OKMULGEE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEER READY FOR SEASON
Okmulgee High School and Middle School cheerleaders are ready to kick off the 2014-15 football season and have been practicing diligently to be ready to entertain the crowds at the various games. Inside today’s edition, you will be able to meet the high school and junior high cheerleaders. Pictured above are OMS Cheerleaders (not in order) Hailee Nail, Taylor Williams, Taylor Fixico, Courtney Dixon, Maryah Johnson, Daisy Long, Nyah Robol, Dania Anderson, Gracie Thrailkill, Makayla Roberts, Madyson Houston and Dezairaye Rice. Head cheer coach is Tina Nail and she is assisted by Michelle Walker. (Staff photo by Patrick Ford)
Investigation is now
underway in officer-involved shooting
An investigation continues in the Labor Day shooting that resulted in the death of a Texas man.
The Oklahoma State Bureau Bureau of Investigation stated that around 7 a.m. on Monday, September 1, several people reported to local authorities that a red Dodge pickup truck was driving west in the eastbound lane of 1-40 near Henryetta. Several Henryetta police officers and a Creek Nation Lighthorse officer responded.
The Lighthorse officer spotted the vehicle first and attempted a traffic stop. Several Henryetta police officers then joined the pursuit, attempting to stop the vehicle.
After the driver of the vehicle refused to stop, he Lighthorse officer fired his weapon. The pickup truck then crashed into a ditch.
Medical personnel transported the male driver and a female passenger to a local hospital where the driver was pronounced dead. The female was not injured.
The Okmulgee County District Attorney requested OSBI investigate this police-involved shooting. Nearly a half dozen OSBI investigative and crime scene agents arrived on the scene east of mile marker 237 near Henryetta. Agents are gathering information as to what lead to the shooting. A prosecution report will be prepared for the district attorney, who will determine whether the shooting was justified.
Authorities are attempting to verify the driver's name. Once next of kin has been notified, his name will be released. Both the driver and the truck's passenger are believed to be from Texas. OSBI will not release the Lighthorse officer's name since he is the subject of the investigation.
UPDATE
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has released the name of the man shot and killed by an officer near Henryetta on Labor Day. The OSBI says Jesse Castillo Jr. of Seminole, Texas, was shot by a Creek Nation Lighthorse officer after he refused to stop his vehicle traveling the wrong way on I-40 near Henryetta. The Okmulgee County District Attorney requested the OSBI investigate the shooting and will determine if it was justified.
Two are injured in weekend accident
Two county men were injured in a one-vehicle accident over the weekend.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at 3:03 a.m. Saturday morning on Dentonville Road, 1/10 of a mile south of Herrick Road in northern Okmulgee County.
A 1994 Mercury Cougar, driven by Brent Henderson, age 22, of Okmulgee. was traveling southbound on Dentonville Road when for an unknown reason, driver forcefully applied the brakes, lost control of the vehicle departing the roadway to the left, and struck a tree. Both driver and a passenger were pinned for approximately 30 minutes and were freed by member of Beggs Fire Department.
Henderson was transported by Lifeflight to a Tulsa area hospital where he was admitted in stable condition with head injuries.
The passenger in the vehicle was identified as Tra Powell, age 21, of Beggs. The subject was was transported by Eagle Med to a Tulsa area hospital and was admitted in critical condition with head, trunk internal and leg injuries.
The OHP stated that there was an odor of alcohol and the cause of the collision was unsafe speed.
The car was equipped with seatbelts which were in use by the passenger but not by the driver. Airbags did deploy in the vehicle.
Entries sought for Homecoming Parade on Sept. 12th
The annual Okmulgee High School homecoming festivities will unfold next week for current and former Bulldogs. Lots of exciting things will be on tap here in the community. Check out the list and find some time to get involved.
• Homecoming Parade entries sought
Plans are currently being made for the 2014 Okmulgee High School Homecoming parade. The event will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 12.
The parade will be launched from the Brock Gymnasium parking lot. Participants must be there no later than 3:30 p.m. on the day of the parade.
OHS teacher and Class of 1976 graduate Gene Walters is organizing the entries for the 2014 parade. He has extended an official welcome to anyone wanting to have an entry in the Homecoming parade.
To join the fun, please fill out an OHS Homecoming entry. Please return the form and payment to Mr. Gene Walters, Room 224 HS.
The 2014 Homecoming Parade’s Theme is “The 60's.” The entry fee schdeduled is as follows: Float, $10; Car, $5; Walking, $5; or, call for cost if you have another type of entry.
For more information, contact Gene Walters at 758-2075, ext. 3147 or by e-mail at gwalters@okmulgeeps.com.
If you have any questions regarding the parade, entry, fees, etc.
Please make checks payable to Okmulgee High School and remit to O.H.S., Attn: Gene Walters, 415 West 3rd Street, Okmulgee, OK 74447
Agenda for September 12th
9:15 a.m.– Pep assembly OHS Brock Gym
3:00 – Decorate Cars
Parade line up at the school
*Classes start from 60-69 for line up
4:00 – Parade
6:30 – Harmon Stadium for the big Game
County unemployment rate declines
Okmulgee County’s unemployment rate declined during the month of July, according to the latest report from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.
The county ranked number six overall during the month with a 7.1% rate, down from 7.4% from the previous month.
There are 15,821 employable workers in the county, with 14,705 currently working and 1,116 without employment.
At 8.3 percent in July, Latimer County claimed Oklahoma’s highest county unemployment rate for the month.
McCurtain County and McIntosh County posted the second and third highest county rates, respectively.
Beckham County provided Oklahoma’s lowest county unemployment rate of 2.6 percent.
Unemployment rates were down over the month in 54 of the state’s 77 counties.
Here are the totals for the month:
Highest county unemployment rates*
Latimer County 8.2%
McCurtain County 7.9%
McIntosh County 7.7%
Lowest county unemployment rates*
Beckham County 2.6%
Grant County 2.7%
Roger Mills County 2.7%
Woodward County 2.7%
Ellis County 2.8%
Harper County 2.8%
Major County 2.8%
* Non-seasonally adjusted
County Totals:
1. Latimer County 8.2%
2. McCurtain Co. 7.9%
3. McIntosh County 7.7%
4. Hughes County 7.2%
5. LeFlore County 7.2%
6. Okmulgee County 7.1%
7. Sequoyah County 6.9%
8. Okfuskee County 6.7%
9. Choctaw County 6.6%
10. Coal County 6.6%
11. Muskogee Co. 6.5%
12. Seminole County 6.5%
13. Nowata County 6.4%
14. Adair County 6.2%
15. Greer County 6.1%
16. Haskell County 5.9%
17. Pawnee County 5.9%
18. Pushmataha Co. 5.9%
19. Caddo County 5.7%
20. Comanche Co. 5.6%
Nevyle Cable to be honored as Distinguished
Alumni during TU homecoming
The University of Tulsa is pleased to announce its schedule of events for Homecoming 2014, Oct. 15-19. For the university’s “All American Homecoming,” students, alumni and the entire TU community will enjoy five fun-filled days of celebration hosted by the Alumni Association.
Headlining Homecoming events include the induction of this year’s Distinguished Alumni – Nevyle Cable (BS ’77), Kathie Coyle (JD ’72), Michael Graves (BS ’67, MA '69) and Calvin McKee (BS ’48) – who will be honored Thursday, Oct. 16 in the Lorton Performance Center. TU also will recognize J. Paschal Twyman Award winner Keith Bailey and Mr. Homecoming John Henshaw.
Annual weekend events include TU’s pep rally and bonfire scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 on Dietler Commons in front of McFarlin Library.
Other planned Friday events include reunions for the classes of 1964 and 1989 as well as an All Greek Reunion. A walking campus tour is set for 3 p.m., and open house receptions will take place in McFarlin Library, the Collins College of Business and the Henry Kendall College of Arts and Sciences.
Saturday, Oct. 18, is gameday for the Golden Hurricane. TU faces the University of South Florida Bulls at H.A. Chapman Stadium (kick-off time TBA). Prior to the game, a walking tour will be offered along with other open house events across campus. The College of Engineering and Natural Sciences will hold its Annual Chili Cook-off on Samson Plaza. See the complete schedule of Homecoming 2014 events at www.TUAlumni.com/homecoming.
About Nevyle R. Cable (BS ’77), Distinguished Alumnus
Nevyle Cable was an all-around athlete at Hominy High School, where he found motivation in the coaches and landed a football scholarship to TU. Cable found his niche in the finance program after accepting a bank examiner internship. He transferred to the business college and the die was cast for a successful career, which has culminated with his presidency at the First National Bank of Okmulgee, where he also has served as director and CEO since 1990. He served as chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association in 2001 and currently is chairman of the Oklahoma Heritage Association and a trustee of the Oklahoma Lottery Commission. He’s been involved with the State Board of Career and Technology Education, United Way, Boy Scouts of America and Chamber of Commerce in Okmulgee, where he served on the Memorial Hospital Board for 20 years. Cable served on the Golden Hurricane Club board and the Collins College of Business Executive Advisory Board. He has two sons and two stepdaughters. He and his wife, Carol, have five grandchildren.
Obituaries
CARL HARBISON
Carl Harbison, 89 of Palo Pinto, Texas went home to be with the Lord August 31, 2014. Carl was born March 17, 1925 in Houston, Texas to Fred and Matilda Harbison. He moved to Oklahoma at an early age. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bernice Harbison of 53 years, son Carl Jr. Harbison, two sisters and his brother . He is survived by his daughter, Jo Ann York and son-in law, Ed York of Palo Pinto, Texas, five grandchildren and fourteen great- grandchildren . He served in the United States Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at the Cornerstone Foursquare Gospel Church. Interment will follow at the Okmulgee Cemetery. Friends may view Carl at the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home on Wednesday from 12-8 P.M. with the family present to greet guests from 6-8 P.M. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Carl’s tribute page at www.mcclendon-winters.com
RON S. YOUNG
Ron S. Young, a resident of Mounds, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Friday, August 29, 2014 at his home in Mounds at the age of 51. Ron was born on January 12, 1963 in Perryton, Texas to Billy George Young and Loretta M. Walker Young.
Growing up, Ron attended school in for several years in Elkhart, Kansas and Abilene, Texas before moving to Dallas during his high school years. Ron moved back to Oklahoma in 1980 with his family and graduated from Beggs High School. Following high school, Ron attended college for about 1-1/2 years in Texas and later attended Oral Roberts University. He was a student at Tulsa University where he received special awards in assisting handicapped people. Ron had a special calling to help people in need and spent considerable time working with the Red Cross in the Katrina Hurricane recovery.
Ron has worked in several other capacities during his life including approximately five years working as a lab technician with St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. He also worked as a law clerk with the Doerner, Saunders, Daniel and Anderson Law Firm in Tulsa for several years. Ron loved working with people, but most especially loved time spent with his nieces and nephews, all of whom adored him.
Ron is preceded in death by his father, Billy G. Young; his brother, Billy Duane Young; his paternal and maternal grandparents; and a nephew, Billy Wayne Doyle.
He is survived by his mother, Loretta Young of Mounds; two sisters, Darla Doyle and husband John of Bixby, OK and Debbie George and husband Rodney of Cushing, OK; by four nieces, Sharadyn Doyle of Bixby, Sophia Doyle of Bixby, Izzy Doyle of Bixby, and Jennifer Andrews and husband Brandon of Henryetta; by two nephews, Sam "Little Buddy" Doyle of Bixby and Wesley George and wife Melinda of Berryville, Arkansas; by numerous other extended family and many good friends.
A funeral service for Ron was scheduled for 2:00pm on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at Integrity Chapel with Rev. Brian Miller officiating. Interment followed the service at Sallisaw Cemetery in Sallisaw, Oklahoma under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service of Henryetta.
Pallbearers were Booker Gillespie, Steve Young, John Doyle, Wesley George, Brandon Andrews, and Rodney George. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Goodner and Kenneth Walker.
QUEEN
ESTHER JORDAN
Queen Esther Jordan, 79, homemaker, a longtime resident of Okmulgee, OK died Thursday, August 28, 2014, in her home surrounded by family.
A Home Going Service will be conducted Saturday, September 6, 2014, 1:00 p.m., Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1500 N. Miami, Okmulgee, OK; Interment will follow in Our Lady of Grace Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home.
On line condolence and registry may be expressed at http://www.houseofwinn.com/
CHARLES THOMAS JEFFREY
Charles Thomas Jeffrey, 91, a resident of Jenks, OK, died Monday, September 1, 2014. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, September 4, 2014 at the Integrity Funeral Service, Henryetta, Oklahoma. Burial will be in the Westlawn Cemetery under the direction of the Integrity Funeral Service.
EDDIE COOKS
Eddie Cooks, 74, laborer, formerly of Okmulgee, OK; passed away, August 28, 2014 in Seminole Hospital, Seminole, OK.
A Memorial service will be conducted, Saturday, September 6, 2014, 10:00 a.m., Precious Memories Chapel, 607 E. 5th Street, Okmulgee, OK. The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral home.
On line condolence and registry may be expressed at www.houseofwinn.com
County fair will open
at 10:00 am Thursday
The 2014 Okmulgee County Free Fair will officially open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September, 4th at the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds. It is one of the best family events of the year - and there is something for everyone.
Some of Thursday’s highlights will include the following:
• Table Setting Contest, 3:30 pm.
• Salad Making Contest, 4:00 p.m.
• Consumer Education Judging Contest
• Food Judging Contest
The livestock show schedules is as follows:
4:00-5:00 p.m. – Rabbits and Poultry must be in place.
5:00 p.m. – Sheep Show
5:30 Jr. Horse Show
7:00 p.m. – Gilt & Barrow Show
The all-important presentation of Premium Order will be accnounced by Chamber of Commerce immediately after swine show.
Here is the schedule for Friday, September, 5th
9:00 a.m. Commercial Cattle Grading
10:30 a.m. 4-H & FFA Livestock Judging
Cowboy Mounted Shooting 6:00
The final day of the county fair will offer the following:
• Saturday, September, 6th
9:00 a.m. – Exhibit Hall Opens
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Family Festival!
Free family activities for all ages
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Impaired Driving Course sponsored by Farm Bureau
2:00 p.m. – Goat Show
5:00 p.m. – Dairy, Beef and Junior Cow/Calf Show – Immediately after Beef and Dairy shows, presentation of Premium Order by Chamber of Commerce.
Faster than the Pastor event Saturday
Okmulgee’s Calvary Baptist Church is planning a fundraising event:
The “Faster than the Pastor” fund Raising Event, sponsored by Okmulgee’s Calvary Baptist Church, will be held at the YMCA track on Saturday, September 6th at 8:00 a.m.
The funds raised will be donated to the Huffman family. A member of the family was seriously injured in a car accident.
The faster than the pastor run will be one, (1) lap around the YMCA track. Every person who runs or walks faster than the Pastor will have their name entered to win one of several prizes being given away.
The entry fee of $25.00 (received by (7:30 a.m.) will go to the benefit. In view of the help that has been received from volunteers and sponsors, the public is invited to be a blessing to someone and join them in this big fundraiser.
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Make checks out to Calvary Baptist Church
1327 E. 13th Street
Okmulgee, Ok 74447
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Calvary Baptist of Okmulgee would like to thanks this opportunity to thank the participating sponsors for their donations:
Autozone
Select Fitness and Tanning
Sharpes’ Department Store
Mazzio’s Pizza
1st National Bank
Staudt’s Jewelry
Paddy’s Cardio Kickboxing
Casey’s Luke and Service Center
Lifeway Christian Book Store
Gator Hyde Bedliners
Massey’s Bar B Q
Randy’s Foods
Kellogg’s Firestone
Summer’s Auto Repair.
On behalf of the Huffman Family - thank you to everyone involved in the team effort, for your faithful prayers and donations.
If you don’t have a church home, feel free to join Calvary Baptist, 1327 E. 13th on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m., Wednesday night Adult Worship at 7 p.m. and ‘Team Kids’ and empowering worship time for the youth of today.