CYAN
KIWANIS
PAGE 9A
Developing leaders to aid children worldwide
TAKING THE SPOTLIGHT
since 1915
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS RECEIVE A WARM WELCOME.
MAGENTA
YELLOW
BLACK
Stories you’ll find in today’s News-Star
• ‘Praying Through Psalms’ slated ... 2A • Book signing for local author ... 3A • OBU receives ranking ... 7A
Covering the Tri-County Area Since 1894 75 cents
THE SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 COLUMN
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY
Jury trials end
‘Supernatural’ and other tests of courage
Guilty verdict in DUI case; mistrial declared in McLoud assault By Kim Morava Kimberly.morava@news-star. com
TINA BRIDENSTINE tina.bridenstine@news-star.com
I
’ve never been much for horror stories. While my friends grew up on a steady diet of Stephen King movies like “It” and “Pet Cemetery,” my parents had me watching more saccharine stuff, like “Charlotte’s Web” and “Little House on the Prairie.” That was fine by me, though, because I’ve always considered myself to be a bit of a coward. Sneak into the creepy house that’s rumored to be haunted? No, thanks. Watch “The Ring”? I think I’ll stick with “Tangled.” Lately, though, I’ve started to wonder about the whole scaredy cat thing. My friends went on and on about how terrifying some of the bad guys are in “Doctor Who.” Frankly, I don’t see it. (I blink at statues, and laugh as I do it.) “Woman in Black” was startling and creepy, but nothing that left me scared to walk into a dark room. Not long ago, I started watching the television series “Supernatural,” about two brothers, Sam and Dean, who hunt evil, paranormal type things. I’ve got to admit, the first season sometimes scared me. A lot. But I kept watching because I loved the relationship between the brothers that was real enough it often reminded me of my own brothers. (Turns out the actors are best friends in real life, so it’s not all an act. Isn’t that cheating?) I’m a few seasons in now, and I haven’t been remotely scared for a while. Maybe that’s because the things they’re facing are less feasible (and therefore less scary) to me. (Though why I find a painting that comes to life and kills people absolutely terrifying and more believable than vampires, which don’t scare me at all, I don’t know.) Or maybe I’m just becoming desensitized to it all. Who knows. Maybe “Supernatural” will turn me into a ghost hunter or something. . . . Or not. The very idea scares me, honestly. I guess I’m pretty content to watch Sam and Dean tackle the scary stuff. ——— Tina Bridenstine is a page designer for The Shawnee News-Star.
Two jury trials concluded this week in Pottawatomie County District Court, with one ending in a mistrial for a McLoud man while an Okemah man was convicted of driving under the
influence of alcohol. A jury returned a guilty verdict in the trial for Gary Lamont Wilson, 43, on a single felony count of DUI. Wilson was accused, on or about March 5, 2011, of driving a 1998 Chevrolet pickup at SH 9 and U.S.
PROJECT TRACKER
177 while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. Assistant District Attorney Adam Panter presented the state’s evidence at trial. Case records show Wilson represented himself and also testified as part of his defense. After deliberations, the jury found him
guilty and set punishment at three years in prison with the Department of Corrections. Wilson is currently jailed at the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center. Another jury trial ended with a mistrial. Virgil Ray Gibson Jr.,
39, McLoud, stood trial on felony charges of burglary in the first degree, domestic assault and battery by strangulation, as well as a misdemeanor of domestic assault in the presence of a minor. TRIALS, Page 5A
BE READY
By Mike McCormick | Executive Editor
September is National Preparedness Month By Kim Morava Kimberly.morava@news-star. com
This structure located at 1316 E. Edwards in Shawnee was razed on Wednesday.The city condemned it recently. ED BLOCHOWIAK STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
More delapidated structures to be demolished WHAT IT IS Dilapidated structures
The Details: • Bids have been awarded on five dilapidated structures to be demolished. • The structures and bids include: • 1316 E. Edwards ($1,635, A-1 Dozer low bidder). • 516 W. Ford ($3,000 Robert Winrow low bidder). • 1031 W. Wood ($2,500, Robert Winrow low bidder). CARE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SOMETHING? Drop us a line at:
• 807 N. McKinley ($2,200, Robert Winrow low bidder). • 1005 N. Minnesota ($3,325, A-1 Dozer low bidder). This one was demolished recently. • Two sets of hearings are being held this month to look at additional structures. • One will be held today, the other Sept. 19.
PHONE 405-273-4200 E-MAIL michael.mccormick@news-star.com FAX 405-273-4207 MAIL P.O. Box 1688, Shawnee, OK 74802
In Oklahoma, it’s not uncommon to have different types of disasters, from severe weather and tornadoes to floods and even fast-spreading wildfires, all of which can change lives in a matter of seconds. That why emergency managers suggest everyone be ready and prepared during September, which is observed as National Preparedness Month. Aaron Williams, who serves as Tecumseh’s emergency management director, said Oklahomans could experience an array of possible emergency scenarios at any given moment, so no one should let their guard down. “We can have grass fires one day and a torrential rain the next,” Williams said. “It can be beautiful one day and there’ll be a tornado the next.” At this time of year, SEPTEMBER, Page 5A
SHAWNEE
Chamber of Commerce meets with city subcommittee By Carmen Bourlon carmen.bourlon-long@newsstar.com
Officials met yesterday to discuss a potential new contract with the chamber of commerce for tourism promotion. A subcommittee was formed at the city commission meeting Tuesday, Sept. 4, for the purpose of
BIRTHDAYS
Today is the birthday of ... Chris Westerman Cherita Price Landry Albert Andrew Coates Jr. Molly Weaver Jason Spradlin Joyce Davis Zane Reinhardt Skylar Johnson Cory Michael Bond Robert Rusk Ashton Rusk Weather. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2A Tri-County Calendar. . . . . 3A
negotiating a new contract and ending the lawsuits between the city and Greater Shawnee Area Chamber of Commerce. It includes Mayor Wes Mainord, commissioner Steve Smith, City Manager Brian McDougal, and City Attorney Mary Ann Karns. The chamber filed a law-
suit against the city after the city commission voted to sever an 18-year contract with the chamber. This contract creates the Convention and Visitors Bureau, which receives funds from the Hotel Occupancy Surcharge. The chamber claimed the city breached the contract, which they
further claim was still valid at the time of the severance. Chamber CEO/President Nancy Keith said she “hopes” another meeting will take place soon. “We don’t have any specifics yet, but we had some good discussion,” Keith said.
“I think we can continue to move forward,” she added. Keith isn’t sure what effect the meeting will have on the chamber’s response to the hearing, which is due this week, but she said she is hopeful this will be resolved without further CHAMBER, Page 5A
Lyndsay Seawright Karlie Shebester Shannan Webb Rebecca Tipps Dorothy Ingram Mary Hathcock Skylar Johnson Mary Streber Bill Laird Javon York Renee Clemmons David Hoffmeier Bill Smith Dicey Booth Larry Vantreese Landon Eyre McKey LeMar Neash
Mildred Hamilton Alana Risinger Danell Leiauna Reed Richard Burris Debbie Cruz Lonnie Hutton Al Bedford Oneta Coffey Kay Lilley Elizabeth Wilson Mason Tate
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4A Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6A
Local News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2A Lifestyles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8A
OBITUARIES
WEATHER
• Robert Christian ‘Bob’ Helmich • Billy Thomas Smothers • John Lee Blansett • Martha Jean Dickey • Roger Lantagne 4A
——— To submit a local birthday, e-mail the month, day and name to reita.easley@ news-star.com or call 2143950. Puzzles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3B Classified . . . . . . . . . . 7B-10B
Storms H: 75 L: 57 Forecast, 2A
LOTTERIES Powerball 24-33-36-48-56-06 Hot Lotto 04-10-12-34-37-10 Cash 5 02-03-25-31-34 Pick 4 2-5-8-2 Pick 3 2-2-1 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1B Scoreboard . . . . . . . . . . . . 2B
Sit back, relax and let the savings come to you. Vol. 118 No. 128
09132012 A01.indd A1
Get your Daily Deals delivered. Sign up at dailydeals.news-star.com.
9/12/12 11:14:30 PM