 A Bartlesville man is dead following a single-vehicle accident Wednesday morning on U.S. Highway 60 and Zyder Hill, about six miles west of Bartlesville in Osage County. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Report, 98-year old Domenic Baldrachi was pronounced dead at the scene with trunk internal injuries.
Baldrachi was driving west on U.S. Highway 60 when his vehicle made an improper turn, struck a metal gate, a tree, and a steel post. The vehicle entered a creek striking the west bank and bringing the car to rest. The OHP report indicated that the driver was apparently ill. Baldrachi was a World War II Veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor and a combat engineer with the 25th Infantry Division.  Two brothers charged with the murder of well-known Pawhuska oilman, Rick Holt, appeared in Osage County Court Tuesday, to determine if the State would have jurisdiction to prosecute.
19 Year-Old Tyler Reece and 31 Year-Old Jeremy Reece were arrested on September 9, 2015 and were charged with First Degree Murder, Kidnapping, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, and Desecration of a Human Corpse. Osage County Sheriffs discovered and exhumed Holt's remains on September 9. Tuesday, the brothers appeared before Judge Stuart Tate, who made the determination that two of the charges took place on Native American land and the state did not have jurisdiction to prosecute. The charges of First Degree Murder and Desecration of a Human Corpse cannot be tried by the state and Judge Tate moved to have the charges removed. However, the State, represented by Mike Fischer from the Osage County District Attorney's Office said that the State will have until April 8 to make an appeal. The Reece brothers will be due back in court April 8 at 9am.  At the meeting of the Osage County Board of County Commissioners this week, the commissioners opened and awarded bids for a new LED sign, and 110kw generator. They approved a mowing service for the Osage County Courthouse and the Treasurer's Office, and discussed EMS coverage for Osage County.
The first bids the Commissioners opened was also the only bid for a new LED sign for the Osage County Health Department, the bid from AMAC Sign Company was approved for $22,567.94. The Commissioners also opened bids from Imagenius and Sooner State Generators LLC. Imagenius held the low bid for the 110kw Generators for $49,388. Quite a bit of discussion arose from the approval for Hominy EMS for an increased operating area. Hominy EMS will begin covering the Prue area to include the town of Osage as part of their new coverage area. Also discussed was the unfortunate announcement that Osage County newcomers, Eagle Medical Transport, will no longer be able to operate in Osage County beginning May 1. Eagle Medical Transport, which is operated out of Barnsdall, arrived and began operation at the beginning of the year, however due to call volume they have been unable to maintain staff. The loss of Eagle Medical creates a large gap in coverage in Osage County. Last week an emergency call took more than 45 min from the time it was placed until EMS arrived on location in Avant. The Commissioners expressed gratitude to Hominy EMS for providing the extra coverage but know a more permanent solution will need to be developed. The Osage County Board of County Commissioners will meet again next Monday at the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska at 10am.  The Osage County Sheriff’s Office, along with several other law enforcement agencies, conducted a major drug bust on Wednesday morning. Deputies referred to the operation as the largest in Osage County history.
In all, 44 arrest warrants were issued, all of which are linked to the use, distribution, or trafficking of marijuana into Osage County. Those arrested ranged from buyers to dealers. Charges were brought in Osage County but affidavits show that marijuana was sent through the U.S. Post Office so there will likely be federal charges filed. Law enforcement agencies involved in Wednesday’s arrests include the Pawhuska Police Department, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Osage Nation and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. A dozen of those arrested were arraigned on felony conspiracy and computer charges. Bond was set for those arraigned at $10,000. Here is a list of those for whom warrants were issued: Jache Parker Willard, 29, various; Emmitt Charles Bickford, 29, Pawhuska; Danielle Louise Oberly, 28, Pawhuska; Britton Edgar Redeagle, 26, Pawhuska; Matthew Markus Thornton, 27, Pawhuska; Amanda Dawn Bickford, 26, Pawhuska; Sadie Patterson, 23, Pawhuska; Michael Shawn Thomas, 25, Hominy; Samantha Michelle Valek, 22, Pawhuska; Rachel Waite, 22, Eureka Springs, Ark.; John W. Williams Jr., 44, Pawhuska; Benjamin Matthew Windle, 22, Holiday Island, Ark.; Stevey Ray Herren, 22, Pawhuska; John Schubert, 25, Eureka Springs; Keith Allen Lambert, 26, Pawhuska; Penelton Spencer Lookout, 20, address not given; Justin Jay Morgan, 24, Eureka Springs; Jacob R. Deerinwater, 22, Skiatook; Amber Delancy, 38, Pawhuska; Jason Steelman, 24, Fayetteville, Ark.; Glane Steele Willard, 22, Holiday Island, Ark.; Kendra Davis, 20, Wynona; Brieanna C. Perry, 27, Eureka Springs; Michelle Lea Pradmore, 46, Fairfax; Michael Eddings, 31, Western Grove, Ark.; Daniel Jack Renowden, 30, Wagoner; Cody Brant Flud, 36, Wynona; Dusty Lynn Hendren, 29, Pawhuska; Norris Noble Bighorse, 22, Pawhuska; Tykwan Shaquil Flowers, 22, Pawhuska; Deanna Lambert, 25, Pawhuska; Charlene Cosby, 53, Pawhuska; Katelyn Leigh Miller, 21, Pawhuska; Joshua Lee Carman, 22, Pawhuska; Brandon Cory Mitchell, 22, Pawhuska; Melissa Christie Shook-Reeves, 39, Pawhuska; Andrea Dawn Thomas, 42, Pawhuska; Johnny Dewayne Diaz, 20, Pawhuska; Kevin Lawrence Dawson, 31, Fairax; Layton Urrich Vogeding, 25, Bartlesville; Dominick Joseph Neri, 20, Pawhuska; John David Diaz, 37, Pawhuska; Terri Francis Merrell, 19, Hominy; Stevie Ray Shimonek, 23, Pawhuska.  This week at the Barnsdall Chamber of Commerce meeting the Chamber received a presentation from Cecilia Hibdon from the Barnsdall Public Library, discussed the Shop Barnsdall promotion, the upcoming Easter Egg Hunt, and Big Heart Day planning.
Cecilia Hibdon, from the Barnsdall Public Library, introduced the members of the chamber to the online capabilities of the Barnsdall Public Library. Hibdon discussed the relatively new process of using their online capabilities, which cost the library the equivalent of 50 new books annually, which has access to thousands of titles on eBooks, audio-books, magazines, read-along books, and streaming video. The website http://okvirtuallibrary.lib.overdrive.com/ offers public access to all Library members, all you need is your Library Card. Since the introduction of the online library in Barnsdall last year the Barnsdall Public Library has nearly doubled the number of active readers in the community, especially in Barnsdall Public Schools. Titles can be borrowed from the website and will be auto returned once readers have finished, or downloaded to your device. The same service is offered by many other Public Libraries throughout Oklahoma including Bartlesville, Fairfax, Hominy, Stillwater and many more. To sign up or for more information visit your Public Library. The Barnsdall Chamber of Commerce will meet again April 12, at 12pm at the Barnsdall Community Center  At the meeting of the Osage County Board of County Commissioners this week, the Commissioners received reports from Jake Bruno from Osage County Planning and Zoning, and Terry Heilig of TLH & Associates, who are contracted with the Osage County Industrial Authority. The Commissioners also awarded bids for Oil, Lubricants, Antifreeze, Road Oil, Asphalt and sand.
Jake Bruno presented the quarterly report for Planning and Zoning to the Commissioners Monday morning and discussed an increase in residential single family home development. However, while there are several subdivisions for single family dwellings throughout Osage County, there is a shortage of interested lot developers. Bruno also informed the Commissioners that he had just finished certification as a floodplain administrator through FEMA, and Planning and Zoning are making progress on getting several floodplain sites approved for development. Terry Heilig discussed with the commissioners that there are several retail prospects interested in moving into Pawhuska. Heilig stated that negotiations have begun but the retailers do not wish to be identified until development has begun. Heilig also mentioned that Cobblestone Hotels are interested in establishing a location in Pawhuska however, they would like more interest from local investors before beginning development. Heilig also mentioned that the Osage County Industrial Authority has posted an updated retail feasibility study for several communities in Osage County on their website at http://osagecoindustrial.com/. The Osage County Board of County Commissioners will meet again next Monday at the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska.  The Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced Monday afternoon that Oklahoma will now recognize the Libertarian Party. State Election Officials approved the addition of the Libertarian Party after petitioners submitted 42,182 signatures, of those, 30,517 were deemed valid. The minimum number needed to certify a new party was 24,745. Secretary Paul Ziriax said what this now means for Oklahoma voters. Anyone who is currently registered to vote and wishes to change their affiliation must do so by March 31 for the change to be processed before the November General Elections. The Libertarian Party has also notified the State Election Board Secretary that it will allow registered Independents to vote in its primary and runoff primary elections. Those who would like to change their affiliation or register as new voters in the Libertarian party must fill out and return a Voter Registration Application Form, which can be downloaded at www.elections.ok.gov. Forms are also available in person at county election boards, tag agencies, public libraries and other locations.  Osage County Election Board Secretary Andrea Conner has issued a notification to all registered voters. Oklahomans who would like to change their party affiliation before the Primary Election or Runoff Primary Election have until March 31. Changes of political affiliation are prohibited by law during the period beginning April 1 and continuing through August 31 in even-numbered years.
For 2016 Oklahoma has two recognized political parties, Democrat and Republican. Voters may Only vote for candidates in their registered political party, unless their party has given Independent voters permission to vote in its primaries. The Democratic Party has given Independent voters permission to vote in its primaries and runoff primaries for 2016 and 2017. All registered voters, regardless of political affiliation, can vote for any candidate at the November General Election and for state or local questions at any election. Applications to register to vote or to change party affiliation are available at the Osage County Election Board office at 630 Kihekah Ave in Pawhuska, at post offices, public libraries, many state offices, and at most political party and candidate campaign offices.
UPDATE: The family missing from Hominy has been located and are reported safe. The circumstances regarding the family's disappearance or their return have not been publicly disclosed. However, reports indicate they contacted family members in Hominy on Saturday, March 19, and the Hominy Police Department notified the media to the discovery. No further information at this time. The disappearance of an entire family from Hominy has investigators looking for public assistance. Eve Kenworthy, Robert Mosley, and their three children were reported missing when family members had not received contact after the couple went for a weekend in Tulsa in late February.
The family was reported missing to the Hominy Police Department and a missing persons report was filed on March 9 and a BOLO (be on look-out) was issued for the couple's vehicle a gray Ford Escape with Osage Nation license plate number 20253. Family and friends have not had contact with the couple since February 27 and police are looking for any information concerning the well being of the family. The couple, Eve Kenworthy and Robert Mosley, and their children are described as: Eve Kenworthy, 21, Native American – 5ft 5in approximately 120lbs Robert Mosley, 26, White Male – 5ft 5in approximately 130lbs Male Child - 4 Years-Old Female Child – 2 Years-Old Male Child – 1 Year-Old Persons with any information should contact the Hominy Police Department at (918)885-4545.  Spring is here, and as the days become longer and the weather warmer head on out to Woolaroc because their Spring events have begun. The Woolaroc Animal Barn and the famous Mountain Man encampment opened on Wednesday, March 16.
The Animal Barn is a hands-on interactive experience suitable for all ages, see the baby donkeys, calves, rabbits, miniature horses and more. Visit the History of the Buffalo exhibit and read about the history of the buffalo in America and see furs and skulls. You can take a trip back to the 1840s and see how life was once lived, free of smart-phones, email and the internet. Bring the whole family and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature and authentic mountain living. Woolaroc is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm and their summer schedule, from memorial day through labor day, is Tuesday through Sunday 10am to 5pm. Woolaroc is located 12 miles Southwest of Bartlesville on Highway 123. For additional information call 1-918-336-0307 or email [email protected]. |
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