Cherokee Council Approves $731.3 Million Budget

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council approved a $731.3 million comprehensive budget for fiscal year 2015 during a special meeting Thursday. The new fiscal year, starting Oct. 1, will include a $73 million increase from the initial $658.2 million comprehensive budget passed last August. "This body worked diligently to ensure the Cherokee peoples' needs would be met through the 2015 budget, and I firmly believe we have constructed a budget that will do just that, " said Tribal Council Speaker Tina Glory-Jordan. "Through increased motor vehicle tax revenues related to the car tag expansion, new grants, contract health care and other sources of funding, the Cherokee Nation is able to increase funds for more services that will benefit thousands of Cherokees."

Cherokee Nation's Education Services will see a $2.5 million increase in college scholarships for Cherokee students. Other programs receiving an increase in funds include $890,000 more to help with special projects and contributions to communities, $800,000 more for the day training program, $275,000 increase to the summer youth employment program and $150,000 more for vocational assistance. The fiscal  year 2015 budget also includes $200,000 for a new adult language program that will help adults gain proficiency in the Cherokee language and a new $150,000 emergency assistance program that will help citizens in need.

The comprehensive budget included a $650,000 budget increase for the Citizens Access to Transparency budget for a total of $800,000 in fiscal year 2015. That increase provides free one-year Cherokee Phoenix subscriptions to Cherokee Nation households with current addresses both in jurisdiction and at large. 

The next Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Sept.15 at the W.W. Keeler Complex in Tahlequah. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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

 

Lost Man Caused School Lock-down

A man wandering on the campus of Marble City School Thursday morning, who caused the school to implement a lock-down, was simply lost, Sequoyah County Sheriff Ron Lockhart said. Lockhart said the man was found north of the school. He told the sheriff he was from Locust Grove and had been dropped off near the school. Lockhart said, "He was about 40 or 50 years old. He wasn't drunk or anything. He was simply lost. He didn't know where he was. He apologized and said he was sorry." Lockhart said they supplied the man with water and gave him a ride north to the county line. Lockhart added that the school did exactly as it was supposed to under these circumstances.

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

 

Sallisaw Man Faces Multiple Charges

A 20-year-old Sallisaw man faces multiple charges of second-degree burglary, larceny of automobiles, breaking into an automobile and grand and petit larceny when, from Aug. 15 through 17, he allegedly stole two golf carts, broke into two businesses, stole a pickup truck and a Chevrolet Trailblazer, which he "maliciously" destroyed. Chase Makay Patterson was charged Aug. 27 in Sequoyah County District Court with grand larceny, three counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of larceny of an automobile, malicious injury to property, petit larceny (a misdemeanor) and grand larceny. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Aug. 27, and his case is on District Judge Larry Langley's disposition docket Sept. 3.

According to court records and reports from the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office and the Sallisaw Police Department, Patterson is accused of stealing and driving, on Aug. 15, a 2002 Chevrolet Trail Blazer, whose owner was out of town. Sallisaw police reported finding the vehicle in a parking lot near downtown Sallisaw on Aug. 17, and the owner reported it stolen again. Sallisaw police were then informed that two golf carts may have been stolen from Shadow Creek Golf Club. When they went to the club, they didn't find golf carts but did find a white Chevrolet truck in the ditch at the intersection of Delaware Avenue and County Road 4640. The truck had been reported stolen from the Cherokee Casino in Sallisaw. One of the golf carts allegedly stolen from Shadow Creek Golf Club was found behind Patterson's and the other was found in a nearby ditch. An officer found a cell phone in one of the golf carts which proved to be Patterson's. 

Questioned later, Patterson, according to the reports, admitted to stealing the vehicles and breaking into the businesses. When an accomplice left him without keys to the stolen Trailblazer, Patterson said he went to the casino and stole the white pickup truck, but he got the truck stuck on the railroad tracks on Old Dump Road. He then walked back to the golf course and stole the golf carts. He said he had to steal the second cart after he got the first golf cart stuck. He also admitted to stealing the Trailblazer, which was wrecked but Patterson said he didn't remember where he wrecked the vehicle. After Patterson was arrested by Sallisaw police and was handcuffed behind his back in the waiting area while the officer was filling out his paperwork, Patterson managed to slip out of his handcuffs, according to the report. Two officers had to restrain Patterson so he could be handcuffed again. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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

 

OHP Out in Force

Department of Public Safety officials are encouraging safety for the Labor Day weekend as troopers participate in two nation-wide safety campaigns. Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over began Friday and will conclude Sept. 3 Col. Ricky Adams, Chief of Patrol, said. "Our troopers will be out in force this Labor Day weekend looking for impaired, intoxicated, and reckless drivers and boat operators. We will also be enforcing safety belt and child restraint laws. All of our efforts are focused on providing the public with a safe holiday." He noted Labor Day 2013 proved fatal for 12 people, three of whom were in alcohol-related collisions. One of the 12 fatalities was not wearing a safety belt and three were motorcyclists not wearing helmets. There were 43 injured people in alcohol-related collisions over the 2013 holiday weekend and 291 people were injured in 480 crashes state wide. The OHP encourages motorists to drive safe and sober, wear safety belts, and ensure all child passengers are properly restrained. Troopers ask citizens to report unsafe drivers or boat operators by calling *55 from any mobile device. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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

 

I-40 RV Fire Doused

According to the Roland Police Department at approximately 7:40 am this morning an RV was on fire in the East bound lane of I-40 at mile marker 328. The fire department along with other emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene. 

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

 

OHP Out in Force for Holiday

Department of Public Safety officials are encouraging safety for the Labor Day weekend as troopers participate in two nation-wide safety campaigns. Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over began Friday and will conclude Sept. 3 Col. Ricky Adams, Chief of Patrol, said. "Our troopers will be out in force this Labor Day weekend looking for impaired, intoxicated, and reckless drivers and boat operators. We will also be enforcing safety belt and child restraint laws. All of our efforts are focused on providing the public with a safe holiday." He noted Labor Day 2013 proved fatal for 12 people, three of whom were in alcohol-related collisions. One of the 12 fatalities was not wearing a safety belt and three were motorcyclists not wearing helmets. There were 43 injured people in alcohol-related collisions over the 2013 holiday weekend and 291 people were injured in 480 crashes state wide. The OHP encourages motorists to drive safe and sober, wear safety belts, and ensure all child passengers are properly restrained. Troopers ask citizens to report unsafe drivers or boat operators by calling *55 from any mobile device. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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

 

ACT Dates for Scholarship Announced

Carl Albert State College's ACT dates for scholarships have been announced. The testing will be at the Sallisaw and Poteau campuses. Testing will be at 9 a.m. on the Sallisaw campus and at 1 p.m. on the Poteau campus. Students are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the test time, and are required to have a picture ID and pencils, and they must know their Social Security number. An approved calculator may be used on the math test. The tests are for scholarship applications, not for college entrance scores. Test takers are asked to call the following numbers to pre-register: 918-775-6977 in Sallisaw and 918-647-1264 in Poteau. In Sallisaw they will speak with Tamara Wright, and in Poteau they will speak with Jessica Lloyd. The dates for the tests are: Sept. 2 and 9, Nov. 4 and 11, Dec. 2, Jan. 6, 13, and 27, Feb. 3, 10 and 17, March 3 and 10, April 7 and 21, May 12 and 19, June 16, and July 21 and 28. The test has a $40 fee. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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

 

Child Abuse Survivor Brings Important Message to County

Rodney Timms pulled into Sallisaw Thursday afternoon with an important message - the prevention of child abuse.  Timms, 60, of Oklahoma City describes himself as a child abuse survivor.  He said he not only wants to prevent child abuse,  he also wants to make the state's laws more strict when it comes to child abuse. 

Standing before the huge tractor-trailer rig he drives, Timms said the rig is a billboard, so to speak, to draw attention to the prevention of child abuse.  He coordinated his Sallisaw efforts with Sallisaw Police and the Child Advocacy Center.  Timms explained that, in the past four years, he took his "Protect Kids" trailer to the state capitol and to other events to draw attention to protecting children. "But this year I decided to go to all 77 Oklahoma counties," Timms said. He began his latest mission on June 6, and  Sequoyah County is number 51 on his county list. Timms, also described as a successful businessman, has received several commendations for his efforts on behalf of protecting children. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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

 

Muldrow Man Faces Child Pornography Charges

A Muldrow man was arrested Wednesday after law enforcement agencies received information from the Department of Homeland Security, and the office of the Oklahoma Attorney General regarding possible downloading, possession and distribution of child pornography. 31-year-old Kaelyn L. Sharp was arrested at the scene and booked into the Sequoyah County Jail. He was booked on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography. According to the Sequoyah County Sheriff, Ron Lockhart, his office worked in conjunction with the Muldrow Police, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General on the case, and obtained and executed the search warrant on Sharp's home on Wednesday. The search, assisted by the Internet Crimes Against Children division, uncovered numerous video clips of alleged child pornography. Sheriff Lockhart stated, "The Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office became an affiliate of the ICAC division of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation in order to help combat, and take a strong stance against, the illegal possession and distribution of child pornography." Sharp is being held without bail. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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

 

School Locked Down

Marble City School had a brief lock down Thursday morning when an unidentified male was seen wandering aimlessly on the school grounds. Sheriff Ron Lockhart and deputies located and took the man into custody, and the lock down was cancelled shortly after 10 a.m. More information on the incident will be published here when it becomes available. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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

 

Business, Jobs Assistance Discussed at Chamber

Darla Heller, development specialist with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, spoke to members of the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce, including Bob Wright, above, at the monthly Chamber Membership meeting held at Indian Capital Technology Center. Wright is the industrial coordinator at the technology center. Heller explained to the chamber members that the Department of Commerce has many programs designed to assist communities in attracting business and industry, and thus jobs. She noted that Sallisaw has already taken advantage of many of these programs. She encouraged business owners and community leaders to contact her about those programs, or any business-related problems they may have. Heller covers the 15-county area in northeastern Oklahoma. "I want to be your voice," Heller told the crowd. "My number one priority is rural Oklahoma." She said the Department of Commerce can lead businesses, whether new or old, in "the right direction," and the new department secretary, Larry Parman, is focusing on marketing Oklahoma to out-of-state businesses, hoping to attract them to locate in Oklahoma. Programs available, she said, include assisting with Community Development Block Grants, to helping businesses and industries access global markets. Heller may be contacted at 918-619-2482 or at darla_heller@OKcommerce.gov.

Chamber President Gary Winton reminded chamber members that the annual Kerr Lake Bassnanza fishing tournament will be held September 27 at Kerr Lake and offers $10,000 in prize money. For information on the tournament contact the chamber at 918-775-2558. Dr. Kathy Harrell from Carl Albert State College in Sallisaw, announced the college is sponsoring a Men's March, "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes," to combat rape, sexual assault and gender violence. The walk will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. October 29 in downtown Sallisaw. For more information call 9108-776-0002. The Sallisaw Main Street organization will hold their Cruizin' 64 featuring Cool Cars and Hot Chili, on October 11 in downtown Sallisaw. The event includes a car show, burn out, cruise night, a chili cook-off, T-shirts, concessions a carnival and Sallisaw's Got Talent. For more information visit www.sallisawmainstreet.com. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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

 

Sallisaw Chamber Member of the Month

The Chandler Collision Center in Sallisaw was named the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month at the chamber's membership luncheon Wednesday at Indian Capital Technology Center. Chamber President Gary Winton, left, presented the award to center owners Keith and Leonda Chandler. The collision center is east of Sallisaw on U.S. Highway 64 and the phone center number is 918-776-0606. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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

 

Sunday Plumb Named New Miss Cherokee



Sunday Plumb of Tahlequah was named the new Miss Cherokee Saturday at a leadership competition at Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Tahlequah. Plumb, 21, receives a $3,000 scholarship and will represent the Cherokee Nation as a goodwill ambassador for the next year. Above she is applauded by Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden, left, and Principal Chief Bill John Baker.

 A senior at the University of Arkansas, Plumb is the daughter of Loyal and Susan Plumb of Tahlequah. Plumb said after being crowned, "It's such an awesome feeling to be able to represent the Cherokee Nation as Miss Cherokee." Plumb is studying Animal Science at the University of Arkansas. She is a member of the Native American Student Association and volunteers for Girls Scouts of America. She enjoys gathering traditional foods, shooting blow guns, weaving baskets and making Cherokee tear dresses. For her cultural presentation, Plumb performed a detailed explanation on the history and cultural significance of the tear dress. Her platform tackled the issue of low graduation and retention rates of Native Americans in college compared to other ethnicities. She wants to start a program that gives current Cherokee college students the ability to speak to high school juniors and seniors about what they can expect in a college environment, both socially and academically. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director



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

 

Wreck Sends Keota Man to Hospital

An 80-year-old Keota man was hospitalized in Fort Smith Tuesday morning after his vehicle struck a tree off State Highway 9. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported Charles Coble was driving a 2003 Dodge west on Highway 9, one-tenth of a mile east of Keota in Haskell County, when the vehicle left the road to the right, struck a sign and then a tree. The wreck occurred at 5:32 a.m. Coble was transported by Haskell EMS to Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith then transferred to St. Edwards Mercy Medical Center where he was admitted in stable condition with a head injury. The OHP reported the cause of the crash was an unsafe speed on a curve. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

.

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

 

Lockhart Elected VP of Sheriff's Association



Congratulations to Sheriff Ron Lockhart for being elected as second vice president to the Oklahoma Sheriff's Association at the OSA Banquet August 15 in Oklahoma City. Sheriff Lockhart served as the Southeast board member last year prior to being elected to second vice president. Lockhart was also the OSA 2013 Sheriff of the Year. "It was an honor to be elected to the position to represent 77 sheriffs in Oklahoma," stated Sheriff Lockhart. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

 

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

 

Webbers Falls Voters Pass $1.325 Million School Bond

 

Webbers Falls voters went to the polls earlier today to vote on a $1.325 million school bond issue. The bond passed with unofficial totals of 232 votes for the bond and 72  votes against. Officials had noted that the bond money would be used for improvements in the school district's technology, buildings and security. Specific building improvements consist of a secure entry point into the school, a decorative awning over the main entrance, a special education room, library updates, the replacement of flooring and carpeting. 

 

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

 

Vian Man Accused of Shooting Girlfriend in Face

An 18-year-old Vian man is being held in the Sequoyah County Detention Center in Sallisaw, on a $15,000 bond, after allegedly shooting his girlfriend in the face. Charges filed against Tyler Wayne Coles on August 21 are assault and battery with a deadly weapon, feloniously pointing a firearm and reckless conduct with a firearm. According to the Vian police, Coles allegedly shot his girlfriend in the face on August 16. Police reported the young woman suffered wounds to the face and to the lower jaw, where some shot embedded in the jaw bone, and which are expected to require surgery to repair. Coles allegedly used a .22-caliber revolver loaded with birdshot. Coles was arraigned on the charges August 20, when he pleaded not guilty. His case has been set on District Judge Larry Langley's disposition docket, when it will be determined if the case should continue to jury trial or not. Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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