Ira “Leonard” Jackson, 82, retired Gaffey Inc. employee, passed away Monday, April 11, 2016.
Visitation will be from 3:30 p.m., to 7 p.m., Wed., April 13 at DeLozier funeral home.
A graveside service will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, April 14 in Fairview Cemetery in Talala, under the direction of DeLozier Funeral Service, Chelsea.
By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor
Three more candidates filed for county office Thursday and two more filed for the District 2 seat in Congress, bringing to 14 the number of individuals who have turned in formal declarations of candidacy with one day left in the 2016 General Election filing period.
Jeanne Heidlage, 53, of Claremore, became the first candidate to file for Rogers County Clerk. She had announced her plans many weeks ago and has been actively campaigning for the post now held by Robin Anderson, who has not announced her plans on whether she will seek re-election.
The field for the Republican nomination for Rogers County District 2 Commissioner grew Thursday from two to four with the filings of Allen Carter, 46, of Talala and Russell Guilfoyle, 64, of the Keetonville area of Claremore. Carter had announced his campaign weeks ago and Guilfoyle had made an announcement but only in a newspaper published outside the 2nd District.
They join Republicans Steve Ebel, 58 and Steve Hendrix, 59, both of rural Claremore, who filed Wednesday.. Both had already announced their planned candidacies and have been actively campaigning.
At this point, it still appears the race will be decided in the Republican primary or runoff.
In the Second District Congressional Race, Oologah product Jarrin Jackson, 30, of rural Claremore filed Thursday as a Republican. He had announced his candidacy months ago and has been actively campaigning.
Also filing Thursday was Independent John McCarthy, 46, of Afton, whose plans had not been previously announced in this area of the sprawling district.
That further enlarges what already was a virtually certain General Election contest the first day of filing Wednesday, when Incumbent Republican Markwayne Mullin, 38, was the sole member of his party to formally file. Democrat Paul E. Schiefelbein, 57, of Tahlequah, also filed Wednesday, setting up the General Election contest.
Four candidates filed for local offices and five formally declared their candidacies for legislative seats serving this area during the first day of the 3-day filing period for the 2016 Primary Election.
Incumbent Sheriff Scott Walton, 60, a Republican, filed for a second term. He drew no opposition on the first or second day day of filing.
Neither did Republican incumbent Court Clerk Kim Henry, 46, also was the sole person to file for that office o the first day.
Two Bartlesville women had filed for the Republican nomination to replace State Senator John Ford, who is retiring due to term limits. Julie Daniels, 62, and Jean S. Oliver, 70, both filed for the District 29 seat. There were no new filings in that district Thursday.
There also were no new filings Thursday in House District 6, where Representative Chuck Hoskin, 64, was the only candidate to file for that position on the first day.
Filing ends at 5 p.m. Friday, with county and commission office papers processed at the Rogers County Election Board in Claremore and legislative, state and multi-county offices handled at the State Election Board at the Capitol in Oklahoma City.
Rogers County Volunteers for Youth is hosting a take back events in conjunction with the DEA’s National Rx Take Back Days so people can safely dispose of unneeded and expired medications making homes safer from drug theft and abuse. People living outside of Rogers County are welcome to participate.
April 23- Oologah, Corner of Highways 88 & 169, 9 am-12 pm
The first 50 people to drop off prescription medications will receive a $10 gift card
Oklahoma is among a dozen states where youth drug overdose death rate has tripled in the past decade. Oklahoma is also above the national average for number taking prescription pain killers.
Most drug overdose deaths in Oklahoma involve at least one prescription drug.
Medicines in the home are a leading cause of accidental poisoning.
More than half the teens abusing medicines get them from a family member, friend or simply take them out of the medicine cabinet.
From 2010-2014 63 Rogers County residents died from prescription pain medication overdoses. Another 83 people suffered non-fatal overdoses from the same medications.
Meds can also be dropped off at these locations year-round:
Rogers County Sheriff Department
Claremore Police Department
Catoosa Police Department
Inola Police Department
Chelsea Police Department
By Jon Matthews, Director of Bands
The Oologah Band Boosters will host their annual Jazz Benefit dinner and silent auction this Saturday 6-9 p.m. at the Oologah United Methodist Church.
This year’s dinner holds more importance as it is a kick-off to the boosters’ fundraising effort to “keep the jazz band swinging”.
The Oologah band boosters are trying to raise enough funds to help the school be able to keep our assistant band director employed at OTPS.
Mr. Kubala is the leader of both the middle school and high school jazz bands and is doing a great job. I have seen so much improvement in both the middle school and high school bands because of the jazz program and the work that Mr. Kubala is doing.
The students are learning how to not only play what is on the page, but what they hear, and feel. Jazz is a wonderful tool in developing musicians.
Tickets are $15 a piece. Dinner will be Italian Roasted Chicken, Garden Rice, Green Beans, a roll, and dessert.
The night will be full of music with both the middle school and high school jazz bands playing as well as a special guest appearance by Tulsa’s own, The Zuits.
There will also be a silent auction with some great items like: Willis Guide Service Paddle-fish fishing trips, hand made knives, several luxury pillows, multiple gift baskets, hand painted artwork from a local professional artist, and more.
There will be something for everyone!
Current and former plant managers gather on April 15 to observe the retirement of PSO Unit 4. Pictured are five of the seven men who have served as manager for NES 3&4. Vic Nichols (front, from left) is the plant’s first manager. Gary Briggs is NES 3&4’s sixth manager. Jerry Lawrence is the plant’s third manager. Mark Barton (back, from left) is the current manager of all four units. Gary Knight is current PSO Generation V.P and is the fourth manager. Not pictured are M.C. Wiggington, deceased, the plant’s second manager, and Doug Laney, fifth manager and current principal engineer at Tulsa Power Station.
Thursday will be your last chance to see our outstanding seniors play on their home field. The Mustangs host Tulsa Will Rogers High School at 4 and 6:30 pm for the district match-up.
Pictured, Oologah baseball seniors accept appreciation gifts from the fans at a game against Berryhill on Saturday. Ready to cut the cake are (from left) Caleb Buchfink, Bryce Deitz, Logan Armstrong, Breyden DeSpain and Evan Schultz.
Faith Wylie/Leader
Play-in Round
The Lady Mustangs travel to Glenpool at 5 pm today (Thursday) to vie for a spot in the state playoffs. If the Ladies win tonight, they will face Metro Christian on Tuesday, May 3.
Bracket: Girls Soccer Bracket
Oologah 5-Pawhuska 3
The Lady Mustangs won 5-3 to place 2nd in Districts.
Sarah Kohler and Lexi Trammell scored in the first half to put Oologah up 2-0 going into halftime.
Allee Branchcomb, Tai Blevins, and Sarah Kohler each had a goal in the second half.
Pawhuska did not go unnoticed in the second half. They put up a fight and scored three goals in the net. The Lady Mustangs stayed alive and came out with the 5-3 win.
Oologah 9-Webster 0
The Lady Mustangs came out on fire in the Webster contest winning 9-0 in district play.
The Ladies found the net seven times in the first half.
Those scoring were: Allee Branchcomb, Harlie Findley, Sarah Kohler, Lexi Trammel, Allison Jackson and Madie Jones. This completed the seven goals with two in on the field.
The Varsity girls had a chance to work in different positions. Payton Thompson moved out of the goal and got some field time. She had a goal in the second half and Madi Jones completed a Hat Trick with her third goal in the second half.
Tornado’s 25th anniversary was Tuesday
By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor
Locally, the events of April 26, 1991 are referred to as the Oologah Tornado.
But the National Weather Service notes that the storm system 25 years ago Tuesday was one of the most powerful and widespread on record, affecting dozens of communities.
The NWS calls the event the Plains Tornado Outbreak.
The date is also significant because it was the first real test of the Pathfinder computerized radar storm tracking system, which used computers instead of grease pencils and rulers to project the path and time of impact of tornadoes for affected communities.
While taken for granted by those 30 and younger, the Pathfinder technology was a remarkable achievement back in 1991 and is widely credited with providing early warning to Oologah that saved countless lives.
While there were 28 injuries, there were no deaths.
That’s amazing, considering that just in the Oologah area the storm cut a swath of destruction that caused $60 million in damage, battered all and destroyed half of the Oologah school campus, and leveled about 100 homes and commercial buildings.
The newspaper queried several members of the Class of 1991 and selected four accounts of that night and its aftermath over time.
Their responses will bring back some painful memories but also prove that 25-year-old headline correct: We did come back.
For the complete story, pick up a copy of the Oologah Lake Leader or read the complete E-Leader at http://etypeservices.com/Oologah%20Lake%20LeaderID268/
For our 2011 coverage online, click here: http://oologahonline.com/community/1991-tornado/
UPDATE: In the first day of the playoffs, the Mustangs beat Vinita 6-3, then run-ruled Mannford 15-0 in the 5th inning. They plan for the regional championship at 6 pm Friday
Mustangs host Regional Tournament
The Oologah baseball team came out to show why they deserved to be the number one seed in 4A. Last Thursday during district play they sat down Tulsa Rogers in both games at the end of the 5th inning, winning 18-0 in the first game and 20-0 in the second. Team members include: (not in order pictured) Logan Armstrong, Caleb Buchfink, Evan Schultz, Bryce Deitz, Drake Barnes, Hunter Gibson, Cole Brooks, rian Collins, Austin DeSpain, Declan Evans, Nate Luce, Braden Scott, Wyatt Johnson, Cole Dunbar and Chance Deitz.
Staying on track!
The Oologah Mustang track team had several members qualify for the State Track Meet that is scheduled Friday and Saturday starting at 10 a.m. in Catoosa. Those competing this week include (front row from left) Bryson Long, Kasey Koening, Ty Dixon, and Seth Bennett. Standing on the back are (from left) Chase Vance, Sean Collins, Payton Thompson, Chance Walstrom, and Casey Base.
Leader photo by Carolyn Estes
By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor
Rogers County has been sued for almost $16,000 due to a 2014 inheritance scam because, while those responsible have been prosecuted, the lawful heir has never gotten her money.
Ironically, the lawsuit was filed by a woman who the scammers claimed was also dead.
But she actually is very much alive and has hired the Claremore law firm of Price & Sears to sue the county commissioners, the county treasurer and the two women who pleaded guilty to running the scam.
In June 2014 the Rogers County Treasurer’s office sold the property for $18,000 due to unpaid taxes from 2010-2013 totaling $2,278.66.
After the taxes and administrative fees were paid, the remainder of the money—$15,657.14—was due to the estate, to which Shelton was the sole heir.
But when she filed a claim for the funds, she discovered it had already been paid to two women, one of whom claimed to be Shelton’s granddaughter and therefore entitled to the money.
Read more details in this week’s Leader, or in this week’s E-Leader: http://etypeservices.com/Oologah%20Lake%20LeaderID268/
By JOHN M. WYLIE II and CAROLYN ESTES.
Copyright 2016, Oologah Lake Leader LLC.
The Mustang baseball team heads to the state tournament at 4:30 pm Thursday, May 12 at Edmond Sante Fe. The team faces Heritage Hall in the first game.
The Oologah Mustangs proved they were the top team during the 4A tourney at Mustang stadium last week. Oologah captured the Regional Championship by beating out Mannford 12-0 in the final game Friday.
Team members include Logan Armstrong, Caleb Buchfink, Evan Schultz, Bryce Deitz, Drake Barnes, Hunter Gibson, Cole Brooks, Brian Collins, Austin DeSpain, Declan Evans, Nate Luce, Braden Scott, Wyatt Johnson, Cole Dunbar, Chance Deitz, Breyden DeSpain, and Braden Vanderpool. Also pictured with the team is Josh Stanford and Easton Hallman. Not pictured with the team are the managers Jeremy Buchfink and Spencer Dunavent.
The team will travel this week to Edmond Santa Fe for the State tournament on Thursday, Friday and if need be on Saturday.
By JOHN M/ WYLIE II, Editor
Senior Northwest Firefighter Austin Moore, honored by the Cherokee Nation as volunteer firefighter of the year, was literally born to battle fires.
Moore is the grandson of Northwest Rogers County Fire Protection District founding firefighter and officer Butch Moore and son of retired Battalion Chief Robert Moore.
He joined the department on his 18th birthday in 2007, his first day of eligibility, and estimates he donates hundreds of hours a year to his work.
“That gives me a lot of satisfaction, to be part of the third generation,” he said.
He was honored for his nine years of service and leading volunteer training every month for several years.
“He has been involved in countless emergency situations, putting himself in harm’s way for the public on several grass fires, structure fires and vehicle accidents,” his citation said.
Moore said, “I feel very honored and humbled. Out of all the firefighters nominated, I feel very humbled to be one of the five chosen.”
Read more details in this week’s Oologah Lake Leader, available in stores or online: http://etypeservices.com/Oologah%20Lake%20LeaderID268/
The service for George Baker Jr., 82, of Talala is 10 am Saturday, May 14 at First Christian Church in Owasso. Arrangements are being handled by Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
NW rescue boat shows mettle in recovery
By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor
A well-known Talala retiree who was an expert boater and fisherman died Tuesday in a boating accident on Lake Oologah.
Officials believe the death of George Baker, Jr., 82, may have been the result of a medical emergency that caused his boat to collide with another vessel, throwing him into the water.
He had been wearing a personal flotation device, but it was ripped off during or immediately after the accident, which was reported just after noon, Northwest Rogers County Fire Chief Mat Shockley said.
Northwest’s new rescue boat had located his body in 35 feet of water using buoys and sonar within an hour, and recovered it at 2:23 p.m., Shockley said.
“It was tragic,” Shockley said. But because of the new boat’s capabilities, “we got to get some closure.
“I’m glad it didn’t take us nine days like it did when (another area resident) drowned while he was fishing and his boat capsized. The difference was the technology and the new boat.”
Baker and his sister Shirley Hand moved to Talala in 1943, attended Talala School and Oklahoma A&M College. He married Vera Hayes of Winganon in 1953, transferred to Miami College, earned an Air Force scholarship and returned to Stillwater.
He was commissioned as an Air Force officer, earned his jet pilot wings, served in Europe, was promoted to Captain and served in the Vietnam War flying combat missions in supersonic F-100 jet aircraft.
He separated from the Air Force in 1965, moved the family which by then included three children to the Baker Ranch in Talala, enrolled the boys in Oologah-Talala Schools and taught at Owasso.
He joined the Air National Guard as a test pilot and was promoted to the rank of major, purchased his own plane, and continued to fly, raise beef cattle and his boys.
In writing the family history for the 1990 History of Talala book, Vera ended the biography by noting, “George retired and enjoys the pursuit of piscatorial prospects (fishing anytime, anywhere).”
That continued through Tuesday morning.
For the complete story, pick up a copy of the Oologah Lake Leader or try our E-Leader.
By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor
The Oklahoma 88 Union Pacific Railroad Crossing in Oologah will be closed Monday, May 16 until Wednesday, May 18 for extensive construction work.
If work is completed earlier, the crossing will be reopened earlier.
Signs will be reworded to reflect that just the crossing, not the entire highway, will be closed, officials of contractor Advanced Work Zone Services said.
The marked detour (see map) will use E. 390 Rd. to route traffic to and from Boundary St., which will connect US 169 and Oklahoma 88 on the other side of the blocked crossing.
The Cooweescoowee crossing will NOT be closed and can be used by local traffic–it just won’t be marked as the official detour, the contractor said.
In most cases, the contractor advises, crossing closings each day are not known in advance in many cases because the decision is made at the start of each work day.
However, as soon as a crossing closing is known in Rogers County a call is supposed to be going to both the Rogers County and to the City of Claremore E 911 centers.
In this case, there was an opportunity to provide advance notice, which began with postings of light-board signs, officials said.
Copyright 2016 Oologah Lake Leader LLC/Faith
By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Oologah Lake Leader
Copyright 2016, Oologah Lake Leader LLC
Teresa Cheryl Leake was critically injured Saturday evening when her horse reared up and fell directly on top of her during preparations for a rodeo north of Talala.
Northwest Rogers County Fire Protection District and OTEMS Paramedics were called at 6:30 p.m. to the Cowboy Country Fellowship rodeo grounds to handle the accident that occurred during setup for the Saturday performance of the Cowboy Country Fellowship Rodeo.
Officials said Leake, who turned 49 Sunday, was working to break in a new horse when the accident occurred. She is described as an excellent horsewoman who has ridden all her life.
OTEMS Paramedics treated her on the scene and determined that she needed to be transported by air ambulance to a major trauma center hospital in Tulsa and called Life Flight because of the distance and severity of the injuries.
Life Flight arrived at the scene about 6:50 p.m. and lifted off to take the patient to St. John Medical Center in Tulsa just after 7:15 p.m.
OTEMS Operations Director Kelly Deal said the victim was in critical condition when patient care was turned over to Life Flight.
The accident occurred at a rural location two miles north of Talala and about 200 yards west of US 169 as the Cowboy Country Fellowship Rodeo was making preparations to begin its scheduled second night.
The two-day rodeo was being held at the Common Ground Ranch Arena, part of the property on which the church is located.
The accident happened between the sanctuary of the church, which is in a converted barn, and the rodeo arena on land previously known locally for many years as the Logsdon Ranch.
Leake and her husband, Randal, are residents of the Tiawah-Inola area, but she is an Oologah High School graduate. Social media sites were filled with friends requesting prayer for her as she was being treated for severe head injuries in the St. John Intensive Care Unit.
The Rogers County Sheriff’s office and the Talala Police Department also responded to the incident. Rogers County will have jurisdiction for investigating the accident.
A complete story featuring her accomplishments since her days at OHS will appear in this week’s edition of the Leader.
Teresa Leake’s tragedy will save at least two folks she never knew
By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor
Teresa Cheryl Leake was critically injured Saturday doing what she loved—riding a horse and helping others at the Cowboy Country Fellowship.
Wednesday, as a registered organ donor, she was scheduled to give the gift of life to at least two people she’d never met before being disconnected from life support.
Cowboy Country Fellowship Pastor Cletis Coe was scheduled to conduct her funeral services at 10 a.m. Monday at the Oologah Assembly of God under the direction of Dolton Funeral Service.
“She was the biggest hearted, giving person that ever was and she’s still giving even after she’s gone and that’s what we want to remember her by,” he added.
Read more about this woman who loved horses and her family in this week’s Leader or in our online E-Leader.
By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor
Oologah Police Lt. Charles Neill accepts a hug from Nowata Officer Sabrina Lee, who pulled Neill from his burning car after he was shot.
NOWATA—The jury trial for the man accused of shooting Oologah Police Lt. Charles Neill during an interstate pursuit last year has been delayed.
A new date is expected to be set in June for Cesar Rios to be tried on six felony counts in connection with the pursuit which began in Talala and ended in Montgomery County, Kan.
Rios, 23, of Kansas City, and a codefendant were scheduled to be tried staring at 9 a.m. Monday in Nowata County District Court on three counts of shooting with intent to kill and one charge each of causing great bodily injury while eluding a police office (the actual shooting of Neill), use of a vehicle in discharging a weapon and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.
A new trial date will be set in June.
Read more details of the case in this week’s Leader or in our E-Leader.
Dorothy Lee Ehrcke, 74 of Oologah, died May 17, 2016.
Visitation is 2 to 8 pm Thursday (May 18) at Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home. Graveside service is 1 pm Friday at Fairview Cemetery in Talala.
Dorothy was born Jan. 18th, 1942 in Oklahoma City to Lee Roy Barger and Eva Jeannette Barger. She was a homemaker, beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Her favorite pastime was reading and exchanging books with her friends and family.
She was preceded in death by her husband Wolfgang Guenther Ehrcke, son Jerry Leroy Ehrcke, granddaughter Danielle Lee Caffey and Great-Grandson Bailey Joe Chisum.
She is survived by two daughters Marie Jeannette Caffey of Oologah, Angela Renee Baden and husband John III of Oologah. Grandchildren Tabitha Marie Chisum, Richard Daniel Caffey II, Shelby Lenee Shaffer, Joshua Alexander Baden, all of Oologah. Rachel Lee Ehrcke of Arkansas, Jerry Cassidy Ehrcke of Foyil, Ok and Quanlathai Ehrcke of Texas. Great-Grandchildren Tate Lee Chisum & Tony James Chisum of Oologah, Ryley Mason Ehrcke of Tulsa, Liliana Love Halibutron of Foyil, Maddox James and Skylar Shai Williams of Arkansas.
Services are under the direction of Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home, (918) 371-2111, www.collinsvillefh.com.
