05/12/2022

Jury convicts McAlester man of murder, two other felonies

By DERRICK JAMES STAFF WRITER

A Pittsburg County jury found a McAlester man guilty of first-degree murder and two other felony counts Tuesday following a two-day trial.

Jurors deliberated for just less than an hour

and a half before finding 27-year-old Alverey Terrell Braxton guilty of murder in the first degree in the March 2019 death of 39-year-old Amanda Parham-Lee.

The jury also found Braxton guilty on felony counts of possession of a

firearm after former felony conviction and committing a felony with a firearm with a defaced ID number in connection with the shooting.

Jurors recommended a life sentence for Braxton along with two 15-year sentences for the firearm

charges.

He is accused of shooting Parham-Lee inside a vehicle in rural Pittsburg County before driving her to the McAlester Regional Health Center where the woman was pronounced dead.

Braxton and his de -

fense team, consisting of Wes Cherry and Brecken Wagner, maintained throughout the trial the shooting was an accident and that it occurred while Parham-Lee was moving the rifle from the front seat of the vehicle to the back seat while Braxton

was driving

During closing statements, Cherry told jurors that the case was about “indifference and assumptions.”

“Indifference to the evidence, indifference to his story, and simply assum-

McAlester graduate leads Oklahoma Arts Institute

By ADRIAN O’HANLON III EDITOR

Robert Ward is bringing his passion for music and the fine arts to a new role leading the Oklahoma Arts Institute.

The 1998 McAlester High School graduate was named the nonprofit arts program’s fifth director after he spent nearly two decades in some capacity there and said he hopes to serve students who faced a music journey similar to his own.

“I want to see support and see students coming from southeast Oklahoma and from McAlester so we can perpetuate the experience that I had,” Ward said.

Food, fun and music — Italian Festival preps for 50th Anniversary celebration

By JAMES BEATY MANAGING EDITOR

Much more than food will be available at the McAlester Italian Festival’s 50th Anniversary celebration although there will be plenty of food, too.

Everything from music to arts and crafts, a car show, carnival and helicopter rides are part of this year’s event.

This year’s two-day festival is set

for Friday and Saturday, May 13-14, at the Southeast Expo Center and the Pittsburg County Fairgrounds, with the festival starting in the

morning and continuing into the night.

It marks the first time the Italian Festival has been held in three years, with the 2020 and 2021 festivals canceled due to concerns regarding COVID-19. Organizers said there is lots of enthusiasm for the festival’s 2022 return.

“I think we’ll have a good turnout,” said Italian Festival Committee

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Ward said he moved to McAlester in second grade, spending his formative years there and now considers it home.

He played baseball and football at McAlester, but always had an interest in the fine arts. Ward said his dad pushed him to continue auditioning for the choir program and he went on to become an all-state choir member for three years.

Ward also studied at the Arts Institute three years before working 15 summers there as a counselor, counselor coordinator, technical director, and faculty member, conducting the chorus in 2019.

“I have a lot of experience and a lot of love for the program,” Ward said.

Yes—all food stays in your local community. It’s not shipped off to some regional distribution center hundreds of miles away. If you want to know where your donation is going,

3Does my food donation stay local?

RON DUSENBERRY | Courtesy photo VOLUNTEERS

Robert Ward

MERLEHOMERCOX,JR.

MerleHomer CoxJr.,55,of Canadian,Oklahomapassed awayonMonday,May9,2022, attheHillcrest MedicalCenter inTulsa,Oklahoma.Hewas bornonOctober29,1966,in Madill,OklahomatoMerle HomerCoxSr.andBarbara EthelVickCox.Merlegrewup inMadill,graduatingfrom MadillHighSchoolin1984 andlaterattendedSoutheasternStateUniversitywherehe graduatedin1995.Hemarried DeboraMarlineBradburyon September25,1992,inMadill. Merlewenttoworkforthe LakeTexomaLodgeasSales Directorandwascurrently workingasDeputyDirectorof OklahomaTourismforthe StateofOklahoma.Heenjoyedlife.Merlewasagolfer,a hunter,afishermanandheenjoyedtraveling,cooking,and cookingoutsideonthegrill.He lovedhisfamilyandhisdog Boomer.

Heissurvivedby: Wife:Debbie,Canadian,Oklahoma;Children:Danieland wifeNatasha,Ft.Drum,New York,TaylorandhusbandDer-

rick,McAlesterOklahoma; Grandchildren:LoganandBreanne,Ft.Drum,NewYork;Parents:MerleandBarbaraCox, Madill,Oklahoma;Sister: KarenEddingsandhusband Steven,Russett,Oklahoma; NephewsandNiece:Mason andRaegin;andmanyother speciallovedones.AndaSpecialFriend:NadineGarrison (BigMomma),Kingston,Oklahoma.

VisitationwillbeThursday, May12,2022,from10:00am to8:00pmwithafamilyhour from6:00pmto7:00pmat WattsFuneralHome,Madill, Oklahoma.

Funeralservicewillbe10:00 am,Friday,May13,2022,at WattsMemorialChapel,Madill, Oklahoma.TracyMartinwill officiatetheservice.Interment willbeattheLebanonCemetery,Lebanon,Oklahoma.Serviceswillbeunderthe directionofWattsFuneral Home,Madill,Oklahoma.Condolencesmaybesentto wattsfuneralhome.com.

CasketBearers:TonyPresley, BruceDivis,RichardKeithley, JimmyElder,JessPorter, DanielConnel,MasonEddings andGregSnider

FUNERAL NOTICES

Pittsburg County District Court criminal filings –May 2-6, 2022

This report reflects public Pittsburg County District Court records filed at the Pittsburg County Courthouse. The reader should keep in mind that these are charges, and not evidence of guilt. Cases with active arrest warrants issued by the court are included in this report. Dispositions of the charges are published in subsequent reports. Many names are similar and, in some cases, identical to a person not being charged. When names are identical, the News-Capital will publish a disclaimer, which more completely identifies the person being charged.

CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR FILINGS:

Thomas Mitchell Pritchard, 27, McAlester — Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, possession of controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia Lafonda Carol Lee, 53, Eufaula —

Obstructing officer

Kaci Dawn Cowell, 35, McAlester — Possession of controlled dangerous substance, transporting open container of alcoholic beverage

Amy Renee Lynn Zimmerman, 38, McAlester — Driving with license cancelled/suspended/revoked, failure to carry insurance/ security verification form, failure to wear seatbelt

Candance Lupin, 38, Midwest City — driving with license cancelled/suspended/ revoked Kristina Laura Wilson, 36, McAlester — Driving with license cancelled/suspended/ revoked Tommy Allen McCombs, 36, McAlester — Carrying firearm while under the influence, public intoxication Leslie Ann Justice, 39, Blanco — Possession of controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

Zoey Alexandra Henrichs, 19, Hartshorne — Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, possession of controlled dangerous substance Hayden C. Lewis, 27, McAlester —

Obstructing officer

Heather Devon Holland, 41, McAlester —

Possession of controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia Alissa Wilkinson, 37, no address given — Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol

Jerrod Jerome Scott, 40, Kiowa — Public intoxication and disturbing the peace

CRIMINAL FELONY FILINGS:

Lloyd Dewayne Ary, 51, McAlester —

Falsely personate another to create liability, possession of controlled dangerous substance x2, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia

Albert Lester Dority, 76, Hartshorne — Endangering others while eluding Rebecca Ann Golden, 38, Wilcox, Arizona — Unlawful possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute, bringing contraband into jail/penal institution, falsely personate another to create liability, driving while license is cancelled/suspended/ revoked, unlawful possession of drug para-

phernalia, and failure to maintain insurance or security Tommy Robinson, 56, Muskogee — Feloniously pointing firearm, domestic abuse-assault and battery Marcus T. Pingleton, 24, Krebs — Assault and battery on detention officer Diana Lyn Johnson, 75, Sherman, Texas — Unlawful possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute Lawrence D. Williams, 36, Eufaula — Unauthorized use of a vehicle Joe Anthony Salazar, 35, San Antonio, Texas — Possession of firearm after former felony conviction

MISDEMEANOR DISPOSITIONS:

William Eugene Brown, 24, Wilburton, received five concurrent six-month sentences in the custody of the Pittsburg County Jail for two counts of obstructing an officer, two counts possession of controlled dangerous substance, and driving with license suspended.

Rex Dillon Martin, 33, Pittsburg, received two concurrent one-year suspended sentences for malicious injury to property under $1,000 and a six-month suspended sentence for threaten to perform act of violence.

Robert Thomas McFerran, 51, McAlester, received a six-month deferred sentence for malicious injury to property under $1,000 along with being ordered to pay restitution.

Harold Dean Rowell, 30, McAlester, received an 18-month deferred sentence for knowingly receiving or concealing stolen property.

Three counts of trespass after being forbidden were dismissed against Wayne Allen Vandyke, 67, McAlester.

Two counts of possession of controlled dangerous substance, two counts of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of driving with license cancelled/suspended/revoked, and two counts of failure to carry insurance/security verification form were dismissed against Anthony Roosevelt Phifer, 37, McAlester.

Driving with license suspended was dismissed against William Eugene Brown, 24, Hartshorne.

Public intoxication was dismissed against Skyler Montana Miller, 28, McAlester due to the state of Oklahoma not having criminal jurisdiction in the matter.

Obstructing an officer and trespassing after being forbidden were dismissed against Brandon Ashley Sherwood, 44, Savanna.

FELONY DISPOSITIONS:

Jason Huxley, 31, Bethany, received four years under the supervision on the Oklahoma Department of Corrections with credit for time served for conspiracy to bring contraband into penal institution. A felony charge of gang related offense was dismissed.

Amber Barchinger, 36, McAlester, received a two-year suspended sentence for possession of a stolen vehicle.

Gregory Allen Gilmore, 38, McAlester, received two concurrent five-year suspended sentences for two counts of failure to

does not have the official ingredients included will be discarded by the food bank in the sorting process.

The top requested non-perishable food items are: cereal, pasta, pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce, rice, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meals (such as soups, chili and pasta), 100% juice, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, canned protein (tuna, chicken and turkey), beans (canned or dry). You also can donate healthy, low-sodium, low-sugar items such as beans, oatmeal and other whole grains, and canola or olive oil.

Please do not donate frozen food, homemade food or home-canned items. Please do not donate items that have expired or are in glass containers. In keeping with good food-handling and food-safety procedures, food that is opened, damaged, out of code or

Letter carriers try to touch every single mail box in America during the Food Drive, but the fact is that we do admittedly miss some. The Food Drive takes place in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America. It’s an effort to raise national awareness about the real, ongoing problem of hunger in every community, and it’s a sincere attempt to use our unique delivery network to do something about it. Please note, though, that participation is strictly voluntary, and no system is perfect—oversights will occur. If your donation is not picked up, contact your local post office or simply place your donation by your mailbox on Monday instead. (Letter carriers will be picking up missed donations on Monday, too.) And of course, your local food banks and pantries will gratefully accept your donation in person. In any case, we are deeply thankful for your generosity and are truly sorry for any inconvenience.

McAlester

comply with sex offender registration.

Irvin Wayne Roach, 45, Haileyville, received two concurrent 10-year suspended sentences under the supervision of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for two counts of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol along with a one-year suspended sentence for eluding/ attempting to elude a police officer. A separate charge of endangering others while eluding/attempting to elude a police officer was dismissed.

Misty Lee Abbe, 40, Quinton, received a three-year deferred sentence for trafficking in illegal drugs. A charge of unlawful possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute was dismissed.

Harold Dean Rowell, 60, McAlester, received an 18-month deferred sentence for possession of controlled dangerous substance. A charge of bringing contraband into a penal institution was dismissed.

Nicholas James Hendricks, 32, McAlester, received a five-year deferred sentence for distribution of controlled dangerous substance.

Trejon Asher Anderson, 22, Humble, Texas, received an 18-month deferred sentence after a felony count of possession of a stolen vehicle was reduced to misdemeanor joy riding.

Indecent exposure was dismissed against Wayne Allen Vandyke, 67, McAlester.

Larceny of automobile/aircraft or other motor vehicle, two counts of attempted larceny of automobile, aircraft, or other motor vehicle, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia were dismissed against Skyler Montana Miller, 28, McAlester, due to the state of Oklahoma not having criminal jurisdiction in the matter.

Assault with a dangerous weapon, domestic abuse-assault and battery, and threaten to perform act of violence were dismissed against Eric Thomas Winslow, 34, McAlester, due to failure of the state’s witness to cooperate.

Possession of contraband by an inmate was dismissed against John Walter Gasowski Jr., 51, McAlester.

Grand larceny was dismissed against William James Smith, 45, Haileyville due to the state not meeting its burden.

Grand larceny was dismissed against Dana B. Barcheers, 30, Haileyville, due to the state not meeting its burden.

Possession of a stolen vehicle was dismissed against Adam Dale Hollis, 39, Hartshorne, due to the state not meeting its burden.

Embezzlement was dismissed against Dustin L. Dobson, 46, Hartshorne.

Burglary in the first degree, feloniously pointing firearm, knowingly receiving or concealing stolen property, domestic assault and battery in presence of a minor and threaten to perform act of violence were dismissed against Eric Eugene Pierce, 39, McAlester, due to the failure of the state’s witness to cooperate.

Domestic assault and battery against a pregnant woman was dismissed against Matthew Glen Durant, 35, Indianola, at the request of the victim.

Black Tulsa woman sues police for civil rights violations

By KEN MILLER ASSOCIATED PRESS

A civil rights lawsuit was filed Tuesday against Tulsa, Oklahoma, police officers, the city and Mayor G.T. Bynum by a Black woman who alleges she was attacked and arrested while she was having a mental health crisis.

Ladonna Paris, a 70-year-old great-grandmother said she was terrified at the time of the October incident.

“I was mocked, taunted and brutalized,” Paris said during a Tuesday news conference and said that the video gave her a surreal feeling.

“It was like watching somebody else and I would say to myself when they were doing

these things, ‘Oh poor Ladonna,’” Paris said.

The incident began at Phillips Theological Seminary where Paris was attending graduate school when witnesses called 911 to report concerns over her mental state.

After an ambulance arrived, Paris drove to a nearby store where she locked herself into a bathroom and refused to leave after police arrived, according to the lawsuit.

“In the midst of a bipolar manic episode, which included paranoia and delusions, Ms. Paris was afraid the officers were going to kill her, so she locked herself in the bathroom and would not come out,” the lawsuit states.

Officer Ronni Carrocci, who is white, is seen on police video banging on the door to the bathroom where Paris was inside, according to attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons.

“You want to get tased ... I love my job,” Carroci said as she turns toward the camera.

“She’s so 85,” Carrioca later, and still on video, said using the police code for a person needing mental health treatment, according to Solomon-Simmons.

“She (Carrioca) did all of this on video, knowing she was on video,” Solomon-Simmons said.

“She was so giddy about it, it was disgusting.”

A city spokesperson said the city is aware of the lawsuit, but de -

clined comment on pending litigation.

The lawsuit filed in Tulsa County District Court alleges 14 civil rights violations, including excessive use of force, ignoring Paris’ medical needs, ignoring training and assault.

The legal action seeks more than $75,000 in actual damages and unspecified compensation for punitive damages and legal fees.

Paris seeks justice and accountability by the city and police for the officers’ actions, according to Solomon-Simmons.

“We want a judge to say this is not constitutional policing, this is unacceptable,” Solomon-Simmons said.

4What do you mean by “nonperishable food” and what shouldn’t be donated?

5What if I put food out and it wasn’t picked up?

—Derrick James

Merle Homer Cox, Jr., 10 a.m., Watts Funeral Home of Madill.

FRIDAY

PHOTOS

McAlester’s Maggie Armstrong named an EOSC Outstanding Graduate

By TRISH MCBEATH EOSC COMMUNICATIONS

WILBURTON Eastern Oklahoma State College sophomore Maggie Armstrong of McAlester, OK was named the Outstanding Graduate for the Science and Mathematics Division during the college’s 2022 commencement ceremony in Wilburton. Division Dean Dr. Andrea Green presented the award.

One graduate from each of the college divisions is selected each year for the honor. The other 2022 Outstanding

Graduates include Ashley Gay of Washington, OK, Agriculture Division; Adam Gomez of Wilburton, OK, Behavioral and Social Science Division; Austin Albright of Chickasha, OK, Business Division; Zachary Murrin of Indianola, OK, Language, Humanities and Education Division; and Jessica Raper of McAlester, OK, Nursing Division.

Armstrong graduated in the top 10 percent of her class with an associate degree in life science. She maintained a 4.0 grade point average and was named to the Presi-

dent’s Honor Roll each of her semesters at Eastern.

Armstrong received several scholarships including the Tenaska Scholarship, Hall Family Scholarship, Carsyn Kay Hackler Memorial Scholarship, Fanny Rambo FCCLA Scholarship, Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education Scholarship, AAT Carriers, Inc. Foundation Scholarship, Dr. Del and Ramona Allen Foundation Scholarship, and the Sapphire Foundation Scholarship.

During her time at Eastern, Armstrong has served as president of the

Phi Theta Kappa honor society and vice president of the Math and Science Club. She is a member of the All Oklahoma Academic Team and a worship leader at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry.

Maggie is the daughter of Kim and Richard Armstrong. She plans to attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in nutritional sciences to become a registered dietician. She also plans to apply to medical school and with the goal of becoming a pediatrician.

Indianola’s Zachary Murrin named an Outstanding Graduate at Eastern

By

MCBEATH EOSC COMMUNICATIONS

WILBURTON Eastern Oklahoma State College sophomore Zachary Murrin of Indianola was named the Outstanding Graduate for the Language, Humanities and Education Division during the college’s 2022 commencement ceremony in Wilburton. Division Dean Kristen Turner presented the award.

One graduate from each of the college divisions is selected each year for the honor. The other 2022 Outstanding Graduates include Ashleigh Gay of Washington, OK, Agriculture Division; Adam Gomez of Wilburton, OK, Behavioral and Social Science Division; Austin Albright of Chickasha, OK, Business Division; Jessica Raper of McAlester, OK, Nursing Division; and

Maggie Armstrong of McAlester, OK, Science and Mathematics Division.

Murrin graduated in the top 10 percent of his class with an associate degree in English. He maintained a 4.0 grade point average and was named to the President’s Honor Roll each of his semesters at Eastern. Murrin is a Regent’s Academic Scholarship recipient, the top institu -

tional scholarship awarded at Eastern, and the scholarship will follow him to his next institution as he completes his bachelor’s degree.

Zachary is the son of Robert and Angie Murrin. In the fall, he plans to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University to complete a bachelor’s degree in English. His career goal is to become an English teacher.

A free resource fair for Veterans, service-members, family members and supporters will be held May 17 in Muskogee.

Sponsored by the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System’s Suicide Prevention Program and Tulsa Vet Center, the event will be held at Hatbox Hall, located at 524 S. 40th St., from 3-6 p.m.

VA and community organizations will be available to provide information on their services. In addition, Veteran Service Organizations will be on hand to help Veterans with VA disability claims. There will also be door prizes and snacks!

For more information, contact Daphne Hillhouse, VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator, at 918-616-9813 or at daphne.hillhouse@va.gov.

EOSC COMMUNICATIONS | Courtesy photo

DEAN DR. ANDREA GREEN recognized Maggie Armstrong of McAlester, OK as Eastern Oklahoma State College’s 2022 Outstanding Graduate for the Science and Mathematics Division.

TRISH

EOSC COMMUNICATIONS Courtesy photo DEAN KRISTEN TURNER recognized Zachary Murrin as Eastern Oklahoma State College’s 2022 Outstanding Graduate for the Language, Humanities and Education Division.

Veteran and Family Resource Fair May 17 in Muskogee

—Nita McClellan, Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System

TODAY IN HISTORY

Today is Thursday, May 12, the 132nd day of 2022. There are 233 days left in the year.

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT IN HISTORY:

On May 12, 1949, the Soviet Union lifted the Berlin Blockade, which the Western powers had succeeded in circumventing with their Berlin Airlift.

ON THIS DATE:

In 1780, during the Revolutionary War, the besieged city of Charleston, South Carolina, surrendered to British forces.

In 1932, the body of Charles Lindbergh Jr., the 20-month-old kidnapped son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh, was found in a wooded area near Hopewell, New Jersey.

In 1933, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration and the Agricultural Adjustment Administration were established to provide help for the needy and farmers.

In 1943, during World War II, Axis forces in North Africa surrendered. The two-week Trident Conference, headed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, opened in Washington.

In 1958, the United States and Canada signed an agreement to create the North American Air Defense Command (later the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD).

In 1970, the Senate voted unanimously to confirm Harry A. Blackmun as a Supreme Court justice.

In 1975, the White House announced the new Cambodian government had seized an American merchant ship, the Mayaguez, in international waters. (U.S. Marines gained control of the ship three days after its seizure, not knowing the 39 civilian members of the crew had already been released by Cambodia.)

In 1982, in Fatima, Portugal, security guards overpowered a Spanish priest armed with a bayonet who attacked Pope John Paul II. (In 2008, the pope’s longtime private secretary revealed that the pontiff was slightly wounded in the assault.)

In 1986, the military action-drama film “Top Gun,” starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis and released by Paramount Pictures, had its world premiere in New York.

In 2008, a devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake in China’s Sichuan province left more than 87,000 people dead or missing.

In 2009, five Miami men were convicted in a plot to blow up FBI buildings and Chicago’s Sears Tower; one man was acquitted. Suspected Nazi death camp guard John Demjanjuk (demYAHN’-yuk) was deported from the United States to Germany. (On this date in 2011, Demjanjuk, who maintained his innocence, would be convicted by a German court of being an accessory to the murder of tens of thousands of Jews; he died in March 2012 at age 91.)

In 2011, CEOs of the five largest oil companies went before the Senate Finance

US identifies Native American boarding schools, burial sites

By FELICIA FONSECA ASSOCIATED PRESS

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. A first-of-its-kind federal study of Native American boarding schools that for over a century sought to assimilate Indigenous children into white society has identified more than 400 such schools that were supported by the U.S. government and more than 50 associated burial sites, a figure that could grow exponentially as research continues.

The report released Wednesday by the Interior Department expands the number of schools that were known to have operated for 150 years, starting in the early 19th century and coinciding with the removal of many tribes from their ancestral lands.

The dark history of the boarding schools where children who were taken from their families were prohibited from speaking their Native American languages and often abused has been felt deeply across Indian Country and through generations.

Many children never returned home. The investigation has so far turned up over 500 deaths at 19 schools, though the Interior Department said that number could climb to the thousands or even tens of thousands.

“Many of those children were buried in unmarked or poorly maintained burial sites far from their Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, the Native Hawaiian Community, and families, often hundreds, or even thousands, of miles away,” the report said.

A second volume of the report will cover the burial sites as well as the federal government’s financial investment in the schools and the impacts of the boarding schools on Indigenous communities, the Interior Department said.

“The consequences of federal Indian boarding school policies including the intergenerational trauma caused by the family separation and cultural eradication inflicted upon generations of children as young as 4 years old are heartbreaking and undeniable,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement.

Haaland, who is Laguna, announced an initia-

tive last June to investigate the troubled legacy of boarding schools and uncover the truth about the government’s role in them. The 408 schools her agency identified operated in 37 states or territories, many of them in Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico.

The Interior Department acknowledged the number of schools identified could change as more data is gathered. The coronavirus pandemic and budget restrictions hindered some of the research over the last year, said Bryan Newland, the Interior Department’s assistant secretary for Indian Affairs.

The department has so far found at least 53 burial sites at or near the U.S. boarding schools, both marked and unmarked.

The U.S. government directly ran some of the boarding schools. Catholic, Protestant and other churches operated others with federal funding, backed by U.S. laws and policies to “civilize” Native Americans.

The Interior Department report was prompted by the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at former residential school sites in Canada that brought back painful memories for Indigenous communities.

Haaland also an -

nounced Wednesday a yearlong tour for Interior Department officials that will allow former boarding school students from Native American tribes, Alaska Native villages and Native Hawaiian communities to share their stories as part of a permanent oral history collection.

“It is my priority to not only give voice to the survivors and descendants of federal Indian boarding school policies, but also to address the lasting legacies of these policies so Indigenous Peoples can continue to grow and heal,” she said.

Boarding school conditions varied across the U.S. and Canada. While

some former students have reported positive experiences, children at the schools often were subjected to military-style discipline and had their long hair cut.

Early curricula focused heavily on outdated vocational skills, including homemaking for girls.

Tribal leaders have pressed the agency to ensure that any children’s remains that are found are properly cared for and delivered back to their tribes, if desired. The burial sites’ locations will not be released publicly to prevent them from being disturbed, Newland said.

Accounting for the whereabouts of children who died has been difficult because records weren’t always kept. Ground penetrating radar has been used in some places to search for remains.

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, which created an early inventory of the schools, has said Interior’s work will be an important step for the U.S. in reckoning with its role in the schools but noted that the agency’s authority is limited.

Later this week, a U.S. House subcommittee will hear testimony on a bill to create a truth and healing commission modeled after one in Canada. Several church groups are backing the legislation.

SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN AP File Photo

THE U.S. INTERIOR DEPARTMENT is expected to release a report Wednesday, May 11, 2022, that it says will begin to uncover the truth about the federal government’s past oversight of Native American boarding schools.

SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN | AP File Photo

A MAKESHIFT MEMORIAL for the dozens of Indigenous children who died more than a century ago while attending a boarding school that was once located nearby is displayed under a tree at a public park in Albuquerque, N.M., on July 1, 2021.

Good news and a word of caution

By DOUGLAS H. DOMEDION GUEST COLUMNIST

Hey, the hummingbirds have started to return! I have had several at my recently placed hummer feeders and have been getting reports about others seeing them this past week.

These little guys give us a lot of pleasure through the summer but it is our responsibility to keep them healthy. This means the feeders need to be kept clean and new food periodically put in, especially now that the warmer weather is moving in.

Experts recommend cleaning the feeder and replacing the food every three or four days. What I do is fill my feeders with just enough food for three to four days and then there is less waste. Not cleaning the feeders can result in sick hummers and could even cause death, so please take the time to do so.

Another thing I find helpful is to put up a number of hummer feeders at different areas around my house. That’s because once the female has started to incubate and later when raising the kids she has limited time for herself to feed. The males do not get involved with raising of the kids and spend a good part of their summer near the feeders, as this is an easy feeding deal for them. They defend “their” feeder from other hummers, which makes it hard for Ma to get a drink.

I have several feeders near the east windows of my house, a couple more on the south side windows and another couple on the west side. This makes it difficult for the males to control any feeder. It is also nice for me because if I’m sitting in the living room I

see hummers; in the dining room, hummers; in the kitchen, hummers; and in the bathroom, hummers!

I have not seen any orioles at my grape feeder yet but others have reported seeing some. The rose-breasted grosbeaks showed up this past week and they always add a real spark of color at the feeder. As I mentioned last week, I let the regular bird feeder go empty for a few days before refilling it. That accomplishes two things this time of the year: First it keeps the birds from congregating too densely around the feeder, to minimize the possible spread of this new bird flu (although experts are saying song birds don’t seem to be affected by it); and second, it cuts down on my spending on black oil sunflower seeds.

• • •

In relation to that new bird flu, an eagle in the Romulus area (between Seneca and Cayuga lakes) was behaving very strangely at the Simpson State Park recently, remaining in a certain tree all day and then falling out at night and getting tangled in some shrubbery underneath. It was captured and taken to the Cornell veterinary hospital where it was later determined to have this new bird flu. The eagle was euthanized, since birds that are susceptible to this usually don’t survive. The leg bands on this eagle told us it was 19 years old. All raptors are sensitive to this new flu, as are all poultry. Notice how the price of eggs has gone up?

This year I have been seeing a very high rate of nest failure in the eagle nests that I keep track of. Two nests experienced nesting failures due to raccoons destroying the eggs either predator guards had not been put in place, or they

were torn loose by high wind. Three other new nests in the past few years have either not been used or had failure, and they didn’t have guards on them either, so I’m wondering whether raccoons (and now fishers) were the problem.

Five of the nests this year do have eaglets in them, so that is good news.

One bird that seems to be doing just fine is the Canada goose, even though I hear they can be susceptible to the new bird flu. Presently the geese are hatching out like crazy and the cute little goslings can be seen anywhere in the marshes. They really are cute fellows when they first start tagging along with Ma and Dad, but you better hurry to see that, as they get ugly

quickly. Oh, yeah, watch where you step when you’re out looking!

• • •

Here’s another tip for folks out in the fields, woods and marshes: Be aware that deer ticks are out there now and they can give you Lyme disease. Humans and their pets both are at risk, so take precautions.

My advice? Get your pets on medication for it and you use a product that contains 0.5% permethrin and will repel or kill ticks, mosquitoes and chiggers. The sprays containing this are applied on your clothing (avoid contact with skin until the spray is dry) and most of them should last six weeks or six laundry washes. I have one set of

treated pants that I wear only when I’m out in the field photographing. This is good advice for turkey hunters too. The other thing you can do, after a field trip or a hike, is take off that outer clothing outside your house (so you don’t bring ticks into the house) and then check yourself for ticks. Lyme disease is a serious disease and often crippling. It only takes a few minutes, after an infected tick bites, for you to become infected.

Good weather is upon us, with new life jumping out all over, so get out there and enjoy but be cautious, too.

• Doug Domedion, outdoorsman and nature photographer, resides in Medina. Contact him at (585) 798-4022 or woodduck2020@yahoo.com .

DOUG DOMEDION | Courtesy Photo

HUMMINGBIRDS HAVE BEGUN to return to the Niagara Frontier.

75th Diamond Jubilee Stilwell festival rolling out new features

more arts and crafts vendors than historically before,” said Davis.

STILWELL Just 25 miles away in Adair County, Stilwell is about to celebrate its milestone 75th Diamond Jubilee Strawberry Festival this weekend.

Volunteers have been planning for months and grooming for weeks to make a good impression when visitors and locals mingle downtown on May 14.

A parade, crowning the queen, berry judging and auction, live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, and servings of free berries and ice cream are the main components of this event, always held the second weekend in May.

As of Monday, 193 vendors were signed up –the most ever.

It holds the title of longest, continuous festival in Oklahoma, and Kiwanis Club volunteers work hard to make it better every year.

Kiwanis President Tyler Davis said that each year, the Strawberry Festival generates a great deal of excitement for Stilwell and the surrounding communities,

but this year offers more than ever before.

“This year brings the added elation that we’ll be celebrating the diamond anniversary of the Stilwell Strawberry Fes-

tival. We have the author of the Strawberry Shortcake children’s books; our parade marshal will be none other than the first Strawberry Festival Queen, and we’ll have

He’s especially excited about the second annual Stilwell’s Got Talent on Friday, May 13, and showcasing all the local talent on the Kiwanis Stage downtown on the Adair County Courthouse square at 6 p.m. Performers will compete for $1,700 in prize money, to be earned by the top three winners in two categories of youth. Joe Mack, Stilwell Democrat Journal general manager, will judge the competition and perform.

“The inaugural year went really well, and as the event grows, I expect it to continue to draw a great crowd and amazing talent,” Davis said.

Festivities begin midweek with a carnival, and on Friday with the rodeo. Saturday kicks off with the annual 5K Run for the Berries and at 10 a.m., the parade. Other events include a car and motorcycle show, berry

judging and auction, softball tournament, horse-shoe throwing contest and more.

The growers provide the impetus for the celebration.

The homegrown fruit may be smaller than its California cousin, but it’s considered well worth the cost of $40 per “flat,” or 8 quarts, because all growers sell out early that Saturday, so anyone intending to purchase that day will want to call ahead to reserve or come early, by 10 a.m.

Berries are usually available daily from midMay for three to six weeks, depending on the variety. Also new this year, Miller Farms will have fall berries for sale.

Longtime grower Bobby Doyle, who has been showing and winning prize berries for 65 years, credits “churt” for the tastiest berries coming from Adair County.

A list of growers and contacts can be found at strawberrycapital.com.

Astronomy buffs interested in upcoming superman eclipse

By BRIAN D. KING CNHI NEWS OKLAHOMA

On Sunday night, moon-gazers around the country will have a chance to check out the Super Flower Blood Moon, which in Cherokee County will start around 8:30 p.m., peak around 10:30, and part by midnight.

Over the past week, Gary McClure, earth science teacher at Tahlequah High School, has been encouraging his students to learn about eclipses and get ready for the event.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the shadow of the earth casts itself on a full moon. This only takes place when the sun, Earth, and moon are in perfect alignment.

“Many of us think the sun, the earth, and the moon are on the same plane. If that were the case, we’d have an eclipse

every month, but the orbit of the moon wobbles, so we only have four to six per year,” said McClure.

This year, Earth will experience two eclipses: two solar and two lunar. He said lunar eclipses are much more accessible than solar eclipses. No special equipment is required for people to enjoy the changing of the moon’s colors.

Solar eclipses are famously more accessible at certain trajectories around the globe. In 2017, Americans had to drive to Kansas City, Missouri, to experience the full solar eclipse. On Sunday, the lunar eclipse will be viewable by everyone on Earth.

“The lunar eclipse is different from the solar eclipse because a larger object, Earth, will be casting a shadow on a smaller object, the moon, so everyone can see that. In a so-

lar eclipse, the moon casts a shadow on the Earth, so fewer people will be able to see it,” said McClure.

This eclipse is sparking the interest of many because the event takes place during a “supermoon.” The moon revolves around the earth in ellipses, rather than concentric circles, which means the moon is not the same distance from Earth. A supermoon is when the moon appears larger because it is closer to Earth.

When the earth casts its shadow on the moon, it will appear red, which is why it is called a “blood moon.” The moon does not shine light of its own; rather, it reflects the light from the sun. Instead of turning completely dark, the sun’s rays scatter around the Earth. The moon will appear red for the same reason that sunsets and sunrises also appear red.

For those wanting to get a closer view of the eclipse, the Tahlequah Public Library has a telescope available for checkout.

“If they want to use it, it can be helpful. It’s not a very high-powered one. It is perfect for moon studies,” said John Dick, employee at TPL.

The telescope comes in a backpack, has different lenses and accessories, and makes objects appear 40-60 times larger than they are.

The library won’t be holding any events for the eclipse, but librarians are encouraging people to come and learn more about astronomy.

“We have a lot of books on space, both in print and online,” said Cherokee Lowe, TPL manager.

Those interested in checking out books should go to the children’s section of the library. Those who want to learn more

can use interlibrary loan to request items from other libraries.

Lowe loves to talk about space with kids, who mostly understand it from TV shows and movies.

“I think in general, space is a concept to them.

They can’t experience it. The likelihood that they can get to go is pretty low.

I think it is exciting to know what is out there, and telescopes help us to bring space a little closer to us in real life,” said Lowe.

GARY MCCLURE, earth science teacher at Tahlequah High School, is encouraging his students to learn more about the Super Flower Blood Moon, which they will be able to witness for themselves on Sunday night.

Courtesy Photo

RICK LONGSHORE shows off his crop of strawberries.

Dancing Rabbit hopping good time

Several moments during the Dancing Rabbit Musical Festival on Saturday embodied how the events bring life to our community.

Parents danced with their excited children near the stage as Oklahoma musician Travis Linville opened the first of the Dancing Rabbit Music Festival’s 2022 series on Saturday in downtown McAlester. Linville and his band mates performed several tracks from his most recent album, 2021’s “I’m still Here,” and blues and rock covers of other songs as families and friends smiled and chattered along Choctaw Avenue.

Joe Pug played next with his acoustic guitar and harmonica in a solo performance reminiscent of early Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. He took a moment between songs to tell the crowd about shortening his given name, Joseph Pugliese, and his Italian ancestors — calling it a pleasant surprise that he would be playing in an area known as Oklahoma’s Little Italy when coming to McAlester and Krebs.

“I feel a kinship with you,” Pug told the crowd.

Tulsa-native and famed artist John Moreland headlined the event with the final set after sunset with the stars overhead as he sang one of his best-known songs: “Meet me where I land, if I slip and fall too far, hang me in the Tulsa County stars.”

Moreland told the crowd it was his first performance in McAlester to loud cheers — and people later clamored for an encore before the artist returned to the stage to end the night with the fan-requested “Break My Heart Sweetly.”

Those moments and more show how special the Dancing Rabbit Music Festival is to our community.

We’ve interviewed artists on their thoughts ahead of each concert since the festival started last year, taken pictures at each event, and enjoyed talking with festival-goers.

Dancing Rabbit brings the community together for a fun, free night of music and good memories.

Saturday was no different.

Ryan and Jessica White said they had just returned to their Tulsa home from an overseas trip to Croatia and Turkey before heading to McAlester for the Dancing Rabbit Music Festival because they were determined to see Pug play.

Matthew Woods told us he went to the concert specifically to hear Moreland — but enjoyed the entire show.

“I thought it was very awesome,” Woods said. “I think it’s something that’s very family friendly and very good for our city.”

As we covered in the dozens of stories leading up to Saturday’s kickoff, the Dancing Rabbit Music Festival is set to bring more fun to McAlester all summer.

We encourage everyone to enjoy this free music festival series — set for a June 11 show featuring Flobots, Josie Dunne and Stroke 9; plus a July 16 concert featuring the Quaker City Nighthawks, Shawn James and the Texas Gentlemen.

• McAlester News-Capital Editorial Board

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COLUMNISTS

TUESDAY: George Will.

WEDNESDAY: “National Perspective”, David Shribman.

THURSDAY: Mark Thiessen.

FRIDAY: John A. Newby.

COMMENTARY

Protesting at justices' homes is illegal. What is Biden doing about it?

Protesters outside Brett Kavanaugh’s house warned the Supreme Court justice this weekend, “If you take away our choices, we will riot.”

They marched on Justice Samuel Alito Jr.’s home chanting “Abort the court!” and stood outside the home of Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. (who apparently did not vote to overturn Roe v. Wade) yelling “The whole world is watching!”

This is not just noxious behavior; it is illegal. Federal law — Section 1507 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code — clearly states that it is unlawful to protest near a “residence occupied or used by [a] judge, juror, witness, or court officer” with the intent of influencing “the discharge of his duty,” adding that anyone who “uses any sound-truck or similar device or resorts to any other demonstration in or near any such building or residence, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.”

The reason is simple: It is obstruction of justice. Just as it is against the law to tamper with witnesses or jurors by intimidating them or their family, it’s unlawful to tamper with a Supreme Court justice by coming to their home to threaten, harass or coerce them to influence their vote in a case before the court.

So, what is the Biden administration doing about it? This is a federal statute, so it’s Attorney General Merrick Garland’s responsibility to enforce it. When the National School Boards Association wrote to President Joe Biden complaining about angry parents showing up at school board meetings, Garland immediately issued a memorandum to the director of the FBI ordering him to “convene meetings . . . in each federal judicial district” to discuss “strategies for addressing threats” made by parents.. The Justice Department further announced Garland would form “a task force, consisting of representatives from the department’s . . . National Security Division” — created by the Patriot Act

to investigate terrorists — to “determine how federal enforcement tools can be used to prosecute these crimes.” Garland declared at the time, “Threats against public servants are not only illegal, they run counter to our nation’s core values.” I’m sorry, are Supreme Court justices not public servants? Does attempting to intimidate them not run counter to our nation’s core values? In the case of the school boards association, not one of the incidents they cited involved a violation of federal law, yet Garland swung into action. But the harassment of justices at their homes does violate federal law and what is Garland doing? Despite multiple inquiries, Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley refused to explain what steps Garland was taking to protect justices or enforce the law.

Garland’s failure to act is an appalling dereliction of duty. So is Biden’s failure to condemn the protests. During his victory speech after the election, Biden declared that it was time “stop treating our opponents as our enemy.” In his inaugural address, he promised to “end this uncivil war” and put “my whole soul” into “bringing America together.”

Not only has he failed to fulfill that promise, he has modeled the bad behavior these protesters are now emulating. When Republicans blocked his partisan election law, Biden accused them of standing with racists

AREA LAWMAKERS

and traitors, and called them “enemies” of America, thundering, “I will defend the right to vote, our democracy against all enemies — foreign and, yes, domestic.” That sent a signal that our fellow Americans who disagree with us are in fact “enemies” and can be treated as such. When someone is your enemy, then there is nothing to stop you from showing up at their house to threaten and intimidate them.

Asked last Friday about the group calling itself “Ruth Sent Us,” which published the locations of the justices’ homes on its website, White House press secretary Jen Psaki refused to condemn the doxing. “We want people to protest peacefully if they want to,” she said, adding that she didn’t have “an official U.S. government position on where people protest.”

There is in fact an “official U.S. government position on where people protest” — it’s 18 U.S.C. 1507. After someone firebombed a pro-life group’s offices in Wisconsin on Sunday, Psaki belatedly tweeted that the Biden “strongly believes in the Constitutional right to protest. But that should never include violence, threats, or vandalism.” It took someone throwing a Molotov cocktail at pro-lifers to elicit even that mild criticism. What will it take to get the president to order his attorney general to enforce federal law barring harassment of the justices and their families in their homes?

Last year, when left-wing protesters followed Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) into a bathroom, filming as they yelled at her over her opposition to Biden’s Build Back Better legislation, the president dismissed her harassment, declaring it was “part of the process.” It’s not. It’s appalling behavior. But it’s not illegal. Well, harassing Supreme Court justices in their homes is against the law. It’s time for Biden to enforce that law before someone gets hurt.

• Follow Marc A. Thiessen on Twitter, @ marcthiessen.

District 7 State Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-MCCURTAIN: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Ste. 513-B, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105, 405-521-5604, warren.hamilton@oksenate.gov.

District 17 State Rep. Jim Grego, R-MCALESTER: 501 State Capitol, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105, 405-557-7381, jim.grego@okhouse.gov

District 18 State Rep. David Smith, R-MCALESTER: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 250A, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105, 405-557-7376, david.smith@okhouse.gov U.S. Sen. James Inhofe 1924 S. Utica, Ste. 530, Tulsa, OK, 74104, 918-748-5111; 215 E. Choctaw, Ste. 106, McAlester, OK, 74502, 918-426-0933, www.inhofe.senate.gov

U.S. Sen. James Lankford The Remington Tower, 5810 East Skelly Drive Suite 1000, Tulsa, OK 74135, 918-581-7651 316 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, 202-224-5754

U.S. District 2 Rep. Markwayne Mullin 1113 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20515, 202-225-2701; 918-423-5951; markwayne.mullin@mail.house.gov

918-421-2022

FIRST AMENDMENT: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Mark Thiessen WASHINGTON POST COLUMNIST

Co-Chairman Bobby Lenardo. “The weather is cooperating and people are itching to come out.”

Opening ceremonies and crowning of this year’s Re and Regina are set for Saturday, the festival’s second day, from 10:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the main stage near the food tent. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1098 will post the colors, with McAlester Army Ammunition Plant Commander Col. Michael. F. Hammond the featured speaker.

Music begins at 11 a.m. on Friday and will continue throughout the festival. Once again there is no admission and free parking at the festival site.

Vendors will be set up

both inside and outside the Southeast Expo Center.

One of the most popular sites is the Italian Festival food tent, where Italian dinners are served, costing $12 for adults and $7 for children. Another food tent nearby offers more items.

“We’ll have homemade pizza and all kinds of sandwiches,” Lenardo said.

He said lots of vendors are coming to the festival, with many of them set up inside the Expo Center.

“Inside the building, we’ll have all kinds of vendors,” Lenardo said.

“We’ll have everything from jewelry to art, to household items. Outside, food vendors will offer items ranging from funnel cakes and shaved ice to activities such as face painting. One vendor is

Ward said he enjoyed being around people passionate about music in the program.

He said working with people in the creative process of making music seemed magical to him and his experience with the Arts Institute motivated him to continue in music.

“It really kind of helped me see there are other people out there pursuing it and passionate about it,” he added. “It was really important to see there were other kids from other towns in Oklahoma that were like me, that maybe had multiple interests but could really excel in the arts.”

Ward graduated from Oklahoma State University and became a choir director for a decade before continuing his education.

He then earned a master’s degree from Southern Methodist University and a doctorate at the University of North Texas.

Ward’s education career brought him to Emporia State University in Kansas before he took a brief hiatus from music selling insurance amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now leading the Arts Institute, Ward said to he wants to help lift students and teachers in the arts in anyway he can similar to the support he saw at McAlester from the Bass family.

“You just felt that support in the community,” Ward said.

The Oklahoma Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain started in 1977 and is a private, non-profit organization with a mission to provide exceptional multidisciplinary arts experiences that develop individual talent and inspire a lifelong passion for the arts.

OAI’s primary program is a two-week summer intensive for high school students who earn a nearly $3,000 scholarship. Major funding comes via private donors, with matching funds from the Oklahoma State Department of Education and additional support from the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Students audition statewide in January and February for one of the following disciplines: choral music, orchestra, drawing and painting, photography, film making, acting, dance, and creative writing.

Ward said the program accepts 250 students and brings in faculty from across the nation for instruction. He said instructors come from the nation’s top art schools and this year included the 2021 Grammy Music Educator Award Recipient Jeffrey Murdock, music professor at the University of Arkansas.

“We go out and try to find the best of the best to teach those students,” Ward said.

The Oklahoma Fall Arts Institute is a series of four-day weekend workshops for educators and adult artists of all ability levels in the literary, visual, and performing arts. The program reaches more than 50,000 Oklahoma public school children each year.

Ward said the program offers multiple disciplines each weekend and strives to give back to teachers.

He said OSAI is working toward a virtual program that grew out of a COVID-19 pilot program and aims to better reach rural areas to help students have better access to instruction and help them audition.

“We can’t be everywhere at once, but if we can offer some sort of program to reach and support those programs, then we want to do everything we can,” Ward said.

aohanlon@mcalesternews.com

• Contact Adrian O’Hanlon III at

bringing kettle corn, roasted corn and the specialty known as elotes, or Mexican corn, which typically includes mayonnaise, cream cheese and peppers.”

All sorts of special activities are planned.

“We’ll have a cornhole tournament at noon on Saturday,” Lenardo said.

The Meatball Nationals Car, Truck and Bike show starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, he said. Entry fee for the event is $25, with awards going to the winners. Registration prior to the festival is not required. “They can register at the fairgrounds,” said Lenardo. Awards are to be presented to the winners around noon Saturday, he said.

Other activities include a kid’s spaghetti eating contest at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and a spaghetti

sauce contest. Spaghetti sauce entries will be accepted until 10 a.m. on Saturday, with the winner announced around noon, Lenardo said.

Music on Friday includes House Music from 11 a.m.-3 p.m; Larry and Kathy Stewart (Stewart Wolves), 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.; Joe Disilvestro, from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and Robby V & The Smokin’ Section, from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Saturday’s main stage lineup includes House Music from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m., opening and crowning ceremonies, 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m.; The Music Store Students and Student Band, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; House Music/Spaghetti Contest announcements, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.; Open Mic, 1:30 p.m.2:45 p.m.; Three Mighties, 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.; Blue Zebra/Chris Morris, 5 p.m.- 6:30 p.m., and

sense.”

ing facts that may not have even been in evidence,” Cherry said.

Cherry pointed out the testimony from two criminologists from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation saying the evidence provided to the lab showed no fingerprints were found on the rifle and no gunshot residue was found on swabs taken from Braxton’s hands.

“Logic dictates that he didn’t fire a gun,” Cherry said. “It’s common

House Party, from 7 p.m.8:30 p.m., or encore.

While admission at the Italian Festival is free, some activities have a cost, such as a monster truck ride as well as helicopter rides by Fly Tulsa. “They should be here Friday by about noon and all day Saturday,” Lenardo said.

The Thomas Brothers Carnival will be on the site both Friday and Saturday, from noon until around 10 p.m.,said Lenardo. It’s expected to be up and running on Thursday, a day prior to the festival’s beginning, he said.

Also available at the festival will be domestic and craft beers, as well as wine and wine-tasting, Lenardo said.

A tent devoted to Italian heritage is included in this year’s festival.

The defense attorney also told jurors that forensic evidence obtained in the case by OSBI through the use of trajectory sticks and a 3-D laser scanner did not prove that Braxton fired the shot that killed Parham-Lee or that the evidence could tell who fired or even where the gun was fired from.

“Does that math check out?,” Cherry said.

District 18 First Assistant District Attorney Adam Scharn said in the state’s closing that the “case boiled down to math” and that

Steve and Phyllis DeFrange will have their 1961 500D FIAT at the festival, and people can take photos standing by the small Italian car, if they want, Lenardo said.

“We’ll also be selling 50th Anniversary T-shirts,” said Lenardo , with shirts available in an array of sizes.

One difference in this year’s festival is it will be held on Friday and Saturday only, not on Sunday. Lenardo arrived early Wednesday at the festival grounds at 4500 West U.S. Highway 270. He said the site is in fine shape. “The fairgrounds are mowed, thanks to the county commissioners and the sheriff’s office,” said Lenardo.

“It looks like it’s going to be a great festival.”

• Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.

Braxton’s version did “not add up.” Scharn told the jury that the bullet entered Parham-Lee’s left chest at a 31-degree angle, and by using the measurements inside the vehicle where the shooting occurred, the rifle could have only been fired from outside the vehicle.

“There’s no way his story adds up unless he was outside of the vehicle,” Scharn said.

Formal sentencing of Braxton will be held at a later date following a pre-sentence investigation.

• Contact Derrick James at djames@ mcalesternews.com

McAlester competes at 5A State Tournament

By DEREK HATRIDGE SPORTS EDITOR

The Buffs battled it out on the state’s biggest stage.

McAlester faced the competition at the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association Class 5A Boys Golf State Tournament on Monday and Tuesday at the Duncan Golf and Tennis Club, with the Buffs making their mark.

The 5A Boys Golf State Tournament is a two-day, three round event. The Buffs played their first 36 holes on Monday, and completed play with the last 18 holes on Tuesday.

Shawn Perkins led the way for McAlester in the

HS TENNIS

RACKET READY

first 18 holes, shooting an 86 in the round. Zane Owens followed closely behind with a 90, followed by Kaiden Duke with a 99, Hayden Graham with a 101, and Landen Ragan with a 103 for a total team score of 376 in the first round.

But any rest the Buffs might have taken would be short-lived, as they had another round to play.

This time, Owens led McAlester with an 83 in the round, followed by Perkins with a 97, Ragan with a 99, Graham with a 106, and Duke with a 114.

That resulted in a 385 total second round score, adding up to a team score of 761 on the first day of play Monday.

The Buffs got back to work early Tuesday morning for the final 18 holes. Owens once again led McAlester by shooting an 84, followed closely by Ragan with a 93, Perkins with a 96, Duke with a 98, and Graham with a 102 resulting in a third round total score of 371.

After all the scores were tabulated, Owens finished the tournament with a 257, followed by Perkins with a 279, Ragan with a 295, Graham with a 309, and Duke with a 311. As a team, McAlester finished the tournament with an official score of 1,140.

• Contact Derek Hatridge at dhatridge@mcalesternews.com.

McAlester’s Riddel readying for state tournament

By DEREK HATRIDGE SPORTS EDITOR

Rhylan Riddel was determined to power his way forward through the hot sun and burning competition that lay before him on Monday. And his hard work paid off as he earned a trip to the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association Class 5A Boys

Tennis Tournament this week.

“It’s very exciting,” Riddel said.

The McAlester junior started his day at the Ada regionals by taking a win over Durant’s Jayson Arnold. After a loss in the next match, Riddel battled back to a win over Western Heights’ Manuel Paday to qualify for the state

tournament.

He’d have one more match on the day, with the result of a fourth place finish at regionals.

Now he’s turning his attention to the competition that he will face at the state tournament starting on Friday. But before he faces his first opponent, he’s getting back to work onto the court to prepare.

“I’m going to hit on the ball machine a lot so that I can get that consistency,” he said. “And the hitting and serving. But mostly ball machine to keep that rhythm.”

This is his first trip to state as a singles player, having previously advancing as part of a doubles. Riddel said that since he’s been to the state tournament al -

HS SOCCER

McAlester players awarded postseason honors

By DEREK HATRIDGE SPORTS EDITOR

The postseason accolades are rolling in for the Buffs.

McAlester boys soccer had multiple players receive All State and All District postseason awards for their efforts out on the pitch during the 2022 season, it was announced on Monday.

Senior Gage Sutmiller was

named to the 2022 Oklahoma Soccer Coaches Association Class 5A-East All State roster as a forward. In addition to being named to All State accolades, Sutmiller was also named as a member of the 5A-3 All-District team.

But he wasn’t the only Buff earning postseason honors, as four of his teammates joined the list.

Seniors Ben Johnson, Justin

mcalesternews.com.

ready, he knows what the atmosphere and competition he could face will be like.

So part of his preparation will be getting in as much live action work as he can and hone in specific parts of his game ahead of his first matches on Friday.

“A lot of serves,” he smiled. “A lot and lot and lot of serves. And hitting

with the 2 singles and 1 singles girl. And coach too. Pretty much just hitting as much as you can.”

The Class 5A Boys Tennis State Tournament will take place May 13-14 at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center with matches starting at 8 a.m.

• Contact Derek Hatridge at dhatridge@mcalesternews.com.

Perez, Jayden Fabry, and Kobe Clark were all four named to All-District honors, being listed as honorable mention awardees.

The Buffs finished with a record of six wins and nine losses on the season. The OSCA 5A All State game is scheduled to be played 8 p.m. June 10 at Bishop Kelley in Tulsa.

• Contact Derek Hatridge at dhatridge@

DEREK HATRIDGE Staff file photo

MCALESTER’S GAGE SUTMILLER was named as an All-State member on the 5A East team, and joined four of his teammates with AllDistrict honors.

REINA OWENS | Staff photo

THE MCALESTER BUFFALOES battled against the best in the state during the OSSAA Class 5A Boys Golf State Tournament on Monday and Tuesday.

DEREK HATRIDGE | Staff photo

MCALESTER’S RHYLAN RIDDEL serves during the 5A regional tournament at Ada. Riddel will be facing the competition at the OSSAA 5A Boys Tennis State Tournament this week.

MICKEY CLUB THE JOINS

By Charles Apple | THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Mickey Mantle is regarded as one of the greatest hitters ever to play Major League Baseball. A three-time American League most valuable player Mantle helped lead the Yankees to 12 AL pennants and seven World Series trophies over his 18 seasons.

Mantle became the sixth player to join baseball’s exclusive 500 home run club 55 years ago with a dinger courtesy of Baltimore’s Stu Miller in a 6-5 win over the Orioles in Yankee Stadium.

The legendary Mantle was “a superstar who never acted like one,” said his equally legendary New York Yankees teammate Whitey Ford. The native Oklahoman “was a humble man who was kind and friendly to all his teammates, even the rawest rookie. He was idolized by all the other players.”

Mantle was also a party animal, a heavy drinker, a serial philanderer and prone to injuries — including a high school football

MANTLE’S MAJOR LEAGUE STATS

mishap that nearly cost him a leg but later earned him an exemption from military service in Korea.

Mantle’s dad, a lead and zinc miner, was determined to help his son escape a similar vocation. He taught Mickey to play baseball and, more importantly, how to switch-hit — a fairly rare ability at the time.

Mantle began playing semipro ball at age 15,

.267 .349 .443

.311 .394 .530

Mantle was known for his power hitting. He is said to be the only player to nearly hit a fair ball out of Yankee Stadium during a game — his home run against the Kansas City Athletics on May 23, 1963, was still rising when it hit the third-deck facade. But Mantle’s career was also hampered by injuries. Playing in his first World Series as a 19-year-old rookie, Mantle tore the cartilage in his right knee trying to catch a Willie Mays fly ball. During the 1957 World Series, Red Schoendienst of the Milwaukee Brewers collided with Mantle at second base. For the rest of his career, Mantle would have problems hitting from his left side.

In addition to his tendency to party and drink hard, the highly-paid Mantle tended to fritter away his earnings. After his retirement in 1968, Mantle worked as a representative for a life insurance company and then a casino — drawing the ire of

baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn. He became a regular on the baseball memorabilia circuit.

Both Mantle’s grandfather and father had died at early ages. “I’m almost 50,” Mantle told a reporter in 1978. “If I knew I was gonna live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.”

In 1994, a doctor told Mantle his liver was badly damaged from years of alcohol abuse. Mantle checked into the Betty Ford Clinic, only to find he also su ered from liver cancer. In June 1995, Mantle was given a liver transplant, which became controversial when critics said it seemed like Mantle’s fame had boosted him ahead of other needy patients on the waiting list for a new liver.

But it was too late: Mantle’s cancer had turned aggressive and had spread to the rest of his body. He died on Aug. 13, 1995.

caught the attention of a Yankees scout and signed a contract as soon as he finished high school. He hit .315 for the Independence Yankees in his first season in the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League.

When Yankees star Joe DiMaggio announced 1951 would be his final season, manager Casey Stengel announced Mantle would be DiMaggio’s successor.

THE 500 HOME RUN CLUB

Barry Bonds 1986-2007

Hank Aaron 1954-1976

Babe Ruth 1914-1935

Alex Rodriguez 1994-2016

Albert Pujols 2001-Present

Willie Mays 1951-1973

Ken Gri ey Jr. 1989-2010

Jim Thome 1991-2012

Sammy Sosa 1989-2007

Frank Robinson 1956-1976

Mark McGwire 1986-2001

Harmon Killebrew 1954-1975

Rafael Palmeiro 1986-2005

Reggie Jackson 1967-1987

Manny Ramirez 1993-2011

Mike Schmidt 1972-1989

David Ortiz 1997-2016

Mickey Mantle 1951-1968

Jimmie Foxx 1925-1945

Willie McCovey 1959-1980

Frank Thomas 1990-2008

Ted Williams 1939-1960

Ernie Banks 1953-1971

Eddie Mathews 1952-1968

Mel Ott 1926-1947

Gary She eld 1988-2009

Eddie Murray 1977-1997

Miguel Cabrera 2003-Present

Mickey Mantle’s 500th home run on May 14, 1967 at Yankee Stadium.

and the End of America’s Childhood” by Jane Leavy, “Baseball Hall of Famers: Mickey Mantle” by Howard Weinstein,

National Baseball Hall of Fame, Major League Baseball, Society for American Baseball Research, MickeyMantle.com, QuoteInvestigator.com

STILL ACTIVE

US overdose deaths hit record 107,000 last year, CDC says

By MIKE STOBBE AP MEDICAL WRITER

NEW YORK More than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, setting another tragic record in the nation’s escalating overdose epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated Wednesday.

The provisional 2021 total translates to roughly one U.S. overdose death every 5 minutes. It marked a 15% increase from the previous record, set the year before. The CDC reviews death certificates and then makes

an estimate to account for delayed and incomplete reporting.

Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, called the the latest numbers “truly staggering.” U.S. overdose deaths have risen most years for more than two decades. The increase began in the 1990s with overdoses involving opioid painkillers, followed by waves of deaths led by other opioids like heroin and most recently illicit fentanyl.

Last year, overdoses involving fentanyl and oth-

er synthetic opioids surpassed 71,000, up 23% from the year before. There also was a 23% increase in deaths involving cocaine and a 34% increase in deaths involving meth and other stimulants.

Overdose deaths are often attributed to more than one drug. Some people take multiple drugs and inexpensive fentanyl has been increasingly cut into other drugs, often without the buyers’ knowledge, officials say.

“The net effect is that we have many more people, including those who use drugs occasionally

FORMULA SHORTAGE

and even adolescents, exposed to these potent substances that can cause someone to overdose even with a relatively small exposure,” Volkow said in a statement.

Experts say the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem as lockdowns and other restrictions isolated those with drug addictions and made treatment harder to get. Overdose death trends are geographically uneven. Alaska saw a 75% increase in 2021 the largest jump of any state. In Hawaii, overdose deaths fell by 2%.

Parents hunting for baby formula as shortage spans US

By MATTHEW PERRONE AND HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON Parents across the U.S. are scrambling to find baby formula because supply disruptions and a massive safety recall have swept many leading brands off store shelves.

Months of spot shortages at pharmacies and supermarkets have been exacerbated by the recall at Abbott, which was forced to shutter its largest U.S. formula manufacturing plant in February due to contamination concerns.

On Monday, White House press secretary Jenn Psaki said the Food and Drug Administration was “working around the clock to address any possible shortages” and will try to expedite imports of foreign baby formula to increase supply.

For now, pediatricians and health workers are urging parents who can’t find formula to contact

food banks or doctor’s offices. They warn against watering down formula to stretch supplies or using online DIY recipes.

“For babies who are not being breastfed, this is the only thing they eat,” said Dr. Steven Abrams, of the University of Texas, Austin. “So it has to have all of their nutrition and, furthermore, it needs to be properly prepared so that it’s safe for the smallest infants.”

Laura Stewart, a 52-year-old mother of three who lives just north of Springfield, Missouri, has been struggling for several weeks to find formula for her 10-monthold daughter, Riley.

Riley normally gets a brand of Abbott’s Similac designed for children with sensitive stomachs. Last month, she instead used four different brands.

“She spits up more. She’s just more cranky. She is typically a very happy girl,” Stewart said. “When she has the right formula, she doesn’t spit up. She’s perfectly fine.”

A small can costs $17

to $18 and lasts three to five days, Stewart said.

Like many Americans, Stewart relies on WIC a federal program similar to food stamps that serves mothers and children to afford formula for her daughter. Abbott’s recall wiped out many WIC-covered brands, though the program is now allowing substitutions.

Trying to keep formula in stock, retailers including CVS and Walgreens have begun limiting purchases to three containers per customer.

Nationwide about 40% of large retail stores are out of stock, up from 31% in mid-April, according to Datasembly, a data analytics firm. More than half of U.S. states are seeing out-of-stock rates between 40% and 50%, according to the firm, which collects data from 11,000 locations.

Baby formula is particularly vulnerable to disruptions because just a handful of companies account for almost the entire U.S. supply.

Industry executives say

the constraints began last year as the COVID-19 pandemic led to disruptions in ingredients, labor and transportation. Supplies were further squeezed by parents stockpiling during lockdowns.

Then in February, Abbott recalled several major brands and shut down its Sturgis, Michigan, factory when federal officials concluded four babies suffered bacterial infections after consuming formula from the facility. Two of the infants died.

When FDA inspectors visited the plant in March they found lax safety protocols and traces of the bacteria on several surfaces. None of the bacterial strains matched those collected from the infants, however, and the FDA hasn’t offered an explanation for how the contamination occurred.

For its part, Abbott says its formula “is not likely the source of infection,” though the FDA says its investigation continues.

The shortages are espe-

cially dangerous for infants who require specialty formulas due to food allergies, digestive problems and other conditions.

“Unfortunately, many of those very specialized formulas are only made in the United States at the factory that had the recall, and that’s caused a huge problem for a relatively small number of infants,” Abrams said.

After hearing concerns from parents, the FDA said last month that Abbott could begin releasing some specialty formulas not affected by the recalls “on a case-by-case basis.” The company is providing them free of charge, in coordination with physicians and hospitals.

Food safety advocates say the FDA made the right call in releasing the formula, but that parents should talk to their pediatricians before using it.

“There’s still some risk from the formula because we know there are problems at the plant and FDA hasn’t identified a root cause,” said Sarah

Sorscher of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “But it’s worth releasing because these infants might die without it.”

It’s unclear when the Abbott plant might reopen.

An FDA spokeswoman said the company is still working “to rectify findings related to the processes, procedures, and conditions.” The agency also is working with other manufacturers to consider options for increasing production.

Industry professionals say it will be hard to boost supply quickly, because the FDA requires extensive testing, labeling and inspections.

“It’s a long and rigorous process to bring any new manufacturers into this country,” said Ron Belldegrun, co-founder of ByHeart, a New York-based formula maker that recently launched its first product after four years in development.

AP Photo by Lisa Rathke, File

ACCORDING TO provisional data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, more than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021, setting another tragic record in the nation’s escalating overdose epidemic.

ERIC GAY | AP Photo

SHELVES TYPICALLY STOCKED with baby formula sit mostly empty at a store in San Antonio, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Parents across the U.S. are scrambling to find baby formula because supply disruptions and a massive safety recall have swept many leading brands off store shelves.

Toxic times two

DEAR ANNIE: I recently separated from my husband, and we are in the process of a divorce. The relationship was a bit toxic. But it was my choice to leave, and I left for my own mental health, as I struggle with anxiety and depression and self-esteem issues.

I have reconnected with a man I dated a few years ago. He is so sweet, and he has told me he has always loved me. I told him I wanted to take things slow. But he was so amazing I found myself falling hard. We made plans a couple of times to go out of town for a weekend, but then I wouldn’t hear from him on those days we were going to go out. I would hear from him on that Sunday, and he would tell me things like, “My sister needed me,” or, “A friend got in a fight, and I had to help him.” But after that, he would message me several times a day every day.

Another weekend he went missing, I was very worried, thinking the worst. He then told me he had an addiction problem with crack that has been going on and off for 20 years. He said he stopped for many years but then, one day, he started again. He is going to meetings and getting help and is determined to beat it. My concern is I’ve done some research, and it doesn’t

ASTROGRAPH

BY EUGENIA LAST

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

look good. I’ve read that addicts will tell lies and do whatever they possibly can to get what they want.

I’m so scared. I honestly believe he is a good person and he means it when he says he wants to get clean. But I see a therapist for my mental health issues and she has said that it is a very bad idea to get involved with him; since I just got out of a toxic relationship, I shouldn’t enter a new one with a guy that is too dealing with so many issues. Part of me knows she’s right, but the other part tells me he can get past this and we can be happy together. Please tell me what to do. — Cracked

DEAR CRACKED: Choosing to get involved with somebody struggling with addiction would be choosing a treacherous and painful path. You have to know what

you’re signing up for.

Tell your quasi-boyfriend that you are not prepared for a relationship unless and until he receives the help he needs. Until then, cut ties. Yes, recovery is a long shot, but stranger things have happened.

DEAR ANNIE: I am writing in response to “Trying To Heal,” who is struggling to forgive her abusive mother. I am in a similar situation and found the book “Forgiving What You Can’t Forget” by Lysa TerKeurst. It gave me a great perspective on why some people act the way they do and how to go about forgiving them, even when they aren’t sorry for what they did. I highly recommend! — Been There, Felt That

DEAR BEEN THERE: Thank you for the helpful resource; I’m sure that many readers can benefit from the wisdom this book has to offer.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

NEA CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Rely on your ability to do research, and create a plan that encourages you to act and participate instead of standing on the sidelines uncertain of what to do next. Turn your attention to what matters to you, and don’t fall behind or lose sight of what you have to offer. Follow your instincts and forge ahead.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Change begins with you. Look for the best way to get things done and refuse to let someone’s input cause uncertainty. Trust your instincts and put one foot in front of the other.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Participate in something that sparks your imagination and helps you find alternative ways to reach your goals. The information others share with you will require adjustments to suit your needs.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Do your best to get along. If you let your emotions take control, you’ll regret it. A creative outlet will encourage you to focus on what you can do instead of on what you cannot.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Use your skills efficiently and stay updated to ensure you can function at top level. Shoot for the stars and be a leader. Use the experience you gain to help build a secure future.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Gather information, observe and network. The interactions you have with people who can offer insight into trends or how to make your skills more in demand will set you on a profitable path.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Discussions will give you a better understanding of what’s possible. Be honest about your feelings and intentions, and find out where you stand. Personal growth and home improvement are favored.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Get the OK before making changes that affect others. The input you get will help you decide what’s feasible. Don’t take on a burden you cannot handle. Be realistic and monitor your progress.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Plant both feet on the ground and give your all until you get what you want. Make a change at home that will render your life and responsibilities more manageable.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Take care of your physical and emotional well-being. Don’t take an unnecessary risk that puts you in a vulnerable position. Make alterations at home and practice moderation.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Don’t feel obligated to do something because someone else does. Follow your heart and surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you. Give others the freedom to do as they please.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — Focus on the changes you want to make. Avoid discussions with negative people or those who like to meddle. Take an intelligent approach when helping a cause or addressing a concern.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Look at contracts and documents that influence your ability to earn money and handle it wisely. A potential move or change in direction looks promising. Send out your resume.

CELEBRITY CIPHER

BY LUIS CAMPOS

BORN LOSER® BY ART AND CHIP SANSOM

ZITS® JERRY SCOTT & JIM BORGMAN

MACANUDO® BY LINIERS

MODERATELY

ARLO & JANIS® BY JIMMY JOHNSON

BIG NATE® BY LINCOLN PEIRCE

BABY BLUES®

FRANK & ERNEST® BY BOB THAVES

GRIZZWELLS® BY BILL SCHORR

BLONDIE®

DILBERT® BY SCOTT ADAMS

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

Dear Annie® SYNDICATED COLUMN