility extensions, four baseball fields, four softball fields, fencing, lighting, parking, concessions and restroom buildings. Cost estimates of Phase 1 are around $4.8 million.  The complex should be ready for play by the Spring of 2015.

Businesses in Sallisaw will be notified by the Oklahoma Tax Commission as to the official start date of the tax.

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Friday, August 30, 2013

2013 Kerr Lake Bassnanza

(Sallisaw, OK) The annual Kerr Lake Bassnanza bass tournament, presented by the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce, will be held on September 7th, 2013. $10,000 in prize money will be given out this year. For more information call 918-775-2558 or visit www.sallisawchamber.com.

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AAA Says Gas Cheaper This Year

Oklahoma motorists will pay less for fuel during the long Labor Day weekend than they did a year ago. AAA Oklahoma says Tuesday's national average price for regular gasoline is $3.54 per gallon. But the average price in Oklahoma is about $3.45 per gallon. That's 16-cents less than last year's $3.61 per gallon. Tuesday's national average price is nine cents less than a month ago and 21 cents less than the same day last year. AAA projects about 400,000 Oklahomans will travel more than 50 miles from home during the holiday.

For more information visit us at www.kxmx.com

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Amber Alert Cherokee County

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has issued an Amber Alert for a missing 3 year-old boy they say was taken by his father Tuesday evening.  The abduction happened around 8 p.m. at 15719 West Flint Rock Road just off Indian Road south of Tahlequah.

The mother told authorities that she was driving with 3 year-old Kegan Michael Manning and she thought someone was following too closely, so she pulled over.  She said three vehicles boxed her in and then Kegan's estranged father, 24 year-old Johnny Michael Manning, got out and banged on her window, threatened her and slashed her tires.

She told investigators that he tried to force her to write out a custody agreement, but she refused.  She said Johnny Manning took the boy at knifepoint and told her she would never see him again if she notified authorities.

The three vehicles are described as a white 2000 model Pontiac, a blue Chevy Blazer model year between 1985 to1990 and a red two-door car.  Investigators believe Manning is in the white Pontiac.

The sheriff's office says Kegan is wearing a gray Tasmanian Devil shirt and blue pants with an orange stripe.  Kegan is described as a white male, 3 feet tall, weighing 40 lbs., with green eyes and brown hair.

The detective in charge of the case said they pinged Johnny Manning's cell phone Tuesday shortly after 11 p.m. and that he was in Tulsa at the time.  Authorities say Johnny Manning's parents live in the Tulsa area and they are trying to make contact with them.

If you see Kegan Manning or know anything about his whereabouts, call 911. 

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Thursday, August 8, 2013

Identity Of Body Not Released


According to Sequoyah County Undersheriff Roger Fuller, at around 7:15 a.m. Wednesday morning a woman walking along the Hwy 64 overpass discovered a body near the Moffett stockyards.

The man, believed to be homeless, is in his 50's.  The undersheriff says they have identified the man, but are looking for family to notify before releasing his name.

Steve Martin, who stays at the Salvation Army, says hot temperatures can cause problems for homeless people.  However, the cause of the man's death is not known at this time.  No foul play is suspected by authorities, but the body is being sent to the state crime lab.

Captain Russell Clay with the Salvation Army said they are bringing people into the Salvation Army Diner who don't have homes or are hot and can't get anywhere.  They provide them with water to drink and allow them to get cooled down.

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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Upcoming School Board Election


August 13 is the Sallisaw School Board election.  Now is the time to request absentee ballots.  Ballots can also be obtained at the County Election Board office located at 110 E. Creek Avenue in Sallisaw.

All ballots must be sent into the Election Board by 7 p.m. on August 13 in order to be counted.

Ruling On Chief Edwards Given


In a story we brought you here earlier, Special District Judge Holli Wells has ruled in favor of Sallisaw Police Chief Shaloa Edwards. This ruling will reportedly make him eligible to return to his duties pending an upcoming city council meeting. Edwards was suspended for 90 days in March 2013 under accusations of inappropriately borrowing from a city cash fund. According to Sallisaw Mayor Shannon Vann the Sallisaw City Council will review the ruling and decide on any possible actions at the next council meeting to be held Monday night.

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Body Found Near Moffett



An investigation is being done by the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Department of a body of a homeless man discovered Wednesday around 7:15 a.m.

A woman was walking along the Highway 64 overpass when she saw the body near the Moffett stockyards, according to Sequoyah County Undersheriff Roger Fuller.

According to authorities, no foul play is suspected.  However, the body will be sent to the state crime lab for an autopsy.

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Monday, August 5, 2013

Convicted Murderer On Loose In Adair County


According to Adair County Sheriff David Hardin, inmates Carlos Locust and Michael Pack overpowered an Adair county jailer at approximately 10:30 pm yesterday evening. Both inmates were able to escape. Pack was picked up about 4 hours after escape. However, Carlos Locust remains at large. Carlos is described as a 6' 2" Native American male, with brown eyes and brown shaved hair weighing approximately 220 lbs.

Locust was sentenced to life in prison for the 1st degree murder in June and was awaiting transfer to a state facility. According to reports, Locust along with 2 other individuals beat a man to death on an Adair County road.

Authorities have classified the escapee as armed and extremely dangerous. At present Adair County Sheriff's deputies, U.S. Marshall's and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol believe Locust is still within the area and are concentrating their search within Adair County at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to immediately call 911 or the Adair County Sheriff's Office at 918-696-2106.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Chemical Spill In Sallisaw



Around 11 a.m. Thursday, Sallisaw Police and Fire Department responded to a hazmat spill on the corner of Elm and Creek.  The spill was coming from a semi truck that was making a delivery in the downtown area.    The semi truck also contained a barrel of fertilizer.

A hazmat team from Tulsa responded to examine and clean the spill.  At this time it's unknown what the substance is.

The Sallisaw PD closed off a 1-2 block radius and the Sequoyah County Courthouse was evacuated.  100+ inmates were evacuated and relocated to an undisclosed area.

Officials asked everyone to stay away from this area.  No injuries have been reported.

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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Deadline For Absentee Ballots




According to Cindy Osborn, County Election Board Secretary, now is the time to apply for absentee ballots for the upcoming Sallisaw School Board Election.

The County Election Board can accept applications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. August 7.  Osborn said there is at least two mail transactions that  must be made.  One is that the County Election Board must mail
the ballots to the voter and the voter must return the voted ballots by mail.  She urges voters to apply early.

Absentee ballot application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 110 E. Creek
Sallisaw, OK 74955

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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Sallisaw NOW Coalition Hosting Run




Saturday, August 17 the Sallisaw NOW Coalition will be hosting a Back to School Color Run.  The run will start at 8a.m. at People, Inc.  Entry fee is $25 and all proceeds will go to help the family of Emerson Meredith.  Emerson is a two year old girl who was diagnosed with  high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia 
back on June 17.

Shirts for the event will be available for all runners that sign up before August 7.  Please mail or bring entry to Sharon Day - 205 JT Stites - Sallisaw, OK  74955 

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Friday, July 19, 2013

Fire Crews Respond to Springdale Fire

Earlier this week in Springdale, multiple ambulance and fire crews responded to a fire at Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies located at 914 N. Jefferson. Captain David Kissinger with the fire department said three workers at the facility were first taken to  Northwest Medical Center in Springdale with burn injuries. One was released and two, in critical condition, were flown by helicopter to a Missouri burn rehabilitation center, where one died from injuries. According to Assistant Fire Chief Kevin McDonald,  the fire started in a mixer during production. He also said the dust, associated with that type of process, resulted in some type of a flash fire that engulfed the three workers.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Sallisaw NOW Coalition Hosts Meeting


Coming up July 29th ,  there will be a Town Hall Meeting hosted by Sallisaw NOW Coalition. It is being held at People, Inc. Conference Center at 6 p.m.  The meeting will be addressing the issues and prevention tactics related to teen pregnancy. A light dinner and chances to win door prizes will be provided.
 

Muldrow Mans Tractor Stolen

Ed Lawson, of Muldrow, has had his 2012 John Deere 5093 4x4 tractor & baler stolen. Lawson said the thief had to drive the tractor off the property, located about 1 mile from the Maple Cemetery, because there's no way to get a big trailer in to load it onto. Sequoyah County Sheriff's office is investigating the theft.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Sallisaw Graduate Appointed as Special District Judge


Jenna Henshaw McBee, an attorney from Poteau, was recently appointed as the Special District Judge for Leflore and Latimer counties. She graduated from Sallisaw High School and is the daughter of A.J. Henshaw, a retired Sequoyah County Judge. Jenna, her husband, Matthew, and their son, Ethan reside in Poteau.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Phone Calls Suspected to be Scammer

Mulberry Mayor Gary Baxter is calling phone calls received by at least two people in the Mulberry-Alma area as suspicious. The caller, a person with an "East Indian" accent, made calls to two home phone numbers, one of which was that of an elderly person. According to a media release from the Mayor's office, the suspected scammer advised the residents that they were verifying information for a Medicare card change. The caller had the person's correct Medicare number, which they would ask the resident to verify along with other information such as address, bank, and bank account. They would then tell the person that they'll be issued a new card number, along with all the verified details. However, when the resident asked for the caller's phone number, they hung up.  Anyone receiving similar calls are advised by authorities to not answer any questions and contact their local law enforcement  immediately. You also should be aware of any calls that show up as unknown, blocked,  or private.