Latest news with #McAlester
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Voter registration deadline approaching
The deadline to register to vote in an upcoming September election is nearing. According to Pittsburg County Election Board Secretary Tonya Barnes, the deadline to register to vote is Aug. 15 to be eligible for the Sept. 9 election. On the ballot will be a special proposition for the McAlester Public School district. Anyone who is a United States citizens, residents of Oklahoma and at least 17 and a half years old is eligible to apply for voter registration, according to Barnes, but those who want to participate in this election must be at least 18 years old to cast their ballot. For those applying for voter registration, the County Election Board must receive the application or have it postmarked no later than midnight, Aug. 15, Barnes said. If any applications are received after the deadline, they will still be accepted, but they will not be processed until after the physical election Sept. 9. Barnes said applications can also 'be submitted to any motor vehicle agency that is also an official voter registration agency by the submission deadline.' Those who apply will receive notification in writing about their application being processed, according to election board documents, and those who are approved to vote will then receive a voter identification card in the mail. Others may receive a letter with reasons why the application was not approved. Anyone who doesn't receive a response within 30 days should contact the County Election Board, Barnes said. 'The Pittsburg County Election Board reminds voters that applications must be approved by the County Election Board Secretary in order to vote,' a release states. Voters new to the Pittsburg County area who are from a different county or state will need to complete a new application to be eligible to vote in Pittsburg County elections. Those from the county who have moved within the county can update their address and make any additional changes online at or by completing a voter registration application. Applications can also be downloaded from the State Election Board website at 'You may also complete a form at your County Election Board,' a release states. 'Most post offices, tag agencies and public libraries have applications available upon request.' The Pittsburg County Election Board is located at 1609 N. Strong Blvd., Ste. 200 in McAlester. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions, contact the Election Board at 918-423-3877 or pittsburgcounty@ Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh dies at 98
Gov. George Nigh and his wife, Donna, work the serving line at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner at the Myriad in December 1979. (Photo by Bob Albright/ Oklahoma Historical Society) OKLAHOMA CITY – George Nigh, a former governor who opened the door for women to serve on the state's highest court, has died. He was 98. Nigh family spokesman Bob Burke said Nigh passed away Wednesday morning at home surrounded by family. Born June 9, 1927, in McAlester to Wilber and Irene Nigh, George Nigh holds the record for time served in the Governor's Office. He formally served four times as governor, the most of any politician in state history. State leaders remembered the Democrat as a man who put his state first and served as a mentor to many. 'He was a great man, but perhaps more importantly, he was a really good guy,' said former Gov. Brad Henry. 'Few, if any, have had as significant of an impact on our state for as long as George did.' Nigh was a teacher, former state representative and lieutenant governor. He served in the U.S. Navy and as president of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. In 1950, constituents elected Nigh, then 23, to the state House, making him the youngest member of the Legislature. He was the author of the bill that made 'Oklahoma!,' the state song. Nigh told people he knew as early as the ninth grade that he wanted to be governor. When he first ran for governor in 1962, he lost, but served in the post for nine days in January 1963 following the death of U.S. Sen. Robert S. Kerr. Then Gov. J. Howard Edmondson resigned to fill the seat. In 1978, Nigh finally achieved his dream of being elected governor, but when David Boren left office five days early to become a U.S. senator, he became governor a second time for those few days until he was sworn in to begin his own term. Voters ultimately elected him to serve two full terms in the Governor's Office. As governor, Nigh increased the number of minorities serving on state boards and commissions and in agency leadership roles. Nigh appointed the state's first two female supreme court justices, the late Alma Wilson and Yvonne Kauger, who is retired. 'I once asked him if it was really his idea to appoint me or was it (his wife) Donna's, and he said he was taking credit for it,' Kauger said. Nigh also appointed Steven Taylor, a now retired Oklahoma Supreme Court justice and McAlester resident, to the district court bench in 1984. 'His passion was to get things done in a bipartisan way,' Taylor said. Former Gov. Mary Fallin said Nigh's leadership was grounded in integrity, bipartisanship and humility. 'He devoted his life not just to governing, but elevating our state's spirit – whether through promoting Oklahoma tourism, supporting education, or simply being a good neighbor,' Fallin said. 'He was the kind of statesman every generation hopes for.' Some remembered Nigh as a gifted and sought after storyteller and speaker who wrote some of his speech notes on his hands. 'I will miss his wonderful stories that at the age of 98 he would sprinkle with precise names, dates and places that was simply astounding,' said former Gov. David Walters. Burke, an attorney and Nigh's biographer, called him 'the modern Will Rogers for his beloved state.' Nigh in 2009 spoke with John Erling with Voices of Oklahoma about his lengthy career and life experiences. 'I am very fortunate,' Nigh said. 'I've had a wonderful life. I got to fulfill my dream.' Nigh is survived by his wife Donna; daughter, Georgeann Duty and husband Steve; sister Mary Cargill; two granddaughters and three grandsons. The family is expected to announce a public memorial service at a later date. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLESolve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
County Election Board moves locations
The Pittsburg County Election Board has moved locations. On June 30, the Pittsburg County Election Board announced its move to 1609 N. Strong Blvd., Ste. 200 in McAlester. The previous location had been at 7 E. Chickasaw Ave., McAlester. Pittsburg County Commissioners are the ones who supply the building for the Pittsburg County Election Board. During the County Commissioner meeting on May 27, they moved forward with leasing the new building for a year through First Realty. The location for the election board has moved over the last few years. This move is from the cost of rent going up, according to District 2 County Commissioner Ross Selman. The current agreement the commissioners have come to with First Realty is cheaper than at their previous location and they plan on staying there for the foreseeable future. The election board is in the process of moving all the furniture to the new building, according to Tonya Barnes, secretary of the Pittsburg County Election Board. They plan to put up signs soon and to have its name on the billboard outside of the building. There are no other changes to the election board with this move, Barnes said. Everything done at the old location can be done at the new location, such as registering to vote and participating in elections. 'It's a nice place, and it will fit us well,' Barnes said. The building is bigger than the previous building and has enough room to accommodate for the number of voters they have every election, Barnes said. There are no more elections planned for the remainder of the year. Voters who have questions or concerns should contact the Pittsburg County Election Board at 918-423-3877 or pittsburgcounty@ The County Election Board, now located at 1609 N. Strong Blvd., Ste. 200, McAlester, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed 1-2 p.m. for lunch, Monday through Friday.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
McAAP gets a new commander
McAlester Army Ammunition Plant has a new commander. Col. Gabriel W. Pryor relinquished command to Col. Curtis S. Perkins in the change of command ceremony at the McAlester base Wednesday. 'This change in command marks more than a transition of leadership,' Pryor said. 'It's a moment to reflect on our journey here, to honor the team and to recognize the strength that lives in this installation and its people.' McAlester Army Ammunition Plant is the Department of Defense premier bomb and warhead-loading facility. It supplies about one-third of munitions across the Department of Defense. The plant delivers thousands of Mark 84 2,000-pound bombs, M11 artillery rounds, 105 artillery rounds and more. McAAP is one of 14 Joint Munitions Command installations and one of 23 organic industrial bases under U.S. Army Materiel Command. It is the site of production, storage, distribution and demilitarization. Officials said armies historically use a flag or other symbol to serve as a rallying point under which their soldiers would gather before combat and reorganize during battle. The passing of the colors during the change of command ceremony symbolizes the original purpose and represents the official transfer of command. Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Duncan opened the Change of Command ceremony. He thanked McAAP's community partners and elected leaders, thanked Pryor's family for their support and thanked Pryor for his service. 'It just shows how much he takes care of people and not just the mission,' Duncan said about Pryor's leadership and his priority of McAAP employees' safety. Pryor was commissioned in May 1999 as a Second Lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps from the Army ROTC program at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. He earned a Master of Policy Management from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. He held several positions in his military career, including Distribution Branch Chief, Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commander and Joint Planner, USTRANSCOM, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, 2015-2017; Battalion Commander, 47th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, Division G4, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas, 2018-2021; and McAlester Army Ammunition Plant Commander, McAlester, Oklahoma, 2023-2025. Pryor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, and a Master of Policy Management from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Pryor's military education includes the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, Combined Logistics Captains Career Course, and more. His awards and achievements include the Bronze Star Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (bronze campaign star), Iraq Campaign Medal (4 campaign stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3 numerals), Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation (3 Oak Leaf Clusters) and Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge. Over the last two years, McAAP has met 100% of their delivery days. The depo operation has experienced the least amount of accidents and injuries than it has in the last 10 years, according to the McAAP 'These accomplishments that I'm telling you about, these are not a commander's success. This is a team's success,' Pryor said. He thanked the men and women of McAAP for teaching him about leadership, grit and excellence. 'This was not just a duty. It was a blessing,' he said. Perkins was commissioned in December 1999 as a Second Lieutenant in the Quartermaster branch from the Army ROTC program at South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina. He has earned a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Master of Arts in procurement and acquisition management from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering technology from South Carolina State University. Perkins has served in many positions during his lengthy military career, including Assistant Brigade Logistics Officer and Forward Support Company Commander, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Hood, Texas; Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Deputy Support Operations officer, 404th Division Aviation Support Battalion, Fort Carson, Colorado; S3 Operations Officer, and Brigade Resource Manager, 27th Brigade Support Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; Brigade Support Operations Officer and Executive Officer, 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia; and Plans Chief, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, and more. His military education includes Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, Combined Logistics Captain's Career Course, Army School of Advanced Military Studies, Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. His awards and achievements include the Legion of Merit (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters) and Joint Service Commendation Medal. Perkins thanked the McAlester community for coming together to make this possible. He said he appreciates the community he has been brought to serve and said he will be the best commander he can to support the community and McAAP. 'Our mission remains instrumental to national defense, and I'm proud to serve with this dedicated team,' Perkins said.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Oklahoma executes a man who was transferred from federal custody by Trump officials
This March 4, 2025, photo provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections shows John Fitzgerald Hanson. (Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP,File) McALESTER, Okla. — Oklahoma executed a man Thursday whose transfer to state custody was expedited by the Trump administration. John Fitzgerald Hanson, 61, received a three-drug lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester and was pronounced dead at 10:11 a.m., prison officials said. Hanson was sentenced to die after he was convicted of carjacking, kidnapping and killing a Tulsa woman in 1999. 'Peace to everyone,' Hanson said while strapped to a gurney inside the prison's death chamber. The execution began at 10:01 a.m. After the lethal drugs began to flow, a doctor entered the death chamber at 10:06 a.m. and declared him unconscious. Hanson, whose name in some federal court records is George John Hanson, had been serving a life sentence in federal prison in Louisiana for several unrelated federal convictions. Federal officials transferred him to Oklahoma custody in March to follow through on President Donald Trump's sweeping executive order to more actively support the death penalty. Hanson's attorneys argued in a last-minute appeal that he did not receive a fair clemency hearing last month, claiming that one of the board members who denied him clemency was biased because he worked for the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office when Hanson was prosecuted. A district court judge this week issued a temporary stay halting the execution, but that was later vacated. Prosecutors alleged Hanson and accomplice, Victor Miller, kidnapped Mary Bowles from a Tulsa shopping mall. Prosecutors alleged the pair drove Bowles to a gravel pit near Owasso, where Miller shot and killed property owner Jerald Thurman. The two then drove Bowles a short distance away, where Hanson shot and killed Bowles, according to prosecutors. Miller received a no-parole life prison sentence for his role in the crimes. Thurman's son, Jacob Thurman, witnessed Thursday's execution and said it was the culmination of 'the longest nightmare of our lives.' 'All families lose in this situation,' he said. 'No one's a winner.' Bowles' niece, Sara Mooney, expressed frustration at the litigation over Hanson's death sentence that dragged on for decades, calling it an 'expensive and ridiculous exercise.' 'Capital punishment is not an effective form of justice when it takes 26 years,' she said. During last month's clemency hearing, Hanson expressed remorse for his involvement in the crimes and apologized to the victims' families. 'I'm not an evil person,' Hanson said via a video link from the prison. 'I was caught in a situation I couldn't control. I can't change the past, but I would if I could.' Hanson's attorneys acknowledged he participated in the kidnapping and carjacking, but said there was no definitive evidence that he shot and killed Bowles. They painted Hanson as a troubled youth with autism and who was controlled and manipulated by the domineering Miller. Both Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and his predecessor, John O'Connor, had sought Hanson's transfer during President Joe Biden's administration, but the U.S. Bureau of Prisons denied it, saying the transfer was not in the public interest. Sean Murphy, The Associated Press
