Local & Regional

By AP

Tahlequah, OK – Smith: Cherokee election recount 'fatally flawed'

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith says the latest count of the total votes cast in the recent election for chief shows a recount of the votes "was fatally flawed."

Smith spoke at a news conference Monday after the tribal election commission counted the ballots Sunday night.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – $219 million going into Oklahoma's reserve fund

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) State finance officials say they will make a $219 million deposit into the constitutional Rainy Day reserve fund thanks to strong revenue collections in the just completed 2011 fiscal year.

The balance of the state's savings account stands at a mere $2.03 after reaching a record of $596.6 million. The money was tapped by state lawmakers as they worked to close budget shortfalls caused by declining tax revenue during the recession.

By AP

Tulsa, OK – Heat warning for 16 northeastern Okla. counties

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A heat wave has prompted an excessive heat warning for parts of eastern Oklahoma and the implementation of a water rotation program for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for 16 counties through Tuesday night. Except for the Oklahoma Panhandle, the rest of the state is under a heat advisory.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Hear a recap of this morning's Top Local Stories from KWGS:

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – While other cities, like Oklahoma City, have started a water rationing program, that is not expected in Tulsa.

Tulsa Water and Sewer Director Clayton Edwards says Tulsa is using about 100-million gallons of water per summer day. He says Tulsa's water usage would have to double before rationing would even be close to consideration. He says the rationing trip-wire is two consecutive days of using at least 206-million gallons.

By AP/KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – It is still possible that the Admiral Twin Drive-In could reopen by Labor Day. That would be a year since the twin screens burned.

Owner Blake Smith admits September is not a good time of year to open a drive-in. he says the movie selection is not good and he would be competing with high school and college football on the weekends.

Ground was broken for a new double screen last month, but little has happened at the site since. Smith says he has hit snags in the permit process.

By AP

Officer Leland Ashley tells what officers found at the scene.

Tulsa, OK – Man, woman found shot to death in Tulsa home

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Police in Tulsa say a man and woman have been found shot to death inside a home on the city's north side.

Police say the two were found about 8 p.m. Sunday after a neighbor flagged down a passing officer. Capt. Karen Tipler said the neighbor told officers she had spoken with one of the victims about 20 minutes earlier.

By KWGS News

Sand Springs, OK – The situation is getting critical for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. Sand Springs rancher Mike Spradling says the hay is not growing and the farm ponds are drying up.

Spradling, who is the head of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, worries about ranchers having to send cattle to market because there is no way to care for them.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Candidates who want to serve on the city council begin the filing process starting today. This is the first day of the filing period for the nine city council seats.

At least three members of the council, John Eagleton, Rick Westcott and Bill Christiansen, have announced they will not seek re-election.

After the primary, the general election will be in November.

By AP

Tahlequah, OK – Boley man drowns in Illinois River

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) A 32-year-old Boley man has died while rafting and wading in the Illinois River.

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Administrator Ed Fite says divers from the Cherokee Nation Marshals recovered the body of Datrick Martin from the river in Cherokee County about 3:10 p.m. Saturday.