Local & Regional

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Okla. gubernatorial candidates agree to 2 debates

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Campaign officials with gubernatorial candidates Jari Askins and Mary Fallin say the two have agreed to two debates this fall.

U.S. Rep. Fallin is the Republican nominee while Lt. Gov. Askins won the Democratic nomination.

By Associated Press

Weleetka, OK – Okla environmental officials lift boil advisory

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality says a boil advisory for the town of Weleetka has been lifted.

DEQ officials said Friday follow-up water samples submitted by the Okfuskee County town indicate the water is free of bacteria and there is adequate chlorine residual for disinfection throughout the system.

By Associated Press

Weatherford, OK – Okla. narcotics agents arrest more than 50 people

WEATHERFORD, Okla. (AP) Agents from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics have arrested dozens of people allegedly involved in bringing in drugs from Mexico.

OBN spokesman Mark Woodward says 40 arrest warrants were served in Weatherford and 13 in Lawton. Those arrested face a variety of drug charges.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Okla man drowns at state park

ARDMORE, Okla. (AP) The body of an Ardmore man who disappeared in the water at Lake Murray State Park has been recovered.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says Carter County divers found 46-year-old Terry Lemley about 3:40 a.m. Tuesday in 8 feet of water about 25 feet from the shoreline.

Authorities say Lemley disappeared about 12:40 a.m. after he walked from the boat ramp into chest-deep water. Witnesses said Lemley swam around some cattails and out of sight.

By Associated Press

McAlester, OK – Okla inmate charged in death of prisoner

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) Pittsburg County prosecutors have charged an Oklahoma State Penitentiary inmate with first-degree murder in last year's death of another prisoner.

The charge was filed Thursday against 24-year-old Jeremy Lyons in the July 20, 2009, death of Blake A. Ford, Lyon's cellmate. Warden's Assistant Terry Crenshaw says Lyons was found standing over Ford with his foot on Ford's head.

By Associated Press

Enid, OK – Severe storms knock out power in northern Oklahoma

ENID, Okla. (AP) Severe thunderstorms knocked down tree limbs and electric power lines in northern Oklahoma, but there were no reports of injuries.

The National Weather Service says thunderstorms with winds estimated at 60 mph brought down large tree limbs and electric lines in Kremlin and Enid in Garfield County late Friday. A 60-mph wind gust also was reported in Blaine County near Southard.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – AG: Trooper won't be charged in missing parts case

SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson says a state trooper under investigation regarding missing state-owned helicopter parts will not be charged.

Edmondson said in a letter to Department of Public Safety Commissioner Kevin Ward that Trooper Joe Howard's actions while working in the aircraft division were "highly suspect," but not sufficient for prosecution.

By Associated Press

Wyandotte, OK – Girl dies during accident at Okla school

WYANDOTTE, Okla. (AP) A female student has died after an accident on a piece of playground equipment at a Wyandotte school.

Superintendent Troy Gray didn't have the exact time, but said it happened Thursday afternoon. Gray says he couldn't release the name, age or hometown of the child.

He says the piece of playground equipment was secured and won't be used again.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. National Guard to deploy 3,500 to Afghan

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma National Guard says it has received orders for 3,500 soldiers with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to deploy to Afghanistan in 2011.

It will be the largest Oklahoma National Guard deployment since the Korean War. About 2,600 brigade troops deployed to Iraq for one year in October 2007.

The commander of the 45th, Col. Joel Ward, said Friday the troops were initially notified in December about a likely deployment.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, OK – Hear a recap of Friday morning's Top Local Stories: