Two More Arrested after Roland Shooting

Roland police have arrested two men in relation to a shooting in Roland early Monday.

The teenage female shooting victim was transported from a Roland apartment complex to a Fort Smith hospital where she had surgery and was later released.

The shooting was at a Roland apartment complex, Police Chief Tommy Sessums said.

Sessums did not release the names of the victim or another teen taken into custody because of their age. Sessums explained teens in custody are eventually turned over to the custody of the Juvenile Services Unit, which determines where the juvenile will be housed as the investigation or other legal proceedings continue. The juvenile male suspect may face charges of assault and battery with a deadly weapon, willfully pointing a firearm, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Police said two additional persons, Kevinn Castleberry, 25, who was the tenant in the apartment, and another man, Nico Castleberry, were arrested and now face charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Police reported finding at the apartment complex blood-soaked linens, ammunition, a green leafy substance, a white powdery substance and drug paraphernalia.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Lockhart Sworn in as President of Sheriff Association

Sequoyah County Sheriff Ron Lockhart was sworn into office as the president of the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association Thursday evening.

The 25th anniversary of the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association Convention was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel Convention Center in Norman.

Lockhart said, “It’s an honor to be elected to this position and I look forward to representing all 77 sheriffs across Oklahoma.”

Lockhart served as the first vice president of the association for the past year.

The non-profit Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association represents the elected sheriffs in all 77 Oklahoma counties. Currently, the association has 4,000 active members, which includes deputies, detention officers, reserve deputies and support staff, making it one of the largest law enforcement associations in the state. The association receives no funding from the state and relies solely on the support of its active, honorary, business and corporate members.

The mission of the Oklahoma Sheriff Association is to maintain the Office of the Sheriff through training and education; developing laws and policies that promote public safety and; providing technical and informational support to assist the Sheriffs of Oklahoma in providing effective and quality law enforcement services to the citizens of the State of Oklahoma.

Lockhart is a Sallisaw native who has served as Sequoyah County Sheriff since 2009. He is seeking re-election this year.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Fire Defense Grants Available to Local Fire Departments

Rural fire departments are being encouraged to apply for 2016 Rural Fire Defense 80/20 Reimbursement Grants.

Rural fire departments serving populations of less than 10,000 can apply for grants now through Sept.1 through Oklahoma Forestry Services.

The grants can be used for rural fire department equipment purchases or construction, up to $20,000 and $30,000 respectively. Reimbursement of 80 percent of the total amount of the project is provided through the grants. Recipients receive reimbursement only after the purchase or construction costs have been paid by the recipient.

The Oklahoma Legislature funds the grants with authorization from Gov. Mary Fallin. They are administered by Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Forestry Services through Rural Fire Coordinators.

Grants are awarded to legal entities (cities, towns, fire departments or districts) with a population of less than 10,000. Recipients can only make purchases after their fire department has been officially awarded a grant and received a copy of the State Purchase Order issued by the agriculture department.

A total of $200,000 is available for the program this year and will be awarded in October.

Applications and more information are available on the Oklahoma Forestry Services website, http://www.forestry.ok.gov/firegrants, or call (405) 522-6158.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Oklahoma Forestry Services Closing Four Offices; Sallisaw Office Will Remain Open

Sallisaw’s Forestry Office will remain open but the Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS) is closing four others as a result of the state’s budget crisis.

The OFS announced Wednesday that, as a result of the current budget environment, OFS is restructuring the division, including the closing of four local offices, program reductions and reallocation of resources. While some of its services will no longer be available to landowners in western Oklahoma, all 77 Oklahoma counties will continue to receive wildfire suppression support. 

“In order to ensure long-term success, we decided to meet our budget challengers by restructuring as opposed to across the board cuts,” said George Geissler, Oklahoma Forestry Services director. “It is never easy to close offices or cut programs, but we are reallocating resources to maximize our remaining services to Oklahomans.”

Offices being closed are in Enid, Burns Flat and Ardmore in the western half of the state and Battiest in southeastern Oklahoma. Employees who work out of these offices are being reassigned to other locations or offered different positions within Oklahoma Forestry Services.

As a result of closing offices in the western part of the state, landowners will no longer have foresters available to provide land management advice. In southeastern Oklahoma, other forestry offices will be able to provide land management assistance in areas previously served by the Battiest office. 

In addition to providing statewide wildfire suppression, Oklahoma Forestry Services will continue to operate regional offices in Broken Bow, Antlers, Wilburton, Talihina, Tahlequah, Sallisaw, Jay and headquarters in Oklahoma City. 

“I regret that we are losing a presence in some communities across the state and I hope the citizens of Oklahoma understand and agree with how we have chosen to meet the state’s budget environment,” said Geissler.

Programs that will continue to be offered include community fire assistance, seedling sales, rural fire department programs and grants, urban forestry programs, forest protection/health and education. Oklahoma Forestry Services programs and initiatives support the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, which includes resilient landscapes, fire adapted communities and wildfire response.

For more information about Oklahoma Forestry Services visit www.forestry.ok.gov or call 405-522-6158.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Church Collecting School Supplies

New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, north of Muldrow, is collecting school supplies for rural students in Sequoyah County.

With the new school year fast approaching, these children are in need of essential school supplies. Organizers said that, while there are drives for most school districts, these programs rarely reach the rural communities, where the need is great.

A collection box for donated supplies is at the Muldrow Pharmacy and more boxes are to be added at various locations. The supplies will be distributed through the church and the schools before classes begin.

By allowing students to begin school on that first day with the items they need, their focus can be about the excitement of a new year and learning, and not singled out as the recipient of donated school supplies.

For more information, or to donate, please call Audra Redden at 479-670-0661.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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CHEC Members to Choose Representatives

Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative Inc. (CHEC) will hold district meetings on Aug. 11 for the members who live in Districts 1 and 3 to choose representatives.

Rocky Woods serves as the trustee representing District 1 and Joe Falleur, CHEC board vice president, serves as the trustee representing District 3.

CHEC holds district meetings for members to elect representatives to the CHEC Board of Trustees. These local meetings give members the opportunity to choose a representative on the board of trustees. The seven-member board governs CHEC, which divides its service area into seven districts.

One trustee represents each district for a three-year term. The board establishes policies and monitors cooperative finances and procedures.

The board has set the following dates and times for the 2016 district meetings

-District 1 will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 11 at Liberty Schools cafeteria in Sequoyah County

-District 3 will be held at 5 p.m. on Aug. 11 at Central Schools cafeteria in Sequoyah County.

CHEC will send notices to cooperative members in each of these districts. For more information about the meetings call 800-328-2368.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Gore’s Back-to-School Bash is Aug. 13

Gore School’s Back-to-School Bash will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 13 at Ray Fine Park in Gore.

This free fun day for kids includes free hot dogs, free games, a bouncy house, and free popsicles while they last.

T-shirts will also be available for $15 and donations of school supplies will be accepted.

Gore Police Department and Gore Fire Department personnel will hold a Fill the Boot contest from 9:30 to 10 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. They will compete on an obstacle course and in a tug of war. The winner will be awarded a traveling trophy.

Classes begin at Gore Schools on Aug. 18.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Fundraiser Will Be Held at Mazzio’s for Library

The Friends of Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library in Sallisaw will hold a fundraiser at Mazzio’s Pizza in Sallisaw on Aug. 4.

The fundraiser will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 4. Everyone is encouraged to attend. When ordering, customers must remind Mazzio’s they are there for the library. Mazzio’s then donates 15 percent of their total bill to the Friends of the Library.

This fundraiser is held monthly and everyone is invited to attend to help their local library buy books and offer free programs.

The Friends of the Library will meet at 1 p.m. Aug. 2 at the library. Anyone interested is invited to attend to find out more about the group and join.

Also in August at the library, Story Time with Ms. Sharon will be held at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 16, 23 and 30.

A photography workshop will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 6.

The Teen Science Workshop will be held at 4 p.m. Aug. 18 and at 4 p.m. on Aug. 25.

Senior Citizen Immunization Awareness will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 19.

For more information about the Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library in Sallisaw and its programs call 918-775-4481.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Free Haircuts Cancelled Due to Conflicting Schedules

The Back-to-School Haircuts, introduced last year by Amanda Horn of Sister’s Salon in Sallisaw, has been cancelled this year.

Horn said the stylists who volunteered their efforts last year have conflicting scheduling dates and were unable to participate.

Horn said, “But we will hand out our Hygiene Bag Love Packs. We still want to be a blessing to the community.”

The packs will be distributed at the Back-to-School Action at the Park on Aug. 6 at the Sallisaw Creek Park on Sallisaw’s west side. The event is being held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offers free gifts, games, and other activities.

The Mix 105.1 will be broadcasting live from this popular event.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Gray Pleads ‘Not Guilty’

Angela Gray, 41, of Muldrow, charged in Sequoyah County District Court in Sallisaw with conspiracy, child endangerment by driving under the influence, and selling or furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor, entered a not guilty plea to the charges Monday.

Her next court appearance is slated for Dec. 15. At that time District Judge Jeff Payton will hold a jury trial sounding docket. At that hearing the attorneys will inform the judge if they are ready to go to trial, and, if so, Judge Payton will set a trial date.

Gray is accused of "conspiring. . .to commit the crime of child endangerment, or in the alternative leaving the scene of accident, by agreeing to alter the truth of the accident and create a story to exonerate Angela Gray from any criminal wrong doing or exposure by altering the scene of the accident and cleaning up the beers, removing an ice chest of beer from the ATV, moving the location of Christian Mayberry at the scene and moving the ATV from the scene prior to law enforcement's arrival to investigate the scene of the accident."

Gray is accused of allegedly covering up the ATV crash on Sept. 1, 2013, south of Muldrow that left Christian Mayberry lying in a ditch for a lengthy period of time and with severe brain trauma. Mayberry has been undergoing rehabilitation ever since.

Gray’s son and a young friend are charged with conspiracy too. Joey B Gray, l9, of Muldrow and Kyle L. Brannon, 20, of Muldrow are both charged with one felony count of conspiracy.

A motion to revoke Brannon’s bond was filed July 11 and that hearing is set for Aug. 8. Brannon was arrested in June for public intoxication, and that motion to revoke is in relation to that charge.

Joey Gray’s district court arraignment before Judge Payton on the conspiracy charge is set for Aug. 8.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Sequoyah County Students Attend College Prep Camp

Cherokee Nation Foundation recently hosted its fifth annual Cherokee College Prep Institute at Rogers State University in Claremore, where nearly 40 high school juniors and seniors connected with university representatives from across the nation.

Several of those attending are from Sequoyah County. They are Emily Johnson and Rachel Hallum, both from Muldrow High School; Cassidy Floyd and Kyleigh Harrell, both from Roland High School; and Caitlyn Sizemore and Ty Pitts, both from Sallisaw High School.

The weeklong program gave students hands-on experience analyzing, preparing and completing college applications; identifying scholarship opportunities; and exploring schools of interest.

“Cherokee Nation is blessed to have some of the brightest and most ambitious students,” said Janice Randall, Cherokee Nation Foundation executive director. “They have each worked incredibly hard to get where they are today, and we are pleased to have had the opportunity to help them prepare for a successful future. We look forward to seeing all the wonderful things they achieve in the years to come.”

For more information, contact Cherokee Nation Foundation at (918) 207-0950 or Janice Randall at jr@cherokeenationfoundation.org.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Heat Buckles Highways

With more heat predicted this summer, Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) officials are watching road surfaces carefully for road buckling.

ODOT in Sequoyah County had to deal with a buckled U.S. Highway 64 west of Vian Monday. Billy Jacobs, superintendent at the ODOT maintenance yard in Sallisaw, said the highway buckle was repaired in about three hours after it was reported on Monday. The repair covered a 12 foot wide by 15 foot long section of the highway and closed the highway down to one lane for a while.

Jacobs said the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported one vehicle, which ramped over the buckle before it was reported, may have been damaged. He did not know the extent of the damage.

“I’m sure we will have to be on the lookout,” Jacobs said about future damage caused by the heat to highways this summer.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Get Ready to Rodeo!

It’s almost time to gear up for Sallisaw’s annual rodeo!

The 73rd Annual Lions Club Rodeo will be held Aug. 4, 5 and 6 at the Sallisaw Rodeo Arena.

The cowboys will be signing up tomorrow (July 27) for the events. To enter call 1-800-639-9002, said Marley Abell, chair of the Lions Club rodeo committee. Contestants will be competing for $11,000 in added money.

The events include bareback bronc riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, cowgirls barrel racing, cowgirls breakaway roping, steer wrestling, team roping and tie down roping. The events are sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) and the American Cowboys Rodeo Association. Local cowboys who want to compete do not have to be members of the IPRA but do have to pay entry fees.

The rodeo entertainment includes several other acts, such as the clown act of course, and, this year, the 22 performers known as the Rodeo of the Ozarks Rounders drill team who will be riding and performing every night.

There’s nothing more entertaining that the mutton bustin’, for kids ages 4 through 8, and who weigh under 60 pounds. County Clerk Julie Haywood sponsors the mutton busting and the entry fee is $15. Each night’s winner gets $25 and a grand champion plaque, Abell said.

The youngsters under age 12 may also compete in the calf scramble. Entry fee for this event, sponsored by Dr. Aubrey Henshaw, is free. Abell explained, “We turn eight calves loose with ribbons tied on, and every ribbon is worth $5.”

Those courageous adults age 18 and up may compete in the wild horse race. Clean Line Energy Partners sponsors this event. The event is free for the three-man teams, and the winners get $150, if there is a winner, Abell warned.

Everyone is invited to participate in the annual rodeo parade on Thursday (Aug. 4). Parade line-up is at 5 p.m. and the parade takes off at 5:30 p.m.

Rodeo dances will be held Friday and Saturday nights after the rodeo. Admission is free with a paid rodeo admission. Friday evening will feature Libby Starks and Bandit. Saturday’s dance features Crossroads.

Admission to the rodeo is $7 for adults and $5 for kids age 6 to 10. Kids 5 and under will be admitted free.

The Sallisaw Lions Club uses the proceeds from the rodeo for many community projects. Abell said the Lions hope to help with the financing for the new walking trail at the Sallisaw Sports Complex. The proceeds have been used to purchase eye glasses for those in need, help build and maintain the walking trail at the park on McGee Drive, were used to provide winter coats through Catholic Charities, were used to purchase Christmas gifts and a Christmas party for children in foster care, and helped pay the way for the youth attending Boys and Girls State programs.

Abell said, “100 percent of the proceeds are used to help in our community.”

For information about the rodeo, contact Abell at 918-774-5497.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Roland Police Investigate Shooting

Roland police are investigating a shooting, which injured a teenage girl, shortly before midnight Monday.

The shooting was at a Roland apartment complex, Police Chief Tommy Sessums said.

“We’re still trying to get to the bottom of this,” Sessums said Tuesday morning.

Sessums did not release the names of the victim or another teen taken into custody because of their ages. The teenage suspect will be detained during the investigation. Sessums explained teens in custody are eventually turned over to the custody of the Juvenile Services Unit, which determines where the juvenile will be housed as the investigation or other legal proceedings continue.

The injured girl was taken to a Fort Smith hospital and was scheduled to undergo surgery, Sessums said.

Roland police were taking statements Tuesday morning about the shooting.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Back-to-School Event Is Aug. 6

Back-to-School Action in the Park will be held Aug. 6 at the Sallisaw City Park on the city’s west side on Sallisaw Creek.

This free event offers family-friendly events and is sponsored by area agencies and organizations.

The event runs from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and includes a water slide, a bouncy house, face painting, a photo booth, games, foods and door prizes and a boy’s and girl’s bicycle to be given away.

The Mix 105.1 will also be on hand for a live remote broadcast.

Organizers said over 400 attended the event last year.

This year’s sponsors include KiBois Community Action, People Inc., Creoks, the Cherokee Nation, Agent & Mallory-Martin Funeral Home, the Health & Wellness Center, the Sallisaw Youth Coalition, the Central Youth Coalition and The Mix 105.1.

Anyone who would like to set up a booth to participate may contact Lindsie Dyer at 918-775-3580 or ldyer@peopleinc.org.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Two Arrested for Cocaine, Methamphetamine

Two men, stopped on Interstate 40 for speeding, were charged in Sequoyah County District Court in Sallisaw on July 20 with two counts of aggravated trafficking in illegal drugs, misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The reporting Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) officer said he found a pound of cocaine and three pounds of methamphetamine in the men’s vehicle.

Charged are Kristian Veytia-Coria, 30, who told the officer he was from Mexico, and Silverio Corral, 42, of Montclair, Calif. The two men were booked into the Sequoyah County Detention Center on $50,000 bonds each.

The OHP trooper reported stopping the men’s passenger car on July 19 for traveling at 77 miles per hour while driving east. The stop was at mile marker 313. The men gave the trooper permission to search the vehicle. He reported finding a small amount of green, leafy substance in the back seat pocket. The material later tested to be marijuana.

In a compartment under the front passenger floor board the trooper found five cellophane-wrapped bundles. Two of the bundles later tested to be cocaine and had a total weight of one pound. Three of the bundles tested to be methamphetamine and weighed about three pounds.

The trafficking charge is punishable by imprisonment for 10 years to life and a fine of $50,000. The possession charge is punishable by imprisonment for two to 10 years and a fine of not more than $5,000. The drug paraphernalia charge is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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Murder Suspects Court Date Is Sept. 14; Body Still Not Found

Three Webbers Falls men, accused of first- and second-degree murder, will next be in district court on Sept. 14.

According to court records, Michael Anthony Snelling, 22, and Charles Blake Shamblin, 25, both of whom face first-degree murder charges, and Tyler Paul Leverett, 22, who is charged with second-degree murder, will be on Associate District Judge Kyle Waters’ felony disposition docket on Sept. 14 in Sequoyah County District Court, Sallisaw.

They are charged with the murder of Matthew Scott Fagan of Webbers Falls.

All four men were together on June 21 at a hiking trail at Lake Tenkiller when the three suspects reported Fagan left the group, and was never seen again.

The investigation into Fagan’s disappearance by the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office led to the admission by the suspects that Fagan became involved in a fight, allegedly over a woman, and was beaten to death. His body was then disposed of in Lake Tenkiller.

However, Leverett said Snelling was involved in the fight, and killed Fagan, while Snelling said Leverett was the catalyst in the fight which led to Fagan’s death. According to court records, Shamblin also pointed to Snelling in his interview with the investigators.

Court records indicate Snelling then stood mute before the court at his initial arraignment Wednesday. By standing mute,  the defendant refused to enter a plea, and most usually the judge then enters a not-guilty plea on behalf of the defendant.

In the meantime, the sheriff’s office continued the search for Fagan’s body at Lake Tenkiller. On Friday a special water body recovery team from Texas was called in to assist with the search but was unsuccessful in locating Fagan's body in the water. “We’ve used sonar and dive teams. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack,” Lockhart said. He explained the lake is deep where the search is taking place.

On Saturday the search was expanded from the water to a wooded area at Lake Tenkiller. Lockhart stated that he had received new information that the body could possibly be on land instead of in the water. More than 50 volunteers helped with the search on Saturday and Sunday but were still unsuccessful. "We are not ruling out the body is in the water but we follow up on all information we receive," added Lockhart.

The three suspects continue to be held in the Sequoyah County Detention Center without bail.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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