Nolan Clay As new COVID-19 cases surge to record highs in the state, the Oklahoma County jail has become the latest facility for inmates to experience an outbreak.So far this month, 33 inmates and six people who work at the jail have tested positive, officials said Monday. More than 540 inmates have been placed in quarantine.The outbreak comes as the jail population has climbed above 1,900, its highest in years. It also comes less than a month after a trust took over jail operations from Sheriff P.D. Taylor and three weeks before jury trials are scheduled to resume at the...…Nolan Clay As new COVID-19 cases surge to record highs in the state, the Oklahoma County jail has become the latest facility for inmates to experience an outbreak.So far this month, 33 inmates and six people who work at the jail have tested positive, officials said Monday. More than 540 inmates have been placed in quarantine.The outbreak comes as the jail population has climbed above 1,900, its highest in years. It also comes less than a month after a trust took over jail operations from Sheriff P.D. Taylor and three weeks before jury trials are scheduled to resume at the...WW…

Nolan Clay Two more protesters Friday were charged with terrorism after a further investigation into the damage to an Oklahoma City bail bonds business May 30.Haley Lin Crawford and Sydney Lynch are accused in the felony charge of acting with a large crowd of others to unlawfully break the windows of CJ's Bail Bonds.They are the youngest so far to be charged in Oklahoma County District Court over protests May 30 and 31.Crawford's 18th birthday is Saturday, records show. Lynch turned 18 two weeks ago. Both are from Oklahoma City. Investigators said they were identified from a recording made...…Nolan Clay Two more protesters Friday were charged with terrorism after a further investigation into the damage to an Oklahoma City bail bonds business May 30.Haley Lin Crawford and Sydney Lynch are accused in the felony charge of acting with a large crowd of others to unlawfully break the windows of CJ's Bail Bonds.They are the youngest so far to be charged in Oklahoma County District Court over protests May 30 and 31.Crawford's 18th birthday is Saturday, records show. Lynch turned 18 two weeks ago. Both are from Oklahoma City. Investigators said they were identified from a recording made...WW…

sharesProtesters blamed for the violence that broke out in Oklahoma City the last weekend in May were charged Friday with terrorism, rioting and assault.If convicted of the felony offenses, they could be sentenced to years in prison.Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater made the decisions himself on the charges in a get-tough approach meant to deter others from going too far during protests in the future."This is not Seattle," Prater said Friday. "We're not putting up with this lawlessness here."Also charged Friday were five defendants identified as involved in the painting of...…sharesProtesters blamed for the violence that broke out in Oklahoma City the last weekend in May were charged Friday with terrorism, rioting and assault.If convicted of the felony offenses, they could be sentenced to years in prison.Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater made the decisions himself on the charges in a get-tough approach meant to deter others from going too far during protests in the future."This is not Seattle," Prater said Friday. "We're not putting up with this lawlessness here."Also charged Friday were five defendants identified as involved in the painting of...WW…

Nolan Clay Embattled Oklahoma County District Judge Kendra Coleman faces possible removal from office after being accused of further misconduct that includes humiliating victims of domestic violence.The judge — elected in 2018 — denies wrongdoing.The Supreme Court on Monday told a special seldom-used court her actions warrant discipline.The majority of justices also called for her immediate temporary suspension from office with pay. They warned "the circumstances giving rise to the foregoing facts ... are in serious danger of continuing.""There is an existing emergency," they warned. "Great...…Nolan Clay Embattled Oklahoma County District Judge Kendra Coleman faces possible removal from office after being accused of further misconduct that includes humiliating victims of domestic violence.The judge — elected in 2018 — denies wrongdoing.The Supreme Court on Monday told a special seldom-used court her actions warrant discipline.The majority of justices also called for her immediate temporary suspension from office with pay. They warned "the circumstances giving rise to the foregoing facts ... are in serious danger of continuing.""There is an existing emergency," they warned. "Great...WW…

Nolan Clay This content is being provided for free as a public service to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. If local news is important to you, consider Oklahoma Health Commissioner Gary Cox won't be getting a new SUV after all.The Health Department was going to pay $27,239 for a 2020 Ford Explorer for the commissioner, according to a purchase order signed in January. The purchase was called off last week."The commissioner and many members of his team had originally been spending significant time on the road traveling around the state to local health departments," a spokeswoman...…Nolan Clay This content is being provided for free as a public service to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. If local news is important to you, consider Oklahoma Health Commissioner Gary Cox won't be getting a new SUV after all.The Health Department was going to pay $27,239 for a 2020 Ford Explorer for the commissioner, according to a purchase order signed in January. The purchase was called off last week."The commissioner and many members of his team had originally been spending significant time on the road traveling around the state to local health departments," a spokeswoman...WW…

Nolan Clay Public safety content is provided for free as a service to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. More in-depth coverage and enterprise reporting can be found by subscribing to our digital products at . We also offer to stay informed. State health officials had been going ahead with a $9.5 million purchase of personal protective equipment from a new company despite being told it was under investigation by the FBI."We will move forward," the Health Department's chief of staff, Jackie Shawnee, wrote Friday, according to information obtained by The Oklahoman.But, on Monday,...…Nolan Clay Public safety content is provided for free as a service to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. More in-depth coverage and enterprise reporting can be found by subscribing to our digital products at . We also offer to stay informed. State health officials had been going ahead with a $9.5 million purchase of personal protective equipment from a new company despite being told it was under investigation by the FBI."We will move forward," the Health Department's chief of staff, Jackie Shawnee, wrote Friday, according to information obtained by The Oklahoman.But, on Monday,...WW…

Nolan Clay Related coverage CHICKASHA — William Dean Brame was awaiting sentencing at the Grady County jail for his role in a major drug ring run from prison by leaders of the Irish Mob.The inmate — also known as Billy OG — became infected there with the coronavirus, The Oklahoman has learned.He died April 28, becoming the first known inmate in the state to lose his life from COVID-19, sources said.The Oklahoma State Department of Health noted the death in a weekly epidemiology and surveillance report made public May 1. The report did not identify the inmate or where he had been held.Brame...…Nolan Clay Related coverage CHICKASHA — William Dean Brame was awaiting sentencing at the Grady County jail for his role in a major drug ring run from prison by leaders of the Irish Mob.The inmate — also known as Billy OG — became infected there with the coronavirus, The Oklahoman has learned.He died April 28, becoming the first known inmate in the state to lose his life from COVID-19, sources said.The Oklahoma State Department of Health noted the death in a weekly epidemiology and surveillance report made public May 1. The report did not identify the inmate or where he had been held.Brame...WW…

Nolan Clay VALLEY BROOK — For years, police officers in this small town best known for its strip clubs have been making traffic stops on streets that are in Oklahoma City.They have relied on a 1992 opinion by a now dead Oklahoma County district judge that they have jurisdiction under the law on SE 59 Street because it forms the town's northern boundary line.Since then, the town's attorneys claim, Valley Brook police have arrested and kept off the streets probably close to 1,500 drunken driving suspects.Lately, though, the validity of stops on SE 59 east of Camille Avenue and on Eastern...…Nolan Clay VALLEY BROOK — For years, police officers in this small town best known for its strip clubs have been making traffic stops on streets that are in Oklahoma City.They have relied on a 1992 opinion by a now dead Oklahoma County district judge that they have jurisdiction under the law on SE 59 Street because it forms the town's northern boundary line.Since then, the town's attorneys claim, Valley Brook police have arrested and kept off the streets probably close to 1,500 drunken driving suspects.Lately, though, the validity of stops on SE 59 east of Camille Avenue and on Eastern...WW…

Nolan Clay A COVID-19 outbreak at Joe Exotic's prison in Texas has killed 10 inmates, more than any other facility or halfway house in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.More than 600 inmates have tested positive at the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth since the pandemic began, according to the bureau.The former Oklahoma zookeeper — whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage — was transferred to the Federal Medical Center in March.The big cat breeder was sentenced in January to 22 years in prison for twice trying to have his chief critic killed, for illegally killing five tigers at his zoo...…Nolan Clay A COVID-19 outbreak at Joe Exotic's prison in Texas has killed 10 inmates, more than any other facility or halfway house in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.More than 600 inmates have tested positive at the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth since the pandemic began, according to the bureau.The former Oklahoma zookeeper — whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage — was transferred to the Federal Medical Center in March.The big cat breeder was sentenced in January to 22 years in prison for twice trying to have his chief critic killed, for illegally killing five tigers at his zoo...WW…