Debra McGee, widow of longtime IFYR announcer and Vo-Ag instructor Mark McGee from Valliant, has advised me the preliminary hearing for the driver charged in her late husband’s death has been set. Stacy Sloan Whiteley, 29, of Wright City, is charged with first-degree manslaughter in connection with Mark’s death.
The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4 at the county courthouse in Idabel.
McGee was killed May 20 when the lawn tractor he was operating in front of his home was struck by a pickup truck. He lived near Valliant in far southeastern Oklahoma.
According to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report, alcohol was involved. State troopers, who investigated the accident, have reported that McGee died at the scene of massive injuries. Trooper Jay Reich, of the McCurtain County detachment of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, said the accident occurred around 6 p.m. that evening three miles north of Valliant on a county road, old Highway 98.
Troopers reported Whiteley was driving a 2005 Dodge pickup truck northbound on the county road when it ran off the road to the right, over corrected, went back across the roadway running off the road to the left, and striking the lawn mower, ejecting McGee 92 feet north and 18 feet west of the point of impact.
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This is another reminder about the backpack distribution taking place today in Wewoka and on Thursday and Friday in Shawnee.
Today’s is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Life Church in Wewoka. The church will provide assistance, but extra hands to give breaks can always be used.
Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., the distribution of the backpacks will occur at the Salvation Army in Shawnee.
For more information, call the Salvation Army at 275-2243.
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Shawnee’s Economic Development Foundation will hold its monthly meeting today and among the agenda items is consideration and possible action from the board nominating committee. Although the agenda doesn’t list those who may be nominated for the board, according to information contained in the board packet, five people are being considered for appointment.
They include Jerry Bayliss, AT&T; Kenny Howard, OG&E; Will Rosebure, owner of RBC Insurance in Shawnee; John “Rocky” Barrett, chairman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation; and Brian Blansett, publisher of The Shawnee News-Star.
Another agenda item is consideration and possible action regarding by-laws revisions, although the agenda doesn’t specify what if any revisions will be made.
An update on the unit drive also is listed on the agenda and consideration and possible action on a SEDF capitalization policy is another item.
The meeting, open to the public, will begin at 9 a.m. in the SEDF office at 131 N. Bell, upstairs.
•••
Remember the co-ed softball tournament to benefit the families of slain Seminole County deputies Chase Whitebird and Marvin Williams this Friday and Saturday. Friday’s action begins at 6 p.m. and Saturday it will start at 8 a.m.
Forty teams reportedly have entered from around the state in an effort to support the families of Chase and Marvin and to help the community and state come together to celebrate these men’s lives.
The families of each of the men will be playing in the tournament. There will be three large inflatables for kids from toddlers to teenagers and remembrance T-shirts will be available as will concessions.
During the noon hour there will be proclamations signed by Gov. Brad Henry, Justin Echols will sing the National Anthem, the Whitebird and Williams families will be recognized and there will be other activities.
•••
Wanda Hill, with the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, passes along some information. She mentioned that all new members might want to purchase a red apron in preparation for Spaghetti Day, which is Thursday, Oct. 22. The aprons are available at Uncommon Threads in downtown Shawnee.
Wanda mentions those purchasing the aprons should allow a day or two for them to sew your name onto the apron and she promises more information about it during the orientation next Tuesday, August 18. The new member orientation will take place at noon at the Salvation Army.
Here are some other dates she also suggests to put on the calendar.
Sept. 10— Executive Committee meets at noon at the Army.
Sept. 14— Auxiliary meeting at 1606 Cedar Bend Court. Refreshments at 10 a.m. Meeting begins at 10:30.
And of course, Oct. 22, which already has been mentioned, is Spaghetti Day.
Hill says “if you would like to join with other women in our communities in the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, please feel free to go to the Army on Ninth and Union Streets and fill out a membership form. The dues are $20 for one year membership. If you could go before Aug. 14 (in order to participate in the “New Member Orientation” scheduled for Aug. 18) that would be wonderful. That would give the membership team time to prepare a booklet for your use. Call 275-2243 if you have any questions,” she said.
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If you have ideas or something of interest for this column, call 214-3922 or e-mail michael.mccormick@news-star.com. Include name and phone number for contact purposes.
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Debra McGee, widow of longtime IFYR announcer and Vo-Ag instructor Mark McGee from Valliant, has advised me the preliminary hearing for the driver charged in her late husband’s death has been set. Stacy Sloan Whiteley, 29, of Wright City, is charged with first-degree manslaughter in connection with Mark’s death.
The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4 at the county courthouse in Idabel.
McGee was killed May 20 when the lawn tractor he was operating in front of his home was struck by a pickup truck. He lived near Valliant in far southeastern Oklahoma.
According to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report, alcohol was involved. State troopers, who investigated the accident, have reported that McGee died at the scene of massive injuries. Trooper Jay Reich, of the McCurtain County detachment of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, said the accident occurred around 6 p.m. that evening three miles north of Valliant on a county road, old Highway 98.
Troopers reported Whiteley was driving a 2005 Dodge pickup truck northbound on the county road when it ran off the road to the right, over corrected, went back across the roadway running off the road to the left, and striking the lawn mower, ejecting McGee 92 feet north and 18 feet west of the point of impact.
•••
This is another reminder about the backpack distribution taking place today in Wewoka and on Thursday and Friday in Shawnee.
Today’s is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Life Church in Wewoka. The church will provide assistance, but extra hands to give breaks can always be used.
Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., the distribution of the backpacks will occur at the Salvation Army in Shawnee.
For more information, call the Salvation Army at 275-2243.
•••
Shawnee’s Economic Development Foundation will hold its monthly meeting today and among the agenda items is consideration and possible action from the board nominating committee. Although the agenda doesn’t list those who may be nominated for the board, according to information contained in the board packet, five people are being considered for appointment.
They include Jerry Bayliss, AT&T; Kenny Howard, OG&E; Will Rosebure, owner of RBC Insurance in Shawnee; John “Rocky” Barrett, chairman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation; and Brian Blansett, publisher of The Shawnee News-Star.
Another agenda item is consideration and possible action regarding by-laws revisions, although the agenda doesn’t specify what if any revisions will be made.
An update on the unit drive also is listed on the agenda and consideration and possible action on a SEDF capitalization policy is another item.
The meeting, open to the public, will begin at 9 a.m. in the SEDF office at 131 N. Bell, upstairs.
•••
Remember the co-ed softball tournament to benefit the families of slain Seminole County deputies Chase Whitebird and Marvin Williams this Friday and Saturday. Friday’s action begins at 6 p.m. and Saturday it will start at 8 a.m.
Forty teams reportedly have entered from around the state in an effort to support the families of Chase and Marvin and to help the community and state come together to celebrate these men’s lives.
The families of each of the men will be playing in the tournament. There will be three large inflatables for kids from toddlers to teenagers and remembrance T-shirts will be available as will concessions.
During the noon hour there will be proclamations signed by Gov. Brad Henry, Justin Echols will sing the National Anthem, the Whitebird and Williams families will be recognized and there will be other activities.
•••
Wanda Hill, with the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, passes along some information. She mentioned that all new members might want to purchase a red apron in preparation for Spaghetti Day, which is Thursday, Oct. 22. The aprons are available at Uncommon Threads in downtown Shawnee.
Wanda mentions those purchasing the aprons should allow a day or two for them to sew your name onto the apron and she promises more information about it during the orientation next Tuesday, August 18. The new member orientation will take place at noon at the Salvation Army.
Here are some other dates she also suggests to put on the calendar.
Sept. 10— Executive Committee meets at noon at the Army.
Sept. 14— Auxiliary meeting at 1606 Cedar Bend Court. Refreshments at 10 a.m. Meeting begins at 10:30.
And of course, Oct. 22, which already has been mentioned, is Spaghetti Day.
Hill says “if you would like to join with other women in our communities in the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, please feel free to go to the Army on Ninth and Union Streets and fill out a membership form. The dues are $20 for one year membership. If you could go before Aug. 14 (in order to participate in the “New Member Orientation” scheduled for Aug. 18) that would be wonderful. That would give the membership team time to prepare a booklet for your use. Call 275-2243 if you have any questions,” she said.
•••
If you have ideas or something of interest for this column, call 214-3922 or e-mail michael.mccormick@news-star.com. Include name and phone number for contact purposes.
