HHS 2012 graduates are super bunch

A super group of grads received their diplomas Friday night as the Henryetta High School class of 2012 held their commencement exercises. Senior Dominic Leftwich summed up the feeling of the seniors as he got ready to receive his diploma. More photos of the graduation are available HERE.

Partial eclipse will be seen here

The early evening hours Sunday will be the time for eyes to be turned skyward as a partial eclipse will be visible in this part of the United States.
The eclipse on May 20 is an annular, or ring eclipse. At its peak, for those standing on the central line of the eclipse – the eclipse will resemble a bulls-eye, with a thin ring of the sun visible around the moon. The moon would need to be closer to Earth for a total eclipse, which blocks out the sun completely and casts a large shadow upon Earth.
The path of the total eclipse will be from Eureka, Calif., to Lubbock, Tex.
In Oklahoma, only part of the eclipse will be seen and that won't start until at least 7:30. It will be at it's maximum about an hour later but, skywatchers will have to have a nearly unobstructed view of the horizon as the sun begins setting.
Because the sun won’t be completely blocked, it is essential for viewers to use special solar glasses or other protection to view this event.
The event can also be seen with a "pinhole camera" which is simply two sheets of paper.
Instructions on how to make a pinhole camera can be found here: http://solar-center.stanford.edu/observe/

Motorcycle crash claims life of Henryetta man

A Henryetta man died around 3:30 Friday afternoon when his motorcycle crashed on Sharp Road three miles west of Okmulgee.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven Clyde Rhoades, 50, was said to have been southbound on Sharp road when it lost control going around a curve. The motorcycle was said to have went off the right side of the road and hit a large rock. Rhoades was thrown nine feet from the motorcycle and died at the scene from massive injuries.

Karen Snider Rhoads services pending

Karen Snider Rhoads, a resident of the Wilson community died May 17, 2012 in Wilson at the age of 61.  Karen grew up in Schulter and was a graduate of the Schulter High School Class of 1969. Services are pending with Integrity Funeral Service.

Dewar woman escapes house fire Friday

A Dewar woman was sent to the hospital for treatment after she was trapped in this house fire around noon Friday. The fire on South Maple in Dewar destroyed the house and was extinguished through the joint efforts of the Dewar and Henryetta fire departments. The cause of the blaze is still undetermiend. According to Dewar police officials, the woman was alone in the house and had to be carried out. She sustained minor burns and scratches.

Crash claims one life Thursday

One person died and another seriously injured in a single vehicle crash north of Wilson school Thursday.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Karen Rhoads, 61, was said to have died at the scene of injuries she received when a 2004 Cadillac SUV went off the roadway and rolled.
The driver of the vehicle, Ryan Masters, 20, was sent to Saint Francis Hospital by helicopter with injuries to his head and torso. He is said to be in critical condition.
The accident happened around 4 p.m. and closed Wilson Road for nearly an hour.

Sex offender issue comes to council

An issue with registered sex offenders watching Henryetta Little League baseball games came before the city council Tuesday night.
At a recent game, a person who is on the registered sex offender list was seen at a game and had been escorted out.
City Manager Raymond Eldridge said those person have the right currently to be at their children's games but can't be in the dugout or associate with the teams.
City attorney Lou Ann Moudy said she has been in contact with the district attorney about the issue. She explained state law has been amended to allow sex offenders to be in parks, "as long as they are not loitering."
Jerrod Yaerger told the council that the Little League association is looking for support from the city that, "if we amend our bylaws to state we don't want them out there."
He pointed out that the group doesn't have the personnel to monitor a person all the time and, "watch to make sure he doesn't follow a little child into the restroom."
The association will be making rule changes and bring them to the city attorney for verification.

City looking at animal control ordinance

Henryetta city council members will be working on an animal control ordinance that will limit the number of animals residents can have before they are considered operating a kennel.
City attorney Lou Ann Moudy pointed out the issue has come up before and the current ordinance calls for only four dogs to be at a residents.
"Any more than that is considered a kennel," she said.
She pointed out that the proposed ordinance is based on a similar one in Tulsa. "This is a working draft and you (council members) need to discuss it with the citizens, think about it yourself and put it into an ordinance."
No date was set when that ordinance would be brought back before the council.
The council approved declaring a 1989 KME ladder truck as a surplus. City Manager Raymond Eldridge said the Okemah fire department has shown an interest in the vehicle. The city will be accepting bids at a later date for the sale.

Councilman threatens criminal charges Tuesday

Dissension on the Henryetta City Council was apparent Tuesday night as threats of criminal charges were made.
The threat was made by councilman Mickey Dombek when discussion over paying $2,600 to Crawford and Associates for budget preparations for the 2013 fiscal year.
"After the declaratory action is over with, I can assure you that charges will be filed. And Mr. Crawford and Associates and this other, Arledge and Associates, are not immune to having charges filed."
Dombek was referring to the declaratory judgement being sought to determine if the city can make payments to the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System for Raymond Eldridge.
That petition was filed April 4 in Oklahoma County district court. It is being contested by the Firefighters Pension System who claim Eldridge cannot serve as city manager and fire marshall and continue to pay into the retirement fund.
The Oklahoma City law firm of Margaret McMorrow-Love is representing the city. No date has been set for the judgement to be determined.
Dombek voted against paying the invoice which passed with the other four council members voting for it.
  and councilman Audie cole voted against approving a letter of engagement with Crawford and Associates for the 2012-2013 fiscal year and the Arledge and Associates accounting firm for consulting and auditing services for this fiscal year .
The two firms were retained with council members Phil Siberts, Michael Dickey and Mayor Richard Larney voting for the issue.

Carriage rides set at Nichols Park

The first of several fundraisers for the Henryetta High School band trip to Washington, D.C., will be held May 23.
Band boosters will be offering sunset carriage rides around Nichols Park from 6 to 8 p.m.
Up to six people can ride the carriage at a time at a cost of $10 per person. Monies raised will be going to help defray expenses fo the band to appear in the 2013 Memorial Day parade.

Middle school cheerleaders named

Parents, friends and relatives were watching the tryouts for Henryetta's Middle School cheerleaders this past week. Named as cheerleaders for the coming year were: Zach Taylor, Riley Morrow, Makayla Baxter, Summer Bryant, Ashley parton, Lilly Rainwater, Holly Westrope, Mallory Snyder, Shelby Bullard, jaycee Barton, Brianna Foster, Cailey Rempe, Raven Blackbear, Kamarie Wallace, Brook Kiehl and Rayvin Finch.