Archive - News Article
September 6th, 2012
According to Emergency Management Director Michael Davidson, portions of Talihina have evacuated after a six inch gas line was broken by private contractors working on a road bore.
Several homes and businesses in the immediate area around the gas main were evacuated.
The City offices have temporarily been relocated to the Talihina Fire Department until the line is fixed.
According to Davidson, it may take up to seven hours before crews are able to have the leak contained.
Emergency crews will remain on standby until then.
The Poteau City Council received the 2010-11 fiscal audit report Tuesday night during their regular meeting.
The report showed there were many improvements since the previous audit and only a few insignificant issues to address.
According to the report, the City saw $6.3 million increase during the fiscal year but the majority of that increase was due to a donation for the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center.
The 2011-12 audit is being completed by BDK, LLP, a governmental accounting agency.
September 5th
The jury trial of James Haskin, 61, of Monroe, was rescheduled Wednesday morning following his attorney's argument they were unable to provide adequate defense without a complete trial transcript from previous proceedings.
District Judge Jon Sullivan ruled to continue the trial until October giving the defense team time to prepare after they receive the transcript.
Sullivan told Haskin's attorneys he was of the understanding the transcript had been completed and delivered.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health is reporting record cases of West Nile Virus in Oklahoma.
According to a press release from the OSDH, the total number of reported cases of WNV has jumped to 118, the highest number of cases ever recorded in a single year in Oklahoma. The OSDH also reports that at least seven deaths attributed to WNV have been recorded.
Marty Wayne Hester, 52, of Hodgen, was sentenced to 55 years in prison Wednesday afternoon for one count of aggravated possession of child pornography and two counts of lewd molestation of a minor.
During his court appearance Wednesday Hester apologized for his actions and asked for the mercy of the court.
District Judge Jon Sullivan sentenced him on all three counts to run consecutively for a total of 55 years in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
September 4th
William Elijah "Liam" Lyon, 18 months, passed away Monday after battling to survive being born with a left sided hypoplastic heart disease.
Liam received a heart transplant July 2011 after several other surgeries to correct his heart defect were unsuccessful.
Liam's followers on facebook posted more than 12,500 farewell messages.
District Judge Jon Sullivan has granted a motion filed by the LeFlore County District Attorney's Office asking for James Haskin Jr., 61, of Monroe, to submit a DNA sample.
According to the motion, evidence collected at the crime scene, where Haskin allegedly sexually abused multiple children, has been analyzed and confirmed as seminal fluids.
The DNA sample from Haskin will be used to determine if he is a match to the fluids.
Haskin is scheduled to appear in court next week.
September 3rd
The LeFlore County Detention Center Public Trust has scheduled a special meeting Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the LeFlore County Commissioners meeting room to discuss purchasing stun guns for detention officers.
According to Claud Jones, LCDC administrator, several of the detention officers are certified to carry stun guns and he is hoping to get the trust's approval to purchase up to four stun guns.
Other items on the agenda for discussion are personnel issues involving new employees.
The 19th annual Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride is schedule to stop in Heavener on Sept. 17.
More than 150 riders are expected to arrive in Heavener at 11:30 a.m. for lunch then continue the ride through Wister, Fanshawe and Red Oak on their way to the Seminole National Museum in Wewoka.
The ride is billed as the largest organized motorcycle run in history spanning multiple states and a total of 25,000 motorcyclist in the three day ride.
August 31st
Former Pocola Police Chief Dale Fout filed a civil lawsuit against the Town of Pocola Thursday citing wrongful termination.
Fout, who claims to have been in a contractual employment agreement claims to have been wrongfully terminated after he filed a discrimination lawsuit against the town.
Fout is seeking judgment in the amount of $75,000 from the town and trustees Gaylon Freeman, Jewel Clark and Preston Carter.
