1-1 year in review

Page 1

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

YEAR IN REVIEW

Sunday, January 1, 2017 • 1C

GAY KETCHUM STAFF DESIGNER

Budget impacts SPS, 34 positions cut; $32M bond issue set for April ballot The end of April, Shawnee Public Schools administrators began notifying staff and parents of positions and resources being cut across the district — just weeks after voters passed a $32 million bond issue to make district-wide improvements, including building a new elementary school.

1

Veterans Memorial gets final piece of project The 11-year Veterans Memorial project to honor fallen Oklahoma veterans was completed in Shawnee in December as 10 black granite panels inscribed with names of Oklahoma military members who have died in combat since the Spanish-American War were installed in Woodland Veterans Park.

2 3

Local, state, national elections There was no shortage of political tension in 2016, with elections going on from the White House down to Shawnee City Commission. Whether it be President of the United States, State Legislators or local offices, months of campaigning took its toll on voters.

4

Deputies arrest man sought since 1980s A 70-year-old fugitive — Warron Big Eagle, actually Ronald Lee Paulson — on the run since the 1980s from the state of Washington was arrested in Shawnee in May where deputies say he had been living a normal life in plain sight as a well-known member of the community.

5

Earthquakes shake central Oklahoma A 5.0 magnitude earthquake rattled central Oklahoma about one mile west of Cushing on Nov. 6, just a couple days after a 4.5 magnitude earthquake shook near Pawnee Nov. 4. Scientists have linked Oklahoma’s increase in earthquakes to the underground disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production. Oil and natural gas regulators in Oklahoma ordered operators of 70 disposal wells to either shut them down or reduce disposal volumes.

6

SHS graduation venue changes In January, Shawnee High School’s graduation venue for the Class of 2016 was changed from longtime venue in Raley Chapel at Oklahoma Baptist University to the new FireLake Arena, a move that many praised because it allows more family members of seniors to attend.

7

Moving day arrives for health care staff of St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital In March, St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital finished an extensive construction project that tripled the square footage of its campus without adding a single licensed bed to its facility; the hospital began moving three departments into its brand new west tower.

8

Oklahoma Baptist University gives corner facelift Oklahoma Baptist University traded in its iconic OBU hedges for a herd of galloping Bison sculpted from nails — along with a brick wall and lighted lettering, at the intersection of Kickapoo and MacArthur.

9

Shawnee gets new School Superintendent, Chief of Police In May, Shawnee’s Board of Education put Dr. April J. Grace in place as their new superintendent. Also in May, Shawnee welcomed its new Police Chief Mason Wilson, who replaced Russell Frantz after he retired.

10

Shawnee back-to-back baseball champions Shawnee baseball won their second straight Class 5A State title last May with a strong returning cast from the 2015 team.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

2C • Sunday, January 1, 2017

January

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in January 2016.

6 Trooper hit, injured at accident 1 Armed man reported on OBU Campus

The Oklahoma Baptist University Campus in Shawnee is currently locked down because of reports of an armed man on the north campus. The Coates Athletic Facility was evacuated and all other buildings are on lock down.

The suspect remains at large. He is described as a black male who is 6’4” tall and 250 pounds.

2 Meeker man arrested in Internet sting

A Meeker man who thought he was communicating with a minor was arrested in Shawnee Tuesday night after he allegedly arrived in town to meet that minor, who was actually a Shawnee cop working undercover.

scene west of Shawnee An Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper was injured this morning on Interstate 40.

Further details on what all happened is Trooper Jason Richardson awaited, but the trooper was reportedly hit in the area between mile marker 180 and 181 as he worked another accident scene. That entire area of the highway has been shut down by the patrol as crews investigate. The trooper was reportedly transported to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

Shawnee Police Sgt. Chris Tynes identified the suspect as Leroy D. Hanson, 54. He was arrested and jailed in the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center Tuesday night on a complaint of lewd or indecent proposals/acts to a child…

7 Tecumseh standoff ends; 1 suspect in custody

3 UPDATE: Sisters killed in Earlsboro accident

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol released a report early Saturday morning about the fatal crash that claimed two lives Friday in Earlsboro. One family is now grieving the loss of two loved ones, who were sisters. That crash occurred at 4:04 p.m. on SH 9, about 100 yards east of Chambers Road. That area is about one-half mile east of SH 9A. Amanda Renai Miner, 22, of Earlsboro, died at the scene of head, arm, leg and trunk injuries, the OHP reported. Her passenger, a 13-year-old female, also died at the scene from head, arm, leg and trunk injuries. The patrol withheld that juvenile’s name from the report, but according to a gofundme page now set up online to assist the Miner family, the two killed…

4 2 killed in fiery Pott. County crash

A three-vehicle crash along SH 9 near Earlsboro killed two people Friday and shut down that roadway for several hours as emergency crews worked that scene. The accident occurred about 4 p.m. at SH 9 and Chambers Road, which is less than one-half mile east of SH 9A. According to 911 call reports, the vehicles at the accident scene were on fire. Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers responded to work the collision and Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Deputies helped with traffic control. REACT EMS paramedics and local firefighters also worked the scene. The OHP doesn’t release names of those killed until relatives are notified, so further information about the accident and those involved was still awaited from the patrol late Friday…

A brief standoff at a home on 12th Street in Tecumseh ended Friday afternoon with a suspect in custody. That suspect was arrested on an outstanding warrant involving a stolen pickup case in the Tecumseh area. Chad Pope, commander of the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Warrant Team, said that man, identified as Nicholas Weedn, is also the same suspect deputies sought in a pursuit of the stolen pickup on Thursday.

8 Shawnee moves 2016 graduation venue

The Shawnee High School Class of 2016 will graduate at FireLake Arena, the school board voted Tuesday night. According to Tweets from @ShawneeTeachers on Twitter, the administration recommended the move and the school board unanimously voted for the new venue. SHS has typically held its graduations at OBU’s Raley Chapel, which allows limited seating.

9 FireLake Arena: Shawnee’s

Lee Brice concert postponed

5 Garage site gears up for construction

The site of The Garage Burgers & Beer restaurant, at 190 Mall Drive — just west of Panda Express — is in the early stages of construction. Hal Smith has influenced more than 14 concepts that operate in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Texas, Arizona and Nebraska. They employ more than 6,500 employees, according to the Hal Smith Restaurants website. The concepts vary from high-end steakhouses to burger joints, Mexican, seafood, and everything in between. There are Garage Burgers & Beer restaurants in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Del City and Stillwater, as well as one…

FireLake Arena staff have announced that the Lee Brice concert scheduled for Jan. 23 has been postponed due to weather. Lee Brice is in Tennessee and is unable to travel…

10 McLoud superintendent resigns

(AP) — The superintendent of McLoud Public Schools has resigned. School board member Annetta Abbott said the board did not offer to extend Superintendent Doran Smith’s contract during its Dec. 10 meeting. Smith’s contract runs through June. Smith’s resignation comes about a month after the school board voted to keep McLoud High School’s Redskins mascot. Supporters of the mascot’s name said it is a source of pride, but critics said the mascot is akin to other racial slurs that are considered obscene…

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YEAR IN REVIEW

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

February

Sunday, January 1, 2017 • 3C

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in February 2016.

6 Five Wolves ink deals with colleges 1 One of area’s ‘Most Wanted’ arrested in OKC A Shawnee man sought since a manhunt near Oklahoma Baptist University a week ago is now in police custody. Bryce Winrow, 32, was listed as one of Pottawatomie County’s 0RVW :DQWHG IRU VHYHUDO ZDUUDQWV RXW IRU KLV DUUHVW 6KDZQHH 3ROLFH &KLHI 0DVRQ :LOVRQ VDLG &KDG 3RSH 3RWWDZDWRmie County’s Warrant Team commander, and Shawnee Cpl. Cody *LEVRQ IROORZHG OHDGV ODWH 0RQGD\ QLJKW WR WKH 2NODKRPD &LW\ area‌

2 Shots fired, overnight standoff in Tecumseh ends with arrests

$ VKRWV Ć“UHG UHSRUW RYHUQLJKW LQ 7HFXPVHK UHVXOWHG LQ DQ KRXU standoff that ended with two in jail. Tecumseh Asst. Police Chief J.R. Kidney said police were called about 12:42 a.m. to 223 E. Beech. :KHQ RIĆ“FHUV DUULYHG WKH\ FRXOG KHDU ZKDW DSSHDUHG WR EH DQ altercation in the back part of the home, he said, but no one would answer the door despite repeated knocking at the front door. A light that was on in the back of the home then went off, he said, and police made contact with the homeowner, who wasn’t inside and neighbors, who reported they could hear arguing before the gunshots and a woman saying “Put down the gun.â€? Kidney said police tried to visit with those inside by using‌

3 Update: Driver in Shawnee pursuit arrest

was in a stolen district attorney’s vehicle

A pursuit spanning several counties ended in Shawnee Tuesday, where the vehicle crashed near a Shawnee business along Harrison Street. Information indicates the suspect, Curtis Scroggins, 30, is now in the Hughes County jail on a long list of complaints. The chase reportedly began near Holdenville when Scroggins allegedly took an SUV from the home of an assistant district attorney. A pursuit began when he allegedly drove by as deputies were taking that stolen vehicle report. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the high-speed chase VSDQQHG IRXU FRXQWLHV ŋ WKURXJK +XJKHV 6HPLQROH /LQFROQ DQG Pottawatomie Counties. Reports from Shawnee police indicate that the pursuit‌

4 Corporation files bankruptcy:

Shawnee Hancock store to close

Hancock Fabrics, Inc. will be shuttering 70 stores as part of a reorganization effort; the Shawnee location, at 600 W. Independence Street, Ste. D., is the sole Oklahoma store on the list of cuts. The other nine Oklahoma stores will remain open: (GPRQG 0XVNRJHH 1RUman, Yukon, three in Oklahoma City and two in Tulsa. Brenda Adrian, from KCC Strategic Communications Services, said the sale starts Thursday. Ĺ?, GRQĹ?W KDYH DQ\ GHWDLOV RQ WKH VDOH RU D Ć“QDO FORVLQJ GDWH DW WKLV time,â€? she said. The leading fabric retailer announced last week that it and its ZKROO\ RZQHG VXEVLGLDULHV KDYH Ć“OHG YROXQWDU\ SHWLWLRQVĹ™

5 Seminole teen, songwriter self releases EP

From church to school talent shows, 19-year-old Abby Nance of Seminole has been singing her whole life. On January 25, Nance self-released her extended play, or EP, “High Hopes.â€? “I’ve been writing songs for as long as I can remember,â€? Nance‌

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Five senior members of the Shawnee football team inked deals to play at the next level Wednesday for National Signing Day. Jackson Winrow signed on to a receiver role at Vanderbilt University, an SEC school, where he was expected to go after announcing he had committed last month. Winrow is one of 20 seniors who were picked up by the Commodores Wednesday, including Jenks quarterback Austin Quillen. Winrow and New Orleans Jesuit High 6FKRROĹ?V .DOLMD /LSVFRPE KDYH ERWK EHHQ VDLG WR EH SRVVLEOH NH\V to the future of the team in the wide receiver position‌

7 Earthquake shakes Pottawatomie County

Reports of the ground shaking were reported across Central Oklahoma and all the way to Topeka, Kansas, where a legislative forum was interrupted. Homes in Shawnee shook from the earthquake that occurred around 11:07 a.m., Saturday.

People from across central Oklahoma north to Wichita reported feeling its effects.

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8 Heartwarming win: Mother’s appearance

inspires Delsigne’s performance in game It is hard to keep your emotions in check when you are playing the number one team in the state in the Regional Finals.

It becomes exponentially more GLIƓFXOW WR VWD\ LQ FRQWURO ZKHQ \RX have two free throws and the score is 49-49 with 16 seconds left in the game. There is no way to describe the emotions when you are in that situation and just minutes before the game started, your mother who has been in the hospital battling lymphoma walks in the gym and gives you a huge hug. For Bethel’s Paige Delsigne, the game began with those happy tears from that hug still in her eyes and it ended with a stream of happy tears after she hit those two free throws and helped her team win the Regional Finals and get within one win of a second straight state tournament berth. It was a complete surprise when Pam Delsigne walked into‌

9 Unsolved homicide: Tips sought in 1991 Shawnee case

Back in September 1991, a young man driving home from a local nightclub was shot and killed in downtown Shawnee. The homicide is unsolved.

But now, 25 years later, a new detective with a fresh set of eyes and some new technologies that weren’t available all those years ago, has been assigned to the homicide case. Shawnee Police Detective Charles Swantek said Brian Roberts was shot and killed in the area of Ninth and Kickapoo Streets. According to the case reports, Swantek said a possible argument at Cowtown, a former club near Tecumseh, may have been the motive for his death‌

10 $527,000 restitution: Former Lincoln County Judge pleads guilty to embezzlement, other charges

$ IRUPHU /LQFROQ &RXQW\ DVVRFLDWH GLVWULFW MXGJH SUHYLRXVO\ LQGLFWHG E\ WKH VWDWHĹ?V 0XOticounty Grand Jury pleaded guilty Friday, Attorney General Scott Pruitt announced. Craig Key was indicted in 2013 by the state’s 0XOWLFRXQW\ *UDQG -XU\ IRU VWHDOLQJ FDWWOH and a trailer, and embezzling thousands of dollars from injured clients. Key worked as an attorney before surrendering his law license in 2013 after being indicted. .H\ SOHDGHG JXLOW\ WR FRXQWV LQ Ć“OHG FDVHV DQG UHFHLYHG D 10-year jail sentence. He will serve‌

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YEAR IN REVIEW

4C • Sunday, January 1, 2017

March

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in March 2016.

6 9 starving horses rescued 1 Man dies in electrocution accident

A local man died Saturday night following an electrocution and sheriff’s deputies are calling the death a “terrible accident.� Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said the emergency call came in at about 6:15 p.m. from the Harjo area, north of 0DXG WKDW D PDQ KDG HOHFWURFXWHG KLPVHOI He was transported to St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Palmer said.

Reports indicate the man was working on some type of green‌

2 Jury finds Shawnee man guilty of murder, conspiracy

A Pottawatomie County jury on Wednesday found a Shawnee man JXLOW\ RI Ć“UVW GHJUHH PXUGHU DQG FRQVSLUDF\ LQ WKH VKRRWLQJ death of a local man. $XVWLQ /HH 2OLQJHU ZDV FKDUJHG LQ WKH GHDWK RI -RKQ 0LFKDHO Columbus, 25. His death was ruled a homicide, with cause of death reported as a single gunshot wound to the back. 2OLQJHUĹ?V WULDO EHJDQ 0RQGD\ DQG FRQFOXGHG ZLWK FORVLQJ DUJXments Wednesday morning before the jury began its deliberations. In the murder count, the jury recommended Olinger serve a sentence of life with the possibility of parole. In the conspiracy count, they recommended eight years‌

3 Shawnee woman killed in motorcycle accident

$ 6KDZQHH ZRPDQ ZDV NLOOHG DQG D 0HHNHU PDQ ZDV VHULRXVO\ injured when the motorcycle they were riding left the roadway and rolled onto its side early Sunday morning. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the accident occurred about 12:07 a.m. on SH 99A, about one-half mile east of SH 3, which is about six miles east of Shawnee in Pottawatomie County. $ <DPDKD PRWRUF\FOH GULYHQ E\ 'DOH %XFNDKDQRQ 0HHNer, was westbound on SH 99A when he lost control of the motorcycle, the OHP said, causing it to depart the roadway to the right and roll onto its side. 7URRSHU 0DWW 6Q\GHUĹ?V UHSRUWV VKRZV %XFNDKDQRQ DQG KLV SDVVHQJHU .HUUL /RXLVH 3DUVRQV ZHUH SURMHFWHG IURP WKH PRWRUF\FOH He was thrown about 77 feet west and 16 feet north into a ditch, the OHP said. She was thrown 36 feet west and 10 feet north and struck a mailbox, the trooper reported‌

4 Norman police identify 3 of 4 killed in fatal collision

1250$1 2NOD $3 Ĺ‹ 1RUPDQ SROLFH KDYH LGHQWLĆ“HG WKUHH RI the four people killed in a head-on collision on Highway 9. Police said Wednesday that the victims are 59-year-old Jeffry 3OHWFKHU RI 6KDZQHH \HDU ROG 0HOLVVD 7KRPDV RI 7HFXPVHK and 60-year-old James Keithley of Norman. The identity of the IRXUWK YLFWLP LV SHQGLQJ ZLWK WKH VWDWH PHGLFDO H[DPLQHUĹ?V RIĆ“FH 3ROLFH VD\ 3OHWFKHU 7KRPDV DQG WKH DV \HW XQLGHQWLĆ“HG YLFWLP were in an eastbound van driven by Pletcher shortly after 11 p.m. 0RQGD\ ZKHQ LW FROOLGHG ZLWK D ZHVWERXQG VSRUW XWLOLW\ YHKLFOH driven by Keithley. Police say the crash remains under investigation. The highway was shut down for more than seven hours following the crash.

5 Deadly home invasion: 3 local teens face murder charge

Three Shawnee area teens jailed in a deadly home invasion that resulted in the death of another suspect near Norman are now formally charged in Cleveland County District Court.

Charged in that case are Xavier Deshon Hollins, 17, and Nicholas Bennett Adkins, 18, both of Shawnee, and Bryn Robert Deere, 17, of Tecumseh.

$OO WKUHH DUH FKDUJHG ZLWK ƓUVW GHJUHH PXUGHU DQG DUH DFFXVHG RI DFWLQJ LQ FRQFHUW ZLWK HDFK RWKHU WR FRPPLW ƓUVW GHJUHH EXUJODU\ on Feb. 13, with that act causing Derek Seth Stewart, 18, to be‌

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

in Pottawatomie County

Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Deputies on Friday served a search warrant at a home and rescued nine starving horses. Three dead horses also were found. Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said they served that warrant at a home RQ 0DSOH /HDI &LUFOH which is just inside Pottawatomie County off SH 9. 1LQH PDOQRXULVKHG KRUVHV ZHUH FRQƓVFDWHG ZLWK KHOS IURP DQ DUHD rescue group‌

7 3 jailed in kidnapping, extortion case

Three suspects are now jailed on complaints including kidnapping and extortion after Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Deputies investigated a weekend incident at a home that’s well known to area law HQIRUFHPHQW RIƓFHUV

Undersheriff Travis Palmer said that case involves reports of a ZRPDQ EHLQJ KHOG DJDLQVW KHU ZLOO DW $QJLH /DQH D KRPH LQ WKH Bethel Acres area that was the scene of a homicide‌

8 Search warrant nets drugs,

arrest at nursing home apartment

The hunt for a Seminole County robbery suspect led authorities to converge on a local nursing home’s adjacent apartment area to serve a search warrant that ended with drugs being found and two arrests made. &KDG 3RSH ZKR LV D VSHFLDO GHSXW\ ZLWK WKH 8 6 0DUVKDOV 6HUYLFH and commander of the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Warrant Team, said they served a search warrant at an apartment unit at the Golden Rule Nursing Home, 38801 Hardesty Road. Pope said authorities initially had information that Devonte Deon 0LOOLJDQ ZKR ZDV ZDQWHG RQ IHORQ\ FKDUJHV VWHPPLQJ IURP a home invasion in Seminole County, was reportedly seen at the apartment where his mother lives, Pope said. 7KH FDVH ZDV DGRSWHG E\ WKH 8 6 0DUVKDOV 6HUYLFH DQG ZDV DVVLJQHG WR 3RSH VR 8 6 0DUVKDOV PHPEHUVř

9 Pursuit ends in 3 arrests near McLoud

Three people are now in police custody following an afternoon pursuit. Shawnee Police Sgt. Dan Shumaker said police received a report from a woman who was following her own stolen vehicle. 2IƓFHUV UHVSRQGHG DQG ORFDWHG WKH YHKLFOH RQ 0LGODQG 6WUHHW close to the OBU campus. 2IƓFHUV GLG FRQƓUP WKH YHKLFOH ZDV VWROHQ DQG D SXUVXLW HQVXHG ZKLFK OHG RIƓFHUV RQWR , ,QWHUVWDWH ZHVWERXQG 7KH ŴHHLQJ YHKLFOH UHDFKHG VSHHGV LQ H[FHVV RI PSK 6KXPDNHU said. When the vehicle began to drive on the shoulder and pass‌

10 Macomb teen seriously injured in accident

$ 0DFRPE WHHQDJHU ZDV VHULRXVO\ LQMXUHG LQ DQ DFFLGHQW HDUO\ 6DWurday morning and was hospitalized Saturday night in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the accident occurred about D P RQ 8 6 MXVW QRUWK RI /RQH 6WDU 5RDG LQ 3RWWDZDWRPLH County. Troopers said Jacob J. Booth, 18, was driving a 2003 Ford Explorer northbound on U.S.177 when he fell asleep. The vehicle departed the roadway to the left and struck the ground, causing the vehicle to roll, ejecting the driver about 18 feet, the OHP‌

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YEAR IN REVIEW

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

April

Sunday, January 1, 2017 • 5C

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in April 2016.

6 Prank call leads to vandalism,

damage at Shawnee Burger King

1 Driver jailed after fatal

What appears to be a horrible prank that has also happened at other restaurants around the country has now caused a lot of damage at Shawnee’s Burger King restaurant.

motorcycle crash in McLoud

$ GULYHU UHPDLQHG MDLOHG 0RQGD\ RQ D PDQVODXJKWHU FRPSODLQW IROORZLQJ D 6XQGD\ QLJKW FUDVK LQ 0F/RXG WKDW FODLPHG WKH OLIH RI D local motorcyclist.

6KDZQHH )LUH 'HSDUWPHQW %DWWDOLRQ &KLHI 7RPP\ /DUPDQ VDLG GLVpatch received a call about 12:03 a.m. Friday that Burger King staff was allegedly breaking out windows at the eatery. It appears that the restaurant received a call from someone claimLQJ WKH\ ZHUH ZLWK WKH Ć“UH GHSDUWPHQW /DUPDQ VDLG DQG FODLPLQJ there were high levels of carbon monoxide inside the restaurant. Employees then reportedly began taking chairs and breaking out the front windows of the restaurant, which is located near I-40 and Kickapoo Street.

0F/RXG 3ROLFH &KLHI 7RP 3ULQJOH LGHQWLƓHG WKH PRWRUF\FOLVW ZKR died as Tim Spurgin Jr. Pringle said the accident occurred about 8:30 p.m. Sunday‌

2 Remembering Tim: Shawnee community

An online search of stories shows this prank has occurred at other Burger King restaurants.

mourns loss of father, friend

6KDZQHH )LUH &KLHI 'UX 7LVFKHU VDLG Ć“UHĆ“JKWHUV UHVSRQGHG DIWHU EHLQJ QRWLĆ“HG RI D SRVVLEOH FDUERQ PRQR[LGH SUREOHPĹ™

Ten years ago this month, Tim Spurgin Jr. mourned the loss of his wife and his mother ZKHQ ERWK GLHG LQ D WUDIĆ“F DFFLGHQW ,Q WKH years since, Spurgin, known for his smile, tried to live his best life as a single dad, loved one and friend to so many. Sunday night, Spurgin, 44, was killed in an DFFLGHQW ZKLOH ULGLQJ KLV PRWRUF\FOH LQ 0F/RXG SURPSWLQJ PDQ\ LQ WKH FRPPXQLW\ WR now mourn him.

7 Pottawatomie County roadway closed after washout

Harrison Road, about one-fourth mile north of SH 9, was closed on 0RQGD\ DIWHU KHDY\ UDLQIDOO DQG Ĺ´DVK Ĺ´RRGLQJ ZDVKHG RXW D ELJ chunk of that roadway. The roadway is expected to be closed this week for repairs so motorists should avoid the area. 7KH 2NODKRPD 0HVRQHW ODWH 0RQGD\ HYHQLQJ VKRZHGĹ™

From the outpouring of response, it’s evident that Spurgin was well known — and well loved — by many who said he was a genuine friend who never met a stranger. “He always had a hug and smile,â€? said Brandi Spurgin, his sister-inlaw. “Everyone dreamed of living the life of Tim‌

3

8 Shawnee police tase,

arrest man on machete call

Armed robbery in Shawnee; suspect sought, residents asked to stay inside

Shawnee police responded to a disturbance Wednesday evening involving a man making threats with a machete and ended up using their tasers to safely get that suspect in custody. 6KDZQHH 3ROLFH &SO 9LYLDQ /R]DQR SXEOLF LQIRUPDWLRQ RIƓFHU VDLG RIƓFHUV UHVRQGHG WR WKDW GLVWXUEDQFH ZLWK ZHDSRQV FDOO DW ( Edwards, in Apartment No. 22. $ PDQ LGHQWLƓHG DV %UXFH 3XOYHU KDG D PDFKHWH DQG NQLYHV and was allegedly threatening to kill people, she said, and had reportedly attempted to attack the maintendance man, she said. $W RQH SRLQW 3XOYHU EDUULFDGHG KLPVHOI LQVLGH /R]DQR VDLG 7KH department’s SWAT team responded and used less lethal force to help get Pulver in custody. 7KH FDOO ORJV VKRZ RIƓFHUV XVHG WDVHUV SDUDPHGLFV ZHUH called to remove the taser wires before Pulver was taken to jail‌

/DWH 7KXUVGD\ QLJKW 6KDZQHH SROLFH DQG . V EHJDQ VHDUFKLQJ around the BancFirst at 1939 N. Harrison for an armed robbery suspect. Shawnee Police Sgt. Dan Shumaker said an individual, late Thursday night, was in the drive-thru to make a night deposit when the robbery occurred. “The customer was able to get the shotgun away from the susSHFW Ĺ? 6KXPDNHU VDLG EXW WKH VXVSHFW Ĺ´HG RQ IRRW ZLWK WKH PRQH\ bag. The suspect was a black male wearing a hoodie‌

4 Shawnee warrant sweep nets 21 arrests

A 4-hour warrant sweep in the city of Shawnee ended with 21 arrests, with 18 of those suspects wanted on city charges and WKUHH RI WKHP RQ IHORQ\ FKDUJHV 6KDZQHH &LW\ 0DUVKDOV %UDG 6KHULOO DQG 7RP &DUWZULJKW DORQJ ZLWK 6KDZQHH SROLFH RIƓFHUV and members of the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Warrant Team, ZKLFK LV FRPSULVHG RI RIƓFHUV IURP PDQ\ DUHD GHSDUWPHQWV worked together in the operation. Sherill said all of the arrests occurred in the city limits. In addition to those arrested, there were 15 to 20 more targets, Sherill said, so they will be following up with another sweep soon. Those with city of Shawnee warrants can avoid being‌

9 Murder defendant found competent

A Pottawatomie County man charged in a 2015 Bethel Acres hoPLFLGH KDV EHHQ IRXQG FRPSHWHQW WR VWDQG WULDO RQ D Ć“UVW GHJUHH murder charge. A competency evaluation was completed before the competency hearing for defendant John Joseph Quinter Jr., 45. +H LV FKDUJHG ZLWK WKH IHORQ\ FRXQW RI PXUGHU LQ WKH Ć“UVW GHJUHH DQG LV DFFXVHG RQ RU DERXW 6HSW DW $QJLH /DQH RI causing the death of Robert Dale Almon, 35, by “shooting him multiple times in the body and head with a 12 gauge shotgun,â€? charges allege. Following Quinter’s competency hearing in Pottawatomie‌

5 Shawnee officer, K-9 recovering after crash $ 6KDZQHH SROLFH RIĆ“FHU DQG KLV IRXU legged K-9 partner are recovering from injuries they suffered when their patrol unit was rear-ended Wednesday evening; the other driver also suffered injuries in that crash. Shawnee Police Cpl. and public inforPDWLRQ RIĆ“FHU 9LYLDQ /R]DQR VDLG WKDW accident occurred at Harrison and Wallace Streets about 5:35 p.m.

10 Bethel Public Schools District braces for deeper cuts

Oklahoma schools are reeling from the fallout of two rounds of budget cuts to education by the state this year.

“These cuts have cost Bethel Schools almost $200,000,â€? Bethel Schools Superintendent Jerry Johnson said. The administration is considering cutting seven days this month to help offset the budget crunch –– just like some other schools across the state are beginning to do, he said. And if that news wasn’t bad enough, it appears it’s not even‌

Sgt. Jon Goss, driving a Shawnee patrol unit with his partner, K-9 Rambo, was rear-ended by a vehicle, which resulted in his patrol unit‌

Hope your New Year Sparkles

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YEAR IN REVIEW

6C • Sunday, January 1, 2017

May

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in May 2016.

6 Family: Justice for Karter 1 Convicted murderer sentenced in Shawnee teen’s death

A Lawton man convicted at trial for the 2015 murder of a Shawnee teenager was sentenced Friday to serve consecutive life sentences in that case. Aaron Bernard Bradford, 26, stood trial this week in Pottawatomie County District Court, with the jury convicting him of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Karter Alderman, 17. Alderman was killed in a home invasion that occurred…

2 Hiding in plain sight: Washington fugitive arrested in Shawnee

A fugitive wanted for more than 30 years in the state of Washington was arrested in Shawnee Wednesday afternoon, where deputies say he was living a normal life in plain sight. With a positive fingerprint match confirmed through a national database, Pottawatomie County Sheriff Mike Booth said deputies arrested Shawnee resident Warron Big Eagle, an alias name, but his confirmed identity is Ronald Lee Paulson, a fugitive on the lam since the 1980s…

3 Late night standoff ends

An hours-long standoff with an armed pursuit suspect ended in a Shawnee neighborhood right around midnight after police negotiated for a peaceful surrender. The standoff followed what was already a day-long search for the suspect, who was sought after a pursuit that included shots being fired at law enforcement. The suspect, identified by police as 27-year-old Jerod Parsons…

4 Shopper urges caution after assault

A Shawnee woman who was attacked by a homeless man who was demanding money as she exited her car in the parking lot of a local market is now warning other women to be cautious when they shop. Shawnee police, including an off-duty officer who was dining nearby when he jumped in to help, responded to the incident and arrested the suspect on three counts of assault and battery. The 62-year-old woman said she arrived to shop at the Aldi…

5

Troopers name man killed in I-40 crash near McLoud Cause of the accident that killed one man and injured another on Interstate 40 near McLoud Road Tuesday is under investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. An Edmond man died at the scene and an Oklahoma City man was seriously injured when the 2004 Ford Excursion they were in crashed into a tree in the median. That accident occurred about 5:09 p.m. on I-40 westbound, just west of Stevens Road in McLoud. Troopers said Clifford Schick, 76, Edmond, was pronounced…

Before 17-year-old Karter Alderman drew his last breath from a gunshot wound to the head, his father whispered into his ear that they would seek justice for him, Karter’s grandmother said. That justice unfolded in a Pottawatomie County courtroom Friday when Aaron Bernard Bradford — the 26-year-old Lawton man convicted of killing the Shawnee teenager — was sentenced to serve the rest of his life behind bars. And while the trial ends the case, it’s just the beginning for a family that will forever have a piece of their hearts missing. Karter’s grandmother, Dianne, whom Karter and his siblings called “Nonni,” was among those in the courtroom gallery watching the trial and sentencing unfold…

7 Deputies searching for suspect near Twin Lakes

Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s deputies are still searching for a suspect near Shawnee Twin Lakes

Undersheriff Travis Palmer said they are in the area of Clearpond and Stevens Roads. Deputies are looking for a white male in his late 20s to early 30s; he is wearing blue jeans. Palmer said the man they are looking for is Earl Dewayne White…

8 Shawnee motorcyclist

critically injured in crash

A Shawnee man remained hospitalized in critical condition Friday evening from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said that accident occurred Thursday night on State Highway 270 and Stone Avenue in Dale. A 1996 Yamaha motorcycle, driven by John Lee Jones, 56, of Shawnee, was eastbound on 270 when he entered into a curve as a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe going westbound entered into the eastbound lane and struck the motorcycle, the OHP reported. As a result the motorcycle and Jones struck the pavement, the patrol noted.

Jones was transported by Medi Flight helicopter ambulance to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City,where he was admitted with trunk internal and leg injuries. A nurse supervisor reported Jones was listed in critical condition Friday evening…

9 New business: Garage closes in on opening day

The Garage Burgers & Beer is wrapping up construction at 190 Mall Drive –– just west of Panda Express near Shawnee Mall. City Planning Director Justin DeBruin said the restaurant site is progressing well –– things are coming together fast. Though he said he has not received official confirmation yet, it looks like the eatery could open around the first week in June. “I think it will be an excellent fit for the community,” Tim Burg…

10 State champions

The online photo gallery after Shawnee won its second straight Class 5A state baseball title.

CITIZEN POTAWATOMI NATION YEAR IN REVIEW Economic Impact - In the fiscal year ending in 2016, CPN spent $195.5 million on goods and services, purchases that had a $340.5m impact on the economy. CPN Health Services provided more than 133,000 physician visits, filled 206,858 prescriptions and had 7,245 dental visits, alleviating wait times at other Pottawatomie County-based health providers. Charitable Giving - Giving by employees, tribal programs and commercial enterprises to local charitable organizations equaled $2.8m in 2016. Over the Thanksgiving holidays, CPN-owned FireLake Discount Foods donated 400 turkeys and 500 hams to the Shawnee Rescue Mission’s Thanksgiving Dinner, while the CPN Employment and Training Department more than 5,000 lbs. of food for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Pottawatomie County Jobs - Approximately 900 of Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s 2,245 employees live in Shawnee, spending money, paying taxes and giving back to their community. Tribal employee wages and benefits totaled $82m, which had a $173m effect on the local economy. Community Partnerships - The 26-CLEET certified officers of the CPN Tribal Police Department protect and serve large swaths of Pottawatomie County, backing up sister agencies in the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Department, Shawnee, Tecumseh and Asher police Departments. Tribal Road Department funds used to develop Pottawatomie County travel infrastructure were $3m in 2016, including those for the 4-laning of S. Gordon Cooper Drive between Shawnee and Tecumseh.

YEAR IN REVIEW

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

June

Sunday, January 1, 2017 • 7C

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in June 2016.

6 Hole in bridge: I-40 narrows at US-177 near Shawnee

1 UPDATE: Two die in head-on crash

The right lane of the westbound I-40 bridge is closed just west of US-177 near Shawnee due to a hole in the bridge. Crews are on scene to make repairs, which are expected to take until 10 p.m. Motorists are advised to use caution in the area and plan for extra travel time…

south of Tecumseh

Three Oklahoma High Patrol units responded to an apparent head-on collision that occurred at 2:28 pm. Tuesday on U.S. 177 — about four and a quarter miles south of Tecumseh in Pottawatomie County. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. According to Communications Center at the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, a 1996 Mazda pickup driven by Brian J Karnes, 42, from Shawnee, was heading southbound on 177, as a 2004 Dodge pickup driven by Billy Joe Hill, 72, from Seminole, was driving northbound, the report reads…

7 Man arrested on complaints

of drug possession, gun, stolen car

Last week a man was arrested on several complaints, including possession of stolen property, possession of drugs, as well as illegal possession of firearms after a felony conviction. On Friday, June 10, Shawnee Police Officer Cpl. James Wood responded to a welfare check on a male who appeared to be sleeping in a gold Volkswagen in the visitors parking lot of 101 W 10th. The male, who was identified as Jefferie Buck, was lying back in the front seat of the running Volkswagen with the front window cracked when Wood approached the vehicle…

8 Outlet eager to set up shop

Walmart could be getting a new neighbor just to the east if all goes according to plan. Last week, preliminary and final plats to applicant Landrun Group, LLC, were sought for approval for the purpose of building a Furniture Factory Outlet (FFO) Home store on two acres just east of Walmart and directly north of Holiday Inn Express. The site is property-zoned to accommodate commercial use. The plat items were approved by City Commissioners — with only one dissenting vote by Ward 5 Commissioner Lesa Shaw — at their June 6 meeting. FFO Home President Larry Zigerelli said he is excited to be bringing his company to Shawnee.

2 Shawnee officer involved in accident; driver of stolen vehicle arrested

A Shawnee police officer responding with lights and sirens to U.S. 177 for a stolen vehicle being pursued by its owner was involved in an accident late Saturday night. Shawnee Police Department Spokeswoman Vivian Lozano said the officer was responding code three, which is lights and sirens, in response to the stolen vehicle as incidents were unfolding along U.S. 177. “The stolen vehicle, out of Wewoka, was northbound on 177…

“We’re not a big-city chain,” he said. “We look for cities, like Shawnee, where we can add something to the community. We feel like it’s a perfect fit for us.”

3 Tecumseh: Neighbors fight, one dies

What started Tuesday as an argument among two men at Stone Bridge Apartments — a complex on the 700 block of North 6th Street in Tecumseh — became a physical altercation Wednesday evening after the argument resumed, and resulted in a death. Tecumseh Police Department Chief Gary Crosby said a 911 call was made from the apartment complex just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, reporting that two men at the site had been fighting. Crosby said it was reported that the two men had traded words…

4

9 Election: Bushong, Gillham Sr. and Harrod win Shawnee city commission seats

With all 16 precincts reporting in the City of Shawnee races, Incumbent Linda Agee has been defeated by Ron Gillham Sr. James Harrod retains his seat and Dub Bushong will serve Ward 1. Ward 1 William D. Kirkland - 824 or 22.26 percent Dub Bushong - 2,120 or 57.27 percent Tana Gamble - 758 or 20.48 percent Ward 2: Ron Gillham Sr. - 1,933 or 51.60 percent

Shawnee Board of Education: SMS teachers rally behind principal

There was quite a buzz going into a full house just before Tuesday’s Shawnee Board of Education meeting. Many Shawnee Middle School teachers were in attendance as board members combed over the agenda. Public comment quickly turned emotional as Mandy Hillhouse, an SMS reading teacher, spent her allotted three minutes sharing with the board how much of an asset SMS Principal Colby Cagle has been to the school…

Linda Ageee - 1,813 or 48.40 percent…

10 Search continues for missing boy’s

5 Linda Agee resigns city commission after election defeat

Just minutes after Incumbent Ward 2 city commission Linda Agee was defeated by her opponent in Tuesday’s election, she sent an email to Shawnee’s city manager to immediately resign her post. Rather that serving until September when Ron Gillham Sr. would take office, Agee sent the following email to City Manager Justin Erickson: “I just saw the final election results for the municipal election and it appears that Ron Gillham has won the Ward 2 seat. I am…

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reflectback backononthis thispast pastyear, year,it’sit’shard hardtotobelieve believehow howquickly quicklytime timehas haspassed. passed.Our Ourstate, state,and and AsAs wewe reflect evenourourcommunity communityhas hasexperienced experiencedthe thewinds windsofofchange, change,with withaafew fewstorms stormsalong alongthe theway, way,and and even bumps roadthat thatmight mightdeter detersome somewho whowere werenot notasasstrong. strong. bumps in in thethe road Oklahomans…livinginina acommunity communityfocused focusedonontaking takingcare careofofour ourneighbors, neighbors,finding findingtime time ButBut wewe areare Oklahomans…living to give back, and lend a helping hand. We embrace a bright future and while there will be moments to give back, and lend a helping hand. We embrace a bright future and while there will be moments that resolve,there therearearealso alsoa agreat greatmany manythat thatwill willbring bringrenewal, renewal,growth, growth,and andhope. hope. that trytry ourour resolve, First NationalBank Bank& &Trust TrustCo. Co.wewestand standstrong strongwith withour ourcommunity communityand andlook lookforward forwardtoto2017 2017and and AtAt First National the moments that will create milestones and memories…the moments in time that matter. the moments that will create milestones and memories…the moments in time that matter. Shawnee––Home HomeOffice Office Shawnee 130 East MacArthur 130 East MacArthur (405)275-8830 275-8830 (405) FireLake FireLake 1545South SouthGordon GordonCooper CooperDr. Dr. 1545 (405) 878-4877 (405) 878-4877

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SEMINOLE (AP) - A search for the body of a 9-year-old boy who went missing 10 years ago continues after authorities did not find the boy’s remains on his foster parent’s property. Seminole County Sheriff’s Office investigator David Hanson said Friday that authorities completed a search last month of the property of Colton Clark’s foster parents, Rex and Rebecca Clark, who are in custody facing a series of charges including first-degree murder. Hanson says investigators are following up on leads at other possible locations as they search for Colton’s remains. An affidavit filed in the case alleges Rex and Rebecca Clark…

YEAR IN REVIEW

8C • Sunday, January 1, 2017

July

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in July 2016.

6 Two teens killed in Stroud crash 1 Community mourns loss of local police officer

The community is mourning the loss of a local police officer who died unexpectedly Thursday. “The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Police Department and the Nation as a whole grieve the loss of one of its finest police officers, Detective Russell Ross,” said CPN Chief Jim Collard. “Our community has lost a hero. We ask that the community keep the family in their prayers during this time of sorrow.” Ross, a former Marine, had worked with CPN police since 2013.

2 Manhunt ends with Tecumseh man in jail

One of two manhunt suspects sought after allegedly stealing a trailer with equipment during a Friday burglary in north Shawnee is now jailed on numerous complaints. Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said authorities received a call about 8 a.m. Friday from a resident who saw suspects breaking into his neighbor’s shop and then take off with a trailer containing a skid steer loader. That neighbor, who just happened to be a retired Shawnee…

A one-vehicle accident near Stroud has claimed the lives of two teenagers. Stroud Police Chief Clint Gaylord said that accident occurred about 8:18 a.m. Thursday on Highway 66, just east of Seventh Street…

7 Sheriff identifies man shot, killed near Stroud

Authorities in Lincoln County have identified a man found dead on a rural road north of Stroud Friday. Lincoln County Sheriff Charlie Dougherty said Robert James Godwin Jr., 34, from Tryon, was found dead with several gunshot wounds. His body was about 30 yards from his pickup, which was still in the middle of the rural roadway when deputies arrived. Dougherty said deputies believe the shooting occurred sometime before the overnight storm because there was rainwater inside…

8 Parade, fireworks events

to celebrate Independence Day The Fourth of July is a time of great celebration in Shawnee. The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans are having a Fourth of July parade on Monday.

3 Shawnee police release name

of man found dead near local motel

Shawnee police detectives have released the name of the man found dead Tuesday near Motel 6. The deceased was identified as Adam Rogers from Arkansas. Police said he is in his early 20s. “The circumstances surrounding the man’s death remain under investigation,” the department released in a statement…

4 Storm update: Fatality reported in submerged vehicle near Pink

After thunderstorms moved through the area Sunday night, one fatality was reported in a submerged vehicle near Pink, according to 911 call logs. Emergency crews responded to the area of Fishmarket Road and SH 9 about 8:24 p.m. after it was reported a woman was trapped in a vehicle that was completely submerged. A deputy arrived and confirmed a fatality at that scene, the call…

5 Man who shot himself at Edmond

gun range was a Shawnee attorney

The man who shot himself at an Edmond gun range Wednesday and later died has been identified as a Shawnee attorney who was part of an investigation into an alleged classic car scam. Police have identified the man as Kermit Milburn, 56. Pottawatomie County District Attorney Richard Smothermon confirmed Milburn was the target of an investigation, but he had no other comments. Previous reports indicate a multi-county investigation reportedly involved a probe into an alleged car scam involving classic Shelby Mustangs…

9 High water: Shawnee firefighters conduct water rescue

Shawnee firefighters conducted a water rescue at the Benedict Street railroad underpass area Tuesday morning after the driver of an SUV became stranded in high water. Shawnee Fire Capt. Scott Killgore said crews responded to reports of an SUV stranded with water over the hood; Benedict Street often floods during bouts of rain in Shawnee. Crews arrived and set up anchors and tether lines as Firefighter Keipher Hotella waded into the water, which was at least four feet deep, Killgore said. Killgore, who said it only takes six inches of water to push…

10 Several injured in accident on Moccasin Trail Road

Several people were injured in a Sunday morning accident on Moccasin Trail Road. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that accident occurred about 8:37 a.m. Sunday on Moccasin Trail Road and County Road 3510, which is about six miles east of Shawnee. A 2009 Nissan driven by Mariah Whatley, 27, Shawnee, was northbound on County Road 3510, the OHP reported. The OHP report shows Whatley ran a stop sign and was struck by a 2007 Chevrolet pickup driven eastbound on Moccasin Trail Road by Christopher Burch, 45, Shawnee. Whatley was transported by Medi Flight helicopter ambulance…

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YEAR IN REVIEW

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

August

Sunday, January 1, 2017 • 1D

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in August 2016.

6 Deputies: Teacher arrested 1

on child abuse complaint

Family mourns college student killed in Asher crash

Family and friends of a University of Central Oklahoma student are mourning a tragic loss after the 21-year-old was identified as the one killed in Wednesday’s latenight crash near Asher. Ryan T. Hamm died at the scene of that Pottawatomie County accident, which occurred about 9:21 p.m. two miles north of Asher on U.S. 177, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported. His father, John Hamm, who lives in Spring, Texas after recently moving back there from Edmond, knew something wasn’t right when hearing his son didn’t report to work on Thursday and began inquiring; the family later learned that Ryan was killed…

2 Off-duty Shawnee firefighter rescues child An off-duty Shawnee firefighter who was at the Siloam Springs Kayak Park with his wife and children Saturday was in the right place at the right time to save the life of a 6-year-old Arkansas girl. Scott Killgore, who coordinates the fire department’s swift-water rescue team, said he had heard about the park in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, which is a man-made park attached to the Illinois River. He wanted to scope it out as a possible training location for its swift-water rapids, so while on his day off, he decided to take his family up there for an outing. He took his swift-water rescue gear and had it on in the water while his wife, Melissa, his 15-year-old son Creed and 8-year-old daughter Cayne were on the banks. His wife was taking photos…

Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Tecumseh teacher at her home in Asher Sunday afternoon on allegations of child abuse. According to an arrest affidavit, Tina L. O’Neal, 45, was booked…

7 Shots fired call leads

to suspect’s arrest in Shawnee

A suspect remained jailed Wednesday night after a shots fired call resulted in an arrest in the 600 block of North Market. Shawnee Police Department Spokeswoman Vivian Lozano said officers responded to the area of Market and Ridgewood Streets Tuesday evening for that shots fired call. She said officers located three spent brass shell casings in the middle of the road. Police then spoke with a male driver and a female passenger in an SUV. That driver told police they had stopped for a stop sign…

8 Shawnee woman, two children injured in Garvin County accident

A Shawnee woman and two children, ages 2 and 9, were injured in a four-vehicle crash that killed two others in Garvin County over the weekend. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said that accident occurred Saturday afternoon on U.S. 177, about five miles south of Stratford. Courtney Bullen, 31, Shawnee, and her passengers, ages 2 and 9, were taken by Pauls Valley EMS to Mercy Hospital in Ada. Bullen was admitted in good condition, while the 9-year-old girl was taken by Air Evac to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, where she was admitted in good condition, the OHP said. The 2-year-old was transferred by Mercy EMS to OU Medical…

3 Serious traffic accident reported on Shawnee Mall Drive

Emergency crews responded Sunday afternoon to Shawnee Mall Drive, near the JC Penney entrance, for a serious traffic accident. According to 911 reports, the vehicle went onto I-40 and came back down through a fence in that area, but it was unknown where the vehicle was originally or how many other vehicles were involved. The driver in this vehicle was reported to be a 60-year-old woman with injuries including compound fractures, according…

4 Stolen truck prompts

pursuit; suspect jailed

A report of a stolen vehicle developed into a police pursuit around the Shawnee and Tecumseh areas Tuesday, but ended with the suspect in jail and the owner getting his pickup back. Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said the sheriff’s office received a call from a man who was working in the area of 45th and Bethel Roads. He was working down in a pit when someone stole his truck…

5 Arrest warrant issued

in deadly hit-and-run in Shawnee

Shawnee police on Tuesday confirmed an arrest warrant has been issued for a 17-year-old accused of driving a pickup involved in last week’s fatal hit-andrun near Shawnee Mall. Shawnee Police Detective Ronnie Wilson said a warrant was issued for the juvenile suspect. His name has not been released. The accident occurred last Wednesday on Kickapoo Street at Westech Road as Ernest Reynolds, 62, was working for a company…

9 Teen shot in hand at Shawnee McDonald’s

Shawnee police are investigating an overnight shooting at a McDonald’s. About 4:13 a.m. Thursday, officers responded to 1411 N. Harrison for a reported shooting. Shawnee Police Spokeswoman Vivian Lozano said a 16-year old male was shot in the right hand while standing outside of McDonalds. The teen was holding a cell phone, which the bullet struck first, then his hand, she said. The suspect was identified as an Indian or Hispanic male driving a gray sedan. According to police, the suspect pulled up, exchanged words…

10 Wewoka uses goal line stand to stun Seminole

SEMINOLE - Prior to Friday night, Seminole and Wewoka hadn’t met each other on the gridiron since 2007. Boy did the Seminole County squads make up for lost time. On a fourth down play with 23 seconds remaining, Seminole freshman running back Cameron Gunville was stacked up inside the 1-yard line, allowing Wewoka to stun the Chieftains 21-16 in a wild season opener. Wewoka, a Class A entry, took the 21-16 lead when Kenan Loggins scored from the 4-yard line with 8:26 to play. A 2-point pass attempt failed. Seminole appeared to be headed for the winning score…

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YEAR IN REVIEW

2D • Sunday, January 1, 2017

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

September

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in September 2016.

6 OHP: Meeker teens, 2 adults hurt 1

Seminole man struck and killed on SH-9 near Earlsboro

A Seminole man was killed Tuesday afternoon when he was struck by a car while working on a vehicle along SH 9 east of Earlsboro. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the accident occurred about 1:48 p.m. on SH 9 east of Chambers Road, which is about 1.5 miles east of Earlsboro in Pottawatomie County. Jackie Ray Brooks, 60, Seminole, was working on a vehicle that was broken down on the shoulder when he was struck by a 2008 +\XQGDL GRRU GULYHQ E\ *ORU\ /RUUDLQH :KLQHU\ RI 6KDZQHH the OHP said. Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene from his injuries and ZDV WUDQVSRUWHG E\ WKH 0HGLFDO ([DPLQHU WR 6ZHDULQJHQĹ™

2 Jury convicts man

in 2015 Shawnee homicide

Following a three-day trial this week, a Pottawatomie County jury convicted a Shawnee man on charges of second-degree murder and conspiracy in connection with a 2015 Shawnee homicide. .LZDQH +RELD ZDV RULJLQDOO\ FKDUJHG ZLWK ƓUVW GHJUHH PXUder. The jury, after hearing evidence and deliberating the case for more than four hours, convicted him of second-degree murder. He also was found guilty on a conspiracy charge. The jury has recommended he serve 30 years in prison for the second-degree murder count and another 10 years for conspiracy. A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered and formal‌

3 US 177 reopens, police talk man down from bridge

Shawnee police saved a man’s life late Wednesday night after talking him out of jumping off the Farrall Street bridge over U.S. 177. Northbound U.S. 177 from Hardesty Road was closed for about WZR KRXUV DV RIƓFHUV ZRUNHG WKDW VFHQH 6JW *HRUJH 6WDIIRUG DQG 2IƓFHU 5REHUW %DUWRQ WDONHG WKDW PDQ GRZQ WR VDIHW\ VDLG 6KDZQHH 3ROLFH 6SRNHVZRPDQ 9LYLDQ /R]DQR 6HYHUDO RWKHU RIƓFHUV ZLWK KHOS IURP GLVSDWFKHUV DOVR ZHUHř

4 Armed robbery reported near IHOP in Shawnee

Shawnee police are searching for two suspects following an armed UREEHU\ EHKLQG ,+23 0RQGD\ HYHQLQJ According to scanner reports, the victim’s wallet and cell phone ZHUH WDNHQ DW JXQSRLQW DQG WZR IHPDOH VXVSHFWV ŴHG RQ IRRW %RWK were reported to have handguns.

in Lincoln County accident

6HYHUDO WHHQDJHUV IURP 0HHNHU ZHUH LQMXUHG LQ D RQH YHKLFOH DFFLdent over the holiday weekend and cause of that accident is listed DV GULYLQJ XQGHU WKH LQŴXHQFH The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said that accident occurred about 10:38 p.m. Sunday on County Road 1010 at County Road 3460‌

7 Bad gas: Too much ethanol fuel recall affects Shawnee, Tecumseh

A gasoline recall has been announced this week and is in effect for 21 Oklahoma counties — which includes several stations in Pottawatomie County. 2Q 7XHVGD\ 0DJHOODQ 0LGVWUHDP 3DUWQHUV LQIRUPHG WKH 2NODKRPD Corporation Commission that it is recalling gasoline containing unacceptably high levels of ethanol that was distributed from the 0LGVWUHDP IDFLOLW\ LQ 2NODKRPD &LW\ WR UHWDLOHUV LQ WKH 2NODKRPD &LW\ PHWURSROLWDQ DUHD EHWZHHQ 7XHVGD\ ODVW ZHHN DQG 0RQGD\ $FFRUGLQJ WR 0DJHOODQ LW LV DFWLYHO\ UHFRYHULQJ JDVROLQH ZLWK D higher-than-intended ethanol content that was caused‌

8 Former teacher sentenced in rape case

In June 2015, a local math teacher was charged with second-degree rape in connection with an alleged inappropriate relationship with a Bethel student. On Friday, that defendant pleaded guilty in the case and was sentenced. 0DUWLQ 5D\ +HUW] 7HFXPVHK ZDV FKDUJHG LQ 3RWWDZDWRPLH County District Court, with charges alleging he had sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old female student who was under the legal custody or supervision of a public school system while he was an employee of the same public school system. The alleged incident RFFXUUHG RQ RU EHWZHHQ -XQH WKH Ć“OLQJ UHDGV 'XULQJ Friday’s pre-trial docket, Hertz withdrew his previous plea of not guilty and pleaded guilty. He waived a pre-sentence investigation and received a 10-year suspended sentence, the docket records show. He will be supervised through the Department of Corrections. Charges in this case were the result of an investigation conducted E\ WKH 3RWWDZDWRPLH &RXQW\ 6KHULIIĹ?V 2IĆ“FH The investigation was launched after a student approached‌

9 Lightning strike sparks fire at Shawnee home

A lightning strike during Friday morning’s early thunderstorm in the Shawnee area struck a local home but quick work by Shawnee Ć“UH FUHZV NHSW WKH GDPDJH FRQĆ“QHG WR D VPDOO DUHD 7KH Ć“UH ZDV UHSRUWHG DW WKH KRPH RI 'U 'DYLG : :KLWORFN DQG KLV family. Whitlock, who is the president of Oklahoma Baptist University, said clean up and repairs have already begun. “We are so grateful to the Shawnee Fire Department for their extremely rapid response and quick work of saving our home,â€? Whitlock said. He said they were awakened early Friday morning by thunder‌

10 Hoarding mail tip spurs probe 5

Car crashes into wall at Shawnee liquor store 6KDZQHH SROLFH DQG Ć“UHĆ“JKWHUV UHVSRQGHG ODWH )ULday afternoon to the area of 45th and Kickapoo Streets where a vehicle ran into the building that houses UnCorked Wine and Spirits.

5($&7 (06 DPEXODQFH ZDV initially dispatched, but cancelled as no injuries were reported. Police are completing an DFFLGHQW UHSRUW DQG Ć“UHĆ“JKWHUV ZHUH RQ VFHQH WR FKHFN VWUXFWXUDO issues at the building, 911 call logs showed.

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Area residents may soon be receiving some overdue mail deliveries after a tip to the U.S. Postal Service led agents to some undelivered mail. Now, a Shawnee postal worker is under investigation. 8 6 3RVWDO 6HUYLFH 2IĆ“FH RI ,QVSHFWRU *HQHUDO 8636 2,* $VVLVtant Special Agent in Charge Jeff Krafels said an active inquiry is underway.

“On Aug. 30, USPS OIG Special Agents out of our Oklahoma City RIĆ“FH UHFHLYHG DQ DOOHJDWLRQ WKDW D SRVWDO HPSOR\HH ZDV KRDUGLQJ mail in Shawnee,â€? Krafels said. “On Sept. 2, our agents recovered the mail and are actively investigating the case.â€?

The employee allegedly responsible is currently in a non-duty status with the USPS, he said. “The USPS OIG considers the allegations to be a very serious matter,� Krafels said. “When these types of allegations are made, USPS OIG Special Agents vigorously investigate these matters, as we did in this instance.�

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YEAR IN REVIEW

October

Sunday, January 1, 2017 • 3D

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in October 2016.

6 SQ 777 – Proposal hot debate 1 Two Shawnee murder suspects in custody

6KDZQHH SROLFH KDYH DUUHVWHG WZR VXVSHFWV RQ Ć“UVW GHJUHH PXUder complaints in the weekend death of a 91-year-old Shawnee woman who was fatally stabbed in her home. A third suspect was apprehended late Tuesday night for accessory after the fact.

Detective Jason Crouch said Johnnie C. Henson II, 37, was arrestHG EHIRUH D VHFRQG VXVSHFW -RVHSK ' /DQJIRUG ,,, ZDV DSprehended about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday. A third suspect, Dustin Cole Younger, 26, was arrested later Tuesday night‌

2 Police arrest two in overnight burglary

Shawnee police arrested two burglary suspects early Friday morning in a Shawnee neighborhood. 6KDZQHH 3ROLFH 6SRNHVZRPDQ 9LYLDQ /R]DQR VDLG LW ZDV DERXW D P ZKHQ 3DWURO 2IƓFHU -DNH 'XJJDQ UHVSRQGHG WR 6Hquoyah in reference to a suspicious vehicle. Dispatch advised that a silver passenger car had been parked behind the residence and running for two hours. As Duggan arrived in the area, he noticed a silver Ford Escape parked on the east side of Dakota Street near Sequoyah‌

3 Shawnee boy hospitalized after hit and run An 8-year-old Shawnee boy is hospitalized with injuries including third-degree burns following a hit-and-run in a local neighborhood. /RJDQ 6NHOWRQ WKH VRQ RI $OPD DQG -DVRQ Skelton, is undergoing treatment at OU Children’s Hospital, Alma said. He’s already missing school and football, his mother said, and his second-grade classmates from Sequoyah Elementary have sent him a get well video. Alma said the accident occurred at Rose 'ULYH DQG 5LFNH\ 5RDG DV /RJDQ DQG about nine other children – were playing‌

4 Longtime photojournalist Ed Blochowiak

over right to farm

A hot-button issue being debated before Nov. 8 is State Question 777, the Right to Farm proposal. 3DVVHG E\ WKH /HJLVODWXUH ODVW \HDU WKH PHDVXUH FDOOV IRU D VWDWHwide vote on whether the right to farm and ranch in Oklahoma shall be “forever guaranteed.â€? Supporters say the proposed‌

7 Look back: Tornado devastated Shawnee on Oct. 5, 1970

6KDZQHH 3RWWDZDWRPLH &RXQW\ (PHUJHQF\ 0DQDJHPHQW 'LUHFWRU 'RQ /\QFK UHPLQGHG PDQ\ SHRSOH :HGQHGVD\ DERXW WKH VLJQLƓcance of the day 46 years ago. On Oct. 5, 1970, an F4 tornado struck downtown Shawnee and PRYHG WR 3UDJXH DQG ƓQDOO\ GLVVLSDWHG DERXW PLOHV 1RUWKZHVW RI Paden. The tornado that occurred around 3:40 p.m., was responsible for four deaths and damaging or destroying: – 157 businesses – 564 homes‌ – 12 public buildings (including Shawnee City Hall) – 10 churches – and 5 schools‌

8 One suspect caught, one sought in Bethel Acres burglaries

One of two suspects was apprehended in the Bethel Acres area 0RQGD\ DIWHU DOOHJHGO\ EXUJODUL]LQJ WZR YHKLFOHV DQG DQ RXWEXLOGing before attempting a residential break-in, deputies said, but a VHFRQG VXVSHFW ZDV VWLOO DW ODUJH ODWH 0RQGD\ QLJKW Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said deputies UHFHLYHG D FDOO DERXW D P 0RQGD\ IURP D UHVLGHQFH LQ WKH 34000 block of Clear Pond Road for an attempted burglary in progress.

A woman was home when she heard a noise and discovered a suspect was raising a window and trying to enter the residence. She began yelling loudly at the suspect, who was startled and took off running. As events unfolded, some of the neighbors chased after the suspects using an ATV and a Jeep, with residents reporting those sightings to deputies, they said.

Two males were seen leaving the area, Palmer said, and deputies‌

dies

,W ZDV FRQĆ“UPHG 0RQGD\ HYHQLQJ WKDW longtime photojournalist Ed Blochowiak, 66, has died.

)RU Ć“YH GHFDGHV %ORFKRZLDN JDWKHUHG visual information, capturing the essence of the community where he was born and raised. For nearly all of those years he did it for the Shawnee News-Star.

On Nov. 19, 1973 — just six days out of the air force — Blochowiak entered into his role as a professional photographer in Shawnee, and after 43 years of service he put down his camera for the last time, retiring on Sept. 7.

During his career, his photographs earned him three Photo of the Year designations — two from the Oklahoma Press Association and one from the Associated Press. He also was merited with more than WZR GR]HQ ƓUVW SODFH DZDUGV DV ZHOO DV D EXQFK RI RWKHUVř

5 3 jailed after theft, guard assault at Shawnee Mall

Two suspects who allegedly stole merchandise from Dillard’s and 6KDZQHH 0DOO DQG WKHQ DOOHJHGO\ DVVDXOWHG D PDOO VHFXULW\ JXDUG ZKLOH ŴHHLQJ DUH QRZ MDLOHG RQ QXPHURXV FRPSODLQWV LQFOXGLQJ assault and obstruction. The getaway driver also was jailed for accessory and for not having a valid driver license. 6KDZQHH 3ROLFH 6SRNHVZRPDQ 9LYLDQ /R]DQR VDLG LW ZDV DERXW 9:05 p.m. Wednesday night when police were called to Dillard’s in 6KDZQHH 0DOO IRU D UREEHU\ Dispatch advised that two males stole merchandise from‌

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

9 Alert: First West Nile Virus case

confirmed in Pottawatomie County

7KH ƓUVW FDVH RI :HVW 1LOH 9LUXV :19 LQ 3RWWDZDWRPLH &RXQW\ KDV EHHQ FRQƓUPHG E\ WKH 3RWWDZDWRPLH &RXQW\ +HDOWK 'HSDUWPHQW +HDOWK RIƓFLDOV HQFRXUDJH UHVLGHQWV WR WDNH SUHFDXWLRQV WR UHGXFH the risk of contracting WNV, a mosquito-borne illness‌

10 Promotion ceremony honors nine of Shawnee’s finest

The Shawnee Police Department held a formal promotional ceremony for nine RIĆ“FHUV 7KXUVGD\ DW 6KDZQHH City Hall. )RU WKH Ć“UVW WLPH LQ QHDUO\ years, the department now has personnel at the rank of Captain. Promoted to the rank of Captain were Rick Greenland and Scott Hill. Receiving promotions to the rank of lieutenant were Jon Arnett, John Goss and Freeland Wood. Advancing to the rank of sergeant were Kevin Hughey, Andrew Terry, James Wood and Darrel Williams.

&KLHI 0DVRQ :LOVRQ FRQJUDWXODWHG HDFK DV IDPLO\ PHPEHUV SLQQHG their new badges on their uniforms.

Hope your New Year Sparkles Health. Happiness. Success. Friendship. Love. We hope your year is ďŹ lled with everything that brings you joy!

Dr. Tracy Trussell Dr. Natalie Keith

121 W. 45th St. • Shawnee, OK (405) 273-3700 • www.nsvhok.com

4D • Sunday, January 1, 2017

YEAR IN REVIEW

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

November

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in November 2016.

Vehicle crashes into home on North Harrison

6 1 Police make 3 arrests

At just after 7 a.m. 0RQGD\ WKLV VLOYHU 0LWVXELVKL 2XWlander left the highway and slammed into a house near the 9000 block of North Harrison. At least one person was injured‌

after Shawnee pursuit

Shawnee police arrested a driver and two passengers after a pursuit went through several areas of central Shawnee Wednesday evening. Police on Friday released more information about that incident.

6KDZQHH 3ROLFH 6SRNHVZRPDQ 9LYLDQ /R]DQR VDLG LW ZDV DERXW 7:15 p.m. Wednesday when Cpl. Austin Bizzell attempted to make D WUDIĆ“F VWRS RQ D YHKLFOH GLVSOD\LQJ D 6HPLQROH 1DWLRQ WDJ IRU D left of center violation at Federal and Kickapoo Streets. /R]DQR VDLG WKH GULYHU ZKR ZDV ODWHU LGHQWLĆ“HG DV -HUU\ ' %URFNĹ™

Hardesty Road crash: Close call as vehicle misses creek

7

Emergency crews were on the scene of this accident late Tuesday night on Hardesty Road, east of Kings Road. The driver reportedly crossed oncoming WUDIƓF DQG VWUDLJKWHQHG XS SDUDOOHO WR the bridge before going off the road and narrowly missed going on into the creek. Pictured is a wrecker worker at the scene; crews didn’t have enough chain to reach the car. There were no immediate reports on possible injuries to the driver. State troopers and Pottawatomie County sheriff’s deputies were among those at the scene.

2 Shawnee police arrest stabbing suspect

A suspect has been arrested following a stabbing that allegedly occurred during a disagreement over meatloaf and milk, police said. 6KDZQHH 3ROLFH 6SRNHVPDQ 9LYLDQ /R]DQR VDLG RIƓFHUV UHVSRQGed about 8:19 a.m. Thursday to St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital on reports of a male who had been stabbed. 7KHUH /R]DQR VDLG &SO &DUSHQWHU FRPPXQLFDWHG ZLWK 5REHUW 2Vborne. She said he is hearing and speech impaired, but was able to write down that he had been stabbed while sleeping at 1016 N. Broadway. He reported the suspect was the owner of the house‌

8 Community mourns death

of Shawnee philanthropist

3 Downtown Streetscape:

The Shawnee community is mourning the loss of a man known for his giving spirit and love for helping others and the community. 3DXO 0 0LOEXUQ GLHG )ULGD\ DW D ORFDO KRVpital.

Christmas parade takes detour Safe Event For Families (SEFF) will be out in full force Thursday, preparing for Shawnee’s biggest winter celebration — the annual Christmas parade. There will be a twist though; the parade route is taking a detour this year, due to Streetscape conVWUXFWLRQ ZUDSSLQJ XS DORQJ 0DLQ Street‌

Rep. Josh Cockroft, via Facebook and Twitter, VDLG Ĺ?+HDUG WKH VDG QHZV WRGD\ WKDW 3DXO 0LOEXUQ D SURPLQHQW Ć“JXUH LQ 3RWW &RXQW\ SDVVHG DZD\ +H ZLOO EH missed in many regards. Please join me‌

9 Shawnee planning commission: Plaza Center eyes Harrison

4

A large project could be in the works on Harrison Street between 45th and Interstate 40, if all goes as planned.

Restaurant proposed next door to O’Reilly

7KH SURSRVHG 'RPLQR 3OD]D $GGLWLRQ SURMHFW ZRXOG SODFH ƓYH commercial developments along that strip, starting with a Domino Express gas station on the northeast corner of 45th Street — across from Sonic. Space for two hotels and up to four restaurants are slated for the UHPDLQLQJ ORWV WKRXJK QR VSHFLƓF EXVLQHVVHV DUH EHLQJ QDPHG DW this time.

At the Shawnee Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, a hearing was held as applicant Nelmon Brauning requested a rezone from C-1 Neighborhood Commercial to C-3 Highway Commercial on a property at 4020 N. Kickapoo - where a house currently sits directly south of O’Reilly Auto Parts. The site is being eyed for use as a restaurant, though no particular business has yet been named. A public hearing will be held at the Nov. 21 City Commission meeting, where the board may vote on the rezoning issue.

Three common areas will be included on the nearly‌

10 Oklahoma Supreme Court:

Combs named Chief Justice

5 2 injured: Helicopter responds

2QH RI 6KDZQHHĹ?V RZQ 'RXJODV / &RPEV on Dec. 1 will take the helm as Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. 2Q 0RQGD\ &RPEV ZDV QDPHG WR WKH QHZ leadership role for the next two years. The Oklahoma Constitution requires the Court every two years to select from its members a chief justice and a vice-chief justice. Combs, the current Vice Chief Justice, has been a member of the Oklahoma Supreme Court since 2010. Combs began his judicial career in 1995 as Special Judge for the 23rd Judicial District, serving Pottawatomie DQG /LQFROQ &RXQWLHV +H ZDV HOHFWHG 'LVWULFW -XGJH LQ DQG 2006, serving eight years before his appointment‌

to overnight accident

7ZR SHRSOH ZHUH LQMXUHG DQG RQH ZDV WUDQVSRUWHG E\ 0HGL )OLJKW helicopter ambulance after the pickup they were in crashed headon into a rock embankment, troopers reported. The accident occurred about 2:47 a.m. Wednesday on Gaddy Road and Willow View, which is four miles west of Tecumseh. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said a 2002 Dodge Ram driven by Brandon Bratcher, 30, Shawnee, was southbound on Gaddy Road when he failed to stop at a stop sign, resulting in the pickup hitting the rock embankment head-on. +H ZDV WUDQVSRUWHG E\ 5($&7 (06 WR ,QWHJULV %DSWLVW +RVSLWDO LQ Oklahoma City, where he was admitted in stable condition with head injuries, the patrol‌

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news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

YEAR IN REVIEW

Sunday, January 1, 2017 • 5D

December

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in December 2016.

6 Christmas Parade: Detour set 1

Marketplace: Freddy’s coming to Shawnee 6KDZQHHĹ?V 0DUNHWSODFH LV EUHDNLQJ JURXQG IRU D )UHGG\Ĺ?V )UR]HQ Custard & Steakburgers - a fast-casual restaurant franchise. With restaurants scattered through most of the U.S., 23 are in Oklahoma.

“With site work now underway on the strip center [near] the corner of N. Kickapoo Avenue and W. 45th Street, Freddy’s hopes to beJLQ Ć“QLVKRXW RQ LWV SRUWLRQ RI WKH FHQWHU E\ ODWH ZLQWHU DQG FXUUHQWly projects a target opening date of early summer,â€? Bob Rasberry, IUDQFKLVH RZQHU VDLG 0RQGD\ 0HQX LWHPV LQFOXGH OHDQ JURXQG EHHI VWHDNEXJHUV VKRHVWULQJ fries, Vienna Beef hot dogs and dessert treats prepared‌

for annual holiday march Safe Event For Families (SEFF) are out in full force today, preparing for Shawnee’s biggest winter celebration - the annual Christmas parade. Remember, there will be a twist though; the parade route is taking a detour this year, due to Streetscape construction wrapping up along 0DLQ 6WUHHW

SEFF’s Ed Bolt said, though they could have PDGH PXFK RI WKH WUDGLWLRQDO URXWH GRZQ 0DLQ Street work, it was decided that the safest and smartest thing to do would be to leave the east end of downtown alone entirely, as crews

2 Suspect sentenced in murder of Shawnee man

Nearly three years after a man’s body was found on tribal land near Shawnee, the suspect facing a second-degree murder indictment in the homicide has been sentenced to a 20-year federal prison term. George Edmond Walker, 39, appeared in federal court in Oklahoma City Tuesday and received a sentence of 240 months - 20 years LQ WKH GHDWK RI 0DUVKDOO 6FRWW 'HQW 'HQW ZDV \HDUV ROG ZKHQ he was reported missing to Shawnee police on Dec. 23, 2013. Dent’s aunt, Nanette Hazelwood, who said it’s been an excruciating three years for the family, said while they were relieved after Tuesday’s sentencing, it was an emotional day. She, along with three other relatives, including Dent’s mother, provided victim‌

3 Taco Tico in Shawnee to close its doors

Those who love Taco Tico have through Sunday to get their Tex0H[ Ć“[ EHIRUH WKH 6KDZQHH ORFDWLRQ FORVHV LWV GRRUV IRU JRRG Taco Tico announced on its Facebook page Thursday that its last day to be open will be this Sunday. Ĺ?2Q 0RQGD\ RXU GRRUV ZLOO EH FORVHG IRU JRRG :H HQFRXUDJH you to come and see us no later than Sunday! We would love to serve you one last time,â€? the post reads. “Thank you so much for allowing us the pleasure of serving you in Shawnee for 15+ years,â€? it continues. “We wish you and your‌

4 City to get taste of Greek cuisine

Shawnee is about to have yet another option when choosing a restaurant for dinner. The last few weeks has been spent preparing for Daliylah Greek House, at 2033 N. Kickapoo, to open LQ WKH QH[W WZR WR WKUHH ZHHNV RZQHU 0D]LQ $EXMHLVK VDLG 7XHVday. 7KLV LV $EXMHLVKĹ?V Ć“UVW UHVWDXUDQW LQ WRZQ “We opened a restaurant like this in Ardmore, and it has done very well,â€? he said. “People have really liked it.â€? Abujeish said Shawnee seemed like a good location to try the same thing. “It doesn’t look like this kind of food has been here for awhile‌

5 Woman dies in Seminole County crash

An Oklahoma City woman died Friday afternoon in a crash on westbound Interstate 40 near mile marker 204 in Seminole County. 7KH 2NODKRPD +LJKZD\ 3DWURO VDLG D *0& 689 GULYHQ E\ Diane Norton, 65, was westbound on I-40 when the vehicle departed the roadway to the right for unknown reasons and rolled an unknown number of times before coming to rest on its wheels. The driver was pinned for about 25 minutes being being freed by the Strother Fire Department with the use of the Hurst tool. She ZDV WUDQVSRUWHG E\ 5($&7 (06 DPEXODQFH WR 28 0HGLFDO &HQWHU in Oklahoma City, where she died from her injuries‌

7 Chili benefit supper to help Tecumseh man, family

A fundraising chili supper is being planned 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. WR KHOS 0LFKHDO 2UVR DQG KLV IDPLO\ The supper will be held at the Tecumseh Alumni Center, with cost being a donation to the family. Orso, 42, is married to ReAnna and they have a son, Brayden, 17. 2Q -DQ 0LNH XQH[SHFWHGO\ VXIIHUHG D VHL]XUH DQG ZDV taken to Norman’s hospital, where doctors discovered masses in KLV EUDLQ DQG OXQJV +H ZDV WDNHQ WR 28 0HGLFDO &HQWHUř

8 Deputies recover 2 stolen vehicles while searching for rare minibus

In the ongoing search for a rare stolen minibus — an oversized go-kart with a shell replica of a Greyhound bus — deputies have recovered two other stolen vehicles. Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said they are continuing to search for the minibus, which was stolen Tuesday from a home in the area of 45th and U.S. 177‌

9 Pott. County’s Most Wanted arrested after chase

3RWWDZDWRPLH &RXQW\Ĺ?V 0RVW :DQWHG ZDV FDSWXUHG HDUO\ 6DWXUGD\ morning by Oklahoma City Police after a pursuit in a stolen vehicle. David Allen Knight, 33, was wanted on outstanding felony warrants after failure to appear in court on his second day of a jury trial. 7KH VKHULIIĹ?V RIĆ“FH SRVWHG WKDW WKH\ ZRXOG OLNH WR WKDQN ERWK 2NODKRPD &LW\ 3ROLFH 'HSDUWPHQW DQG 0LGZHVW &LW\ 3ROLFH 'HSDUWPHQW for their efforts in safely bringing Knight into custody‌

10 Tecumseh Braum’s to open soon

After years of waiting, and several months of construction, Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Stores has established a location in Tecumseh. Just last week Braum’s put out the call for an event to hire employees for all positions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at Tecumseh City Hall, 114 N. Broadway, according to Braum’s Facebook page. Ĺ?0HHW RXU KLULQJ WHDP DQG WDNH DGYDQWDJH RI RQ WKH VSRW LQWHUviews,â€? the post reads. The brand new store is just south of U.S. 177 along North BroadZD\ QHDU 0D]]LRĹ?V Construction has been underway since the building permit‌

YEAR IN REVIEW

6D • Sunday, January 1, 2017

Sports

A glimpse at Sports Editor Billy Browns’ choice of top 10 stories as viewed online at www.news-star in 2016.

6 1 Wolves win second straight

Class 5A State baseball title

Shawnee baseball won their second VWUDLJKW &ODVV $ 6WDWH WLWOH ODVW 0D\ with a strong returning cast from the 2015 team. University of Kansas commit Eli Davis took to the mound for his second start in three days, throwing the complete game shutout in a 9-0 win over Piedmont.

2 Athletes sign with Division 1 colleges This year saw several area athletes sign with Division 1 colleges. The Shawnee baseball team alone had three players sign with D1 schools. Eli Davis inked with the University of Kansas while Jake Taylor and Tanner Sparks signed letters of intent with Oklahoma State. Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas added two local pitchers to their signing class. Tecumseh’s Caitlin Bingham and Chandler’s Neleigh Herring have both signed on to pitch at the school. Probably the biggest signing of the year goes to Shawnee’s Creed Humphrey though, who signed a letter of intent to play football with the University of Oklahoma.

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

Delsigne leads Bethel to emotional Washington upset

February 27 was an emotional day for %HWKHO VHQLRU 3DLJH 'HOVLJQH 7KH /DG\ Wildcats’ junior was greeted by her mother, who had been battling lymphoma and made a surprise appearance just before the start of the game against No. 1 ranked Washington after driving home from Houston. Delsigne posted 16 points in the game and hit two game-winning free throws with 16 seconds left in what was arguably the happiest upset of the year.

7 Lady Wolves garner near-perfect home volleyball season

:KHQ WKH /DG\ :ROYHV NLFNHG RII WKHLU volleyball season, coach Kristin Artberry set out one goal for her team; to make it to the State tournament. She knew they had it in them, and they proved it, taking FRXUW LQ 0XVWDQJ ZKHUH WKH\ XQIRUWXnately lost their opening match of the State Tournament. The loss is nothing more than a minor blemish on the girls’ season though. 7KH /DG\ :ROYHV ZHUH QHDUO\ XQGHfeated on their home court, losing just one set there all season — including a home-hosted regional to qualify for State.

8 Frazier takes FCF heavyweight title 3 Maud upsets Asher at Class B Fastpitch Softball tourney

7KH 0DXG IDVWSLWFK WHDP ZHQW LQWR the 2016 Class B Fastpitch Softball Tournament at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City as a dark horse, but that didn’t stop them from knocking off top-ranked Asher before making their exit. The No. 8 /DG\ 7LJHUV KHOG RII WKH 1R /DG\ Indians for a 3-2 upset to hand the $VKHU JLUOV WKHLU ƓUVW DQG RQO\ ORVV RI WKH VHDVRQ

4 Chandler wins Class 3A Fastpitch Softball title

The decks were stacked with local talent at this year’s State fastpitch softball tournaments. At the top was 3A Chandler, who earned their second straight softball title with 2015’s VORZSLWFK FKDPSLRQVKLS DQG HDUQHG WKHLU ƓUVW fastpitch title in 60 years. Class 2A Dale and 4A 7HFXPVHK ERWK ƓQLVKHG UXQQHU XS IRU WKH VHFond season in a row and the afforementioned 0DXG DQG $VKHU ZHUH RQ KDQG IRU WKH &ODVV % tournament as well.

5 Dale, Chandler take State Slowpitch Tournament titles

The State Slowpitch Tournament was equally stacked, with Dale and Chandler each coming out the victors. Tecumseh was beaten by Southmoore 11-4 in the VHPLƓQDOV WR PDNH DQ HDUO\ H[LW DQG $VKHU suffered a 7-4 loss to Red Oak to keep WKHP IURP WKH WLWOH JDPH 0DXG FRXOGQōW ƓQG WKHLU IRRWLQJ DQG ORVW WR 6KDWWXFN in their opener.

6KDZQHH QDWLYH DQG 00$ ƓJKWHU *DU\ ŏ%ODFN +XONŐ )UD]LHU DQG RWKHU ƓJKWHUV from the area held a free event in the SDUNLQJ ORW RI )LUH/DNH $UHQD LQ 0DUFK for FCF 51 at the arena. Frazier headlined the event that saw him take the Freestyle Cage Fighting heavyweight WLWOH ,W ZDV RQO\ ƓWWLQJ WKDW WKH WZR WLPH state wrestling champion commit the IHDW DW )LUH/DNH VR KLV IULHQGV DQG IDPLO\ could watch and he could perform in front of a hometown crowd.

9 State basketball titles elude Shawnee, Dale The Shawnee and Dale girls basketball teams each made their way to the State Tournament last year, and unfortunately both suffered losses before they could make a run for the title.

7KH /DG\ 3LUDWHV ZHUH IDYRUHG WR ZLQ &ODVV 2A but suffered a 31-29 upset to Fairview LQ WKH VHPLƓQDOV WR NHHS WKHP IURP WKH championship game.

The 5A Shawnee girls meanwhile gave everything they had to be lifted onto the State stage at Oral Roberts University where they were handed a 54-44 defeat at the hands of Claremore.

10 OBU, SGU attend Nationals

The spring college sports season was a good one for colleges throughout the state as the University of Oklahoma’s softball team attained a national title and the Oklahoma State baseball WHDP PDGH WKHLU ZD\ WR QDWLRQDOV /RFDO teams were no different. The Oklahoma Baptist University baseball team found themselves as the NCCAA National Champions and the St. Gregory’s softball team advanced to the National NAIA Tournament, where they lost in an elimination game to $XEXUQ 0RQWJRPHU\

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YEAR IN REVIEW

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Life is made up of moments Aswe wereflect reflectback backon onthis this past past year, year, it’s it’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed. Our As Our state, state, and and evenour ourcommunity community has has experienced experienced the the winds of change, with a few storms along the even the way, way, and and bumpsininthe theroad roadthat thatmight mightdeter deter some some who were not as strong. bumps Butwe weare areOklahomans…living Oklahomans…living inin aa community community focused on taking care of our neighbors, finding But finding time time to give back, and lend a helping hand. We embrace a bright future and while there will be moments to give back, and lend a helping hand. We be moments thattry tryour ourresolve, resolve,there thereare arealso also aa great great many that will bring renewal, growth, and hope. that hope. AtFirst FirstNational NationalBank Bank&&Trust TrustCo. Co. we we stand stand strong strong with with our our community community and At and look look forward forward to to 2017 2017 and and the moments that will create milestones and memories…the moments in time that matter. the moments that will create milestones and memories…the moments in time that matter. Shawnee Shawnee –– Home HomeOffice Office 130 130 East East MacArthur MacArthur (405) (405) 275-8830 275-8830

FireLake FireLake 1545 South 1545 South Gordon Gordon Cooper CooperDr. Dr. (405) 878-4877 (405) 878-4877

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Sunday, January 1, 2017 • 7D

LOCAL NEWS

8D • Sunday, January 1, 2017

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

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Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.