2017 sns year in review by Shawnee News-Star

YEAR IN

REVIEW ’17

nside this 2017 Year in Review, you’ll find a glimpse of the local top stories for each month based on pages views on www.newsstar.com. The following are some of the News-Star’s overall top local stories of 2017.

#stgregorys St. Gregory’s University closes After failing to secure a $12.5 million loan, SGU shocked students, alumni and the community when it was announced in November that the college would close at the end of the semester, leaving hundreds of students making other plans for their education. SGU, with a long history in the area, held its final graduation in early December.

#officerterney Tecumseh police officer shot, killed In March, Tecumseh Police Officer Justin Terney was shot while chasing a passenger from a latenight traffic stop. Terney died the following morning. Byron Shepard, 36, is charged with first-degree murder in Terney’s death and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case. The driver of the vehicle stopped that night, Brooklyn D. Williams, 23, is charged with second-degree murder in the case. Their cases are still progressing through Pottawatomie County District Court.

#wolvesnationalchamps National champions The Shawnee baseball team set history last season when they won their third straight Class 5A State

Championship at Yukon. The boys were not only the top team in the state, but were ranked No. 1 in a number of national polls, including USA Today which solidified their No. 1 ranking in the nation. The team was powered by three NCAA Division I recruits in Eli Davis (University of Kansas), Jake Taylor (Oklahoma State University) and Tanner Sparks (Oklahoma State University). Shawnee Athletic Director Todd Boyer coached the team before stepping down after the season, but not before being named USA Today Coach of the Year. Boyer traveled to Tucson, Arizona, on Dec. 1, where he represented the team as they were awarded the National High School Baseball Coaches Association national championship trophy.

businesses also have built new facilities or have expanded in 2017, including the new Joe Cooper Ford and Chevrolet dealerships, as well as a major expansion project at George Fischer Central Plastics.

#closures Unexpected business closures Residents were surprised to learn Shawnee’s Kmart was set for closure in October, and in an unexpected announcement in early December, The Delta Cafe, a longtime eatery, announced its closure Dec. 7.

#eatyourveggies Blue Zones launches in Shawnee: In August residents gathered at the Blue Zones Project Pottawatomie County Kickoff Celebration, which initiated the start of an active, concerted effort to improve the community’s — and county’s — overall wellbeing. Shawnee is the first in the state and 42nd in the world to embrace the Blue Zones initiative.

#bondissues School bonds and local construction Several area school districts passed school bond issues for expansion or additions of new schools, including Shawnee, McLoud, Dale, North Rock Creek and Tecumseh. Many schools, throughout 2017, also continued to rely on the county’s education sales tax to fund equipment or other needed items for their districts.

#economicdevelopment Business growth and construction The Shawnee area has seen a lot of business growth and new construction in 2017, from new restaurants built such as Schlotzsky’s and Freddy’s, to construction beginning on several major projects, such as the new $4.5 million Domino Plaza, Harbor Freight Tools, as well as the new Pottawatomie County Museum downtown. Longtime existing

#tennisanyone? Avedis Park open to students, public

Thanks to the Avedis Foundation, August brought many new outdoor resources to Shawnee Middle School students and the public, as well. SMS Avedis Park, on the school’s grounds at 4300 N. Union Ave., serves students and the neighborhood with brand new tennis courts and basketball courts just south of the school, as well as walking trails and an amphitheater on the west side. A $1.5 million Avedis grant helped the middle school with the many-faceted project .

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J anuary YEAR IN REVIEW

2C • Sunday, December 31, 2017

1 #homicidesuspectcaught UPDATE: Shawnee police arrest homicide suspect in shooting death Shawnee police have arrested a homicide suspect in connection with a deadly shooting at Chapel Ridge Apartments. Shawnee Police Detective Ronnie Wilson said Antonio M. Sambrano, 18, was being held in the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center on a complaint of first-degree murder. It was early afternoon when emergency crews responded to a shots fired report at building 11 at Chapel Ridge Apartments, 130 E. 45h Street. Shawnee Police Sgt. Dan Shumaker confirmed that the male shooting victim had died from his wounds and confirmed the case was being investigated as a homicide. This is Shawnee’s first homicide of the new year.

2 #fatalshooting

UPDATE: CPN releases names of employees in double shooting Citizen Potawatomi Nation officials released the names of the two employees involved in a double shooting this morning at the FireLake Grand Casino. CPN Public Information Officer Jennifer Bell identified the employees as Matt Palmer, 22, and Justin Wells, 28. The incident, which occurred about 7 a.m., was between two employees and occurred in the administrative offices area of the casino. CPN Police Chief James Collard said at no time during the incident were any other employees or patrons at risk. Collard said one person was dead at the scene and another person was transported by helicopter ambulance to Oklahoma City.

3 #cooperonfire

Firefighters respond to structure fire Shawnee Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the future home of Joe Cooper Chevrolet on Shawnee Mall Dr.

4 #murdererconvicted

JURY TRIAL: Defendant convicted in Shawnee murder case A Pottawatomie County jury convicted a man of first-degree murder in a 2015 homicide and that defendant was sentenced to serve life in prison plus eight years. The trial of Immanuel Gerald Dean Mitchell,

22, of Shawnee, concluded in Pottawatomie County District Court. He was charged with first-degree murder, deliberate intent, and conspiracy for a robbery that ended in the death of John Michael Columbus, 25. Charges alleged Mitchell unlawfully, and with malice aforethought, used a 9 mm weapon to shoot Columbus at 11th and Pesotum streets on May 4, 2015. Mitchell’s trial was held before District Judge John Canavan. The jury deliberated about three hours before returning the guilty verdicts in both counts and recommended Mitchell should serve life in prison. The judge sentenced Mitchell to serve life in prison on the murder count, plus eight years for the conspiracy count, consecutively.

5 #childporncharges Shawnee man charged in child pornography case A Shawnee man has been formally charged with 10 felony counts in connection with a child pornography investigation. David D. Shoopman, 29, is charged in Pottawatomie County District Court with six counts of manufacturing child pornography, three counts of sexual abuse to a child under age 12 and one count of possession of child pornography. The filed charges allege the offenses occurred on or between Jan. 8, 2014 and Jan. 10, 2017. In the manufacturing counts, charges show he is accused of manufacturing photos depicting a child under the age of 18 in sexually explicit poses or acts. In the sexual abuse counts, charges allege he abused a minor child and the possession count alleges he had pictures and a video. A probable cause arrest warrant shows Shoopman visited a friend’s home on Jan. 8 and allegedly left a digital camera there when he left. The friend contacted police Jan. 10 after reportedly finding the digital camera while cleaning. The arrest warrant shows the friend turned the camera on out of curiosity and saw inappropriate videos and photos that included Shoopman and a minor. Police located Shoopman and following an interview, he was arrested and booked into the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center, where he remains jailed on $75,000 bond.

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A glimpse at the Top 10 stories for January 2017 as viewed on www.news-star.com

Middle School was on soft lockdown. She said all classrooms were locked and they screened visitors wanting to enter the building. Reports indicate Gordon Cooper Technology Center was also on lockdown right after the shooting, which was reported around 1:30 p.m.

7 #homeinflames Firefighters battle mobile home fire Fire crews worked the scene of a mobile home fire Saturday afternoon and into the evening in the 36000 block of Westech Road, located east of U.S. 177. The fire sent plumes of heavy smoke into the area. According to fire crews, the initial call indicated the fire may have started in the utility room and all occupants were reported to be out of the home safely.

8 #newspaperracked

Police respond to accident at Kwick Stop Police responded to a call at the Kwick Stop located at 39103 MacArthur Street in Shawnee, where a Ford F-150 ran into the building causing minor damage. A Shawnee News-Star newspaper rack was involved in the accident.

9 #secondstationbegins Domino Plaza project begins Dirt work started on a large project, Domino Plaza Addition, on Harrison Street between 45th and Interstate 40. Elmer Smith Oil Company, owner of the Domino Express gas station being built at Kickapoo Spur, is beginning work on a second station at the northeast corner of Harrison and 45th St..

#manslaughtercoverup #schoolsonlockdown

Shawnee schools had brief lockdown after apartment shooting Shawnee Middle School had a brief lockdown this afternoon because of a shooting reported at a local apartment complex. Shawnee Superintendent Dr. April Grace confirmed a shooting was reported at the Chapel Ridge Apartments on 45th Street near Union Street. As a result, Shawnee

Shawnee woman sentenced for covering up manslaughter on Indian land Anne Marie Johnson, 38, of Shawnee, has been sentenced by United States District Court Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange to serve 14 months in federal prison for misprision of a felony for her role in the manslaughter of Marshall Scott Dent committed on Indian land. On Sept. 13, 2016, Johnson pled guilty to misprision of a felony because she had knowledge about the killing but failed to report it to law enforcement. Johnson was sentenced to serve 14 months in federal prison, to be followed by 12 months of supervised release.

F ebruary YEAR IN REVIEW

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#yum!!!

• Schlotzsky’s Deli • Sonic Drive-In • Marketplace — Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission awarded the $7 million contract for this work to Manhattan Road and Bridge Co. of Tulsa in Dec. 2016. The contract includes financial incentives for early completion of the project.

• Shawnee Auto Mall

2 #garageclosed

When asked why the Shawnee location was closed, two different managers affiliated with The Garage, including one at another Oklahoma location that was open Thursday night, both had no comment. They also referred inquires to the corporate offices, so further information is awaited on whether the closure of the Shawnee eatery was possibly connected to the “Day Without Immigrants” protests that closed restaurants all over the U.S. on Thursday.

3 #policemancharged

Police Sgt. faces misdemeanor charges A Shawnee police sergeant who is on administrative leave following a domestic disturbance with his girlfriend earlier this month is now formally charged with two misdemeanor counts. James D. Wood, 38, is charged in Pottawatomie County District Court with domestic abuse assault and battery and interference with an emergency telephone call. He is accused, on or about Feb. 7, of committing a misdemeanor domestic assault against his girlfriend by “shoving her with his hands with force and violence,” charges allege, and then interfering with her attempt to call 911. The incident occurred outside of the city limits, with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office investigating. An affidavit of probable cause filed in the case outlines alleged events that occurred between Wood and his girlfriend, who is also listed as being a police officer. Shawnee Police Chief Mason Wilson issued a statement confirming that Wood was placed on administrative leave and that the Shawnee Police Department is also conducting an internal investigation, which will be a personnel issue.

Warrant sweep ends in 17 arrests A warrant sweep in the city of Shawnee Sunday morning yielded 17 arrests, which cleared 47 warrants in Shawnee, three for Pottawatomie County and one misdemeanor from Okmulgee, Municipal Judge Randall Wiley said. A warrant sweep in the city of Shawnee yielded 17 arrests, which cleared 47 warrants in Shawnee, three for Pottawatomie County and one misdemeanor from Okmulgee, Municipal Judge Randall Wiley said. Wiley said all of the arrests occurred in the city limits. Those with city of Shawnee warrants can avoid being targeted in a sweep by paying their fines, Wiley said. He said many with fines opted to pay rather than going to jail — $3,269 was collected as a result.

8 #nohugsnohandshakes

#victimhospitalized

Customers find The Garage closed in Shawnee Thursday The Garage Burgers and Beer in Shawnee was closed, with several customers arriving for the busy dinner hour to find an empty parking lot and a “closed” note taped on the door saying normal hours will resume today.

#sweepnetsarrests

I-40 narrows near Shawnee through spring 2018 I-40 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction just west of US-177/US-270 (mm 181) near Shawnee beginning Monday, March 6 and continuing through spring 2018 for reconstruction of the I-40 bridges over Old Town Trail. The on- and off-ramps at US-177/US-270 will remain open to traffic. Drivers can expect congestion and delays and should plan extra travel time or consider using an alternate route.

Shawnee Planning Director Justin DeBruin offered a report to city planning commissioners, keeping them apprised of the latest developments around town. Some updates included:

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories for February 2017 as viewed on www.news-star.com

7 #highwayconstruction

Schlotzsky’s, Sonic locations in works Things are bustling in Shawnee these days. A look in just about any direction yields construction sites and banners boasting of the things to come.

Sunday, December 31, 2017 • 3C

Suspect jailed in weekend shooting A suspect arrested in connection with a weekend shooting incident is jailed on numerous complaints while the shooting victim remained hospitalized with a gunshot wound to his side. Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said Jason Shirey, 34, arrived at the hospital in Seminole with a single gunshot wound. Cecil R. Rose, 64, was jailed in the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center on complaints of shooting with intent to kill, possession of a firearm after former conviction and while committing a felony, as well as possession of a sawed-off shotgun, jail records show. Formal charges have not been filed. Palmer said they believe Shirey and Rose were acquaintances.

Flu cases mount up in Shawnee Cases of the flu are mounting up in the area and hospital personnel are encouraging extra care interacting with others. St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital CEO Chuck Skillings said of the 18 patients admitted into the hospital Thursday, 12 of them tested positive with Type A or Type B influenza. Addressing Mayor Richard Finley — with more of a warning than a joke — Skillings said, “I think we need to put a temporary ordinance in: no hugs, no handshakes, just fist bumps for about 30 days, and we might get through this.”

9 #dontdrivedrunk

6 #theywillcome

Big changes coming for Immanuel Baptist Church Immanuel Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Todd Fisher will be back in a familiar situation on Feb. 12. When the church added a third worship service in 2009, he wasn’t sure how the church would respond. At the time the church had two services – a traditional service and a blended worship style. The new service was going to be a contemporary service – drums, guitars, the works. That style is more common now, but when the service was added, it was relatively unique among Southern Baptist congregations. Fisher was wondering if the idea was going to be a flop. “When the first service started, I was standing on the front row and no one was there,” Fisher said. “But by the end of the fourth song, Scott was opening the doors to the overflow rooms and I wondered why.” When Schooler came and sat next to him, Fisher asked why he opened the overflow rooms. “He looked at me and said, ‘Turn around,’” Fisher said. The worship center was filling up quickly and the new service has been close to capacity since. The new times will be 8 a.m. (traditional worship style), 9:15 a.m. (contemporary), 10:30 a.m. (blended styles) and the new 11:45 a.m. service – an additional contemporary service.

Driver sentenced in traffic death awaits jail transfer A McLoud man sentenced to serve the next 20 years in prison for the 2016 traffic-related death of a local man is awaiting transfer to the Department of Corrections, with DOC records showing it’s not the first time he’s been in prison for alcohol-related convictions. While awaiting transfer, Richard Ray Dean, 62, remains jailed in the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center. He was sentenced in Pottawatomie County District Court on charges of second-degree murder, driving under the influence of alcohol and a third count of DUI - causing an accident involving great bodily injury, with those charges stemming from a fatal crash that killed one motorcyclist and injured another.

10 #womandiesincrash Shawnee woman dies in Pontotoc County crash A Shawnee woman was killed Wednesday when the vehicle she was riding in was rear-ended near Ada in Pontotoc County. That accident occurred two miles east of Ada on SH 1. A 2002 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Gay Ott, 76 of Shawnee, was eastbound and was rear-ended by a 2013 Dodge Ram pickup, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said. The OHP said passenger Mary Nappa, 55, of Shawnee, was pronounced dead at the scene by Mercy EMS personnel.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

4C • Sunday, December 31, 2017

#tecumsehofficerkilled Shooting suspect had warrants, was on probation The fugitive suspected of shooting and fatally wounding a Tecumseh police officer had been given methamphetamine to smoke on the night he encountered that officer, court records show, and in addition to being on probation, he also had felony warrants in a stolen property case in Okfuskee County. Court records show Shepard was a fugitive after being charged in Okfuskee County on Feb. 22 with one count of knowingly Officer Terney concealing stolen property, a felony. Court records also show a list of previous cases involving Shepard, including a misdemeanor case with charges of assault, public intoxication, threatening to perform an act of violence and malicious injury to property. A bench warrant was issued for him in that case back in 2016 for failure to pay fines. In addition, Shepard is currently on probation through September 2020 for a felony case of omitting to provide for a minor child. Department of Corrections records show he began a four-year probation Sept. 9, 2016.

2 #praguetragedy

Kayak capsizes with two aboard, one dead The town of Prague has been hit by another tragedy. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Prague Police Department responded to a call that two juvenile males were involved in a boating incident at Prague Lake. OHP has reported that one of the boys had drowned. Family members on scene said this was the second death in the family within the last six months.

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories for March 2017 as viewed on www.news-star.com

would be in a police uniform or have proper identification.

4 #passengerdiesincrash

Seminole man killed in crash A Seminole man died when the van he was riding in struck an embankment. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the crash occurred on County Road NS 3550, just south of EW 1270 in Seminole County. A 2004 Chevy Venture driven by Miriah Lena, 23, of Seminole, was southbound on NS 3550 when the vehicle departed the roadway to the right and struck an embankment. Passenger Lee Tilley, 33, Seminole, died at the scene from multiple injuries, the OHP said.

5 #zenonsuspectaarrested Police arrest suspect in murder of EJ Zenon A 19-year old man was arrested for first-degree murder in connection with theshooting of EJ Zenon. Detective Travis Vernier said Oklahoma City Police Officers developed information that allowed them to get an arrest warrant for Michael Arledge, a 19-year old Hispanic man from Midwest City. Officers served the warrant at his home and he surrendered to authorities without incident. Zenon, 16 of Shawnee, attended Prague High School and was on the school’s football team.

6 #fireengulfsvictim

Pottawatomie County man dies at wildfire scene: A Pottawatomie County man died Friday when a wildfire broke out while he was brush hogging a pasture, deputies said. Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said a neighbor saw smoke and reported the fire in the South Rock Creek area. Johnny Watson, 80, was pronounced dead at that scene, Palmer said, calling the incident a “tragic accident.” Watson was reportedly brush hogging his field when a fire broke out in the pasture.

#bealert Shawnee police ask residents to be alert The Shawnee Police Department is asking residents to be on alert after a suspicious man claiming to be with SPD Crime Prevention knocked on a woman’s door and tried to get information. Cpl. Vivian Lozano said the incident was reported in the 800 block of North Kickapoo. The male, who was described as being tall and about 180 pounds, was wearing a blue jacket and glasses when he spoke to the woman. “Be aware...we want to bring awareness,” she said, adding the man is not affiliated with the police department. She said anyone from the police department

7 #weddingcrasher Unexpected arrival crashes wedding The Oklahoma City venue was ready, the license was safely tucked inside the glove box and family had been flown in ... there was just one quick stop to make on the way out of town to get married — but it turned out to be a stop that would

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change everything. Jason Shuffield said after a two-year engagement he and his fiancee Hillary were finally — and literally — on their way to becoming man and wife when a checkup rendered all their carefully-orchestrated plans useless. Hillary and Jason discovered during a routine stress test at St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital that she was, in fact, in labor — and would not be going anywhere. Jason was stuck with the task of calling the wedding venue to make them aware that they would be no-shows. Nursing staff overheard the conversation and discovered the couple’s disappointedly-failed mission. Barely 24 hours after her C-section, Hillary and Jason stood in the West Tower lobby and repeated their vows in a ceremony officiated by one of the hospital’s volunteer chaplains. They got to have their special day after all.

#passerofbadchecks Shawnee man arrested for buying equipment with forged check A Shawnee man was arraigned Tuesday on charges of uttering a forged Instrument thanks to a Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger investigation. Johnathon Charles William McCune, 28, was charged in the District Court of Payne County, and surrendered himself to authorities. He was booked into the Payne County Jail and was subsequently released on a $10,000 bond.

9 #coldcasemaybesolved Skeletal remains found in Pott. County could solve 1988 missing persons case A landowner searching for deer shed antlers on a vast and densely-wooded property in the Harjo area found a partial human skull Wednesday and deputies believe the discovery could help them solve a missing persons case from 1988. Pottawatomie County Sheriff Mike Booth said deputies called in anthropologists from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Crews combed the area around the discovery and did find pieces of human bones, Booth said. Deputies believe they could be those of a man who was reported missing nearly 30 years ago. In July, 1988, Kenneth Lester Spencer, who was listed in News-Star story archives as being in his early 80s at that time, was reported missing. A massive search commenced on areas of his 170-acre property, but he was never found.

10 #treecrunchescar Severe storm topples huge tree A huge oak tree in the 700 block of Wood St. was toppled by the heavy winds Monday night when the severe storm affected the area. Two vehicles were destroyed when it fell.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

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A glimpse at the Top 10 stories for April 2017 as viewed on www.news-star.com

rolled out into Harrison Street.

#lifelost Fatality reported in Pottawatomie County crash A reported head-on collision on New Hope Road has claimed a life. Emergency crews responded to that scene, where an SUV and a pickup collided. One patient was dead at the scene and another was reported to be injured.

2 #teacherfindspot

Marijuana in Easter basket prompts search warrant, 10 arrests According to Shawnee police, 10 people were arrested and jailed as part of a drug-related investigation after a marijuana cigarette that was discovered in a student’s Easter egg basket at a local school prompted a search warrant at a Shawnee home. According to police, the superintendent reported the student’s aunt had dropped off the Easter basket for her niece; the teacher was counting the eggs in the basket when she found the cigarette. A total of 10 people were arrested and booked into the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center on various complaints.

3 #burglarcaught

1 arrested after Bethel Acres manhunt; 1 at-large One suspect was jailed following a burglary case that prompted a manhunt in Bethel Acres. Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said deputies responded to a burglary in progress call south of Lake Road on Coker Road. An occupant of that home was asleep when he woke up to two suspects inside the home. The occupant left out a window and went to a neighbor’s home to call law enforcement. The suspect, Keaton Scott Lloyd, 23, Wellston, was arrested and jailed on a burglary complaint, Palmer said. Formal charges have not been filed.

4 #struckbypickup

UPDATE: Woman struck by own vehicle while trying to retrieve dog Shawnee police corrected some information initially released on this accident. Shawnee Police Cpl. Vivian Lozano says the woman’s dog did not jump out of her vehicle. Instead, the woman, confirmed to be 84, was driving eastbound on Ridgewood Street and was looking for her dog, Lozano said. She was hit when jumping out of the vehicle to retrieve it. When the vehicle began rolling, she attempted to get in and stop it and that’s when she was struck by her pickup, which

#thievesfoundatlake 2 JAILED: Shawnee police make arrests at Twin Lakes Shawnee police officers arrested Heather Heilman, 38, and Isaac Judkins, 34, on complaints of possession of stolen property and warrants. Officers responded to the Isaac Walton Park at Shawnee Twin Lakes about a disorderly camp site. When officers arrived they saw a Gold Mercury Grand Marquis parked in the camp site and visited with Heilman and Judkins. Heilman gave the officer two different names due to her having warrants, said Cpl. Vivian Lozano. Dispatch advised that the Marquis had been stolen out of Oklahoma City. While looking in the tent for the car keys, officers located a broken glass methamphetamine smoking pipe which contained burnt white residue in it, Lozano said. Heilman was transported and booked in to Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center on complaints of possession of stolen property and warrants out of McClain County and City of Shawnee. Judkins was transported and booked into the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center on complaints of possession of stolen property.

6 #wreckingball

School eyed for demolition Washington School may soon only be found in the memories of its former students — the site was eyed for demolition. The city has always worked in collaboration with Shawnee Public Schools since each entity was established and many of the earliest school sites were located on city property; two buildings still are — Washington School and the Administrative Building.

gets life without parole One of three suspects charged in the October homicide of a 91-year-old Shawnee woman pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve life in prison without parole. Joseph Dean Langford III, 38, appeared in Pottawatomie County District Court, where he withdrew his previous plea of not guilty and pleaded guilty in the case. He then waived a pre-sentence investigation and was sentenced by District Judge John Canavan to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole. Langford was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Florence Fife, 91. She was found stabbed to death in her Shawnee home in the 1200 block of East Main. Shawnee police investigated the case and within days tracked down and arrested three suspects — two were arrested on first-degree murder complaints and a third was jailed on an accessory complaint.

9 #farmersdeliverhay Local farmer donates hay to wildfire victims Frank Welch, a local farmer, donated three semi loads of hay bales to victims of the recent wildfires in northwest Oklahoma. Welch partnered with another local farmer, Linda Ward Case, who owned a portion of the donated hay that went to Slapout, Oklahoma. The hay way loaded on the trailers and delivered by three local farmers, Gavin Mckinley, Conley Nowakowski and Brayden Malaske. The three men made the 14-hour round-trip Saturday, Welch said. In total, there were 86 bales donated. Welch said he was glad that he had a surplus of hay available and was able to donate. He was also thankful for the help of Mckinley, Nowakowski and Malaske for delivering the hay on his behalf.

7 #garagefiretakeslife Detectives ID man killed in Shawnee house fire Shawnee Police Detective Jason Couch confirmed the identity of a man killed in a local house fire on Easter morning. Crouch said the decedent was 66-year-old Kermit Byford. Shawnee Fire Department Battalion Chief Jack Miller said firefighters responded to 714 Madeline Drive, where there was a fire in the garage of that home. Miller, who said there was heavy smoke and fire in the garage of that brick home, said firefighters found the deceased man in the garage. There was no one else home and a dog was found safe in the area, Miller said.

Sunday, December 31, 2017 • 5C

8 #guilty

Shawnee murder defendant pleads guilty,

#fallenheroesmemorial Tecumseh Police Officer Justin Terney’s name unveiled on Fallen Heroes memorial The name of Tecumseh Police Officer Justin Terney was unveiled on the Pottawatomie County Fallen Heroes Memorial in front of the courthouse in Shawnee. Terney, 22, died after being shot by a suspect during a traffic stop in Tecumseh. Terney’s name is one of 18 now etched on the granite memorial honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Pottawatomie County since 1895. As rain fell just before the ceremony and let up during most of the dedication, Tecumseh Police Chief Gary Crosby said, “It’s a beautiful warm day, but the sky is crying,” as he thanked everyone for being there to support Terney’s family and the Tecumseh officers. “You’re touching every one of our hearts.”

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May

6C • Sunday, December 31, 2017

1 #recovering Dale standout survives burns Dylan Lang, a standout for Dale’s baseball program and player for Northern Oklahoma Community College, was back home working with his family and a friend burning trash when something in the fire blew up. It is hard to feel lucky with second degree burns covering your chest, arms and face. Lang’s shirt caught fire to worsen the burns on his arms and chest.

YEAR IN REVIEW

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A glimpse at the Top 10 stories for May 2017 as viewed on www.news-star.com

wound following an overnight standoff in Dale, deputies reported. What began as a firearm situation between that man and a repo driver prompted the man to barricade himself inside a travel trailer with two children before the situation concluded, with deputies discovering the man was a wanted fugitive from Colorado. At one point, Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said the suspect allegedly told deputies to tell his wife and children goodbye before deputies heard a single gunshot. Upon entry into the trailer, the two children were found safe on the couch and Brown was found deceased in the back bathroom area, Palmer said.

5 #takinitforaride

2 #anofferyoucantrefuse

Degraff’s sells site to Cazadorez Degraff’s Restaurant and Tavern, 3900 N. Harrison, shuttered its business and the location became the new home of Mexican restaurant Cazadorez. Of the move, Kristina Degraffenreid thanks all of their friends who have supported the restaurant over these last three and a half years. She said, though she’s very sad to see it close, an offer came to purchase the land and building – it was a good business decision and one they couldn’t refuse.

UPDATE: 2 jailed in Shawnee pursuit Two suspects remained jailed Tuesday in connection with a pursuit Monday in Shawnee. Shawnee Police Cpl. Vivian Lozano-Stafford said it was about 2:49 p.m. when dispatch received a call from a citizen saying they were following their stolen black GMC pickup. The driver was later identified as Kaden Gibson, 20, and the passenger was identified as Ethan Clark, 19. Lozano-Stafford said Gibson led the officers in a pursuit through city neighborhoods ending at the Airport Road (Pottenger) and Independence intersection, where he crashed into two other vehicles. She said Gibson then took off on foot and ran behind the Dollar General where he was caught and arrested by officers.

#newtrialdenied RULING: New trial denied for mother of Kelsey Smith Briggs The mother of slain Meeker toddler Kelsey Smith Briggs was denied a new trial based on a ruling from the Federal Court in the Western District of Oklahoma. Raye Dawn Smith was convicted following a trial in 2007 and is serving a 27-year prison sentence for enabling child abuse in her daughter’s death. Smith challenged that conviction at the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, which upheld the conviction, but then she appealed to federal court and requested a new trial on numerous grounds. District Attorney Richard Smothermon said by this ruling, all of those grounds were denied and her request for a new trial was denied. “Three times now higher courts have reviewed her conviction and all three times those courts have upheld it,” Smothermon said. “The Federal Court said what we all know — the jury got it right when they found Raye Dawn Smith guilty.”

4 #sadsituation

Dale standoff turns deadly: A man is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot

6 #fletcherliveson

Four years after death, Maud teen’s legacy continues Many tough days and long nights have come and gone since Talon Fletcher passed away, but the Maud teen left a legacy as strong today as it was when he was alive. On a hazy, overcast Oklahoma day, Fletcher attempted to cross the highway with a friend to get to another spot on the Little River. Fletcher never saw an oncoming car and the driver never saw him. Fletcher was larger than life and died far too young, but he made a difference in life, with his death and he is still having an impact on lives four years after he died. That impact on lives is what keeps his mother and sister Jocee Sparks positive despite the enormous hole his death left in their lives. Another way his legacy continues is in the athletic achievements of his younger sisters who are both Maud High School athletes now. Westie Sparks wears No. 10 because that was Talon’s number in basketball. Jocee’s number is a little more unique. You don’t see many girls wearing No. 70 in softball. But in fast pitch and slow pitch seasons, you will see the Creighton University commitment wearing that number on her back and also writing it in the dirt with her bat before

every swing.

7 #wolverinetube Sale keeps facility in town A longtime Shawnee business has just changed ownership — securing that its facility stays local — but the transition will cost some jobs. Wolverine Tube Shawnee — as well as the majority of its operations — was acquired by newly formed company Shawnee Tubing Solutions LLC (STS). The Shawnee plant has operated for more than 40 years, manufacturing copper tube products that are used in both commercial and residential applications. Led by President and CEO Greg Gallman, STS will continue to manufacture industrial copper tube from the facility, Human Resources Director David Yockel said.

8 #learningfromthepros Photo Gallery Washington Redskins host football camp

9 #lunsfordgets36years Shawnee man sentenced to 36 years in child abuse case A Shawnee man was sentenced to serve 36 years with the Department of Corrections on a single count of child abuse by injury. Cody Reid Lunsford, 26, appeared in Pottawatomie County District Court for the case, where the court adopted the verdict of a jury and Lunsford was sentenced to serve 36 years in prison.

10 #perfectseason Shawnee standout postpones surgery until end of perfect season Many seniors face changes in their last year of high school. But few seniors have seen as much change as Eli Davis – a standout on the Shawnee Wolves three-time State Championship team. Eli Davis has been a pitcher for more than half of his life. And until early this season, he had never experienced any arm trouble. But late in a game against Red Oak, Davis reached back for a little extra power, a little too far to the side and released a slider that changed his life. Davis knew something was wrong, and when he had an MRI done, he got the bad news. He had a 70 percent tear in his ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. Davis was the starting pitcher in the first two Wolves’ state championships, but if they were going to win again this year, he would have to contribute another way.

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#crashkillsdriver Woman killed in I-40 crash near Shawnee The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported one person died in an overnight crash on Interstate 40, about five miles east of Shawnee in Pottawatomie County. The OHP said the accident occurred as a 1994 Dodge Dakota pickup, driven by Cassandra Hanks, 49, Noble, was eastbound on I-40. The patrol said she she slowed and was struck from behind by a 2012 Toyota Prius driven by Jessica Thomas, 29, Prague. Hanks was pronounced dead at the scene, the OHP said.

2 #lostandfound

Woman found safe after search by authorities Shawnee Fire and Police officials and CPN Officers all responded to a call of a woman on the Beard St. bridge over the North Canadian River who may have been at risk. Traffic was diverted in the area as about a dozen emergency vehicles responded to the area. After an extensive search of the bridge, along the banks of the river and even with water rescue equipment in the river, the woman was found safe south of the area.

3 #ponzischemer

Hickman seeks commutation of sentence in $8M Shawnee Ponzi scheme Merl William Hickman Sr., the Shawnee man convicted in 2004 of bilking more than $8 million from 160 area investors, is currently serving a 160-year prison term but went before the Pardon and Parole Board. Hickman, 68, sought commutation of the 160-year state prison sentence that he began serving in 2012. His case passed through the first of two stages in that process. “I’m furious that Merl Hickman now thinks he can quietly petition the Governor to be released and go free,” District Attorney Richard Smothermon said. “He is once again proving that he has no conscience and cares nothing about the 160 lives he destroyed.” Smothermon, who originally prosecuted this case, said he knows firsthand the devastation Hickman caused to the victims and therefore has the knowledge to fight this request. “Every victim has a right to be heard,” he said.

4 #youleaveyoucomeback

2 Lincoln County escapees apprehended near Dale, 2 still on the lam Two escaped inmates who were surrounded in a wooded area during a manhunt near Dale late were apprehended, deputies reported. Jeremy Irvin, charged with first-degree murder,

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories for June 2017 as viewed on www.news-star.com

and Trey Goodnight, who was jailed on property crimes, are now back in custody. Both escaped from the Lincoln County jail in Chandler with two other escapees.

straight Class 5A state baseball championship this year and the team finished number one in the nation in several national polls.

5 #tragicaccident Teen killed in weekend crash A 16-year-old was killed in a Lincoln County accident over the weekend, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported. The accident occurred on U.S. 177 at County Road 794, which is about three miles north of Carney. The vehicles involved were a 2011 Ford F-250 pickup and a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. A Carney teen, age 17, was driving the pickup and the Cruze was being driven Clayton Lindsay, 19, Kingfisher, the patrol reported. Lindsay’s female passenger, age 16, from Kingfisher, was taken by Eagle Med helicopter to OU Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead from injuries suffered in the collision. The patrol withheld release of that teen’s name from the report.

Sunday, December 31, 2017 • 7C

6 #homecoming

Shawnee approves Kevin Paxson as new baseball coach, 3 more hires confirmed Shawnee High School Hall of Famer Kevin Paxson is returning home to take over head coaching duties for the Wolves’ baseball team, it was announced after he was confirmed as the new coach at the Shawnee Board of Education meeting. Paxson is coming back to Shawnee after spending the last two years coaching at Putnam City with previous stops at Mid-America Christian University, Oklahoma Baptist University and St. Gregory’s. He graduated from OBU and was previously the assistant coach at Shawnee from 2001-2003. Paxson took over for athletic director Todd Boyer, who stepped down from his coaching role after the Wolves’ historic undefeated 2017 season to take on the position of athletic director at the school.

#grandlarceny Two suspects arrested after theft, pursuit: What began overnight with a stolen lawn tractor from a local store, followed by a high speed pursuit, ended with two suspects under arrest on the Memorial Day holiday as several law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation. Shawnee Police Cpl. Vivian Lozano-Stafford identified the arrestees as Steven Leon Grimmett, 33, and Vanessa Lee Bradford, 34. Grimmett was booked into the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center on complaints including grand larceny, attempting to elude a police officer while endangering others, possession of burglary implements, reckless driving and conspiracy, Lozano-Stafford said. Bradford was arrested and jailed on complaints of grand larceny and conspiracy.

9 #likefatherlikeson Heath continues family legacy Like father like son. Wayne Heath Jr. is following in the footsteps of his late father. Wayne Heath Sr. had a storied boxing career from 1959-1968, in which he compiled a professional record of 15-10 with six knockout victories, was a stable mate of Sonny Liston and at one point in his career was the fifth ranked heavyweight in the world. On Friday at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Heath Jr. (9-1-1, 7 KOs) carries the torch when he squares off with familiar foe Nick Jones in the main event. These two met in November 2016 for the vacant state heavyweight title, a fight in which Jones came out victorious via majority decision. When Heath Jr. steps into the ring Friday he is focused on capturing his share of the state title. He said his fans can expect him to stay active in the ring during the coming months.

7 #boyermovesup Boyer named Shawnee’s new athletic director Shawnee baseball coach Todd Boyer was approved as the new athletic director for Shawnee athletics at a school board meeting. Boyer takes place of former director Mike Fair, who joined the school district in 2016 but resigned in the spring. Boyer coached baseball for 26 years at the school, including 11 years as head coach and earned three state titles in that time. As the full-time athletic director, he will pass the baton to a new coach. Boyer led the Shawnee Wolves to their third

10 #driversentenced Driver sentenced in fatal crash near Asher A repeat driving under the influence offender charged with second-degree murder in a fatal crash that killed a college student near Asher has been sentenced to 35 years with the Department of Corrections. Pottawatomie County District Court records show Johnny Lee Morton III, 26, underwent a competency evaluation and was found competent for his case to proceed. During his court appearance, he withdrew a previous not guilty plea and pleaded guilty in the case. He waived a pre-sentence investigation and received the 35-year sentence, with 20 years of that to be served in prison and then 15 years to be suspended while on probation.

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8C • Sunday, December 31, 2017

1 #fatalcrash One killed in crash on westbound I-40 near Shawnee The Shawnee Fire Department and Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded to a fatality accident on westbound Interstate-40 at mile marker 188 shortly after 8 Saturday evening. The semi left skidmarks which crossed from the left lane and flipped on its side after leaving the roadway to the right. Check back for updates when the report becomes available.

YEAR IN REVIEW

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rural property in Bethel. Sheriff Mike Booth said deputies received a call about the discovery in the 19000 block of Bethel Road. Initial reports indicated the vehicle was wrapped in plastic and there could possibly be a body inside, Booth said. Deputies responded to that area as far as they could by vehicle and then walked the rest of the way, where they found part of an exposed vehicle, he said, with removal of the hood revealing a Chevrolet motor. There was no body found inside the unearthed vehicle, but Booth said they are investigating why it was buried. Booth believes the vehicle has been there since 2003 and might be connected to former landowners.

5 #keepinganeyeout

2 #kmartcloses

Shawnee Kmart to close According to a company release, Sears Holdings confirmed that the Shawnee Kmart will be one of 35 stores to close. The Shawnee location closed in October.

3 #yummyformytummy

College student opens The Surf Bar Transplanted from the New Jersey-area by way of studying at Oklahoma Baptist University, pre-med student Marc Sambolin chose to step up to the plate when he couldn’t find a readymade solution to his hunger. As an athlete, he was struggling to find healthful options for food after practice, so he began making his own smoothies. Then it occurred to the 21-year-old entrepreneur to fill that void in Shawnee — so he started the Surf Bar, selling his juices and fruit bowls from a small trailer at 609 N. Harrison. Sambolin hit the mark with The Surf Bar’s offerings — they are colorful and chock full of organic ingredients and nutrients. He said his goal is to help people get healthier now, even while he is still learning how to save lives in the medical field.

4 #14yearoldmystery

SUV found buried on land in Bethel Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a mystery after an SUV covered in plastic was discovered buried on

Suspicious vehicle report sparks pursuit, nets 3 arrests in Bethel An area resident’s call to the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office about a suspicious vehicle near Bethel turned into a brief pursuit and ended with three arrests. Undersheriff Travis Palmer credits those arrests to the alert resident and urges others to contact authorities about suspicious activity. The concerned citizen from Bethel alerted deputies about the suspicious vehicle in the area of Betty Drive and Waco Road. Arrested on a complaint of possession of stolen property was the driver, Travis Pacheco, 34, Palmer said. He was being held in the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center Wednesday night, awaiting an initial court appearance today. Jail records show Pacheco was being held on a failure to appear warrant for a 2016 case of possession of a firearm after former felony conviction. His passengers — Brandon J. Scalf, 36, and Tyler Wayne Perry McCune, 22, also were arrested and were jailed, Palmer said.

6 #marketplace

Harbor Freight Tools secures building permit New construction could be just around the bend for 4600 N. Kickapoo — one of the last lots of Phase One in the Marketplace. Along the west side of Kickapoo — on a pad site near Aldi grocery, which is at 4640 N. Kickapoo — Harbor Freight Tools has secured a building permit issued June 30 for new construction on just more than 15,000 square feet of land. The planned project is estimated to value $1 million, according to the permit. There is no word yet on when building might begin nor how long it could take to complete.

7 #McLoudgraddies McLoud graduate dies in traffic accident A 2017 McLoud High School graduate died in a traffic accident over the weekend. According to online reports, Brooke D. Wilkison, 18, was found dead in a single-vehicle traffic accident in eastern Oklahoma County on Sunday.

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Facebook posts show Wilkison was planning to attend UCO this fall.

#cyclistsinjured I-40 accident injures motorcyclists The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says a driver and passenger of a motorcycle were injured overnight along Interstate 40 at U.S. 177 west of Shawnee. The crash occurred on the I-40 eastbound on ramp from U.S. 177 northbound. A 2008 Yamaha motorcycle driven by Charles Lawrence, 35, of Shawnee, was traveling eastbound on the I-40 on ramp when the driver lost control, causing the cycle to overturn one-fourth time onto its left side. He and his passenger, Shelly Stewart, 43, Shawnee, were ejected from the motorcycle, the OHP reported. Both were transported to unspecified hospitals.

9 #newcoach Ginn seeks to turn around fading Wildcats First-time head coach Joey Ginn is gearing up for his premiere season as he seeks to turn around an ailing Bethel football team. The Wildcats finished last season with a record of 1-9 after a win at Little Axe a little more than midway through the season and went 3-37 since 2013. The scenario isn’t completely unfamiliar to Ginn, who arrives to the school after spending five seasons at 6A Choctaw. The Yellowjackets went 3-7 in 2013 and have since gone 17-15 and Ginn sees parallels in his upcoming Bethel squad. Ginn is excited to work with his new athletes and has already started seeing results at camps and early practices. The team has been willing to listen and working hard to improve their game to turn around the program.

10 #ramirezsignsoverseas Former Shawnee basketball player to play overseas Former Shawnee Lady Wolves’ and Troy University basketball star Caitlyn Ramirez is excited about her opportunity to play professional basketball in Spain this season. “I’m beyond excited about this opportunity,” Ramirez said. After sending highlight film to several professional clubs, Ramirez signed a one-year contract to play professionally for Cadi La Seu in the first division of the Spanish basketball association, Liga Femenina.

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August YEAR IN REVIEW

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1 #lunchcrisis Shawnee High School students oppose lunch time change Shawnee High Schoolers are circulating a petition opposing their new lunch break schedule — 40 minutes — citing it’s not long enough to leave campus to eat and make it back in time for class. “Students are speeding and running lights/ stop signs just to meet the time criteria that Shawnee High School dropped on us this year (2017-2018),” the petition reads. “It was already a struggle with 50 minutes, but not as bad.” The students want that 10 minutes back, the petition states. SHS Senior Ricky Divelbiss, 17, said he and a couple friends started the petition Wednesday afternoon and it has, so far, gathered 155 signatures — and it may be gaining momentum. Divelbiss said he believes there are a lot of good things happening at SHS, but he feels like this is something that could be improved.

Murray has of ever being released. “Jerrod Murray is a frightening individual. If released, he will kill again, of this I have no doubt,” Smothermon said after the ruling. Murray was charged with first-degree murder, deliberate intent, in the 2012 shooting death of Generro Sanchez, 18, from Stuart. At the time of the killing, Murray and Sanchez were both freshmen at East Central University in Ada, with court affidavits in the case revealing Murray told investigators that he had planned to kill someone for weeks.

#shawneecitycommission Phase Two Marketplace back to square one The city is pushing forward after discovering a sizable chunk of promised retail development has stagnated. City Manager Justin Erickson confirmed that the city had recently been made aware that Hunt Properties no longer has a lease/contract with the Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) for the Phase Two Marketplace property, which sits just south of Hobby Lobby. As a result, that property and the adjacent state land just west of the Marketplace and south of Interstate 40 are now under negotiation between the State of Oklahoma, CLO and the City of Shawnee. Shawnee City Commissioners are set to consider a Memorandum of Understanding.

I-40 crash claims life of retired Shawnee Fire Chief James Roberts James D. Roberts, a longtime Shawnee firefighter and former fire chief who retired from the city in 2001, was killed in a crash along Interstate 40 in Midwest City. That accident occurred about 10:01 a.m. in the westbound lanes near Douglas Boulevard. Roberts, 60, of Shawnee, was driving a 2007 Ford F-150, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports. Roberts, who started working at the Shawnee Fire Department in 1980, served seven years of his career as the city’s fire chief and served in other capacities, including emergency management and in human resources. He retired from the city in August 2001. Many fellow firefighters were remembering him Friday.

#partialsolareclipse Drawing shade near high noon Though Americans across the nation will undoubtedly have their faces turned toward the sky Monday, don’t let the total solar eclipse of 2017 be the last thing you ever see. Experts are in agreement — this event is to be handled with proper care. Dr. John Robinson, founder of Robinson Eye Institute, in Shawnee, said it’s dangerous even looking briefly at the sun. On Monday, the eclipse Oklahomans will be staring at will not be a total one — the sun will not be fully blocked, he said. There will continuously be a source of light — though diminished — to contend with.

3 #denied

Confessed killer’s bid for freedom denied A confessed killer deemed not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2012 killing of his college classmate in Asher tried once again — and even testified on his behalf — to be released from a state mental facility, but that request has been denied. Jerrod Murray, now 23, will remain in custody at a state facility for further mental health treatment. Pottawatomie County District Attorney Richard Smothermon says he will fight any chance

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories for August 2017 as viewed on www.news-star.com

assumption of two existing leases, including Solara and the Pottawatomie County Health Department. The county also will purchase the lease that St. Anthony Shawnee has with the Hospital Authority for $835,000. The property in which these services occupy is 1900 and 1904 Gordon Cooper Drive. The land was once part of Citizen Potawatomi Nation, but in 1959 the Secretary of the Interior deeded the land to Pottawatomie County as long as the land was used for a school or other public purposes. The county commissioners’ office was contacted by CPN with the threat of a federal lawsuit, District 1 County Commissioner Melissa Dennis confirmed. A draft of the lawsuit was dropped off at the commissioners office.

8 #hardestyroad

Pottawatomie County, CPN agree to widen Hardesty Road On Monday, the Pottawatomie County Board of County Commissioners approved an agreement between the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and Pottawatomie County for the widening of Hardesty Road. The roadway will be widened to four lanes starting west of U.S. 177 at 13th Street and going 4.3 miles east to Brangus Road, including a turn lane in the middle.

#accidentclaimslife

Sunday, December 31, 2017 • 1D

6 #shoptilyoudrop

Bison Crossing shopping center going up on Kickapoo The future home of Bison Crossing shopping center is making progress on Kickapoo Street in Shawnee.

7 #controversybrews County takes over leases, CPN threatens lawsuit: The Pottawatomie County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the

#cazadorezexpands Cazadorez plans to reopen Wednesday Since 2003, Cazadorez Mexican Restaurant has called 3100 N. Harrison home. In May, the business stepped up to expand operations, purchasing a building eight blocks north — spurring then-owner Degraff’s Restaurant and Tavern, at 3900 N. Harrison, to cut a deal for its site.

10 #jawbonefound Human remains found along river near Wanette The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating after a fisherman found a human jawbone along the South Canadian River south of Wanette. Undersheriff Travis Palmer said remains were found near the Byars bridge and initially went to the Garvin County Sheriff’s Office. Further inquiry revealed that the bone was found on the north side of the river, which put it in the jurisdiction of Pottawatomie County, Palmer said. The remains, which include the jawbone with about eight teeth, has been confirmed to be human, he said, but there’s no certainty that any foul play is involved in the discovery.

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September YEAR IN REVIEW

2D • Sunday, December 31, 2017

1 #toddlerloseslife Shawnee mother, boyfriend charged with murder in child’s death A Shawnee mother and her boyfriend were formally charged with murder in the first degree for the death of 2-year-old Jamie Denise Murdock, court records show. The child’s mother, Whitney D. Breslin, 22, and her boyfriend, Cashe K. Graham, 22, made a court appearance and were formally charged in Pottawatomie County District Court. Both have been jailed since their arrest earlier this month. Jamie died Sept. 2 at OU Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. Arrest affidavits show the child died from non-accidental abusive head trauma that the child could not have caused to herself.

2 #bodyfound

Dead body found in vehicle near highway construction site A dead body was discovered near the I-40 construction at ext 181 near Shawnee. Authorities were called to I-40 Exit 181 at about 8:30 a.m. to investigate a dead body that had been found. The body was near a white Ford Taurus at the bottom of the hill to the north of the interstate construction where State Highway 177 meets the interstate. Authorities confirmed they were treating the vehicle and the area around it as a crime scene and a person was dead at the scene.

3 #nocommonsense

Snapchat threat ends in suspension of 2 SHS students Two Shawnee High School students are suspended after an alleged prank was treated as a threat by the Shawnee Police Department. SPD Sgt. Dan Shumaker said SPD Cpl. Shawn Parsons, who is the SHS resource officer, called for support after learning of threats involving the school were posted on Snapchat. Shumaker said the post implied a warning that students should not come to school. Shawnee Public Schools PR and Communications Coordinator Brittany Watts said at approximately 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, information concerning the possible threat was brought to the attention of school personnel. “Shawnee police were immediately notified and within five minutes all people involved were located and detained,” she said.

4 #ohpreportscrash

Maud man in critical condition after crash: According to a Highway Patrol report, driving while sleepy resulted in a Maud man being transported to the OU Medical Center by heli-

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copter in critical condition. Thaddeus Alford, 27, was driving on SH59 north of Maud at about 5 p.m. when he left the roadway to the right and over corrected. That over correction caused Alford’s 2002 Dodge to leave the roadway to the left. The vehicle rolled one time before coming to rest on its wheels. Alford was ejected about 60 feet from where his vehicle came to rest.

5 #earlyreleasecredits Kidnapping defendant gets early release from prison A Prague woman convicted of kidnapping in a 2010 Prague case has been released several years early from the Department of Corrections but remains on DOC probation. Michele Elisabeth Gouker, 36, was initially sentenced to serve 20 years for kidnapping and unlawful possession of a controlled drug. After serving about a year in the county jail, for which she received credit, she began serving her sentence with DOC five years ago on Oct. 5, 2012. But the Department of Corrections reports Michele Gouker was released from prison on Sept. 1. Mark Myers, DOC communications director, said Gouker earned all of her available credits to be eligible for early release.

6 #newbusiness

Bison Crossing filling up Two of the three mysteries have been solved. Regarding the question of what businesses plan to be housed in Bison Crossing — the new development currently under construction at 3930 N. Kickapoo — two-thirds of the owners have made themselves known. Elevated Grounds • Physical Therapy Central

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories for September 2017 as viewed on www.news-star.com

smoke,” he said. Most of the fire appeared to be contained within the kitchen and an add-on room behind it, as well as the attic, he reported.

8 #guilty!

Pott. County jury reaches guilty verdict in 2015 murder case A Pottawatomie County jury, after deliberating three hours Friday afternoon, found a local man guilty of first-degree murder in a 2015 homicide in Bethel Acres. John Joseph Quinter Jr., 46, stood trial this week before District Judge John Canavan. Quinter was accused, on or about Sept. 19, 2015, at 15 Angie Lane, of causing the death of Robert Dale Almon, 35, by “shooting him multiple times in the body and head with a 12 gauge shotgun,” charges alleged. The jury listened to evidence in the week-long trial, and returned with a guilty verdict and a recommendation that Quinter should serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.

9 #westnilehitspottco First West Nile virus case confirmed in Pott. County The first case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Pottawatomie County this season has now been confirmed by the Pottawatomie County Health Department. Health officials encourage residents to take precautions to reduce the risk of contracting WNV, a mosquito-borne illness. “We want to remind everyone to use insect repellent when outdoors and mosquito-proof their home and yard,” said Pottawatomie County Health Department Regional Director Brenda Potts. During 2017, twelve cases of WNV have been confirmed among Oklahoma residents, none of them resulted in deaths.

10 #shawneecoldcase

7 #familyescapesfire Shawnee family escapes overnight house fire A Shawnee family safely escaped an overnight house fire and now a GoFundMe account has been set up to assist them. The Smoking Oaks neighborhood, near Kickapoo and West Penny Street, received a middle-of-the-night visit from the Shawnee Fire Department. SFD Battalion Chief Tony Wittman said at about 3:45 a.m. Friday, crews responded to a structure fire at 4009 Blaine Road. Once on the scene, firefighters saw heavy smoke coming from the back of the residence, he said. “The homeowners woke up and the family crawled out of the residence from beneath the

Sandy Rea still missing after 33 years Ask just about anyone in Shawnee about one of the biggest mysteries here and many think of the missing persons case of Sandy Pathresa Rea. Back on Sept. 19, 1984, the freckled 17-year-old Shawnee teenager made a phone call from the Shawnee bowling alley in hopes of getting a ride to a party, but what happened after that is still a mystery. Now, 33 years later, the disappearance of Sandy Rea remains unsolved, but her family still hasn’t given up hope for closure. Over the decades, there have been many stories shared and theories pondered. There have even been organized digs done in the search for her remains. Sandy’s disappearance remains an open missing persons case with the Shawnee Police Department, but her family also hasn’t given up searching for Sandy — and the truth — on their own.

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O ctober YEAR IN REVIEW

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1 #smalltownmurderlandstvshow True-crime show to profile Prague murder, kidnapping case Back in 2010, a homicide and kidnapping case in Prague made local headlines, as did formal charges and the sentencing of the suspect in 2013. Now, seven years later, that case was profiled on a national television show, “Dead Silent,” which airs on true-crime network Investigation Discovery. The case involved the murder of Ethan Walton and the kidnapping of his girlfriend. For the crimes in this case, suspect Glendon Gouker , now 46, was sentenced in 2013 to serve life in prison without parole plus 70 years.

2 #notwantedinpottcounty

Texas fugitive nabbed in Pott. County; firearms, other items found A Texas fugitive sought on multiple charges after allegedly cutting off his ankle monitor and fleeing that state is jailed in Pottawatomie County after local authorities nabbed him here and found numerous firearms, as well as a gas mask, a bulletproof vest and a book about serial killers, the sheriff said. Pottawatomie County Sheriff Mike Booth said Eric Masters Castillo, 38, was arrested in the case and was jailed in the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center.

3 #crunch

Reserve deputy injured in late-evening accident A Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Reserve Deputy was injured late Wednesday evening in an accident on Leo and U.S. 177. The deputy was being checked at the hospital for neck and head pain late Wednesday night, Sheriff Mike Booth said. Shawnee police are investigating the accident and will complete a report, Booth said, but added he was told the deputy allegedly crashed after swerving to miss two pedestrians walking in the roadway at dark. Further information is awaited.

4 #teenstossrocks

UPDATE: 2 juveniles detained for throwing rocks onto cars from bridge Two juveniles — one 16 and the other 17 — are being held in juvenile detention on a $10,000 bond in connection with rocks being thrown onto cars from a bridge in Tecumseh, including one incident involving a sheriff’s patrol vehicle.

Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said the one of the teens is being held in Carter Hall Juvenile Detention Center here in Shawnee, while the other was transported to the juvenile center in Enid because there were no more beds open at Carter Hall. The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office began searching last week for the suspect or suspects who allegedly threw a large rock off the U.S. 177 bridge and hit a deputy’s moving patrol car on SH 9. Throwing rocks from a bridge is a felony. Palmer said that incident occurred about 1 a.m. Oct. 7 in Tecumseh.

5 #tragedy UPDATE: Pott. County deputies release name of drowning victim Deputies have released the name of a Tecumseh man after his body was recovered from a farm pond near Pink on Sunday. Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said deputies initially responded to the scene in an area south of SH 9 and Okay Road Saturday night. Witnesses reported seeing a man walking into the pond. That man has been identified as Derek Scott Seals, 35, Palmer confirmed.

Sunday, December 31, 2017 • 3D

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories for October 2017 as viewed on www.news-star.com

That’s when Berryhill’s Brady Voss approached.

8 #savealife #organdonation

Young father saves lives after death In a heartbeat, someone’s entire world can change forever. It’s something most claim to understand, yet never seem prepared to face. But — thanks to a moment of forethought — one Oklahoma man was able to alter the future of many with his own. But — thanks to a moment of forethought — one Oklahoma man was able to alter the future of many with his own. In August, a young electrician from Mustang drove himself to the hospital in Lawton — throwing up and head aching. He didn’t know it would be the last time he would suffer pain. Within a few moments, an aneurysm had taken Edward James (E.J.) Bolt III from this world; he was just 36 years old — leaving behind his teen son, Rylan. But even after E.J.’s tragic death, he managed to change the world for some.

#diveteam #motorcyclistkilled

Motorcyclist killed in crash northwest of Meeker A Wellston man died in a crash along U.S. 177 in Lincoln County. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the crash occurred at East 1010 Road, which is about 6.5 miles northwest of Meeker. Troopers said Keith Hendrix, 47, was driving a 2001 Yamaha motorcycle southbound on U.S. 177 before the motorcycle departed the roadway to the left for unknown reasons. Hendrix was ejected an unknown distance, the OHP said. Hendrix was pronounced dead a the scene from injuries suffered in that crash.

Body recovered from Pink farm pond The Oklahoma Highway Patrol dive team recovered the body of a drowning victim from a farm pond near Pink on Sunday. Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer said deputies initially responded to the scene in an area south of SH 9 and Okay Road Saturday night. Witnesses reported seeing a man, reported to be in his mid-30s, walking into the pond. The OHP dive team recovered the man’s body about 25 feet from the bank on Sunday morning, Palmer said, at about the mid-way point of that pond.

10 #communitygrant

7 #sportsmanship KENT BUSH: Not all champions win medals Brady Voss didn’t win the state championship or even win a medal. But he is a champion. Running long distances is never easy. At the cross country state championship at the Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee Saturday, the warm temperatures and windy conditions made it even more difficult as runners gave their all to beat other competitors and their own personal best times. One runner, sophomore Mason Hawthorne of Weatherford, was only a few yards from the finish line when he hit his limit. Hawthorne appeared to suffer from multiple cramps and he faltered and fell with the finish line in view. He tried to get back to his feet but was unable.

Shawnee roundabout project wrapping up In September, Shawnee City Commissioners learned that the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) had awarded the community a grant which funded the installation of a mini traffic circle — also known as a roundabout — at the intersection of Burns Street and Chapman Avenue. Shawnee was selected to receive grant funding in the amount of $9,936 from the AARP through its Community Challenge. City Manager Justin Erickson said the grant selection process was highly competitive, with more than 1,200 applications for the first-ever challenge. “Of the 88 winners chosen from across the nation, we were the only ones selected from Oklahoma,” Erickson said.

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4D • Sunday, December 31, 2017

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A glimpse at the Top 10 stories for November 2017 as viewed on www.news-star.com

#workingthescene Pedestrian fatality under investigation on Harrison Street A pedestrian fatality is under investigation on Harrison Street in Shawnee. Shawnee police and detectives are working that scene in the area of Cammack and Harrison Streets. The accident occurred about 8 p.m. Shawnee Police Spokeswoman Vivian Lozano-Stafford said a male pedestrian was hit when crossing Harrison Street eastbound after leaving a Chinese restaurant.

A $20,000 bond was set Monday for a Wellston teen who allegedly made threats that prompted a lockdown Friday at Tecumseh High School. Lucas J. Goss, 18, was being held in the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center Monday on a complaint of threatening to perform an act of violence; formal charges have not been filed. Tecumseh Assistant Police Chief J.R. Kidney said the arrest was the result of a situation Friday that prompted a nearly four-hour lockdown of Tecumseh High School. Kidney said the suspect’s reported girlfriend attends Tecumseh High School. The text message reportedly made a threat to the principal, Kidney said, and Goss allegedly made threats to “shoot up the place.” That message prompted an immediate lockdown and a search for the suspect. Kidney said based on other information obtained in the investigation, the threats were deemed credible and authorities took no chances.

3 #shuttingitsdoors

St. Gregory’s University to close at the end of this semester St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, which is the only Catholic university in Oklahoma, will suspend operations at the end of this semester, the university announced this afternoon. St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, which is the only Catholic university in Oklahoma, will suspend operations at the end of this semester, the university announced this afternoon. The university will finalize a provisional plan with the Higher Learning Commission. Once the plan is approved by HLC, students will be notified of the plan. Teach-out agreements and transfer opportunities are underway with area universities. Over the next few weeks, transfer fairs and job fairs will be scheduled on campus.

4 #noidlethreat

Teen jailed for threats in Tecumseh High School lockdown case

SUV overturns in culvert north of Shawnee Mall An SUV overturned into a dry creek/culvert north of Shawnee Mall Wednesday afternoon. Shawnee police and firefighters were on that scene as traffic was diverted for a short time. Two adults and two children were rescued from the vehicle and transported to St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital.

Byars man killed in Pott. County crash near Asher A Byars man died Friday morning in a crash on SH 39, just east of Bethel Road in the Asher area. William Von Frankovich 51, Byars, was pronounced dead at the scene by the state medical examiner, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported. The crash occurred about 7:18 a.m. as Frankovich was driving a 2007 Dodge CXT.

OHP reports fatality in semi accident on I-40 near Shawnee Emergency crews responded to a semi accident on I-40 eastbound Thursday afternoon. The semi went off the road and struck a tree near mile marker 181. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has confirmed this is a fatality crash.

9 #notallheroeswearcapes Quick thinking 4-year-old rescues grandmother Four-year-old Brighton Bryson saved her grandmother’s life Nov. 18. Brighton was visiting her grandparents for the weekend and her grandmother, LeAnn Bryson, was doing some work in her office when she passed out. “It was around noon,” LeAnn said. “We had just moved back into our home. I was working in my office and my granddaughter was in her room. I got up from my chair to check on her and that’s the last thing I remember.” Brighton, a Dale Elementary student, was able to use her grandmother’s cell phone and call for help. After Brighton made the call to her sister, Kailyn Isbell, she stayed on the phone with her until help arrived.

10 #4arrested

Arrests made in fraudulent prescription case A drug task force case in Shawnee has resulted in four arrests involving fraudulent prescriptions. Shawnee Police Cpl. Vivian Lozano-Stafford said an investigation into the conspiracy to obtain controlled dangerous substance by fraud first began in October involving a fraudulent prescription at The Clinic Pharmacy. That case was connected to another incident this month when the same female returned to try to obtain 120 tablets of 30 mg oxycodone. Drug task force officers also responded and talked with the woman, Terry Stephens, 32, who also received a phone call from someone in the vehicle telling her to go to the bathroom inside because police were pulling up outside, Lozano-Stafford said.

#coldcase Investigators search land for clues in 1983 cold case For three full days, sheriff’s investigators, using their hands, tools and even a backhoe, have searched a 10-acre property in Earlsboro in hopes of finding the remains of a local woman missing since 1983. That woman, Melody (Garton) Jones, was 19 years old when she disappeared in 1983, while her husband, Paul Jones, 20, was found dead in the couple’s home. And now — 34 years later — the homicide and missing person cases remains unsolved.

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Before taking the group to jail, police located a straw in Sykes’ pocket that tested for cocaine, Lozano-Stafford.

#flipcausesinjuries Multiple injuries reported when SUV flips on Kickapoo At least two patients were taken to the hospital by ambulance. At least two patients were taken to the hospital by ambulance when the SUV they were riding in flipped during a rollover crash in the 3800 block of Kickpoo. The injured appeared to be adults and children.

The alleged caller, Reginald Sykes, 34, was reported to be a passenger in that car. He, along with the driver, Michael Zeleke, 26, and another passenger, Sharine Tate, 37, were later detained during a traffic stop of the vehicle, Lozano-Stafford said.

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Sunday, December 31, 2017 • 5D

A glimpse at the Top 10 stories for December 2017 as viewed on www.news-star.com

1 #stabbingatWalmart Late night stabbing at Walmart Several emergency vehicles responded to Shawnee’s Walmart late Friday night for a reported stabbing. Crime scene tape in the parking lot area was located in an area east of the grocery shopping entrance as police investigated the scene around midnight. Unconfirmed reports indicated one patient was taken from the scene by ambulance.

2 #MarshallDenthomicide

Murder in the Heartland: Shawnee homicide to be profiled on national TV show A Shawnee murder case from 2013 will be featured in a national TV show this week on the Investigation Discovery network. The show, called “Murder in the Heartland,” looks at the homicide case of Marshall Scott Dent of Shawnee. The show is scheduled to air at 9 p.m. Dec. 20. Two people were convicted and sentenced on charges relating to the case.

3 #DeltaCafecloses

Delta Cafe in Shawnee to close its doors on Dec. 7 Dixie Restaurants, Inc., a Little Rock based restaurant company, announced that today it is closing all 17 of its Dixie Cafe and Delta Cafe restaurants located in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee effective Thursday, December 7, 2017. Allan Roberts, CEO, stated: “After over 35 years in business, we have decided that we must close our restaurants. It’s a very difficult operating environment for full-service, family-oriented restaurants. We have seen declining sales combined with increasing costs that has made this difficult decision necessary.” “We want to thank all our loyal patrons who have supported us over the years. We also want to thank all our long-term management and staff who have been so dedicated to our company and its mission to serve our guests. We are privileged to have been a part of so many wonderful communities and to have served so many loyal guests.” There’s no word yet on how many employees will be impacted in Shawnee.

4 #truckdriverkilled

UPDATE: I-40 semi crash kills California truck driver near Shawnee A California man driving a tractor trailer rig along eastbound Interstate 40 died Thursday afternoon near Shawnee when the semi left the roadway and struck some trees. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the crash occurred about 1:37 p.m. just east of mile marker 182 in Pottawatomie County. The 2016 Kenworth tractor trailer, driven by Jesus Sida Lucero, 51 of San Bernardino, California, was eastbound, the OHP said, when for unknown reasons, the semi departed the roadway and struck a tree. After that, the semi continued traveling through a fence and then struck a second tree. Lucero suffered a head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene by the a state medical examiner, the patrol said.

5 #shootinginvestigation Investigation: Naked man found wandering near Pink with gunshot wound A response to a reported fire in Pink late Wednesday afternoon turned into firefighters finding a naked man wandering out of the woods with a gunshot wound as well as a car on fire in a ravine, prompting a manhunt, Pottawatomie County Sheriff Mike Booth said. A response to a reported fire in Pink late Wednesday afternoon turned into firefighters finding a naked man wandering out of the woods with a gunshot wound as well as a car on fire in a ravine, prompting a manhunt, Pottawatomie County Sheriff Mike Booth said. The Pink Fire Department initially responded to reports of a grass fire in an area south of SH 9, east of the Pottawatomie/Cleveland County line, Assistant Fire Chief Doyle Stansell said. Upon arrival, fire crews discovered the naked and injured man wandering out of the woods.

6 #manhuntsuspectnabbed

UPDATE: Shawnee area manhunt suspect in custody Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Deputies say a manhunt suspect is now in custody. Christopher Lee Goodman was taken into custody in the area of Brangus Road and Westech Road. The manhunt began in that area just before noon. Deputies say the suspect was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle from Oklahoma City and took off on foot when the vehicle became stuck.

#KasonClark Dedication defeats disability: Seminole’s Clark excels despite disadvantages A lot of people underestimate Kason Clark. At first glance it is easy to do. Clark said he has dealt with it most of his life. “I never looked like a great athlete because of my arm,” Clark said. “I would get picked last for games. People were always underestimating me.” When Clark says “because of my arm” the condition he is referring to is an underdeveloped left arm. He suffered a brachial plexus injury at birth. This injury occurs when the nerves between the neck and shoulder are damaged during birth.

8 #cityandCPN

SGU deannexation: Finley, Barrett disagree on cause of school closure There’s been some notable tension this week between Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) Tribal Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett and Shawnee Mayor Richard Finley as the two community leaders openly disagreed about what they each believe was the cause behind the recent closing of St. Gregory’s University (SGU). This week Finley issued a statement in response to a CPN column by Barrett, asserting Barrett’s comments in the tribe’s December newsletter were in error. The topic of discussion centered around specifics behind Shawnee’s deannexation of SGU and Barrett’s view of what ultimately caused the school’s closure.

9 #suspectjailed Suspect arrested in armed robbery A local man is being held at the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center on a $25,000 bond for a first-degree robbery complaint. Jarod Wade Jenkins, 18, was taken into custody Tuesday evening for his alleged involvement in the armed robbery of Easy Wireless at 511 N. Kickapoo. A 911 call came in at around 3:15 Tuesday afternoon that a white male, wearing a blue mask and blue shirt, entered Easy Wireless armed with a handgun and demanded the employee empty the cash register and safe, Detective Jason Crouch said.

10 #SeminoleCountycrash Woman, 2 children injured in crash An accident in Seminole County sent three Meeker residents to the hospital on Friday. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the accident occurred at U.S. 377 and SH 59/CR EW 126.

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Year in Review

What we’ll remember about 2017 By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

It was a year of conflict and protest. We hunkered down for savage storms and the election continued to be controversial, with complaints of Russian meddling refusing to fade. North Korea’s threats provoked anger and anxiety, terror attacks occurred across the globe, and the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history devastated the country. In a powerful show of science and nature, the moon eclipsed the sun. We also lost many notable bright lights who passed in 2017.

Year in Review

w Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria

With a chart-topping number of active, and destructive storms, the 2017 hurricane season was one of the worst on record. It was the first time three Category 4 storms made landfall on the continental United States in the same season with Harvey, Irma and Maria clobbering Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, causing death and hundreds of billions of dollars in damage. Overall there were 17 named storms, 10 hurricanes and six Category 3 or higher hurricanes during the Atlantic season. The average for an Atlantic season is 10 named storms and six hurricanes, 2.5 of which are major. Fast facts Hurricane Harvey • Winds up to 130 mph • At least 75 dead • Dumped 27 trillion gallons of water over Texas and Louisiana • As much as $180 billion in damage Hurricane Irma • Peak intensity 185 mph winds • At least 124 dead in Caribbean • Florida Keys took Category 4 direct hit: 25 percent of houses destroyed • As much as $100 billion in damage Hurricane Maria • Winds up to 155 mph • Knocked out 100 percent elec tricity to Puerto Rico • At least 68 dead through Caribbean

w Protests

Americans displayed their right to protest as they stood up, took a knee, marched together and even threw punches to call attention to varied causes. The protest year started off immediately after President Trump took office, with massive marches Jan. 21 across the country to speak up for women’s rights. Protests continued March 8 on A Day without Women, when supporters skipped work and kept their wallets closed to demonstrate political and economic strength. Billed as an effort to “take America back,” hundreds of white nationalists and neo-Nazis gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia, Aug. 12 carrying lit tiki torches and Confederate flags. Met with counter-protesters, the event descended into violence, leaving three people dead, including one killed when a car plowed into a crowd. This year also saw the rise of the violent left, or Antifa, which is short for “anti-fascist.” This broad group employs radical tactics and is the reason #PunchANazi started trending on social media. What NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick started in 2016 as a protest of police brutality

population donned special glasses to watch the eclipse Aug. 21 — that’s nearly twice the viewership of the Feb. 5 Super Bowl in which the New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons. While we may still be arguing about climate change, pretty much everyone got on board to watch the astronomical wonder. The lucky few who planned ahead were treated to totality, a path that began in Oregon and touched 14 states. The rest of the United States made do with a partial yet educational and exciting eclipse.

w Congressmen shot

Flooding in Port Arthur, Texas, on Aug. 31. (PHOTOS: WIKIPEDIA)

mushroomed into a divisive national debate. With President Trump tweeting disparaging remarks and billionaire owners kneeling in solidarity with players, fans and Americans are caught in the middle of this protest than has surged beyond its original goal to include social and racial injustice.

w North Korea drama

Does North Korea present a clear and present danger to America? The country’s threats are nothing new, but its escalating bluster makes experts question just how potent they really are. After decades of bipartisan bungling and failure on other fronts that include diplomacy, economic sanctions or military action, President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un pursued a war of words. Trump vowed to “totally destroy” North Korea and called Kim “rocketman,” who responded that Trump is a “dotard” and “mentally deranged.” Meanwhile, the Hermit Kingdom’s nuclear weapons program continueed to show credible evidence of miniaturizing a nuclear weapon to fit onto an intercontinental missile and U.S. bombers flew in international airspace over the waters of North Korea.

w Election meddling

It started with Hillary Clinton’s emails, which were hacked from both her personal account and Democratic National Committee headquarters, as she ran for president. While Democrats claimed Russia was responsible, thencandidate Donald Trump said he knew nothing about the theft but

invited Russia to find the emails that were missing. The intelligence community suspected election tampering but had no evidence that it altered the vote count on Election Day. Instead, intelligence officials said Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a multifaceted campaign that included pro-Trump propaganda and social media trolls paid to create Clinton controversies. Swirling the controversy were multiple interactions between Trump associates and Russian agents including Trump’s national security advisor Michael Flynn (who resigned in February after a month on the job) meeting with the Russian ambassador before Trump took office. In September, the Department of Homeland Security found evidence of Russia’s attempts to break into election systems in 21 states during the election.

w Solar eclipse

The sky darkened for the first total solar eclipse visible from coast to coast in the United States in 99 years, and the first to be viewed in America in the smartphone age. An estimated 88 percent of the

On June 14 in Alexandria, Virginia, members of Congress were practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity when House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, a republican from Louisiana, was shot by a gunman who appeared to have targeted members of Congress. Three others were wounded including a Capitol Police officer assigned to protect Scalise, a congressional aide and a lobbyist. During the 10-minute ordeal, the gunman was seen standing and shooting; police immediately returned fire as players ran for the dugout to shelter. The shooter was a left-wing activist from Illinois. Shot in the hip, Scalise was the most seriously wounded with the bullet fracturing bones and internal organs. He returned to the House Sept. 28 and spoke about the experience saying he was ”absolutely” as strong as ever on the Second Amendment.

w FBI director fired

As far as shocking the nation, President Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey in May called into question whether Russia really had been meddling in our elections. As the FBI investigated links between Russia and the Trump campaign in regard to the 2016 presidential election, Comey testified before a Senate committee in June on what he knew. Trump insisted there was a new need for leadership in the FBI. Nevertheless, critics called the move “Nixonian.” James Comey

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Sunday, December 31, 2017 • 7D A##

Year in Review Continued from Page x

w World terror attacks

2017 was a timeline of terror, with multiple attacks across the globe. Here are a few of the most devastating. • London was hit repeatedly. In the Westminster Bridge attack, March 22, four people were killed and 50 others injured after an attacker drove into pedestrians on the bridge then continued on into the railings outside the Palace of Westminster, where he fatally stabbed an unarmed London police officer. On May 22, a suicide bomber with connections to an organized terror network killed 22 and injured dozens more people attending an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. On Sept. 15 there was terror on the Tube after a “bucket” bomb exploded on a London subway, causing mass panic and burns injuring 22 people. • In Spain, a group of jihadists with ties to ISIS carried out a series of attacks in and around Barcelona, killing 16 people. On the famed Las Ramblas boulevard, a high-speed van mowed down tourists on Aug. 17, killing 14 and injuring more than 100 others. Eight hours later, a car plowed into pedestrians in the coastal town of Cambrils, 60 miles away, killing one and injuring six. Police shot five attackers dead. • Terror attacks also hit France April 20 when a terrorist shot at a police van, killing one officer and injuring two people, on the Champs Elysees. On Feb. 3, a machetewielding man attacked soldiers in the shopping mall near the Louvre.

w Mass shootings

Two of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history took place in 2017. On Oct. 1 in Las Vegas, Nevada, 58 people were killed and more than 500 injured when a gunman, perched on the 32nd floor of a casino hotel, fired hundreds of bullets into a crowd of 22,000 gathered for an outdoor country music festival. Police found 23 weapons inside the hotel suite plus thousands of rounds of ammunition and ingredients used in explosives in the shooter’s home and car. Many of the guns had devices, called “bump fire stocks,” attached to enable them to mimic fully automatic gunfire. On Nov. 5, a gunman opened fire inside a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, killing 26 and wounding 20 others — the largest mass shooting in the state’s history. Virtually no one in the church was left unscathed.

w Opening up about assault

A simple two-word phrase — “Me too” — sparked scores of women to come forward on social media and publicly tell their stories of sexual harassment and assault. It began on Oct. 15 when actress Alyssa Milano urged women share their stories after film producer Harvey Weinstein’s history came to light. A floodgate opened as women (and some men) from all walks of life related their personal stories of abuse from men in powerful positions. It became a platform of empowerment documenting widespread sexism, harassment and misogynistic culture.

Year in Review

Law enforcement officers on Oct. 2 remember off-duty agents killed during the Las Vegas mass shooting. C. MENDOZA/VOA/WIKIPEDIA

Harry Dean Stanton, 91: The actor whose credits spanned decades with over 70 movies and TV shows died Sept. 15. Frank Vincent, 78: The “Sopranos” and “Goodfellas” actor died Sept. 13 while undergoing surgery after a heart attack. Troy Gentry, 50: Country singer and songwriter died Sept. 8. Rick Stevens, 77: The lead singer of Tower of Power died Sept. 5. Walter Becker, 67: Founding member of Steely Dan died Sept. 3. Shelley Berman, 92: The actor and comedian, whose movies included “Love, American Style” and “Meet the Fockers,” died Sept. 1. Jay Thomas, 69: The “Cheers” and “Murphy Brown” actor died Aug. 24. Jerry Lewis, 91: Comedy legend and philanthropist, Lewis, who died Aug. 20, raised more than $2.6 billion for muscular dystrophy with his annual Labor Day telethon. Dick Gregory, 84: Comedian turned civil rights activist died Aug. 19. Sonny Landham, 76: The “Predator” star died Aug. 17. Glen Campbell, 81: Country singer died Aug. 8 after a decades-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Barbara Cook, 89: The Broadway actress won a Tony for “The Music Man.” She died Aug. 8. Ara Parseghian: College football coach who led Notre Dame from 1964 to 1974 died Aug. 2. Sam Shepard, 73: Playwright, actor and director who won the Pulitzer Prize for his stage play “Buried Child” died July 27. June Foray, 99: The voice behind many well-known animated characters including Rocky the Flying Squirrel. She died July 26. Barbara Sinatra, 90: The former Las Vegas showgirl and widow of Frank Fats Domino Sinatra died July 25. John Heard, 72: The actor best known from the “Home Alone” movies died July 21. Chester Bennington, 41: The Linkin Park lead vocalist was found dead July 20. George Romero, 77: “Night of the Living Dead” director died July 16. Martin Landau, 89: The Oscarwinning actor whose career

Oct. 30. Fats Domino, 89: The rock ‘n’ roll pioneer born Antoine Dominique Domino Jr. in New Orleans is best known for “Ain’t That A Shame” and “Blueberry Hill.” He died of natural causes Oct. 24. Robert Guillaume, 89: The distinguished actor and Emmy winner was a staple on Broadway before taking on defining television roles in “Soap” and “Benson.” The Emmy winner also voiced Rafiki in the Disney classic “The Lion King.” He died Oct. 24. Tom Petty, 66: The dynamic frontman of The Heartbreakers, Petty was a mainstay of the music industry from the ‘70s until he died Oct. 2. The singer, songwriter and guitarist combined his deep Southern heritage with California rock to produce hit after hit, including “Free Fallin” and “Refugee.” S.I. Newhouse, 89: American publisher of Conde Nast, Vanity Fair, Vogue and The New Yorker died Oct. 1. Hugh Hefner, 91: Pioneer for sexual freedom, magazine mogul and cultural icon, Playboy’s founder died Sept. 27. Monty Hall, 96: The CanadianAmerican game show host of “Let’s Make a Deal” died Sept. 30. Charles Bradley, 68: The American funk singer died Sept. 23 of stomach cancer. Jake LaMotta, 95: The legendary boxer, who was portrayed by Robert DeNiro in “Raging Bull,” died Sept. 19. Bernie Casey, 78: The former athlete and actor who was known for his roles in “Revenge of the Nerds” died Sept. 19.

Tom Petty

w Notable deaths

Roy Halladay, 40: The former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher died Nov. 7 when the light sport aircraft he was flying crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. He was a two-time Cy Young award winner. Fred Beckey, 94: The legendary mountain climber who made hundreds of first ascents over a seven-decade career, more than any other North American climber, died

spanned decades died July 15. Stevie Ryan, 33: The YouTube star who impersonated celebrities died July 1. Adam West, 88: Best known for playing Batman on television in the ‘60s, West died after a short battle with leukemia June 9. Glenne Headly, 62: The Emmynominated actress died June 8. Chris Cornell, 52: The Soundgarden frontman died on May 17 after performing a sold-out show in Detroit, Michigan. Prodigy, 42: Rapper from hiphop duo Mobb Deep died June 20 died of complications from sickle cell anemia, which he battled since birth. Stephen Furst, 63: The “Animal House” actor died June 16. Peter Sallis, 96: The British actor known for voicing Wallace in the clay animation series “Wallace and Gromit” died June 2. Gregg Allman, 69: Co-founder of the Allman Brothers band and the ex-husband of Cher died May 27. Roger Moore, 89: Actor best known for playing James Bond died May 23. Powers Boothe, 68: The actor and Emmy winner died May 14. Steven Holcomb, 37: An Olympic bobsled gold medalist, Holcomb was expected to be a member of the U.S. Olympic team in Pyeongchang. He died in his sleep May 6. Jonathan Demme, 73: The filmmaker and director (“Philadelphia,” “Silence of the Lambs”) died April 26. Erin Moran, 56: Joanie from “Happy Days” and its spinoff “Joanie Loves Chachi” died April 22. J. Geils, 71: The lead singer of the J. Geils Band (Freeze Frame,” “Centerfold”) died April 11. Don Rickles, 90: King of the Insults, the comedian died April 6. Robert Osborn, 84: The film historian and television host died March 6. Robert James Waller, 77: The author of “The Bridges of Madison County” died March 9. Joni Sledge, 60: Along with her sisters, she founded the R&B group Sister Sledge. She died March 10. Derek Walcott, 87: Poet and playwright won the Nobel prize for Literature. He died March 17. Chuck Berry, 90: Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer known for “Johnny B. Goode” and “Maybellene” died March 18. Joseph Wapner, 97: The retired judge famous for starring on “The People’s Court” died Feb. 26. Bill Paxton, 61: The ctor and film director whose credits include “Twister,” “Apollo 13” and “Titanic” as well as TV series “Big Love” died Feb. 25. Al Jarreau, 76: Jazz singer who won seven Grammys died Feb. 12. He is the only artist to have won a Grammy award in the jazz, pop and R&B categories. Daryl Easton, 61: The magician died Feb. 24 inside Hollywood’s Magic Castle. Geoff Nicholls, 68: The keyboardist for Black Sabbath died Jan. 28. John Hurt, 77: Nominated for two Oscars (“Elephant Man” and Midnight Express”), Hurt died Jan. 27. Art Rosenfeld, 90: A physicist whose extraordinary contributions to sustainable development led him to be known as the Godfather of Energy Efficiency died Jan. 27. Mary Tyler Moore, 80: Best known as spunky Mary Richards, the actress helped usher in a new era for women on television. She died Jan. 25. Butch Trucks, 69: Co-founder of the Allman Brothers band died Jan. 25. Eugene Cernan, 82: NASA astronaut and the last man on the moon died Jan. 16.

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