Local & Regional

By John Durkee

Tulsa, Ok – Inner Dispersal Loop Closure begins on Monday.

The single-largest project ever awarded in the Oklahoma Department of Transportation's history is underway. This $75 million stimulus-funded project will rebuild the north and west legs of Tulsa's Inner Dispersal Loop (includes portions of I-244, US-412, US-64 and SH-51), replace the decks on 44 bridges on the north and west legs, and will repair the surface on portions of the east and south legs.

By Hear the official announcement

Tulsa, OK – Former Tulsa Councilor and radio-talk show host Chris Medlock will run for Tulsa Mayor

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Library board to receive open meeting training

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Members of the Tulsa City-County Library Commission will receive training concerning the state's Open Meeting Act after the board violated that law during a meeting last week.

During a July 1 meeting, the board went into closed session but did not return to public session or take minutes. The board also possibly discussed items in closed session not allowed by law.

By Associated Press

Tulsa,OK – Judge acknowleges using 'strong, firm words'

TULSA, Okla. (AP) The contents of a deferred prosecution agreement signed by a Tulsa County District Court judge who had an indecent exposure charge dismissed last month are now public.

In the agreement, Judge Jesse Harris acknowledged using "strong, firm words" while speaking with one of the two women who accused him of indecent exposure.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Tulsa council to consider Indian sovereignty item

TULSA, Okla. (AP) A Tulsa city councilman says he is proposing a resolution that would express the council's opposition to putting more land under American Indian sovereignty.

Councilor Bill Christiansen says he'll offer the resolution in response to efforts by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to place into federal trust status two parcels of land along the Arkansas River. The designation would exempt the land from local sales and property taxes.

By Associated Press

Henryetta, OK – Henryetta sailor killed in Afghanistan

HENRYETTA, Okla. (AP) A 21-year-old sailor from Henryetta has been killed while serving in Afghanistan.

Rogers Funeral Home in Henryetta confirmed Tuesday it is handling arrangements for Petty Officer 2nd Class Tony Randolph.

Henryetta High School football coach Kenny Speer says Randolph died Monday after the vehicle he was in struck a roadside bomb.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – TULSA, Okla. (AP) A state legislator has decided to join the race to become the next mayor of Tulsa.

Sen. Tom Adelson, D-Tulsa, announced his run Wednesday morning, saying he wants to focus on smart development for the state's second-largest city and build unity with the City Council.

Adelson and at least three others are vying to succeed Kathy Taylor, who announced in June that she wouldn't seek another term.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK –
The Tulsa Library Board will try again today. An afternoon meeting is set for the board.

While no citation has been given, it is believed the board violated the Oklahoma Open Meetings rules by adjourning a recent meeting while still in executive session. Oklahoma law requires meetings to adjourn in public after a closed door session ends.

By Associated Press

Tulsa,OK – Ex-Tulsa Red Cross leader gives reason for firing

TULSA, Okla. (AP) The former CEO of the Tulsa Chapter of the American Red Cross says a disagreement with the agency's national officials led to her firing last week.

Mary Ogle says she wasn't fired for insubordination, but because she disagreed with the national agency's move away from local governance of local chapters. Most of the Tulsa chapter's board of directors agreed with Ogle and resigned in protest after her dismissal.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – A new proposal has surfaced to fund --in part-- city government. Outgoing Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor is urging future leaders to lobby the state legislature to allow municipalities to create Fire Protection Districts.

This plan would allow the cities to get property tax dollars for the operation of fire departments. Currently, Tulsa finances most all city services via sales taxes. Tulsa gets three cents on each dollar that is spent. A similar fire district proposal failed during the 2007 legislative session.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – New jail agreement approved

TULSA, Okla. (AP) The Tulsa County Commission has approved a new jail agreement with the city.

Commissioners unanimously voted Monday to accept a five-year deal that calls for the city to pay the county $45 per inmate per day to house municipal inmates.

The daily rate goes to $54.13 after the first 35 prisoners held in a 24-hour period.

The agreement still requires the signature of Mayor Kathy Taylor, but Taylor has indicated she will sign the agreement.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – This week at City Hall, Doctor Jack Crowley is packing up. His job in Tulsa is finished. He will soon be headed back to the University of Georgia's College of Environment and Design. He has been on loan if you will to the City of Tulsa for the last year and a half working on the City's downtown master plan.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Sullivan returns to D.C. after rehab stint

TULSA, Okla. (AP) U.S. Rep. John Sullivan is returning to Washington after a one-month stay in a California treatment center for alcohol addiction and says he plans to seek another term in office.

Sullivan, R-Okla., told the Tulsa World's Washington bureau his surprise announcement in late May to seek treatment for his drinking was not triggered by a single incident.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Tulsa Zoo sea lions to move to Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Two sea lions from the Tulsa Zoo soon will be moved to Oklahoma City.

The sea lions, a 16-year-old male named Dorsey and a 23-year-old female named Briney, will stay at the Oklahoma City Zoo for about two years as work is done on a $5 million update to the Tulsa Zoo's sea lion habitat.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – A misfire on the 23rd Street Bridge, over the Arkansas River, caused the Freedom Fest 2009 fireworks display to be cut short. About 15 minutes into the show an aerial display exploded as it was leaving the launch tube. That caused a fire which spread to a nearby platform. Tulsa Fire Fighters, on the scene, rushed to put out the blaze. But it was deemed unsafe to continue the show. The remaining fireworks had to be dismantled and made safe. No one was injured.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Tulsa homicides show disturbing trends

TULSA, Okla. (AP) In the first six months of this year, 34 homicides were recorded in Tulsa 15 more than detectives investigated during the same time last year.

In several cases, police say the victims were unintended targets of shootings. In others, the killers attempted to stage crimes and mislead investigators.

In still others, the "no snitch" culture continues to be a factor.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Fire fighters pull an all-nighter as a chemical cloud drifts over the west side. It happened over night at the Envirosolve Company at 21st and Southwest Blvd. There was apparently a chemical reaction in a 55-gallon drum that cause the cloud.

The chemical was sodium based and used to clean Port-a-Potties and septic systems. No one was seriously injured, but paramedics did check out several people. The situation was brought under control shortly before 4a.m. Sunday morning.

By Associated Press

Joplin, MO – Tribal casinos boost Oklahoma revenue

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) Oklahoma state revenue from casinos operated by American Indian tribes increased by nearly 30 percent in fiscal year 2009, to $105.6 million.

The Office of State Finance reports that the fiscal year total for 2008 was $81.4 million.

Three of the seven tribes that operate northeast Oklahoma casinos contributed to the increase. The others contributed less to the state than they did the previous fiscal year.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Judge denies trial delay request

TULSA, Okla. (AP) A federal judge has rejected a request by 12 poultry companies to delay the trial in a lawsuit over pollution in the Illinois River watershed.

The companies had filed a motion earlier this week asking for more time to handle paperwork from Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office.

But at Thursday's hearing, U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell said the Sept. 21 trial date had long been in place.

Tulsa, OK – Weekend events

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Here is a roundup of weekend activities throughout the state of Oklahoma.

Friday, July 3

DISNEY Disney Island Fireworks on the Water, a spectacular fireworks display over the water of Grand Lake O' The Cherokees, dark, GRDA Spillways. Contact: Judy Barger, 918-435-4272 or jbarger@wavelinx.net

By Assoicated Press

Tulsa, OK – Entire Tulsa Red Cross board resigns in protest

TULSA, Okla. (AP) The chairman of the Tulsa Area Red Cross board of directors says they all have resigned to protest the firing of the chapter's CEO by national officials.

Board Chairman George Singer said Thursday the mass resignation came after a power struggle that had been escalating for months. He says the local chapter wants to manage its own affairs and not take orders from national officials.

By Associated Press

Tulsa. OK – Tulsa library commission violates open meeting law

TULSA, Okla. (AP) The Tulsa City-County Library Commission has violated the state's open meeting law, but the commission chairwoman says she's to blame and hopes to rectify the situation.

Chairwoman La Verne Ford Wimberly told the Tulsa World that commissioners voted in executive session during Wednesday's meeting to review the use of employee flex time and never returned to an open meeting. Both actions constitute violations of state law.

By Associated Press

Bixby, OK – television personality Newsom dies at 64

BIXBY, Okla. (AP) An Oklahoma City television personality known for hosting a long-running outdoors show has died.

The Oklahoman reported that Paul Newsom died at his home in Bixby on Wednesday after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 64.

Newsom hosted "Paul Newsom's Great Outdoors" for more than 15 years and was president of an advertising, marketing and television production company that had offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – With many people traveling this holiday weekend, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has provided KWGS with the following information on road related problems in the Tulsa area:

Tulsa Metro

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Kern promotes Morality Proclamation

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) State Rep. Sally Kern is launching a Proclamation for Morality that acknowledges what Kern says is a need for a national awakening of righteousness.

Kern made headlines last year when she said homosexuality is a greater threat to the United States than terrorism.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Today, we continue our special series dealing with alternative energy. Yesterday, we heard how AT&T would be using Oklahoma tax incentives to convert 30-of its vans to Compressed Natural Gas.

Today, we learn about Tulsa County's plans to save energy and become a little greener. Tulsa County's Director of Development and Governmental Affairs is Terry Simmonson. We recently visited with him about the county's plans. He says the goal is to lead by example.

By Associated Press

Drummond, OK – Mighty mites cause problems

DRUMMOND, Okla. (AP) When the Garfield County Sheriff's office started receiving calls about millions of ants crossing the intersection of Oklahoma 132 and a county road, deputy Troy Bush thought it was joke.

Bush says when he arrived on Monday, there were so many insects that it appeared as if the ground were moving and the tiny critters had created a slick, hazardous area on the pavement stretching a quarter-mile long.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma ME's office loses accreditation

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Officials say the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office has lost its accreditation because of problems with staffing levels and facilities.

Cherokee Ballard, a spokeswoman for the agency, says it's the first time she's aware of that the Medical Examiner's Office has failed accreditation.

Catoosa, OK – The I-44/193rd E. Ave. interchange is getting a major upgrade. A $45 million project is set to begin Saturday, August 1, to widen I-44 from four lanes to eight at the junction, replace two bridges that are structurally deficient and functionally obsolete, and greatly improve the entrance/exit ramps. The work also includes widening 193rd E. Ave. to six lanes at the interchange.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge and AT&T Oklahoma President Bryan Gonterman announced AT&T in Oklahoma will roll out a fleet of at least 30 compressed natural gas vehicles this year in part because of recently approved tax incentives developed by the Oklahoma Legislature.