News

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – TULSA, Okla. (AP) A judge has set a May 17 trial date for a man accused of fatally shooting a Tulsa businessman. Terrico Bethel pleaded not guilty Monday in the September 2008 shooting death of Neal Sweeney, a former University of Tulsa football player.

___

Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com

By Rich Fisher

By Associated Press

Omaha, NE – Indian tribes buy back thousands of acres of land

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Native American tribes tired of waiting for the U.S. government to honor centuries-old treaties are buying back land where their ancestors lived and putting it in federal trust.

Information The Associated Press obtained from the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs under the Freedom of Information Act shows tribes have put more than 840,000 acres into trust from 1998 to 2007.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Despite the announced departures of other Democrats in Congress, Oklahoma's only Democratic congressman says he plans to campaign to keep his seat.

U.S. Rep. Dan Boren tells The Oklahoman's Washington bureau that he's not surprised some moderate Democrats are retiring. He says the political environment is a contributing factor to those decisions to step down and that some of the older Democratic House members would "rather leave on a high note."

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – 6 state agencies develop plans regarding furloughs

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) As state revenues continue falling, six state agencies have developed plans for employee furloughs.

The state Office of Personnel Management has approved the furlough plans for the Office of Juvenile Affairs; the Department of Tourism and Recreation; the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry; the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, the Office of Disability Concerns and the Pardon and Parole Board.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Crews making progress clearing Okla. roads

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) State highway officials say roads in northeastern Oklahoma were snow-packed Saturday as crews hurried to clear highways hit hard by a record-setting snowstorm.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation urged drivers to still be careful, as ice remained on highways in some areas.

The agency said it was working nonstop and had made progress clearing lanes in the central and eastern parts of the state.

By Associated Press

Sand Springs, OK – Driver in wreck that killed 3 arrested

TULSA, Okla. (AP) A Stillwater man involved in a wreck that killed a Sand Springs family has been arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana and driving with a canceled license.

Authorities arrested 20-year-old Steven Wade Jameson after the Christmas Eve wreck that killed 42-year-old Michael Mulanax, 41-year-old Angela Mulanax and their son, 18-year-old James Mulanax.

By Associated Press

Lawton, OK – 17 stranded motorists rescued in Comanche County

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Emergency management officials in Comanche County say they have rescued 21 motorists stranded on roadways in southwestern Oklahoma choked by heavy snow from a fierce winter storm.

Chris Killmer, the county's public information officer, says 17 motorists were rescued Thursday by a crew of transportation and emergency personnel from the county and city of Lawton.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Declaration triggers state price fixing law

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma's price gouging law has gone into effect following Gov. Brad Henry's declaration of a statewide state of emergency because of a fierce winter storm.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office says the Emergency Price Stabilization Act bars an increase of more than 10 percent in the price of most goods and services when a state of emergency has been declared. The statute is enforced by Edmondson's office.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – HOLIDAY STORM-OKLA

Winter storm affects holiday travel plans

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A fierce winter storm has closed Oklahoma's biggest airport and highways through the state, affecting the plans of holiday travelers.

Robert Smith was in Oklahoma City visiting family members and friends when the storm struck Thursday morning. He had planned to fly back to his home in Denver but canceled those plans when Will Rogers World Airport because of the storm.