Three defendants were due back in the Pawhuska courtroom Monday afternoon for the murder of John Adkins.
Daniel Keene, Toby Bighorse and Maurice Kent are all being charged with first degree or second degree murder in the alleged murder of Adkins. Because the Defense filed five separate motions Monday morning, the State requested more time to look at the case. The Judge set the next court date for Tuesday, April 23 at 11:30 in the morning. The four were believed to be traveling in a car north of Pawhuska on the evening of October 1 when a fight broke out and he was stabbed and killed. Adkins' body was found 17 days later approximately one mile north of Pawhuska. Three suspects in the murder of John Adkins will be back in the Osage County courthouse Monday afternoon for a preliminary hearing.
Daniel Keene, Maurice Kent and Toby Bighorse are all being charged with the alleged first degree or second-degree murder of Adkins, which took place on October 1. The four were believed to be traveling in a car north of Pawhuska when an argument broke out and Adkins was stabbed and killed. His body was found 17 days later, approximately one mile north of Pawhuska. When the two were last in court on March 11, the State presented two witnesses that have participated in the investigation. Bill Gee, a Deputy for the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, was one of the first to come across Adkins’ body. Gee spoke with all three suspects and they all admitted that Bighorse was the one who struck Adkins over the head with a hatchet. At the police station, Kent stated that he pulled a knife on Adkins to force him out of the vehicle. Kent then cut Adkins more than once on the arm. Bighorse told Gee that there was talk of the three suspects robbing Adkins because he had been paid by the VA earlier that day. Gee recounted Keene saying he got out of the vehicle, but there was no evidence that he partook in the fight. Keene did throw Adkins’ phone out the window as they drove off. Osage County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Robert Testerman also testified to serving a warrant to Kent’s home upon his arrest to look for evidence. Testerman found what is believed to be a debit card belonging to Adkins, along with his wallet. Testerman also found a knife consistent with the one used to cut Adkins. The Defense questioned why there was $409 and a debit card in Adkins’ pocket if the three were trying to rob him. Also, the Defense believe the Medical Examiner’s Report doesn’t show a clear representation of how Adkins died. Monday’s preliminary hearing begins at 1:30 in the afternoon. The Board of Osage County Commissioners will meet Monday morning to consider approving several important items.
The County Commissioners will consider giving the Osage County Tourism Department a little more than $7,000 to print 40,000 copies of a map and brochure dealing with the county. The Tourism Department is also asking for $2,500 to fund the Ben Johnson Memorial Steer Roping and $2,500 to fund the Buddy Hartness Memorial Steer Roping. Commissioners will also consider taking action to approve and sign an equipment rental agreement for the OSU Extension Service to get a copier from Standley Systems. The meeting begins at 10 in the morning at the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska for those interested in attending. Joni Nash, Executive Director for the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce, was at Tuesday's City Council meeting letting everyone know of upcoming events. Nash was also happy with how theChamber Gala went at the end of March, though.
Among other groups and events coming to Pawhuska this month include the American National CattleWomen and the Roy Clark Memorial Rodeo. The OK Freewheel bike event isn't taking place until mid-June, but they will be doing a practice ride through the city on April 18 to get the feel for the terrain. Nash also mentioned that a film crew come has through the area. Nash is also excited about a guest speaker coming to speak with retailers in mid May. The state tourism conference is next month. Nash says she hopes to bring some awards back to Pawhuska once again. Pawhuska's Steve Hughes was recognized at Tuesday's city council meeting as being the Code Enforcement Officer of the Year in the state of Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Code Enforcement Association held its spring conference during the last weekend of March in the city of Lone Wolf and presented Hughes with the certificate. At Tuesday's meeting, City Manager Larry Eulert read the proclamation that came with it. Hughes is one of a few code enforcement officers to have ever won the award. The Pawhuska Planing and Zoning Commission held a special meeting Wednesday morning to hear comments from the public regarding recommendations to consider adopting an ordinance regarding changes to codes for owners of residential bed and breakfasts. Among other things, parking, out-door lighting, length of stay and space requirements between rental units were all being discussed.
Owners of many bed and breakfasts in the community spoke out against the codes that would be enforced upon them. Owner of The Farm House, Eric Gomez, told the board the city is busy enough trying to enforce the current codes it already has in place. Gomez added that this is not the time to fix something that isn't broken. Kathryn Chambers owns a bed and bath in the city of Pawhuska. Chambers talked about the off-street parking requirement that would need to be met with this new code. Cheryl Potts, owner of the Million Dollar Inn in Pawhuska, discussed how she has housed a film crew for more than 30 days. This is the proposed maximum number of days someone could stay at a bed and breakfast in the new ordinance. Bruce Malone has yet to open his bed and bath yet because he wants to see what the council decides to do regarding the code enforcements. Malone says his house is the best in the neighborhood though. Terry Loftis has been involved in the bed and bath business for several years. Loftis says the lighting situation must be a two-way street. The Commissioners will ultimately take what they heard from Wednesday's meeting and that will help them make a final decision at May's regular scheduled meeting. Tune into this weeks edition of Talk of the Town on AM 1500, FM 99.1 KPGM for more information on this story. Talk of the Town airs at 7:30 in the morning each Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Pawhuska City Council met for a regular scheduled meeting Tuesday evening at City Hall.
Palma Lough of the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority presented the Council with a $20,000 check for meeting the criteria to qualify for the Competitive Utility Program. This is a re-occurring grant each year that the city receives as long as all criteria are met. The city of Pawhuska had applied for a grant in February that would allow for a car charging station to come to Pawhuska and fuel cars with alternative fuels. City Manager Larry Eulert recently found out that the city will be getting the car charging station. Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce Director Joni Nash was at the meeting saying a number of events will be coming to the city in the next couple months, such as the Roy Clark Memorial Rodeo in April and the OK Freewheel in June. With the numerous events coming to the city, Nash said it is important to get volunteers to help around Pawhuska. Steve Hughes was also recognized for earning the Code Enforcement Officer of the Year. A decision was made several years ago to close the Pawhuska Junior High Building because of declining enrollment and budget constraints. As a result, seventh and eighth grade students have had to take classes in the high school building and this is something High School Principal Lauri Lee doesn't care for.
With Lee wanting to utilize the building as a traditional middle school, sixth graders would also be housed in the building. Lee admits there would still be scenarios where students would have to enter the high school, but it wouldn't be nearly as often as it is now. Superintendent David Cash said this is just a proposal and something the board can think about moving forward. Cash added it is good to look at all options. All three principals were at Monday's school board meeting in Pawhuska talking about ways to improve their respective campus.
Indian Camp Elementary School Principal Amy Sanders knows it is important to make sure students are included in the process ofbecoming a better school. Elementary School Principal Byron Cowan says there is a grant coming in that is funding Chrome Books. Once that grant comes through, Cowan expects 30 percent of the work from his students to be done on a Chrome Book. Cowan also says he has seen an improvement around campus because teachers and administrators alike have began rewarding good behavior. High School Principal Lauri Lee talked about MAP Data. Lee said the seventh and ninth grade didn't do as well as she had hoped, but the tenth grade excelled in all areas. To improve on that, one thing Lee wants to do is have more contact with parents and guardians. Lee has also began, “Do Now” writing activities at the high school to begin each class. Lee says she is seeing writing improvements and fewer disciplinary problems. Pawhuska Superintendent David Cash agreed to serve as the head coach of the girls basketball team at Monday evening's school board meeting. Even though it has been 15 years, Cash does have a history in coaching basketball, both in Oklahoma and Texas.
Cash enjoys running the school, but he looks forward to teaching a group of students as well. Cash says with the help of Assistant Superintendent Beverly Moore, the balance between the two jobs won't be an issue at all. Cash is replacing Ernie Barnett, who turned in his resignation at last month's board meeting. |
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