All four escapees captured All four men who escaped the Kay County Jail in Newkirk Thursday morning have been captured, according to a dispatcher at the Kay County Sheriff's Office. Police near Branson, Mo., captured Benito Jose Bustos Jr. and Ponca Green at about 1 a.m. Friday morning after spotting the vehicle they were riding in driving recklessly. The two were reportedly intoxicated. Bustos broke both of his legs after trying to get away by jumping a fence, authorities in Missouri reported. They also said Green attempted to strangle himself with his shirt. Both were hospitalized. Later Friday, Kenneth Sherrod and Doyle Berschy, the other two escapees, were captured in Branson. Officials said neither of them attempted to escape capture. Kay County authorities have said they will extradite the men. See the rest of the story ...

Needing Help Starting A Business? Last week the Journal-Tribune ran a poll about what businesses people thought were needed here. Now we want to know if there are people who want to start up a business. If you are one of them, here's an opportunity to help develop a program to assist new business owners get going. Make your decision at the poll on the right and we will try to get you help.  See the rest of the story ...

Current News In The Blackwell Journal-Tribune

Four escape jail Several outsiders may have helped men scale walls, flee County law enforcement officials are looking for four men who escaped from the Kay County Jail Thursday morning. The four escapees were named as Ponca Green, 30; Doyle D. Bertschy, 44; Kenneth Wayne Sherrod, 53; and Benito Jose Bustos Jr., 45. The four reportedly escaped by scaling an inside wall and breaking through a skylight window. See the rest of the story ... Josh Newton, Staff Writer

One of two horses impounded by authorities in Blackwell this week reaches for green grass on the other side of its fence. A visible clearing along the outside of the fence shows the horses’ efforts at reaching as far as possible for more grass. Police a Blackwell police: Cruelty case 'sickening,' inhumane Blackwell police officers worked a case this week that they call “sickening” and “inhumane.” At about 4:10 p.m. Monday, officers were called to the 800 block of Subway in reference to neglected horses. The horses had been reported to Kay County sheriff’s Deputy LeWayne Learned, who located the animals and contacted Blackwell police. See the rest of the story ... Josh Newton, Staff Writer

Blackwell businesses burglarized A rash of business burglaries along Doolin Avenue this week has officers searching for suspects. Officers also reported they will be checking up on those they find out and about after 1 a.m. in light of the recent events. Several businesses Tuesday morning reported they had been burglarized. The Corner Café at 13th and Doolin told police someone broke into the building and took food and a small amount of money. See the rest of the story ... Josh Newton, Staff Writer

Celebrate July 4 at home in City of Blackwell Blackwell's Independence Day Celebration kicks off with an 11 a.m. parade through downtown on Saturday, July 4. “We’re going to start at Main and Dewey,” said Joyce Courtney, one of the committee members. “We’re trying to avoid the co-op parking lot, understanding we might still be in harvest at that time.” See the rest of the story ...

Police bust three for drugs A traffic stop by Blackwell police resulted in three Kansas residents being booked on drug charges. Officer Andy Teston initiated a traffic stop Monday at about 1 p.m. in the 500 block of South Main Street. See the rest of the story ...

Yard of the Week Dan and Kathy Bringham of 865 Saralyn in Blackwell were chosen as this week’s Blackwell Chamber of Commerce “Yard of the Week” winners. Pictured are Chamber Director Shane Frye, Chamber representative Bill Simpson, and Dan and Kathy Bringham. See the rest of the story ...

Red Cross honored volunteers Tuesday The renovated community room at the Cherokee Strip Chapter of the Red Cross was the scene Tuesday night for the annual meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Banquet. Remodeling work has been completed on the facility aided by funds bequeathed by Dr. Steve LeValley last year. In commemoration of that contribution, the community room was named in his honor during the awards presentation that evening. See the rest of the story ...

Blackwell Journal-Tribune for 07-03-2009 Download the Blackwell Journal-Tribune for July 3, 2009 in PDF format. See the rest of the story ...

Community News

Boys arrested for late-night swim Blackwell police officers arrested four boys late Monday night after the juveniles allegedly jumped the fence at Memorial Park pool and decided to go for a late-night swim. At about 10:38 p.m., a caller told police there appeared to be a couple of people inside the pool who weren’t supposed to be there. When officers arrived, they originally didn’t locate anyone, but some people in the area told police the boys were hiding. See the rest of the story ...

Arrests made during 'Operation Falcon' Blackwell Police Officers made three arrests Monday while participating in “Operation Falcon.” The nationwide operation is a joint effort between local and state law enforcement agencies, along with the U.S. Marshal Service. The purpose of the massive effort is to arrest people who have outstanding warrants at the state and federal levels. See the rest of the story ...

Two arrested for domestic Blackwell police officers made two arrests this week following a disturbance. Police were called Monday evening to the 200 block of North D. Officer Cory Ingram arrested Wyatt Dayne Wood, 32, of that residence, and Rachel Susan Wood, 32, also of that residence, for domestic abuse in the presence of a minor. See the rest of the story ...

Bulk water sales require account As previously advertised, sales of bulk water at the station located on the south side of the Water Treatment Plant near the intersection of 2nd St. and Lawrence Ave. will require the purchaser to establish an account with the City. See the rest of the story ...

Luncheon to benefit Relay event A chicken noodle lunch and silent auction will be held at the Red Cross building, 1313 W. Furguson, starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 9. The fundraiser is hosted by the INTEGRIS Blackwell Regional Hospital’s Relay for Life Team. See the rest of the story ...

NOC dean attends leadership academy Jason Johnson, Dean of Students at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, is one of 24 educators and administrators participating in the 2009-10 Combo Educators’ Leadership Academy. See the rest of the story ...

Lifestyles

Blackwell Top 5 community Once again, Blackwell is being noticed at the state level as an outstanding community. Chamber Executive Director Shane Frye confirmed this week that KOCO notified the Chamber offices of Blackwell being nominated “numerous times” once again to be considered as a “KOCO Top 5 – On the Road Community” for this July. See the rest of the story ...

Volunteer of the Year Grady Conrad was named 2009 Red Cross Volunteer of the Year Tuesday night. The honor was announced at the Cherokee Strip Chapter annual dinner meeting held at the Red Cross building presenting him the award was outgoing board of director member Kathleen Brown. See the rest of the story ...

Recognized by Red Cross The Blackwell Red Cross Community Room was renamed the “Dr. Steve LeValley Red Cross Community Room” Tuesday night. Dr. LeValley bequeathed a part of his estate to the Cherokee Strip Chapter and some of those funds were used to renovate the 30-year-old facility. A plaque honoring him was displayed and his family, including his brother Fred LeValley and father, Kenneth, received a plaque in appreciation. With them is Joniece LeValley.  See the rest of the story ...

Bunco Night benefits ACS INTEGRIS Blackwell Regional Hospital’s Relay for Life team is hosting a Bunco Night on Tuesday, July 7, to benefit Relay for Life. The event will be held at the Red Cross Building, 1313 W. Furguson, and begins at 6:30 p.m. See the rest of the story ...

Skaggses welcome girl Ryan and Krissy Skaggs of Stillwater have welcomed a new girl, Riley Kate, who was born at Stillwater Medical Center Saturday, June 20, at 7:24 a.m. She weighed 6 pounds 12 ounces, and was 19 inches long. See the rest of the story ...

Tannehill family celebrates baby boy Rhett and Ashley Tannehill are announcing the birth of their son, Mason Brady Tannehill. He was born at 2:42 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2009, in Grove. He weighed 9 pounds 14 ounces and was 20.6 inches long. See the rest of the story ...

Tilleys welcome home baby Wyatt Brian and Denise Tilley of the Ponca City area recently welcomed a baby boy, Wyatt Jasper Tilley. Wyatt was born May 26, 2009, at 9:01 p.m. at INTEGRIS Blackwell Regional Hospital. He weighed 9 pounds and 15.4 ounces, and was 20.25 inches long. See the rest of the story ...

Johnstone family reunion planned Members of the Johnstone family held a reunion June 24 through 28 at the MarVal Family Resort in Gore. Four of the five remaining children of W.B.and Octivia Johnstone were together plus their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. See the rest of the story ...

Wheatheart Tidbits... Can you believe this? Here it is July already and so many things going on around us this month. It was announced the other day that we’re going to do something different on July 13 here. Our meal will be in the evening on that day, just for the fun of doing the unusual around here. More on what we are planning next week. See the rest of the story ... Velma Turner

Blackwell students listed in NOC honor rolls Thirty-eight Blackwell students are among 751 freshmen and sophomores earning recognition on Northern Oklahoma College academic honor rolls for the spring semester. President’s Honor Roll lists students who have completed a minimum of 12 core course hours during the semester with a perfect grade-point average of 4.00 and with no incomplete grade recorded. See the rest of the story ...

Sports

Golfers tee off during 'America's Hometown' tourney A total of 19 teams helped raise $5,584 for the United Way and Chamber of Commerce Saturday. The annual tournament was at the Blackwell Municipal Golf Course with the Shepherd Oil company team of Justin Shepherd, Jay Soulek, Jaron Soulek and Jordan Brown taking first place in A Flight. See the rest of the story ...

Tonkawa team wins tournament The Tonkawa Casino Diamond Divas' 10 and under softball team claimed the first-place title at the End-of-Season Tournament in Blackwell last weekend. It was pouring down rain, as you can see in the background.  The names of the players follow. See the rest of the story ...

Lucas Lanes Report The Blackwell Bowling Association has just been notified that the Association has been nominated for a new Oklahoma State Award for the Association of the year. The winner will be announced at the Hall Of Fame and Awards Banquet Aug. 1 at the Clarion Hotel in Oklahoma City. Those who want to attend the banquet should call Lucas Lanes for more information. See the rest of the story ...

MGA golf scramble The Blackwell Golf Course has released the MGA Tuesday Night Golf Scramble results. The first place team this week included Jim LaBlue, Justin Cline, Justin Tucker and Don Newman with a 7 under par team score. See the rest of the story ...

Opinions and Columns

Letter to the Editor This letter is in response to the letter that was written in last weeks North Central Reporter by John Q. Taxpayer and we would like to “Thank” John Q. for his truthful words. We have also seen city employees at the Comer Cafe or Braums at 8:30 a.m. Our question is the same, if the city employees are on a 15 minute break at 8:30 a.m. how can you go into a restaurant, place your order and eat plus be back on the job in 15 minutes? See the rest of the story ... Dear Editor:

Dear Abby: Woman's see-through style just a hang-up? DEAR ABBY: I have been involved with “Barbie” for about six months. She’s everything I ever wanted in a mate. We have a similar sense of humor, and our goals and ambitions are almost identical. Our values match, too -- except for one: My sense of propriety seems to be a stumbling block. See the rest of the story ... Abigail Van Buren