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2010 Sunshine Week
Coverage of Sunshine Week 2010 - an annual nationwide initiative to open a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information.
Police say man viewed porn during burglaries
News | Yesterday
PAULS VALLEY — Nathanael Christian claimed he broke into churches because his "family has always been very religious,” police said.
Social media records pose archiving woes
State and local government agencies want to be your friend on Facebook and broadcast their latest tweets via Twitter, but existing state laws can limit their effectiveness.
Feed The Children report removed from CBS site
1 hr ago
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CBS News has removed from its Internet site an investigative report critical of Feed The Children after the Oklahoma City-based charity complained. "We sent them a letter and pointed out the...
Oologah-Talala public schools' students to receive meningitis vaccine
6 hr ago
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In the wake of the deadly meningitis outbreak in northeastern Oklahoma, students attending Oologah-Talala public schools are scheduled to get vaccinated against meningococcal bacteria this week,...
Oklahoma City man arrested in slaying
9 hr ago
The estranged husband of a woman found dead Saturday in the bedroom of her southwest Oklahoma City home was arrested Monday, police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow said. William M. Watson, 24,...
Records located for fined architect
18 hr ago
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GUYMON — The unlicensed architect who has been designing Guymon’s new library, fire station and animal shelter has a bachelor of science degree in design and a master of architecture...
Pauls Valley police say man viewed porn during burglaries
Yesterday
PAULS VALLEY — Nathanael Christian claimed he broke into churches because his "family has always been very religious,” police said. A pastor at one of the churches said maybe he...
After Oologah outbreak, Oklahoma to give vaccinations
Yesterday
OOLOGAH — Children and adults with Oologah-Talala Elementary School that experienced an outbreak of bacterial meningitis that killed two students will get vaccinations this week under a...
Embezzling sentence given for former worker for child advocacy group
Mon, Mar 15, 2010
A former worker for a child advocacy group was sentenced Monday to five years in prison for embezzling funds meant to help abused and neglected children. Eugene M. Naukam III, 65, pleaded guilty to...
Air Force sergeant charged with rape
Mon, Mar 15, 2010
An Air Force technical sergeant based at Tinker Air Force Base has been accused in a felony charge of sexual offenses against two 15-year-old girls. Mickey A. Leckie, 45, was being held Monday...
Edmond man sentenced in embezzlement scheme
Mon, Mar 15, 2010
A 65-year-old Edmond man accused of embezzling money from an organization that helps abused and neglected children has been sentenced to prison.
Eugene Naukam III was sentenced Monday to serve...
Oklahoma juvenile agency seeks site for school
Mon, Mar 15, 2010
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Office of Juvenile Affairs Executive Director Gene Christian informed about 50 employees at the L.E. Rader Center in Sand Springs last week they could lose their jobs by summer. But despite...
Oklahoma group roasts local lawyers over records
Sat, Mar 13, 2010
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Local government lawyers on Saturday earned FOI Oklahoma’s annual Black Hole Award for thwarting the free flow of information. The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office and the...
Oklahoma panel talks revolve around birth dates
Sat, Mar 13, 2010
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Whether the dates of birth of public employees should be an open record dominated discussion Saturday at the annual Okla-homa Sunshine Conference. The issue has become a hot topic in state and...
Terry Nichols says fast helped somewhat
Fri, Mar 12, 2010
Terry Nichols says his prison hunger strike was somewhat successful. In a March 4 letter, Nichols wrote prison officials addressed his medical and religious needs after he began his food protest...
Unlicensed architect draws Guymon into sketchy area
Fri, Mar 12, 2010
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GUYMON — A man who falsely represented himself as an architect is being paid to design a new library, fire station and animal shelter for the city of Guymon, an investigation by The Oklahoman...
Amnesty offered to Oklahoma County check bouncers
Fri, Mar 12, 2010
Bogus check writers in Oklahoma County have been given until April 30 to make restitution to avoid criminal prosecution. "Amnesty … is offered to facilitate the recovery of monies owed...
Discipline policy stirs concern in Sulphur
Fri, Mar 12, 2010
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SULPHUR — Second-grade students were told to put the names of misbehaving classmates into a bucket. If a child’s name appeared 10 times or more, the child was kept from recess and...
Driver in fatal Oklahoma City wreck has long drug history
Thu, Mar 11, 2010
The pickup driver accused of causing a 5-year-old boy’s death says he came back from the Vietnam War a heroin addict and has used different illegal drugs "over 1,000 times in his...
GOP leader hopes to raise funds in Oklahoma
Wed, Mar 10, 2010
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Calling Oklahoma a "hot” state for the Republican Party, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele visited Oklahoma City on Tuesday to unveil a new television fundraising...
Oklahoma County detention officer arrested
Tue, Mar 9, 2010
After an investigation, an Oklahoma County jail detention officer has been fired and arrested on complaints of providing contraband to inmates, Sheriff John Whetsel said. Okello Oceng Adenya, 24,...
Trial rescheduled for man in El Reno strangling case
Tue, Mar 9, 2010
EL RENO — The murder trial for an ex-convict accused of strangling his girlfriend and her four children has been rescheduled for Sept. 13. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Joshua...
Trial rescheduled in El Reno strangling case
Tue, Mar 9, 2010
EL RENO — A jury trial has been rescheduled for Sept. 13 for a man accused of strangling his girlfriend and her four children. The murder trial for Joshua Steven Durcho, 27, had been set to...
IRS warns Oklahoma residents of tax refund scam
Tue, Mar 9, 2010
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Nothing is certain but death, taxes and, now, fake IRS refund notices. An e-mail scam going around shows a copy of the real Internal Revenue Service logo and contains official-sounding language....
Oklahoma City mom is given 20-year term in child’s death
Tue, Mar 9, 2010
A mother has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for mistakes that led to her 2-year-old daughter’s death in Oklahoma City. Elizabeth Nicole Guerrero, 28, pleaded guilty March 1 to...
Are you on food stamps, without a job, and receiving no other assistance?
Mon, Mar 8, 2010
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Are you on food stamps (SNAP) and without a job, receiving no other income or assistance? If so, staff reporter Vallery Brown would like to hear your story. E-mail her at vbrown@opubco.com or call...
Jury chooses death in 1993 Oklahoma City murder case
Sat, Mar 6, 2010
A convicted murderer who killed his wife and her four children in 1993 is headed back to Oklahoma’s death row. Jurors Saturday chose two death sentences as punishment for Roderick Lynn Smith...
Background checks not equal in Oklahoma
Sat, Mar 6, 2010
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More than 400,000 Oklahomans had their backgrounds checked last year so they could pursue everything from legally carrying a concealed handgun to exercising a race horse. Some Oklahoma parents even...
Oklahoma state trooper inquiry hits 15-month mark
Fri, Mar 5, 2010
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SHAWNEE — A state trooper honored for helping save a Kingfisher couple from floodwaters has been on paid leave for 15 months pending the outcome of an investigation over possible stolen...
Hinton ex-coach may be investigated
Fri, Mar 5, 2010
HINTON — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is looking into an allegation against former Hinton football coach Jon Freeman, school Superintendent Patrick Duffy has confirmed. The OSBI...
Appeals court allows life term for Oklahoma City shoplifter
Fri, Mar 5, 2010
A woman serving life in prison for shoplifting lost an appeal of her punishment. Last month, a divided Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals refused to reduce her time. Cecilia Cathleen Rodriguez, 57,...
Man sentenced to life in strangling his lover in Oklahoma City
Fri, Mar 5, 2010
A man in the United States illegally has been sentenced to life in prison for the strangling death of his pregnant girlfriend in Oklahoma City. Miguel Monarrez, 25, pleaded guilty Feb. 24 to two...
Families say DHS trying to close two facilities for the mentally disabled
Thu, Mar 4, 2010
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Family members of mentally disabled residents say the state is trying to quietly close the two state-run centers equipped to care for their loved ones. They say state Department of Human Services...
Would-be Okfuskee County prison seeks paying customers
Tue, Mar 2, 2010
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OKEMAH — A venture to build a prison that would double as a new Okfuskee County jail hinges on whether agreements can be obtained with state and federal corrections authorities. It’s a...
Oklahoma drug, alcohol counselors may need more education
Tue, Mar 2, 2010
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The state House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed a bill requiring drug and alcohol counselors to get a master’s degree. House Bill 2999 has generated concern among some in...
U.S. Supreme Court won't hear Bible marker case
Tue, Mar 2, 2010
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The U.S. Supreme Court has spoken: The Ten Commandments monument must be removed from the Haskell County Courthouse lawn. In a much anticipated decision, the Supreme Court on Monday announced it...
Oklahoma officials focus on film incentives
Mon, Mar 1, 2010
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A controversial tax credit used to produce films in Oklahoma such as "The Killer Inside Me” faces an uncertain future as lawmakers take aim at state incentive programs. Just one company,...
Oklahoma counselors fear policy will harm care quality
Mon, Mar 1, 2010
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Donna Woods rocked and sobbed, trying to find courage. She considered herself a sorry drunk and methamphetamine addict and an even sorrier mother. Her hand shook as she held the pistol up to her...
Oklahoma lawmaker wants foster care changes
Mon, Mar 1, 2010
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For years, Oklahomans have been deluged by reports of children being killed and subjected to horrific abuses while in state custody. A New York-based child advocacy group found reports so...
Lindsay mayor won’t resign
Mon, Mar 1, 2010
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LINDSAY — Comparing his relationship with an ex-girlfriend to the movie "Fatal Attraction,” Lindsay Mayor Johnny Branch wants to give his version of events leading up to his...
Lethal injection questioned in Oklahoma case
Sat, Feb 27, 2010
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A death row inmate who helped his lover murder her husband says the way executions are done in Oklahoma is inhumane. James Pavatt, 56, was sentenced to death for the Nov. 20, 2001, fatal shooting...
Retiring Oklahoma City bankruptcy judge reflects on his long career
Fri, Feb 26, 2010
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The Oklahoma City federal bankruptcy judge who once helped the maker of Speedo swimwear survive has retired for health reasons. Richard L. Bohanon, 75, was honored Wednesday at a ceremony on his...
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Mark Hutchison - Watchdog editor
Mark Hutchison has been in Oklahoma newspapers since 1986, first at the Enid Morning News & Eagle. He joined The Oklahoman in 1989 in the Lawton Bureau and has been a reporter and editor since. He has won several state and regional reporting awards for investigative, breaking news and feature stories. Among them are coverage of an American Indian chief who was indicted and imprisoned; malfeasance that led to the resignation and firings of public officials and problems within the state juvenile justice system. A journalism graduate from the University of Kansas, he has three daughters.
phone: (405)990-6160
email: mhutchison@opubco.com
phone: (405)990-6160
email: mhutchison@opubco.com
Randy Ellis
For the past 26 years, staff writer Randy Ellis has exposed public corruption and government mismanagement in news articles. Ellis has investigated problems in Oklahoma's higher education institutions and wrote stories that ultimately led to two college presidents being sentenced to prison and a former chancellor being forced to resign. He has written about abuses of Oklahoma's workers compensation system, corruption in the state's municipal bond industry, bid-rigging by county officials, self-dealing by state housing officials, misconduct involving state legislators and a variety of other topics. Ellis, 52, has won more than 80 state, regional and national awards for journalistic excellence. Prior to joining The Oklahoman in 1982, Ellis worked at Arkansas newspapers. He is a 1977 graduate of Kansas State University.
phone: (405)475-3522
email: rellis@opubco.com
phone: (405)475-3522
email: rellis@opubco.com
Ann Kelley
Ann Kelley has been an Oklahoma journalist for 10 years. She was a reporter for The Ada Evening News and The Shawnee News-Star before joining The Oklahoman in 2002. Kelley has received numerous awards for breaking news, investigative and government reporting. In 1999, she was an Associated Press sweepstakes winner for her stories about two wrongfully convicted men. Her work is featured in John Grisham’s bestselling book, “The Innocent Man,” and used as a source in “Actual Innocence,” co-authored by attorney Berry Scheck, founder of the Innocence Project.
Kelley is a graduate of Fresno State University. Prior to her career in jounalism, she worked as a social worker and as a legal assistant.
phone: (405)475-4097
email: akelley@opubco.com
Kelley is a graduate of Fresno State University. Prior to her career in jounalism, she worked as a social worker and as a legal assistant.
phone: (405)475-4097
email: akelley@opubco.com
Paul Monies
Paul Monies is the Database Editor for The Oklahoman. He’s in charge of maintaining the newsroom’s databases for everything from voter information and state finances to inspections and campaign finance. Paul has worked at newspapers in Texas and Missouri and spent five years as an award-winning business reporter for The Oklahoman. He is a native of Scotland who graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and has a master’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
phone: (405)475-3730
email: pmonies@opubco.com
phone: (405)475-3730
email: pmonies@opubco.com
Vallery Brown
Vallery Brown has been covering Oklahoma since she started working for Oklahoma Today magazine. She spent time in Washington, D.C. learning about national government. She has a journalism degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and is working toward a master's degree. Brown joined The Oklahoman in 2008 covering health and medical news before joining the watchdog team, where her work has aided in the prosecution of criminals, business reform and government accountability. Born in Montana, Brown is an accomplished vocalist.
phone: (405)475-3464
email: VBrown@opubco.com
phone: (405)475-3464
email: VBrown@opubco.com
John Estus
John Estus is a staff writer at The Oklahoman, where he focuses on investigative public affairs reporting and inventive uses of new technology in reporting. Estus entered the news business at age 16 and studied journalism at Oklahoma State University, where he won awards for investigative work. He joined The Oklahoman in 2006 and has since produced award-winning government reporting that has prompted changes in public policy. He’s also covered political corruption, religious scandals, high-profile crimes, natural disasters and the sports industry. A proud music geek who once managed artists and a record store, his writing on music in Oklahoma has been published worldwide. He lives in Oklahoma City.
phone: (405)475-3929
email: jestus@opubco.com
phone: (405)475-3929
email: jestus@opubco.com
Michael Baker
Michael Baker is a senior staff writer. He has served in that position since March 2010. Before, Michael was Local Editor at The Oklahoman.
Michael believes it is the journalist's responsibility to be a tenacious watchdog of public officials and government institutions, as well as seek to help those who are powerless.
Michael was born in Edmond, went to Edmond High School and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Oklahoma. He obtained a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California.
Michael worked as a journalist in California for about 10 years before returning to his Oklahoma roots in 2003.
phone: (405)475-3929
email: mbaker@opubco.com
Michael believes it is the journalist's responsibility to be a tenacious watchdog of public officials and government institutions, as well as seek to help those who are powerless.
Michael was born in Edmond, went to Edmond High School and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Oklahoma. He obtained a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California.
Michael worked as a journalist in California for about 10 years before returning to his Oklahoma roots in 2003.
phone: (405)475-3929
email: mbaker@opubco.com