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The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is investigating after troopers say a man purposely rammed his boat into another boat on Lake Eufaula. Troopers say on Saturday night, a Department of Wildlife boat was docked in a boat slip to check a woman's fishing license when Lawrence Turner pulled up in another boat and confronted them .

May 27—Plans are moving forward for a new terminal building at McAlester Regional Airport, which will be nearly twice the size of the present one. Designs show the new airport terminal building set for construction at McAlester Regional Airport will cover 4,500 square feet — compared to 2,500 square feet for the existing building.

Wilhelm John Wirth is today’s birthday boy. He was born on May 29, 1896, so if he was still alive, today would be his 127th birthday. William was the son of George and Pauline (Schade) Wirth. That set of parents may sound familiar to you if you are a regular reader of this blog because I wrote a post just two days ago about William’s sister, Elsa. That post was titled, Brief Wife – Lengthy Widow. It has been mentioned previously that George Wirth was one of the charter members of Zion Lutheran Church in Longtown, but that congregation would not be established until 1897, the year after William was born. So, when that congregation began worshiping in Longtown in 1897, William was very young. However, William was baptized at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg, so we cannot view an image of his baptism record. William is found in the 1900 census at the age of 4. His father was a house carpenter in Longtown. Right above William’s name, you will see his older sister, Elsa.

Elevation is normal and stable, water temperature 70°F and stained. (USACE Lake Level) Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits, jerk baits, lipless baits, and plastic baits around brush structure, channels, docks, points, riprap, and weed beds. Striped bass, striped bass hybrids, and white bass good on flukes, hair jigs, live bait, and live shad below the dam and discharge. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, hot dogs, live bait, and live shad around channels, river channel, and river mouth.

May 22—A man indicted for fatally shooting another man in 2019 is scheduled to be formally sentenced after accepting a plea agreement last year. Tyas Joseph Short, 22, pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Oklahoma to second degree murder in Indian Country for the shooting death of 21-year-old Lane Crawley, of McAlester, following an April 7, 2019, altercation on Krebs Lake Road, just north of Krebs.

DALLAS, Texas — Charles Joseph Raz, a 42-year-old resident of Dallas, Texas, has been sentenced to 200 months in prison for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The charges stem from investigations conducted by the...

McAlester, Oklahoma –- The Southeast Oklahoma Library System has announced a local stop for the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE) national tour. On June 3, 2023, the MEE will be free and open to the public locally at the Administration Building, 2820 N. Main Street from 9am – 3pm. “The mission of Wreaths Across America is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who have served and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director. “The Mobile Education Exhibit provides the unique opportunity for communities to come together and share the...

The annual Checotah Athletic Banquet was an emotional one as athletes were honored for their participation in sports programs. I couldn’t help but get a little emotional when I saw the faces of some of the seniors, knowing that the end of their high school career has come to a close. It was an honor to recognize wrestling coach Brett Oleson as the McIntosh County Democrat Coach of the Year. Oleson once told me that circumstances do not change the responsibilities of a coach. I thought it was so profound and something that I respected. Oleson led the Checotah Wrestlers to another great season with a two-time, state-winning champion.

May 19—A McAlester man was sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to starting a fire at a Hartshorne residence in 2021. Dalyn Ray Lane Johnson, 24, was sentenced to 39 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to arson in Indian Country along with three years of supervised released and mandatory alcohol, narcotic, and mental health treatments.

John Schneider (Also known as “Bo Duke”) will be performing in McAlester, Oklahoma on June 3 at the Southeast Expo Center for a Community Appreciation Event. Schneider, one of the stars of the classic "Dukes of Hazzard" program, has enjoyed a successful run in country music. John will...

May 17—This report reflects public felony cases filed at the Pittsburg County Courthouse between the dates listed. The reader should keep in mind that these are charges, and not evidence of guilt. Active arrest warrants issued by the court are included in this report. Disposition of charges are published in subsequent reports. Many names are similar and, in some cases, identical to a person not being charged. When names are identical, the News-Capital will publish a disclaimer, which more completely identifies the person being charged.

Eufaula graduate and track and field star Macayla Needham continues her success at the Division 1 level. Needham has made several All-Conference teams and continues to shine in collegiate action. • 2021 All-Conference USA First Team (shot put – indoor) Personal Records INDOOR TRACK SP – 47’ 6.5” (14.49m) WT...

There was a strong expectation for severe weather Friday evening with hail and damaging winds being likely for parts of the state. Conditions are cooler and more stable from Tulsa to the north, but warmer and more unstable air fueled some storms as the afternoon went on. Highs ranged from the upper 60s and lower 70s north to the upper 70s near the south. South winds ahead of the front changed to north winds post-frontal at 15 to 25 mph later this afternoon.

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Two men were sentenced for their roles in a 2019 Pittsburg County homicide, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. On May 4, 50-year-old Jimmy Nace of Pittsburg County was sentenced to 180 months for murder in Indian Country...

Elevation normal, water 61˚F and murky. Largemouth and spotted bass good on crankbaits, minnows, plastic baits, and small lures below the dam, brush structure, coves, shorelines and weed beds. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, grubs, live shad, minnows, shad, shrimp, and worms below...

ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - Tyrone Compton, 23, of Cheneyville, has been found guilty by a Rapides Parish jury of second-degree murder for the October 20, 2020, deadly shooting of Edwin Davidson, Jr., 17, in Wardville. Compton was the fifth and final defendant in the case. In March 2023, Terrence Armstrong...

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — The Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town hosts Eufaula Heritage Day 2023 on May 20. The event lasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eufaula Community Center. Admission is free for the public and meals including beans, frybread, salt meat, and more are available for sale for $8 a plate.

Right now, they are looking for volunteers to serve Muskogee, Wagoner, Sequoyah and McIntosh counties.

May 19—McAlester is getting state military planning grants totaling more than $400,000 to support work on a railroad wing to connect with the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. The grant award, which is for 2022 is for $260,000, and requires a 10% match from the city. That's in addition to...

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is investigating after troopers say a man purposely rammed his boat into another boat on Lake Eufaula. Troopers say on Saturday night, a Department of Wildlife boat was docked in a boat slip to check a woman's fishing license when Lawrence Turner pulled up in another boat and confronted them .