Cherokee Bison Herd on the Increase

It’s a girl! It’s been only six months since the Cherokee Nation acquired bison from the Dakotas, but there’s already been a special delivery.  The Cherokee Nation’s first bison calf, a healthy female, was born in the early morning of April 8, weighing in at 90 pounds. Eight more have been born since then on 200 acres the herd is kept on in Delaware County. More are expected by June.

The calves are acclimating well and staying close to their protective mothers in more wooded areas right now. “The birth of these spring calves is an excellent sign for the growth of our bison herd. It means the herd has settled into its new home and they are flourishing,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “The reintroduction of bison to the Cherokee Nation is significant because it allows our people to reconnect with an important chapter in our history, when bison were essential to our daily lives.”

Although bison are associated more with the Great Plains tribes, herds ranged from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Coast and Cherokees used bison as a food source until colonization.  Its skins were used for blankets, hair woven into belts and horns carved into utensils. That breed of bison was nearly extinct after European contact.

Last fall the Cherokee Nation received a herd of 38 cows from the Badlands National Park in South Dakota and 12 bulls from Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. The relocation was possible through an agreement with the InterTribal Buffalo Council. It’s the first time the Cherokee Nation has raised a herd of bison in its 14-county jurisdiction in decades. The tribe had a few bison near Tahlequah to promote tourism in the 1970s. The herd currently stands at 59 bison. The tribe hopes it will grow to at least 200. About a thousand acres is available for the herd, and additional lands will be opened up as it expands.

The tribe’s Natural Resources department oversees and cares for the bison. To ensure the health and vitality of the herd, the Cherokee Nation will conduct yearly genetic testing on the herd and keep records on each animal.“The herd is doing great since relocating, and each bison has already put on about 150 pounds,” said Bison Herdsman Chris Barnhart. “It’s great to see these new calves being born and the public driving by to get a glimpse of them.”

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Crash Sends Tahlequah Man to Hospital

A one-vehicle crash at 10:57 p.m. Saturday in Cherokee County sent a Tahlequah man to the hospital. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) reported Kevin Yazzie, 45, was driving a 1998 Ford Explorer on State Highway 51 about two miles west of Tahlequah when he left the road to the right and struck a culvert. Yazzie was Lifeflighted to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa where he was listed in stable condition with leg and arm injuries. The OHP trooper who investigated the accident said the cause of the accident was that Yazzie was sleepy.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Counterfeit Securities

The U.S Attorney’s Office in Muskogee announced Friday that a Georgia man, arrested by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper on Interstate 40 in Sequoyah County in October, has plead guilty to possession of counterfeit securities, a crime punishable by not more than 10 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 or both. The charges against Tory Derrel Larkins, 30, of Lithia, Ga., resulted from an investigation by the OHP and the U.S Secret Service.

The Indictment alleges that on Oct. 9, Larkins possessed counterfeit securities - counterfeit checks purported to be genuine checks of MTW Creations LLC, drawn on an account at Bank of America. According to the OHP report, Larkins was driving east on I-40, and was clocked at 78 miles per hour in a 70 miles per hour speed zone. He was stopped by the OHP trooper at the 299 eastbound marker. The trooper noticed Larkins was nervous, his hands were shaking uncontrollably and his stomach was quivering. Larkins gave the trooper several stories about his travels while seated in the OHP car, then reached into a pocket and pulled out some gift cards and told the trooper they were gift cards. When the trooper asked to see the cards, Larkins stuck them back into his pocket and refused to hand them over, even after several requests to do so. He also would not remove his hand from his pocket, suggesting to the trooper that he may have been searching for a weapon. When the trooper demanded Larkins remove his hand from his pocket, Larkins refused, according to the report. The trooper physically removed Larkins from the patrol car and told him he was under arrest. According to the report, Larkins refused to comply and continued to struggle with the trooper on the ground. Larkins made several attempts to pull away, and would not comply with the trooper’s commands. At about that time a second trooper arrived to assist, and Larkins was taken into custody. The investigation revealed Larkins was allegedly driving without a valid license, was driving a third-party expired rental vehicle, had several computers and printers, along with over 60 alleged counterfeit checks, some of which had been denied and some of which were used to purchase the gift cards.

U.S. Judge Kimberly E. West accepted Larkins’ guilty plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report.  Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion.  The defendant will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Wilson represented the United States in the case.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Clinton James Jones Pleads Guilty

The U.S. Attorney’s office in Muskogee announced Friday that Clinton James Jones, 34, of Sallisaw, entered a guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Punishment includes 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The charge resulted from an investigation by the Sallisaw Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The indictment alleges that on March 14 Jones, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a gun and ammunition. U.S. Judge Kimberly E. West accepted Jones’ guilty plea and ordered a pre-sentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion. The defendant remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Wilson represented the United States in the case.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Man Shot by Game Warden Identified

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has released the name of an Arkansas man killed by a game warden Sunday in Adair County. The man is identified as Billy Joe Patrick, 29, who is believed to have been wanted on an Arkansas warrant for a parole violation. According to authorities, Patrick was shot by an Oklahoma game warden at about 11:10 a.m. Sunday at a pond near Bunch in Adair County, just north of the Adair-Sequoyah County line. Reports did not identify the game warden, but reported he stopped to talk to three fishermen and asked to see their fishing licenses. Patrick’s name came back with the warrant attached, and when the warden attempted to take Patrick into custody, the two became involved in a fight, then fell into a pond. According to the reports, Patrick attempted to hold the game warden’s head under water, but the warden fought free, surfaced, and shot Patrick, who died at the scene. It was not reported what the other two fishermen were doing at the time. The warden was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital. The head of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation requested the OSBI to investigate, and the OSBI report will be turned over to Adair County District Attorney Brian Kuester to determine if the shooting was justified. Kuester is district attorney for Adair, Sequoyah, Cherokee and Wagoner Counties.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Wildlife Officer Involved in Shooting

According to officials, a shooting took place on Sunday in the Sanders Flats area involving an officer.  A release stated that three people fishing were approached by a state wildlife officer, who asked to see their fishing licenses.  He discovered that one of them had a warrant out of Arkansas for a parole violation.  The officer then attempted to take the man into custody, at which time the suspect began to struggle with the officer, causing both of them to fall into the pond.

The man tried to hold the officer's head under water but the officer fought his way above the water and shot the suspect.  According to the release, the man died at the scene.  The wildlife officer received minor injuries.  He was taken to a local hospital where he was treated.

The OSBI was requested by the Wildlife Department Chief to investigate the shooting.  The release stated that the name of the man killed will not be released until notification has been made to next of kin.  The name of the officer involved will not be released by the OSBI unless he is arrested or charged with a crime.

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Georgia Man, Arrested Here, Pleads Guilty to Possession of Counterfeit Securities

The U.S Attorney’s Office in Muskogee announced Friday that a Georgia man, arrested by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper on Interstate 40 in Sequoyah County in October, has plead guilty to possession of counterfeit securities, a crime punishable by not more than 10 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 or both. The charges against Tory Derrel Larkins, 30, of Lithia, Ga., resulted from an investigation by the OHP and the U.S Secret Service.

The Indictment alleges that on Oct. 9, Larkins possessed counterfeit securities - counterfeit checks purported to be genuine checks of MTW Creations LLC, drawn on an account at Bank of America. According to the OHP report, Larkins was driving east on I40, and was clocked at 78 miles per hour in a 70 miles per hour speed zone. He was stopped by the OHP trooper at the 299 eastbound marker. The trooper noticed Larkins was nervous, his hands were shaking uncontrollably and his stomach was quivering. Larkins gave the trooper several stories about his travels while seated in the OHP car, then reached into a pocket and pulled out some gift cards and told the trooper they were gift cards. When the trooper asked to see the cards, Larkins stuck them back into his pocket and refused to hand them over, even after several requests to do so. He also would not remove his hand from his pocket, suggesting to the trooper that he may have been searching for a weapon. When the trooper demanded Larkins remove his hand from his pocket, Larkins refused, according to the report. The trooper physically removed Larkins from the patrol car and told him he was under arrest. According to the report, Larkins refused to comply and continued to struggle with the trooper on the ground. Larkins made several attempts to pull away, and would not comply with the trooper’s commands. At about that time a second trooper arrived to assist, and Larkins was taken into custody. The investigation revealed Larkins was allegedly driving without a valid license, was driving a third-party expired rental vehicle, had several computers and printers, along with over 60 alleged counterfeit checks, some of which had been denied and some of which were used to purchase the gift cards.

U.S. Judge Kimberly E. West accepted Larkins’ guilty plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report.  Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion.  The defendant will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Wilson represented the United States in the case.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Clinton James Jones Pleads Guilty

The U.S. attorney’s office in Muskogee announced Friday that Clinton James Jones, 34, of Sallisaw, entered a guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Punishment includes 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The charge resulted from an investigation by the Sallisaw Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The indictment alleges that on March 14 Jones, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, possessed a gun and ammunition. U.S. Judge Kimberly E. West accepted Jones’ guilty plea and ordered a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion. The defendant remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Wilson represented the United States in the case.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Rep. Bennett Praises Passage of Bill to Protect Religious Rights

State Rep. John Bennett (R-Sallisaw) on Wednesday praised the House passage of a bill to protect pastors who participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies. Senate Bill 788, which Bennett co-authored, provides pastors and churches with legal protection for acting in accordance with their religious beliefs. It is similar to House Bill 1007, also co-authored by Bennett.

“There is a movement on the left to persecute pastors and churches to the point that they must accept whatever the societal norm is of the day,” Bennett said. “We must pass laws to protect their First Amendment rights and their religious rights as Christians. Just recently the Muslims demanded a Christian church take down a cross because it offends them. The city forced the Christian church to take the cross down. In another event as reported by the Washington Times, Coeur d‘Alene, Idaho, officials have laid down the law to Christian pastors within their community, telling them bluntly via an ordinance that if they refuse to marry homosexuals, they will face jail time and fines. I refuse to sit around and do nothing.  I am a Christian and I will protect religious freedom and I will support any law that protects our pastors and churches.”

The bill is as follows:

Language for SB788: An Act relating to marriage; amending 43 O.S. 2011, Section 7, which relates to solemnization of marriages; establishing exception to certain requirements; and providing an effective date.

E.  Unless otherwise prohibited by law, no person who is authorized by law to perform or solemnize a marriage shall be required to perform or solemnize any marriage in violation of his or her right to the free exercise of religion guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.  No church or qualified church-controlled organization, as defined pursuant to 26 USC 3121, shall be required to participate in a ceremony performing or solemnizing a marriage in violation of the religious beliefs of such church or qualified church-controlled organization.

The legislation is headed to the governor’s desk.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Annual Quilt Show Is Friday and Saturday

Get ready to say “WOW!” when attending the annual Sequoyah County OHCE Quilt Show, with Craft Table and Bake Sale that is being held Friday and Saturday at the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds, at the corner of Redwood and Shurley Streets in Sallisaw. The needlecrafts of those whose quilts are on display are the WOW factor at the show. The show will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $2.

The show also offers a lunch on Friday for $7. The menu includes turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, a salad, rolls, dessert and drink. Saturday’s menu offers sandwiches, chips, a dessert and drink, which will be individually priced.

The homemakers will also be giving away a Butterfly Applique quilt. Quilt tickets are $2 each or three for $5.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Arvest Bank Is Chamber Member of the Month

Arvest Bank was named the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month at the chamber’s membership luncheon on Wednesday. Shannon Vann, left, presented the award to bank representatives, Dale Phelps, second from left, loan officer; Jessica Taylor, assistant branch manager; and Chris Ward, branch manager. The meeting was held at People Inc. in Sallisaw.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Motorcycle Rider Succumbs to Injuries

A 48-year-old motorcycle rider has died of injuries suffered in a crash that occurred April 15 on Interstate 40 in Sequoyah County. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) reported Russell Sunday from Burns Flat died from his injuries on April 19. Sunday was riding a 2000 Yamaha motorcycle west on I40 when, for an unknown reason, he ran off the road to the left, laying the motorcycle on its side, the OHP reported. Sunday was transported to Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith where he was admitted in critical condition with head and internal injuries.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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ODOT Officials Talk About Highway 59 Project

Casey Shell, Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) chief engineer, and Darrin A. Saliba, above, ODOT Div. 1 engineer, talked about the U.S. Highway 59 project at the monthly membership luncheon meeting of the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. Shell and Saliba said the primary purpose of the project was safety, and was decided upon after data about the number of accidents on the highway was collected. ODOT, Shell said, “has to focus on safety.”

Questioned by chamber members and residents along the highway, Shell and Saliba said the accident information was available from ODOT, and from State Sen. Mark Allen (R-Spiro). Residents say the project, to widen the highway to four lanes and replace Hog Creek bridge, is taking too much rights-of-way from residents along the highway and will impact businesses in Sallisaw where the widened highway intersects with Cherokee. Shell and Saliba said that intersection could be looked at again, but accidents on the intersection of Highway 59 and State Highway 101 north of Sallisaw were ninth highest in the division. Division 1, based in Muskogee, includes Adair, Cherokee, Haskell, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Sequoyah and Wagoner Counties. Also, Saliba pointed out, the bridge over Hog Creek, although apparently sturdy, is over 80 years old and is too narrow.

Saliba said a 1999 engineering study about a truck bypass route around the north and west sides of the city showed that solution to be too costly. “The benefit wasn’t high enough for the cost,” Saliba said.

The engineers said the project has been delayed by about 18 months due to the high cost of relocating the utilities. The City of Sallisaw is concerned about the cost, for which the city must pay, of moving telecommunication and electric lines. The city is to be reimbursed for the $2 million required to relocate the water and sewer systems, but will not be reimbursed for the $700,000 to relocate power and telecommunication lines. Shell and Saliba said ODOT is working with the city on the funding for the relocation. When told the city may never have the money to move those utilities, Shell and Saliba said ODOT could possibly loan the city the money for the relocation. Shell said, “We will look at ways to minimize the impact.”

Earlier at the meeting, Arvest Bank was named the Chamber Member of the Month.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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It's Scholarship Scramble Time

The annual Scholarship Golf Scramble to raise funds for Carl Albert State College (CASC) is May 16 at Shadow Creek in Sallisaw. Of the event sponsors, Larry Randolph, above right, with Charlie’s Chicken, is a hole sponsor this year. He is pictured with CASC’s Paul Marshall, left.

Marshall helps organize the scramble each year and shared, “It is time to work on your golf game and get ready for the annual scramble. We will have fun, food, drinks, prizes, and of course 18 exciting holes of four-person scrambling golf.”

Marshall said, “CASC students and staff get a price break of only $40 that includes green fee, cart, food, drinks, etc., so we hope to see some CASC folks out competing.”

Marshall concluded, “We always appreciate our sponsors and all the golfers who help make this event successful.  We are able to provide scholarships to Carl Albert students with the proceeds from this event.”

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Woman Hospitalized after Crash in Adair County

A crash at about 9:48 p.m. Monday resulted in a Stilwell woman being hospitalized and two young children being treated and released at a Stilwell hospital, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) reported. The OHP reported Kenneth Canoe, 42, of Stilwell was driving a 2007 Dodge pickup on a county road south and west of Stilwell when he went left, then overcorrected to the right and struck a tree. A passenger in the pickup truck, Tiffany Jones, 29, of Stilwell was flown to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark., and admitted in stable condition with head and leg injuries. A 2-year-old female passenger and a 3-year-old male passenger were treated and released. The OHP reported the cause of the crash was driving under the influence.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Local Students Awarded Scholarships

The Cherokee Nation Foundation announced last week the scholarship recipients for the 2015-16 academic school year. More than $134,000 is being awarded to eight high school graduates and 56 current university students.

Applications were evaluated based on academic achievement, community and culture involvement, and future plans to serve the Cherokee people.

"We are always impressed with the quality of the applications we receive, and this year was no exception," said Janice Randall, Cherokee Nation Foundation executive director. "These students have worked incredibly hard for their academic success thus far, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to help support them in the years to come."

Scholarship recipients from Sequoyah County are:

-Cynthia Bedford, Oklahoma City University, Cherokee Scholars

-Dawson Floyd, Crowder College, Cherokee Scholars

-Shelby Floyd, Carl Albert State College, Cherokee Scholars

-Hunter Hall, Muldrow High School, Cherokee Scholars

-Gideon Hallum, Muldrow High School, Cherokee Scholars

-Brett Howard, University of Arkansas/Fort Smith, Cherokee Scholars

-Emily Jeremiah, Muldrow High School, Cherokee Scholars

-Paige Jones, Muldrow High School, Cherokee Scholars

-Katlynn Kent, Central High School, Cherokee Scholars

-Cole McCrary, University of Oklahoma, Cherokee Scholars

-Gretchan Moore, Oklahoma State University, CNF/Oklahoma State University Scholarship

-Maggie Rogers, Oklahoma State University, Bill Rabbit Legacy Art Scholarship.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Library Appreciation Reception Features Local Musician

Herschel Parker, seated, singer and songwriter from Fort Smith, performed at a Library Appreciation Reception held Monday at Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library in Sallisaw. Parker sang some of his own compositions about the history of the area and some old favorites by George Strait, John Denver, Willie Nelson, and Glen Campbell. Parker was introduced by Carrol Copeland, standing, president of the Sallisaw Friends of the Library, which hosted the reception. Those attending the reception, held in conjunction with National Library Week, were served punch and cupcakes.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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