Local & Regional

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Police Chief Ron Palmer submitted his resignation after it was requested late morning by Mayor Bartlett. Palmer says he had offered his resignation at the beginning of the Bartlett Administration, but was told at that time it was not desired. Today, Mayor Bartlett and Chief of Staff Terry Simonson requested the resignation.

By KWGS News

Pryor, OK – No injuries are reported as a fire causes heavy damage to a section of downtown Pryor. The blaze broke out overnight at the Boomerang Caf and spread to other downtown businesses and a vacant building.

Pryor Police say they have no reports of any injuries associated with the fire. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – 147 fire fighters gather at the Fire Academy to receive their lay-off notices from the city of Tulsa. Short on funding, and with no wage concession agreement from the Fire Fighters Union, the fire-fighters were give notice at nine o'clock this morning that they would be laid-off in seven days.

So many fire fighters were there, that traffic was clogged on New Block Park Road in northwest Tulsa, next to the academy.

By Associated Press

Muskogee, OK – Burger King employee returns envelope with cash

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) A 28-year-old Burger King employee is being praised after turning in a bank envelope containing money a customer accidentally dropped at the restaurant.

Charlotte Benson says she dropped the envelope containing $45, which the 62-year-old woman planned to use to have a bed delivered. Employee Tiffany Stopp says she had been working at the drive-thru window when she walked by the counter and saw the envelope.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Listen to a quick review of Friday's top local news stories

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Dear City of Tulsa employees,

Members of the AFSCME union polled Wednesday chose workforce reductions as opposed to across the board pay reductions of five percent for all non-sworn employees.
We will honor that decision. It will apply to all departments, except sworn police and fire personnel.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Governor says he's not looking for a job

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov. Brad Henry says he is not looking for a job after he leaves office next year.

Henry is term-limited and must leave office at the end of his second term in January 2011 and speculation is swirling about his future. But Henry said Thursday that he is not pursuing anything right now.

He also says he hasn't ruled anything out.

By Read Okmulgee County News Release

Okmulgee, OK – MEDIA RELEASE

OKMULGEE COUNTY SHERIFF's OFFICE
315 W. 8TH ST, STE 102
OKMULGEE, OK 74447
918/756-4311 MAIN
918/758-1208 FAX

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 21, 2010

CONTACT:
Chief Deputy Smokey Patchin
918/756-4311

RE: MISSING PERSON - BODY FOUND

By Hear Fire Chief's News Conference

Tulsa, Ok – 147 members of the Tulsa Fire Department are currently being notified that they should attend a meeting tomorrow morning at 9:00 at the Tulsa Fire Department Training Center. The fire fighters will be notified of their status to be laid off and educated as to the process of possible reinstatement possibility.

By KWGS News

Catoosa, OK – CATOOSA, OKLA. January 21, 2010 In spite of negative global economic news heard throughout 2009, the Tulsa Port of Catoosa enjoyed the best total annual shipping volumes of the past three years, with more cargo shipping through the Port in 2009 than in 2008 and 2007.

Total inbound/outbound shipping was 2,058,191 tons, nearly 8,000 tons higher than 2008 and more than 47,000 tons higher than 2007 a year that saw stock markets worldwide soar to record levels.