By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor

An Oologah High School teacher was indicted Thursday by the Oklahoma Multicounty Grand Jury for 2^nd degree rape.

Kathryn Michelle Wilmott, 29, is accused of having sex with a then-17-year-old O-T male student at a house in Owasso on an unknown date between Dec. 24 and Jan. 8.

The student was in her class the spring semester of 2016, the indictment said, and the sex constituted rape because of the student-teacher relationship.

She surrendered on a warrant today, was released on $10,000 bond, and was arraigned before Rogers County District Court Judge Dwayne Steidley. Her next court appearance is set for 9 a.m. June 29 before Judge Terrell Crosson.

“Katie Wilmott absolutely denies the allegations made in the indictment being filed in Rogers County today and looks forward to clearing her name,” her attorney, Greg Dark, said.

The grand jury filing charge said the student and teacher “communicated frequently via Snapchat, using her phone and other students’ phones.”

The indictment comes after the school announced Feb. 11 that it had asked law enforcement to investigate “allegations of inappropriate contact between a student and employee…The staff member [now identified by the indictment as Wilmott] is on administrative leave while this matter is being investigated.”

Mrs. Wilmott married Jake Wilmott, a 2001 Oologah graduate, in 2009 and they have two children.

She has taught high school English at Oologah since 2011. She was not on the list of teachers offered a contract for next school year.

Leader photo by Faith Wylie

By John M. Wylie II, Editor

A bystander is credited with saving the life of a seven-year-old Tulsa girl shortly after 5:30 p.m. Sunday night following a swimming accident at the Hawthorn Beach area of Oologah Lake.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the girl was swimming with her sister, went under, and did not resurface. Her sister called for help and family members and bystanders located the girl under water and took her to shore, where another bystander administered CPR.

Incident commander Lt. Josh Copeland of the Northwest Rogers County Fire District, said firefighters arrived to find the girl conscious and continued treatment until OTEMS Paramedics took over patient care. Before she left the scene, she was able to name her favorite color and was breathing on her own, Lt. Copeland said.

OTEMS operations director Kelly Deal said the girl was conscious, talking, and in fair condition as OTEMS continued treatment and transported her to St. Francis Children’s Hospital in Tulsa, where OHP Marina Enforcement Trooper Gena Gillis said she was expected to be released after further treatment.

Deal noted that in pediatric near-drowning situations, the patient will require close observation for 48 to 72 hours for potential complications.

Gillis said in her report that a personal flotation device was not in use. Northwest and OTEMS officials noted that when the civilian began CPR any PFD the girl might have had would have been removed before that effort began.

Lt. Copeland said that, “Without the civilian’s CPR, we would be dealing with another drowning victim out of Oologah Lake, that’s for sure.”

Besides Northwest and OTEMS, the US Army Corps of Engineers, Oologah Police Department and Rogers County Sheriff’s Office were at the scene and assisted Trooper Gillis in her investigation. She said it was unknown why the victim went under and did not resurface.

Additional information is expected to be available early this week and will be posted when available, with a detailed story published in the Leader on Wednesday.

Here is a link for online registration:
http://bluffcreamery.com/derby2016/

Join us for our Oologah Lake Sun, Fun and Kids Fishing Derby day.

Registration begins at 8:30 am
Fishing 9 – 11 am
Awards and Lunch 11 am – noon

Come to the Fishing ponds behind the Corps Lake Office on Hwy. 88 on the Oologah side of the dam.

[Editor’s note: Normally the names of minors involved in court cases are not reported in the Leader. However, in this case, Oklahoma County District Judge Donald Deason, presiding judge of the multicounty grand jury, specifically ordered that the entire indictment be an open record.

It names the alleged victim in the case and a number of witnesses who are students but not juveniles for purposes of court records under the judge’s order. Thus, documents with all the names listed are on file and available for inspection and copying at the Rogers County District Court Clerk’s office.

For that reason, we have not used the name in the story but the three-page order covered by Judge Deason’s order is reproduced in a special area of the Leader’s website Oologah.net for those who wish to read the information it contains.

The newspaper felt this was the fairest way to handle the situation so each reader could decide on his or her own whether to read the un-redacted document which the judge ordered to be filed in public in un-redacted form.]

Here is the link: KW affidavit

By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor

A five-year veteran Oologah High School teacher was indicted last Thursday by the Oklahoma Multicounty Grand Jury on a charge of 2^nd degree rape.

Kathryn Michelle Wilmott, 29, is accused of having sex with a then-17-year-old O-T male student at her family home in Owasso in Rogers County on an unknown date between Dec. 24 and Jan. 8.

The student was in her class the spring semester of 2016, the indictment said, and the sex constituted rape because of the student-teacher relationship.

She surrendered Friday, went through what is called a “walk through” booking for photographing and fingerprinting, was released on $10,000 bond, and then was arraigned before Rogers County District Court Judge Dwayne Steidley. She entered a plea of not guilty.

“Katie Wilmott absolutely denies the allegations made in the indictment filed in Rogers County today and looks forward to clearing her name,” her attorney, Greg Dark, said.

Leader photo by Faith Wylie

Teen says anyone would have revived dead child at lake

By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor

A 19-year-old Broken Arrow man is credited with saving the life of a 7-year-old Tulsa girl shortly after 5:30 p.m. Sunday following a swimming accident at the Hawthorn Beach area of Oologah Lake.

Da’Veion Birge is being called a hero but the part-Cherokee—who only discovered his native American heritage a few years ago and has lived in Oklahoma less than a year– said he just did what any good citizen would do.

“I appreciate the respect everyone is giving me but I feel that I was just there and honestly it was a blessing I was there. There’s no telling how else this situation could have gone.

“I was just like a regular citizen doing the right thing and saving her life,” he said. “I just appreciate everyone. I am sure glad she is all right—that sure is a blessing.”

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and U.S. Army Corps of engineers said the girl was swimming with a sibling, went under, and did not resurface

Her sister called for help and family members and bystanders located the girl under water and took her to shore, where Birge administered CPR.

The 2014 graduate of Benson High School in Omaha said he had taken CPR training as a sophomore and junior but never completed certification.

He said when the girl was found, she had been under 3-1/2 feet of water for 4-5 minutes.

By MIKE FAWCETT, Redbud Marina

Independence Day is one of the biggest and most important holidays of the year.

Between 50,000 and 60,000 Rogers Ccounty residents will gather at Oologah Lake on Monday July 4 to enjoy and help us celebrate our Independence Day with a spectacular free Fireworks Show.

The Oologah Chamber and Redbud Marina need your help. We are now facing the increased cost for fireworks and more costly ATF regulations for transporting explosives.

Providing the same quality of show as we have in years past will cost almost double what it has before.

If we do not receive enough in donations, we will have to really cut back our show or not have one altogether because the show’s cost now is more than $10,000.

For insurance purposes the show is put on by Redbud Marina. My son Michael and I are both licensed by ATF and trained in pyrotechnic.

We set up and shoot the show with the help of 10 trained staff at no cost. The fireworks are purchased at Import at wholesale cost. Redbud Marina furnishes $2,000,000 in insurance costs.

But this is a community effort and we get a lot of help from many individuals and businesses around Rogers County.

We are humbly asking for donations for the free Fireworks show. If you are able to help, monetary donations may be made in person at Redbud Marina, or checks may be mailed to Redbud Marina 9001 E HWY 88 Claremore, OK 74017.

Thank you to those who have helped in the past, those who continue to help, and to those who will be helping for the first time.

The United States of America, in our humble opinion, is the greatest country in the world. We believe spending time with our families while sitting still in admiration is the perfect opportunity to reflect on all the sacrifices that have been made by those who came before us to remain the home of the free and the land of the BRAVE!

 By CAROLYN ESTES, Leader writer

Justin Layton is no longer a member of the Oologah Police Department.

Oologah Trustees called a special meeting to order at 2:01 p.m. Wednesday and immediately went into executive session to discuss Layton’s status with the department and to deal with an open position for a police officer due the resignation of Officer Randy Milligan which had been announced earlier.

After 41 minutes trustees to open session and unanimously approved a motion to “separate employment relationship with Police Officer Justin Layton for the good of the service, effective immediately.”

They also approved the employment of Henry Clay Perryman as a part time officer at an annual salary of $26,000. His position is contingent upon his completion of skills certification.

Once he has completed training he will move into a full time position and will be on the standard six-month probationary period.

The Trustees also approved spending up to $3,000 for additional concrete construction between the splash pad and the pavilion.

Town Clerk Holly Baker told the Trustees that weather had delayed the completion of the splash pad and rain was in the forecast for the week and also the May 28 dedication and opening of the splash pad and park. That planned event has now been moved to June 18.

Baker also told the Trustees that a proposed budget was ready for Mayor Mat Shockley to work with and they should be watching their e-mail for the proposed budget. Shockley will need to file it by June 1.

The special meeting was adjourned at 2:54 p.m.

Chazz Holly

Clay Holly is key to life sentence for killer

By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor

A News Analysis, Copyright 2016 Oologah Lake Leader LLC

When law enforcement initially did nothing about the June 20 disappearance of Clay and Sherri Holly’s 27-year-old son Chazz—even though he was seriously handicapped—Clay arranged for a private investigation.

When officials wouldn’t search for Chazz’s body—which by then, it turned out, had been left dumped by a turnpike in broiling heat for almost a month—he organized a search party to find the remains July 19 after they walked 40 miles.

And when the first of four men charged with killing Chazz came to trial, he was first on the witness stand to make sure Vernon Lee-Montel Smith was convicted and got a life prison term.

The jury was out just two hours after a four-day court proceeding before returning the verdict at 6 p.m. last Thursday.

“The father’s testimony was some of the most heart-breaking I have ever heard,” one longtime court observer told the Leader.

Holly, whose testimony is backed by voluminous court records, told in painstaking detail of how Smith first posed as being Chazz’s friend, then admitted getting him involved with three other men who were intent on stealing his father’s pickup and doing a drug deal.

To read the entire story, pick up a copy of this week’s Oologah Lake Leader in stores or try our E-Leader:  http://etypeservices.com/Oologah%20Lake%20LeaderID268/

Justin Snook, a senior graduate at Oologah High School, has been named to the All State soccer team

Justin has earned All District Honorable mention and All District his freshman through junior years. Justin has played soccer since he was 6 years old. He started as a U5 player in Oologah’s recreational soccer league.

He started playing competitive soccer for Blitz United in Tulsa when he was in 5th grade and has played for 8 years. Justin’s team finished his senior year winning their league and being undefeated.

Justin has been a starter for the Oologah High School team for four years and was a captain of the team this season. He plays center midfield where he has led the team in assists his junior and senior years. This season he also led the team with the most goals, scoring 12 goals for the team. He was spotless on his penalty kicks this season scoring 8 out of 8.

In Justin’s career on the Oologah Soccer team he has scored 21 goals and has had 36 assists.

Justin signed to play soccer at Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville. He will study Biology. After he earns his bachelor’s degree he plans to attend Veterinary School at Oklahoma State University.

Coach Bob Snook said, “It is a very competitive league in 4A soccer. There are 30 teams trying to get their players on the All State team and only 20 positions named. It is truly an honor when a player has been chosen by the other teams’ coaches and earns a position on the All State team. Justin definitely deserves this honor. He has worked hard for our team for four years.”

Justin will represent the East team in the All State game at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 11 at Catoosa High School.

Justin also had a great academic career at Oologah. He was a valedictorian and an Oklahoma Academic Scholar.

A scientific study reported on the front page of today’s Tulsa World confirms Publisher John Wylie’s “Lakeviews” editorial this week. He reports how recent legislative antics and executive branch incompetence are destroying Oklahoma’s national image; praises leaders in both parties who are trying to reverse the trend and show the world the real beauty and quality of our state, and offers solutions.

Read the details by picking up this week’s Oologah Lake Leader or paying 99 cents. online for a immediate copy of the paper electronically.

Here are a few paragraphs:

Fixing Oklahoma’s ravaged image

Former Gov. David Walters put it bluntly in a recent note to friends:

“The nation is taking notice. The Washington Post, Reuters and now the New York Times are all reporting and editorializing on the lack of empathy and competence in our State Government.”

So are the television networks and, more important, the world’s business, ecumenical and educational leaders.

Sadly, they aren’t seeing the real Oklahoma, the Oklahoma where we came 32 years ago to raise our child in a land of natural beauty, diversity and a community where quality education matters.

They’re seeing the Oklahoma promoted by a handful of politicians and special interests, many of whom claim to be doing God’s work but in reality are people driven by greed and self-interest.

Unfortunately, those special interests have taken over the political system so hatefully that only fellow zealots need apply to take part in government.

County safer as Claremore, county 911 marry

By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor

Area citizens can expect faster, more efficient emergency help whether they live in Claremore or rural Talala after a decades-old dream came true Monday.

In votes just eight hours apart, County Commissioners and Claremore City Councilors approved the marriage of separate dispatch centers—uniting emergency police, fire and ambulance responses countywide for the first time in history.

“This represents a huge step forward for Rogers County,” said Steve Savage, head of Lakeside State Bank of Oologah and Chelsea and one of five members of the initial board of the Northeast Oklahoma Enhanced 9-1-1 Trust Authority.

“It was really gratifying to see the cooperation, and especially to see the presentations at the Claremore City Council,” said Commissioner Ron Burrows, another initial trustee who was a crucial figure in bringing the parties together.

They will be joined on the board by Claremore City Manager Jim and Roy Hancock, Claremore’s appointees, and Kenneth “Brent” Trease, the county’s third designee.

See more details in this week’s Oologah Lake Leader, in stores now, or check out our E-Leader. http://etypeservices.com/Oologah%20Lake%20LeaderID268/

Cynthia Elise Phillips was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on July 3, 1974. She lived in Collinsville, Oklahoma where she met her husband Richard McKnight at the age of 19. Richard and Cynthia went steady for 9 months and they married in Collinsville, Oklahoma on December 23, 1994. She was 20 and Richard was 25. Cynthia was a homemaker, worked at Kohl’s, MetLife, and Trace Miller. She graduated from Owasso High School and at the very top of her class at Career Point College. She was blessed to have four children and loved her family more than anything. Everyone she came into contact with loved her. Richard and the children agree… she was one of a kind. Cynthia was a born again, spirit filled, Christian that truly loved God. God knew Richard would need her in his life for a balance. She was his wife, his lover, his friend, his confidant, and his everything. Words are inadequate to describe their relationship, and the love they had for each other. Richard and Cynthia were married 21 years. Cynthia was a truly happy woman especially when she was with her family. We will all meet again in heaven with a great reunion. How do I Know…the Bible tells me so!

On behalf of Cynthia and Richard, they would be happy for you to be there and join them!

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 9 at the Green Hill Funeral Home of Owasso. Services will be at 1 p.m., Friday, June 10 at A Glorious Fellowship Church in Collinsville.

Clay Perryman

The Town of Oologah hired two new officers recently. We welcome Clay Perryman and De Rhoden to Oologah. Read more about these officers in this week’s Oologah Lake Leader.

De Rhoden

https://youtu.be/3gupoasxw3w

The Oologah Police organized a fun picnic for kids on Saturday, June 11. Thanks to the firefighters for providing water while work continues on hooking up the supply to the splash pad.

A Nowata teen is out on bail on rape charges involving two 13-year-old girls—one of which carries a maximum sentence of life without parole if he is convicted—when he allegedly tries to blackmail a rural Oologah girl into texting him nude photos of herself.

How could this happen?

Courts and prosecutors in two judicial districts are now working to sort out the legal situation. The cases are detailed exclusively in this week’s Leader (the victims are not identified in any way to protect their privacy) so readers can judge for themselves what’s wrong with this picture.

Kids give the splash pad a test during the Cops and Kids event on June 11. The official ribbon cutting is at 5:45 pm on Saturday. Tim Carman/Leader

BY CAROLYN ESTES, Leader writer

Summer activities are about to get exciting for Oologah area kids and adults alike. Saturday Oologah kicks off its first Roundup On Cooweescoowee at noon.

Start your day with a car show in downtown Oologah Saturday at 12 (noon). Bobbie Sparks is hosting a car show to help fund the fight against Breast Cancer. Street vendors and cars are encouraged to set up at noon. Vendors may also set up down Maple Street to the town park for later in the day activities in or near the park.

The Historical Society will also have the snow cone booth open. They are hosting an Art Show and sale at the Chamber office, next door to the post office from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Two of the areas amazing artist will display paintings and wood turning work that can be purchased.

As part of the Roundup on Cooweescoowee the Chamber of Commerce, Oologah Town Trustees and Foundation and the Oologah Lake Leader will cut two ribbons dedicating the town park and the Little Free Library on the newspaper’s front porch.

Thanks to a recent generous $20,000.00 donation from an area citizen and a $10,000.00 donation by the Cherokee Nation, the splash pad was able to be a little larger than the town board had originally planned.

The Little Free Library ribbon cutting will take place at 5 p.m. on June 18 at the Oologah Lake Leader’s porch. Books in the small blue newspaper box and also in the tall plastic cabinet are available for anyone to take home and read. No check out is necessary and the books can be taken any day of the week, any time day or night. If you feel like returning the book or books just place them back in the box you got them from. If you want to keep the book, that is okay as well. There is no time limit on how long you can keep them. All of the books have been donated by friends who like to share.

The new town park and splash pad will be dedicated at a 5:45 p.m. ribbon cutting in the park. The splash pad should be finished and ready for some fun water action. The new playground has been open and used on a daily basis for weeks.

Vendors who were part of the car show are welcome to stay. Vendors who are only coming for the evening activities may come at 4 p.m. and set up on Maple Street or in or near the park. Space is on a first come basis.

The movie “Finding Nemo” will be shown when it becomes dark enough to begin. This movie night will be held in the park. Make sure to bring your lawn chairs and or blanket to the movie.

BULLETIN: AT&T believes repair of a cable cut by a traffic accident in Tulsa has resolved the problem. Tulsa E911 service is back and cell service seems to be coming back as of 10 p.m. Monday in Rogers County.

By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor

Rogers County residents are reporting widespread problems with AT&T cell phones, and the Tulsa County 911 center is down.

AT&T did not notify the Rogers County 911 center of the cell phone outage, which began late this morning, and officials there were unaware of it until notified by OTEMS ambulance districts’ public information officer. Many emergency services rely on cell phones for communications on a variety of issues.

AT&T said it would provide a list of affected cell service areas so all impacted agencies could, but as of 5 p.m. had not done so.

Meanwhile, the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement just before noon:

“At 11:45 am the phone lines at TCSO’s dispatch center went out. AT&T is on its way to try and resolve the problem. Until the lines are fixed, callers are asked to use TPD’s non-emergency number: 918-596-9222. They will be able to dispatch our deputies.

“Our radios and cell phones are operational.

“TCSO deputies are stationed at high visibility areas across the county to make them easy for people to spot.”

And the Tulsa Police Department issued this statement at 5 p.m.:

“Currently areas of Northeastern Oklahoma are experiencing a disruption in their phone services and their ability to contact emergency personnel. During this current disruption, the Tulsa Police Department would like to advise City of Tulsa residents that they can still use 911 when calling for emergency assistance. Citizens should not hang-up until they have spoken with a dispatcher. With this telephone disruption, we are unable to identify the location of hang-up calls.”

Rogers County’s E911 center did not seem to be directly affected by the problems affecting its counterparts in Tulsa County. It was receiving and dispatching calls normally, a dispatcher said. But contacting emergency officials who were not carrying radios bur relied on their cell phones for communications on the holiday was a problem for affected emergency services.

A similar cell phone problem struck Rogers County last week. AT&T provided few details but blamed the problem on a cable cut. It also referred to the problem affecting the “Tulsa area”, but did not provide further response to repeated inquiries about the precise areas affected, the cause, or other details of that outage.

Leader photo by Dawn Orwig

By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor
Copyright 2016 Oologah Lake Leader LLC

 A no-bond warrant was issued today for Demario Lavon Lucas on charges of first degree manslaughter in the March 14 crash near Sunnyside Ramp that killed a 35-year-old Claremore man.

Lucas, 40, of Collinsville, was driving under the influence when his speeding van overturned, ejecting and killing his passenger, Robert Mason, according to charges filed in Rogers County District Court.

Court documents accompanying the formal charges and warrant say Lucas has convictions in six felony cases and a traffic record over the past 23 years containing about 72 entries.

Lucas also is charged with a second felony, causing an accident while driving without a license resulting in death, and a misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer by lying to a trooper during his investigation of the crash.

Court records also show that prosecutors are seeking to enhance Lucas’s punishment if convicted of the charges by citing some details of the six Tulsa County felony convictions from 1993-2008.

Those convictions range from assault and battery, domestic violence and drug possession to multiple counts of car theft and burglary.

OHP Traffic Homicide Investigator Trooper Bobby Raines said in his affidavit for the warrant that at 8:27 p.m. March 14 Lucas was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe east on E. 340 Rd at about 54 mph in a 25 mph zone when he lost control of the vehicle and then hit and snapped a utility pole.

Mason was ejected as the vehicle overturned and was killed when it landed on top of him, the affidavit said.

Demario Lavon Lucas

Lucas failed a field sobriety test and agreed to have blood drawn for lab tests, which showed a blood alcohol content of .09, above the legal limit for intoxication of .08, the affidavit says. The blood was drawn 87 minutes after the crash.

He admitted drinking prior to the crash, the affidavit added.

According to the warrant signed by Rogers County Judge Terrell Crosson, Lucas lives at 12114 N. 107th E. Ave., Collinsville. He is a black man who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighs 195 pounds, and has brown eyes and black hair.

The warrant specifies he is to be held without bond once arrested until he makes a personal appearance before a judge. A jailer at the Amos G. Ward Detention Center said Lucas was not in custody as of 7 p.m. tonight.

Accident Photo by Dawn Orwig/Leader