Oklahoma Rocks to Monday Earthquakes

Oklahoma got all shook up early Monday morning by earthquakes, the largest of which was felt in Sequoyah County.

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a 4.7 earthquake about 16 miles west-southwest of Medford.

The quake was at first recorded as a 4.5 tremblor but was later upped to a 4.7 shake, and was felt as far east as Sallisaw. Steve Rutherford, Sequoyah County Emergency Management director, said two persons reported the quake in Sequoyah County, one seven miles south of Sallisaw. The earthquake was reported as far north as central Kansas.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported it received numerous reports from residents in the Tulsa area and from over 2,000 in the Medford area.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported aftershocks at 7 a.m. and 7:41 a.m. near Perry, at noon east of Cherokee, and at 3:28 p.m. at Medford.

The 4.7 magnitude earthquake was reported to be the largest since 2011.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Filing Period for School Board Election Begins Dec. 7

Candidates for Boards of Education in 14 Sequoyah County school districts will file their Declarations of Candidacy over three days beginning at 8 a.m. Dec. 7, and continuing Dec. 8 and 9, Sequoyah County Election Board Secretary Cindy Osborn said.

Osborn said the official filing period ends at 5 p.m. Dec. 9. All candidate filings will occur at the Sequoyah County Election Board office, 110 E Creek Ave., in Sallisaw.

The school board positions at stake will be filled at the annual School Election on Feb. 9. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the total votes in this election, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will meet in a runoff election on April 5.

Offices for which Declarations of Candidacy will be accepted at the election board office are the following:

-Belfonte C-50—Office No. 2

-Brushy C-36—Office No. 2

-Central I-7—Office No. 1

-Gans I-4—Office No. 1

-Gore I-6—Office No. 1

-Liberty C-1—Office No. 2

-Marble City C-35—Office No. 3

-Muldrow I-3—Office No. 1

-Roland I-5—Office No. 1

-Sallisaw I-7—Office No. 1 and Office No. 4 (3-year unexpired term)

-Vian I-2—Office No. 1

-Moffett C-68—Office No. 2

-Braggs I-46—Office No. 1

-Vo Tech No. 4—Office No. 1

For more information contact the election board at 918-775-2614.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Armloads of Turkeys Given Away

 

MaryLynn Lufkin, director of Catholic Charities in Sallisaw, gave away armloads of turkeys with the help of donations from the public and in cooperation with KXMX 105.1 radio for Thanksgiving.

Lufkin thanked all those who donated for the holiday and reported Catholic Charities had only a few turkeys left by the end of Tuesday.

“Happy Thanksgiving,” Lufkin said. 

The Mix will continue working to help feed 1,000 people by collecting turkeys through our Turkey Drop Fundraiser.

KXMX will be accepting donations at the following places and times:

-Dec. 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Piggly Wiggly in Muldrow;

-Dec. 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Walmart in Sallisaw; and

-Dec. 18 beginning at 1 p.m. at Walmart in Sallisaw.

Donors may also drop off turkeys or any food items at KXMX radio at 333 S. Kerr Blvd. in Sallisaw between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Lufkin said Catholic Charities also needs help with the annual Angel Tree. Over 320 children are in need of gifts this year and only 150 have been chosen

Lufkin said, “We are hoping any organization or church will come in and choose blocks of angels for Christmas gifts. We need more help!”

Catholic Charities is at 409 N. Adams in Sallisaw. The phone number is 918-775-6111. The agency is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

 Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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'The Gift' Living Nativity Scheduled for Dec. 4, 5, and 6

“The Gift,” a Living Nativity, will be presented at Oakridge Assembly of God from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. each day Dec. 4, 5 and 6.

The church is on U.S. Highway 59 south in Sallisaw.

Nathan Lowrimore is the coordinator of the drive-through production and is busy setting it up.

“This is the fourth year,” he said, “and we build more on each year.”

This year, he explained, the production will have 10 stops with a narrator at each stop to tell the story about the birth of Jesus. Each scene is from that Bible story, and includes church members acting their roles in costumes of the time period hand made by the ladies of the church. The scenes are also decorated with live animals.

“We have donkeys and sheep,” Lowrimore said, “and some painted-on camels.” Camels are hard to find in Oklahoma so Lowrimore makes do with the wooden variety. “We try to make improvements each year,” he said.

About 80 members of the church assist with the Living Nativity, Lowrimore said, as actors, narrators, stagehands, behind the scenes, and serving the free coffee, cocoa and cookies to visitors. In case of bad weather, “The Gift” will be presented the following weekend.

Last year at least 150 cars drove through. The Living Nativity is free to visit, but Lowrimore said donations will be accepted if offered.

“But we’re not going to stop anyone from getting blessed,” he added. “Everyone is welcome. We’re just trying to get The Word out.”

And The Word is, of course, that Christmas is the celebration of the greatest gift, Jesus Christ.

 Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Sallisaw Shoppers Urged to 'SHOP SMALL'

The Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce is supporting the Shop Small campaign, the small business owners’ answer to Black Friday. Shop Small will be held nation-wide on Saturday, Nov. 28, following Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

Judy Martens, Sallisaw Chamber executive director, said, “Let’s follow the nationally advertised event of Shop Small on Nov. 28 by shopping with our small businesses here in Sallisaw. By doing this, we are being Vocal for Local at the same time!”

Martens said there are many reasons to Shop Small and support local businesses.

1. Every time you shop with a small, local business you are supporting several of them. Those business owners are very likely to again spend that money locally.

2. Your local Chamber of Commerce supports over 95 percent by the small businesses here in Sallisaw.

3. Your spending dollars in Sallisaw help create more jobs locally.

4. You get better service from shopping with the people you know.

5. These business owners live here. They take pride in their community.

6. Increase the services we must have in the community. Every time you shop, our tax dollars help create a better quality of life for the residents of Sallisaw. The cities in Oklahoma live and die by sales tax revenue. If you want good streets, plenty of police and fire protection, good utilities and many other services provided by the city, SHOP LOCAL on Nov. 28!

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Sallisaw Woman in Guarded Condition after Wreck

A Sallisaw woman was hospitalized after a head-on crash at about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) reported.

Leona Johnson, 67, of Sallisaw was reported in guarded condition at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, the OHP reported. Johnson was driving her 2011 Chevrolet on Wild Horse Mountain Road, south of Sallisaw and west of U.S. Highway 59, when she reportedly crossed into the opposite lane and hit a vehicle driven by Dakota Perkins, 50, also of Sallisaw, head on. Perkins was not injured, according to the OHP.

The Sallisaw Fire Department was called to free Johnson from her vehicle where she was pinned for about 45 minutes. She was then flown to the Fort Smith hospital. 

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Tax Payers Warned about Ongoing Scam

Carol Shupert of H&R Block in Sallisaw is warning tax payers about an ongoing scam that residents in Vian and Sallisaw are reporting.

The scam involves callers who say they are with the IRS and threaten the people they call with fines or jail if they do not send a payment.

Anyone who receives such a call should hang up immediately, according to the IRS website. Those who receive such calls may report them to the IRS by going to the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web page or by calling 800-366-4484. Scams may also be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by using the FTC Complaint Assistant on the FTC.gov web site. Please put IRS Telephone Scam in the notes.

The IRS continues to warn consumers to guard against these scam phone calls intent on stealing their money or their identity. The IRS offers the following information to protect consumers.

-The IRS does not call to demand immediate payment. The IRS does not require taxes be paid in a certain way, such as with a prepaid debit card, and will not ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone. Scammers make these unsolicited calls claiming to be IRS officials. They demand the victim pay a bogus tax bill and will try to con the victim into sending cash, usually through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer.

-The IRS does not demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount owed. The IRS does not threaten to call in the police or other agencies if the tax bill is not paid. Callers try to scare their victims and may use threats to intimidate and bully a victim into paying. They may even threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the license of the victim if they don’t get the money.

-Scammers may use ID spoofing, meaning they may alter caller ID to make it look like the IRS or another agency is calling. The callers may use IRS titles and fake badge numbers to appear legitimate. They may use the victim’s name, address and other personal information to make the call sound official.

-Scammers may also provide an actual IRS address where they tell the victim to mail a receipt for the payment, or use emails that contain a fake IRS document or IRS letterhead in emails or regular mail to make the ruse look official.

-Also, if you suspect the call, hang up immediately. Do not give out any information.

-If you think you owe the IRS call the IRS for assistance at 800-829-1040.

Scammers first tried to sting older people, new immigrants and those who speak English as a second language. Now the scammers try to swindle anyone, and they’ve ripped off people in every state.

These scammers have cost victims over $23 million. About 736,000 scam contacts have been reported since October 2013, and nearly 4,550 victims have collectively paid out over $23 million to the scammers.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Extra Security Provided for Memorial Service

“It was a very good service,” said those who attended the memorial for Master Sgt. Joshua Wheeler held Tuesday morning at Trinity United Methodist Church in Muldrow.

Master Sgt. Wheeler, originally from Roland and a Muldrow High School graduate, was killed Oct. 22 in a firefight with ISIS militants in Iraq’s Kirkuk province, where it was reported 70 hostages were to be executed. The Department of Defense reported the hostages were saved. Master Sgt. Wheeler is considered the first U.S. soldier killed in the war against the militant ISIS group.

Funeral services for Sgt. Wheeler were held last week at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. He is survived by his wife, four sons, his grandparents and five siblings.

The church was surrounded by various law enforcement officers after Sheriff Ron Lockhart was informed of a posting on the Internet by Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan. According to the church’s website, the church is “an old school, or Primitive Baptist Church”, who claim that “America is ‘deeply (irreversibly) corrupt,’” and “Thank God for 5 more dead troops.” The flyer continues, “We will preach to the living at their funerals in their home towns. . . .” The first name on the church’s “Roster of the Damned” is Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler of Roland.

Fearing there might be a demonstration and disruption at the memorial service, Lockhart called in other law enforcement agencies and many officers surrounded the church. They included officers from the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, the Roland, Muldrow and Sallisaw Police Departments, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol with a bomb-detecting dog that cleared the church and secured the site before the service. Officers also blocked alternative exits with their vehicles and at least one officer at the back of the church was armed with an assault rifle.

No protesters or demonstrators were at the service and as a final salute to Master Sgt. Wheeler, the police officers lined up in the church foyer as an honor guard at the conclusion of the service.

Lockhart said the extra security was because of the threat by the Westboro Baptist Church to demonstrate and “Just to be safe and respectful for the family of Sgt. Wheeler.”

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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City, Town Halls Close for Thanksgiving Holiday

Sallisaw City Hall will be closed on both Nov. 26 and 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no trash pickup on Thanksgiving Day. Thursday’s trash will be picked up on Friday. Residents are asked to have their trash carts at the curbside by 7 a.m. The Sallisaw landfill will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and will reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Friday.

The Gore Town Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Vian Town Hall will also be closed Thursday and Friday. Dumpsters will be emptied on Friday only.

Muldrow Town Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday. Thursday’s trash pickup will be on Wednesday, and no trash pickup will run on Thursday.

The Roland Town Hall will also be closed on Thursday and Friday.

The Gans Town Hall will be closed on Thursday and Friday, and trash will run as usual on Friday.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Tree Shuts Off Power to Paradise Hill

Power was restored to Paradise Hill near Gore at about 9:15 p.m. Sunday, after a tree fell on Cookson Hills Electric power lines earlier in the day.

A spokesman for Cookson Hills said a large tree, in a nearly inaccessible area, fell on power lines and broke several poles. It was believed the saturated ground and windy weather were responsible for downing the tree.

The spokesman said power was out for between 10 and 11 hours and about 600 customers were impacted.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Thanksgiving Celebrations

The following events have been planned by Sequoyah County communities and organizations for the Thanksgiving holiday week.

-Vian Baptist Church will be the site of the annual Thanksgiving Community Praise Service at 7 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 24).

-A free Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday (Nov.25) at The Shed, 100 E. Cherokee, in Sallisaw. The meal is sponsored by KIBOIS Community Action Partnership and Christians Caring for the homeless.

-A free Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 26) at Bubba’s Dairy Bar in Vian. For information call 918-773-3020.

-A free Thanksgiving dinner will be served from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 26) at the Brushy Community Center, east of Brushy School on 1010 Road.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Private Service Held for Sgt. Joshua Wheeler

Master Sgt. Joshua Wheeler, a native of Roland killed in Afghanistan on Oct. 22, was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery recently in a private funeral service.

A memorial service for Sgt. Wheeler, 39, will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 24 at Trinity  United Methodist Church on U.S. Highway 64 between Muldrow and Roland.

The service is under the direction of Tad Rhodes and Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw.

Sgt. Wheeler was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He is survived by his wife, four sons, his brother, Zack and Tammy Wheeler of Roland; four sisters, Tara and Jeremy Wade of Van Buren, Ark., Heather Quackenbush of Muldrow, Rachel Quackenbush of Cherokee, N.C., and Scotty Quackenbush of Roland; his grandparents, Lily and Jack Shamblin of Roland; the children of his brother and sisters, and many other relatives and friends.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Christmas Lighting Planned at Old High School Rotunda

The Old Sallisaw High School is being lighted for the holidays by members of the old Sallisaw High School Association.

A lighting ceremony, with refreshments, will be held Nov. 28. Refreshments will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the lighting will be at 6 p.m.

Association members said a tree at the center of the park and hedges have been strung with Christmas lights, and a Santa has been placed in a top window of the rotunda. 

The property now has surveillance cameras in place to deter any vandalism, which has plagued the property in the past.

“We are lighting up the old high school and everyone is welcome,” association members said.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Council Honors Edgmon; Approves Budget Increase

From the left, Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden, Senior Director of Nursing Sandie Hathcoat, Health Services Executive Director Connie Davis, Redbird Smith Health Center public health nurse Craig Edgmon and Principal Chief Bill John Baker. Edgmon is being honored for his efforts in saving an unresponsive patient.

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council met Monday and, during the meeting, Principal Chief Bill John Baker recognized Redbird Smith Health Center public health nurse Craig Edgmon for his heroic actions during a home visit, where he resuscitated an unresponsive patient.

The council also approved a $5.3 million increase to its 2016 comprehensive budget to $772.3 million. The increased funding up from $767 million comes from carryover funds, grants and other sources.

Nearly $1 million of the increase is designated for job training for clients in the Tribal Employment Rights Office, which negotiates for job slots for contractors doing business with the Cherokee Nation and refers certified Indian-owned businesses to fill those vacancies.

“The Cherokee Nation has never been more prosperous than it is today, and that is due to the financially sound practices of our employees,” said Tribal Council Speaker Joe Byrd. “Our employees do not simply rely on the guaranteed funding from the federal government or the dividend from our business arm, but they seek out grant opportunities and other sources in order to enhance our programs and better serve our citizens.”

The council approved the largest comprehensive budget in the tribe’s history at $767 million in September. The fiscal year 2016 budget is $35 million more than fiscal year 2015.

In other business, the legislative body confirmed the nomination of Junior Dewayne Littlejohn as a member of the Cherokee Nation Administrative Appeals Board. Littlejohn, of Stilwell, has served as a judge for the Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, Westville and Watts. 

The next council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 14, at the W.W. Keeler Complex in Tahlequah.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Clif's Pharmacy is Chamber Member of the Month

Mike Meece of Clif’s Pharmacy, above on the left, accepts the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month Award from Darren Girdner, chamber president, at the chamber’s lunch meeting Wednesday.

When presenting the award Girdner noted that Clif Meece, the late owner of the pharmacy, had a pharmacy in a local retail store for 25 years before opening a stand-alone pharmacy in 1997 at 505 E. Redwood. Meece died in December 2011, at age 76. “He treated us all like family and friends,” Girdner said about Mr. Meece.

The pharmacy is now owned and operated by his son, Mike Meece who is also a pharmacist.

Lyndsey Lamar-Owens, advisor with the Small Business Development Center, was the guest speaker and offered to conduct a free workshop for local businesses on how best to use social media.

She reviewed how to use Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, and Instagram.

The workshops, which begin in January, will be on “Google My Business” and are for small business owners. Participants should already have a Google account, and the workshop will show how to connect directly with customers and will teach how to show up on the web, find new customers, and set up a business profile with a map listing.

Chamber members also announced upcoming events.

Curtis Shumaker from Indian Capital Technology Center in Sallisaw announced an OSHA Class for construction and general industry. The cost is $25 per person. For an application email Jill.Brady@ictctech.com.

Bodyworks Spa & Salon is holding a Cans 4 Tans (& other salon services) Food Drive through Nov. 30. Donations of canned goods will earn discounts on tanning and other salon services. Call the spa for information at 918-790-3200.

Upcoming events include:

-Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. is the annual Christmas Lighting in downtown Sallisaw. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served and children may visit with Santa Claus in the library gazebo.

-Nov. 23 Entry forms will be available at the Sallisaw Chamber officer for the annual  Christmas Parade. This year’s theme is “Merry Christmas to Our Heroes.” Entry forms are also available for the Storefront Decorating contest. Trophies will be given to the winners in three districts in Sallisaw.

-Nov. 30 Storefront Decorating entries due at the chamber office. Judging will be from Dec. 1 through Dec. 4.

-Dec. 12 Shop Sallisaw Giveaway will be at noon on the lawn at the library. Shoppers must be present to win and have numbered tickets in hand.

-Dec. 12 Annual Christmas parade will line up at 5:30 p.m. on Choctaw Street. The parade begins at 6 p.m. Prize money will be given to the top three entries in each category.

For more information contact the chamber at 918-775-2558.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Allred Enters Not Guilty Plea to Embezzlement Charge

Jeffery Scott Allred, 41, entered a not guilty plea to a felony charge of embezzlement from Journey Church at his initial arraignment Wednesday in Sequoyah County District Court in Sallisaw.

Allred did appear in court, before Associate District Judge Kyle Waters, and his next court appearance for disposition of the case will be at 9 a.m. Jan. 6.

Allred is free on a $7,500 bond.

He was formally charged with embezzlement on Friday after an investigation by the Sallisaw Police Department.

According to the police report filed with the charge, “Allred was issued a Journey Church Capital One credit card to make purchases for the church in the event that he needed to. Allred was not authorized to make purchases for his personal gain.” 

A forensic audit called for by the church elders revealed that Allred allegedly submitted multiple receipts to the church that did not match the items purchased. The report alleges that some of the receipts were for large kitchen items that were not at the church but at the Allred pool house and some were for a golf cart, which the church does not have. The church has also filed a civil lawsuit against Allred to recover funds in excess of $10,000. In the civil lawsuit, attorneys for the church allege Allred made purchases for his own gain, and not for the church. 

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Former Minister Charged with Felony Embezzlement

The former minister at Journey Church in Sallisaw was charged Friday in Sequoyah County District Court with a felony count of embezzlement.

Jeffrey Scott Allred, 41, is accused of embezzling more than $10,000 from the church. A warrant was issued for Allred’s arrest Friday, and he paid a bond of $7,500 via a power of attorney through Allegheny Casualty Co. It is reported that Allred has moved from his home on Lennington Road in Sallisaw to Texas. He is scheduled to appear Wednesday in district court in Sallisaw to answer the charge.

The allegation was investigated by Lance Yoakum of the Sallisaw Police Department after a church member reported the alleged embezzlement. Yoakum met with the church’s board of elders who reported they hired a forensic auditor to look into the misuse of funds by Allred. The audit revealed that Allred allegedly submitted multiple receipts to the church that did not match the items purchased. The report alleges that some of the receipts were for large kitchen items that were not at the church but at the Allred pool house and some were for a golf cart, which the church does not have.

The report alleges, “Each receipt that Allred turned into the church was fraudulent and did not depict what Allred had actually purchased. Allred used the Journey Church credit card for each of these purchases and then deceived the members and elders of the Journey Church with the fraudulent receipts.”

The report continues, “Allred was issued a Journey Church Capital One credit card to make purchases for the church in the event that he needed to. Allred was not authorized to make purchases for his personal gain.”

The following allegedly fraudulent purchases are listed in the report:

-In September 2014 Allred submitted receipts for a dishwasher for $598.99, a food warmer for $376.46, an oven for $1,099.99 and a microwave for $306.68, for a total of $2382.12. The actual receipt showed the purchases were for a microwave for $279, a dishwasher for $899.10, and a stove for $989.10 for a total of $2382.12.

The report states, “The receipts that Allred provided the church were fraudulent.”

-On June 20, 2014 Allred submitted a receipt to the church for two HDTVs for $1,398, one smart TV for $899 plus shipping of $202.99 for a total of $2499.99. The actual receipt showed the purchase was for a smart TV for a total of $2499.99.

-In June 2014 Allred submitted a receipt for the purchase of a table for $109.95. The actual receipt shows the purchase was for a fender flare set (4) for a golf car for $109.95.

The report states, “Allred owns a golf cart that is reported to have multiple add on accessories.”

-In June 2014 Allred submitted a receipt for a pendant light for $94.99 plus $22.99 for shipping for a total of $117.98. The actual receipt shows Allred purchased a steering wheel for a golf cart for $117.98. In the same month Allred submitted a receipt for a microwave oven for $668.95. The actual receipt showed he purchased a dash compartment, golf tires and a wheel combo for $668.95. In the same month Allred submitted a receipt for an arm chair for $299.95. The actual receipt showed Allred purchased a golf cart flip folding rear seat kit for $299.95. In the same month Allred submitted a receipt for a sink for $335. The actual receipt is for a granite sink for $335.

The report states, “The church does not have a granite sink in it nor has it had one.”

-June 2014 Allred submitted receipt for a coffee maker for $149.95. The actual receipt shows Allred purchased an LED light kit for a golf cart for $149.95. Also submitted was a receipt for a stainless frame with tempered glass for $141.99. The actual receipt showed Allred purchased a dash assembly for a golf cart for $141.99.

-In December 2014 Allred submitted a receipt for Bible software for $209.99. The actual receipt shows Allred purchased a train level crossing set for $209.99. In the same month Allred submitted a receipt for a Bible software archeology collection for $264.65. The actual receipt shows Allred purchased a Maersk container train for $264.65.

Allred resigned as minister at Journey Church in August. On Sept. 28, Journey Church filed a civil lawsuit against Allred for no less than $50,000 “for the recovery of funds that were misappropriated from The Journey Church, Inc.”

The civil lawsuit alleges that Allred had access to a credit card he allegedly told church elders was to “be used to purchase supplies for children’s Bible classes and other church activities.” Instead, the lawsuit alleges, Allred used the credit card to buy “numerous items. . .which he then sold on eBay,” and kept the money for himself.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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

  

Spiro Man Dies at Tenkiller

An 80-year-old Spiro man was found dead on Lake Tenkiller near Chicken Creek Saturday.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) reported Glenn A. Vaughn was last seen at 1:46 p.m. in a 16-and-a-half foot Glasstream Fast Boat near the shoreline, throwing an anchor into the water. About 20 minutes later Vaughn was no longer seen in the boat. Witnesses said the boat had no occupants and they went toward the boat. They then saw Vaughn in the water about 40 yards away. They pulled the victim into their boat and attempted CPR.

Vaughn was pronounced dead on the scene by Cherokee Nation EMS and his body was transported to the Green Country Funeral Home in Tahlequah.

The OHP Marine Enforcement Division was assisted by the Chicken Creek Fire Department and the Cherokee Nation EMS.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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UMW Clothes Closet Helps Foster Families

Tiny little shoes line a portion of the floor. Tiny little shirts are stacked neatly on one shelf, flanked by another shelf piled with tiny little blue jeans.

Boxes of diapers line another shelf. They stand next to large plastic storage bins of tiny little socks and underwear.

This is the Foster Children Clothes Closet at First United Methodist Church in Sallisaw. The clothes closet is a mission of Sallisaw United Methodist Women (UMW) who saw a need in the community. UMW members who help with the project are, from the left, Pat Heflebower, Janie Hensley, Anne Bottorff and Marilyn Elliott.

In September over 160 children from Sequoyah County were placed in foster care. Their foster care parents are sometimes not prepared for their arrival and have little resources to fall back upon.

UMW member Anne Bottorff explained.

“Foster parents sometimes have to wait until the next pay cycle” to purchase needed items for the children, who often arrive with nothing. Then, Bottorff continued, “The children grow out of things so fast. And people don’t get rich on foster care.”

That prompted the UMW to open the clothes closet to provide for immediate needs.

Foster parents, who sometimes are the childrens’ own grandparents, can pick up clothing for boys and girls from birth to age 5. The closet can provide shirts and tops, dresses, pants, coats, pajamas, underwear, socks, shoes, baby blankets, diapers and shampoos.

Most are donations, either from members of the congregation at First United Methodist, or from the public. The UMW members buy and supply the disposables, such as the diapers, and money donations are appreciated because today’s disposable diapers are expensive.

Pat Heflebower said she was delighted and surprised one day, when, standing in a checkout lane with boxes of diapers, the man behind her asked if she was on her way to a baby shower. When Pat explained the diapers were headed to the Foster Children Clothes Closet, the man made a donation. Marilyn Elliott and Janie Hensley said they like to go to yard and garage sales where childrens’ clothes are on sale. They said often, when the seller finds out what their childrens’ outgrown clothes can do to help, they often donate the clothes to the clothes closet.

Hensley even makes the children duffle bags for their new wardrobes. Bottorff said, “They often arrive with nothing of their own, or all their things are stuffed into garbage bags.” The duffle bags give them a sense of ownership, a positive in a frightening world.

Sometimes the clothes closet gets too many clothes donations. Bottorff said when that happens, they share with Catholic Charities in Sallisaw.

But right now the clothes closet is in need of baby blankets, size 2 to 3 clothes, sleepers and pajamas, and “We can always use shoes,” Heflebower said.

Bottorff said the clothes closet is one of several missions the UMW support. “We like to do something to give back to the community,” she explained.

The Foster Children Clothes Closet is in the First United Methodist Church at 2100 McGee Ave. in Sallisaw. For information call 918-775-2538 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The closet is open to foster parents only from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the third Saturday of the month.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Sallisaw Man Hospitalized in Tulsa

A Sallisaw man was reported hospitalized after running off the road east of Broken Arrow Saturday to avoid an animal, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) reported.

The OHP reported Kenton Bowles, 31, was flown to St. Johns Hospital in Tulsa where he was admitted with internal trunk and head injuries. He was listed in stable condition.

The OHP report said Bowles was driving a 1989 GMC Sierra pickup truck west on 21st Street at about 7 a.m. Saturday when he swerved to avoid an animal in the road, ran off the road and hit a tree. The OHP said Bowles then drove back onto the road but lost control again, ran off the road again, and hit another tree. The OHP reported the cause of the accident was driving too fast.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Gore Woman Sentenced

Tammy Jean McDaniels, 56, of Gore was sentenced in U.S. Court in Muskogee to 21 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release for wire fraud. McDaniels was also ordered to pay $146,004.80 in restitution.

The defendant entered a guilty plea in June to a charge alleging that from Oct. 1, 2012, to about Dec. 19, 2014, she devised a scheme to defraud Bacone College in Muskogee and to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Muskogee Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The investigation revealed that the defendant, while employed as the Human Resources Director at Bacone College, fraudulently reactivated the employment status of former adjunct professors and had the fraudulent salary paid directly into her bank account.

Judge James H. Payne presided over the sentencing hearing. The defendant was ordered to self-report to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons on Feb. 15 to begin serving her non-paroleable sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Wilson represented the United States.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Cookson Man to Face Trial on Manslaughter Charge

The trial date for a Cookson man, accused of first-degree manslaughter and other charges, will be set on Dec. 3 by District Judge Jeff Payton during his sounding trial docket.

Elton Darrell Vanzant, 75, of Cookson is charged with first-degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatality accident and leaving the scene of an accident involving an injury. He was charged Oct. 16, 2014, in Sequoyah County District Court, Sallisaw. His district court arraignment was held Monday.

Vanzant is accused of driving over two women in Vian on Oct. 7, 2014. One of the women, Linda Finney-Drew, 55, died at the scene. The other, Candy Shade, was treated for her injuries at Sequoyah Memorial Hospital in Sallisaw. Finney-Drew’s family is also suing Vanzant in civil court for wrongful death.

According to the Vian police officer's report filed with the charges, the officer was dispatched to the hit-and-run scene on East Sanders Street in Vian at 7:31 p.m. on Oct. 7, 2014, where he found Shade along with Finney-Drew, who was unresponsive. Shade informed the officer that she and Finney- Drew were walking east and had just entered the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard when they were struck by a car. Three witnesses reported seeing the car hit the women or seeing the same car nearly run another car off the road. Bystanders told the officer that the same car was seen leaving a bar known as the Rusty Barn. Witnesses at the bar said the most recent person to leave was Vanzant. The officer sent out a be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) for Vanzant's gold-colored Mercury.

The officer returned to the scene where he was informed that resuscitation of Finney-Drew was unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at 7:56 p.m. The officer, with the help of the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Department, coordinated with the Cherokee County Sheriff's office to take custody of Vanzant. He was arrested at 12:05 a.m., Oct. 8, 2014, and his Mercury was impounded. The officer then took photos and evidence from Vanzant's car, including a piece of material that resembled that worn by Finney-Drew. In the report, Vanzant is described at the time of his arrest as having bloodshot eyes, having a strong odor of alcohol about his person, and being unstable on his feet. He told the officer he had been drinking.

Vanzant has two other drinking-related charges on his police record, according to court records.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Free Admission for Veterans to Tonight's Football Games

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) Board of Directors has chosen to allow free admission to veterans to the first round of high school football playoffs. According to information from the OSSAA a veteran and one guest will be admitted free of charge, simply by showing their drivers license, which has a seal indicating the person is a veteran. If the individual has not renewed their license in the last couple of years, a veterans ID card or any proof of identification is acceptable.

The decision was made to help encourage Oklahoma high schools to recognize veterans in conjunction with any school activities in the next couple of weeks. 

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Annual Thanksgiving Dinner is Friday; Methodist Church Hands the Tradition Over to Oakridge Assembly of God

Angie Kimble of Oakridge Assembly of God has made over 600 sweet rolls for Sallisaw’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner Friday at the church on south U.S. Highway 59. 

The ladies at Oakridge Assembly of God have prepared a complete homemade turkey dinner, with all the fixings, for the annual Thanksgiving Dinner. The dinner will be served from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday at the church, on U.S. Highway 59 south in Sallisaw. The cost is $10 per adult and $5 per child age 10 and under. Picture above are, from the left, Shelly Mullen, Angie Kimble, Daphene Lewis, Thelma Curry and Carol Wooten.

The membership of Oakridge Assembly of God has pitched in to prepare and present Sallisaw’s annual Thanksgiving Turkey dinner from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday at the church.

The previous 43 annual dinners were prepared by the United Methodist Women from Sallisaw’s First United Methodist Church to raise money for their many missions. But they are a bit tired from all the cooking, and have turned the reins, and the ovens, over to the Assembly of God women this year.

Head cook Angie Kimble said, “This is a church-wide effort. Everyone is helping.”

Kimble herself made over 600 homemade rolls and the ladies cooked over 30 turkeys and made all the fixings and desserts. Kimble said they are expecting to feed about 500 on Friday.

The meals are $10 for adults and $5 for children age 10 and under. Diners may eat in or carry out and just need to tell the servers how they want their meal. There is no need to call in carry-out orders.

Oakridge Assembly of God is on U.S. Highway 59 south.

Mullen said the dinner is just the beginning of the church’s holiday events. On Dec. 5 and 6 Oakridge Assembly of God will again present its Living Nativity, she said.

“It is totally awesome,” Mullen said. “People visit four and five times.”

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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