Connect with us

Oklahoma

Oscar-nominated prison documentary to screen in OKC, spotlighting Oklahoma prison concerns

Published

on

Oscar-nominated prison documentary to screen in OKC, spotlighting Oklahoma prison concerns


OKLAHOMA CITY –

An Oscar-nominated documentary exposing violence inside prison walls is coming to Oklahoma City. Criminal justice reform advocates want to bring attention to Oklahoma’s prison system by showing the film locally.

The documentary “The Alabama Solution” will screen at the Yale Theater in southwest Oklahoma City at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20. The film highlights the dangerous conditions inside Alabama prisons. Advocates say Oklahoma has the same issues.

Watching “The Alabama Project” was an eye-opening experience for J’Shawna Smith.

Advertisement

“I was like well obviously this stuff happens here in Oklahoma,” said Smith. “We’ve heard the same stories here.”

Smith works for the Julius Jones Institute, which was founded after Jones’ death sentence was commuted in Oklahoma by Governor Kevin Stitt shortly before his scheduled execution.

Smith wants the documentary screening to bring awareness to the community and state leaders.

“It exposes the things that are happening inside of our prisons,” said Smith.

There’s no one better to speak about the Oklahoma prison system than someone who has been part of it.

Advertisement

“I’ve never dealt with it firsthand, a guard taking a life or something like that,” said Jason Miller, a former prisoner. “But definitely watched them set it up and so it’s the same, you still got blood on your hands.”

Miller said he was incarcerated in Oklahoma starting at the age of 17. He believes shining a light on violence in prisons can save lives and hold state leaders accountable.

“It’s just hushed to where it would not be heard by society,” said Miller.

Advocates for criminal justice reform also want state leaders to put more resources towards mental health care in prisons.

A community discussion moderated by Senator Nikki Nice will be held after the documentary screening.

Advertisement





Source link

Oklahoma

Flooded roads prompt travel warnings across Northeast Oklahoma

Published

on

Flooded roads prompt travel warnings across Northeast Oklahoma


NOWATA COUNTY, Okla. –

Nowata County Emergency Management is urging motorists to avoid several roads across the county as flooding continues following recent heavy rainfall.

Officials reported water over a bridge on County Road 408 south of Road 2, between Roads 2 and 3.

Roads to Avoid
Emergency management officials issued the following road advisories:

Advertisement
  • Road 21 between Roads 420 and 419
  • Road 419 north of U.S. Highway 60
  • Road 420 between Roads 27 and 28
  • Road 27 west of Road 421 near Panther Creek

Officials say these roads should be avoided because of flooding.

Road 2 Closed
Emergency management also announced that Road 2 (EW 2) is closed.

Officials said some areas of the roadway have approximately 12 inches of standing water.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid flooded roadways and seek alternate routes until water recedes.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Oklahoma

523 animals rescued in SE Oklahoma City meth bust, animal welfare overwhelmed

Published

on

523 animals rescued in SE Oklahoma City meth bust, animal welfare overwhelmed


OKLAHOMA CITY –

Resources at Oklahoma City’s Animal Welfare are stretched thin after taking in more than 500 animals in an emergency rescue. Police arrested four people and saved the animals on Thursday in a methamphetamine bust at a home near southeast 15th and High Avenue.

FIRST REPORTED: Four arrested after 30 pounds of meth, hundreds of animals seized from Oklahoma City home

Oklahoma City’s Development Services Director Brock Rowe answered questions about the largest animal seizure in the city’s history.

Advertisement

How many animals were rescued and what species were found?

Animal control officers rescued 523 animals. There were about 470 ducks, chickens, pigeons, and peacocks gathered from the property. Officers took 49 dogs, an unspecified number of cats, one horse, and reptiles.

What is the latest on the animals’ health and condition?

The animals were “taken care of pretty good” and did not appear to be severely abused of malnourished. The situation is believed to be animal hoarding, meaning there were simply too many animals on the property. Staff worked overnight to ensure the animals have food, clean water, bedding and proper car.

What resources is the shelter using to care for so many animals?

Advertisement

The shelter is using temporary crates, kennels, and indoor spaces to accommodate the overflow, especially for birds, while larger animals like the horse are kept outside. Animal welfare officials are reaching out to local partners and organizations that specialize in livestock and birds to help house and care for some of the animals. The shelter is running a “name your price” adoption event to quickly move existing animals out and free up space.

Are the animals considered evidence, and when could they become available for adoption or transfer?

The animals are currently on hold as evidence, and adoption or transfer will only happen after the legal process determines when they can be released.

What is the status of the criminal investigation, and are additional charges expected?

Police arrested four men on drug trafficking complaints during the warrant search. No word if the men will face charges for the animals.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Oklahoma

Texas A&M makes massive splash in transfer portal landing Oklahoma LHP

Published

on

Texas A&M makes massive splash in transfer portal landing Oklahoma LHP


Texas A&M baseball made a massive splash in the transfer portal Friday morning with the pickup of a premier left-hander from a Southeastern Conference foe.

Oklahoma southpaw Trent Collier is returning to his home state to play for the Aggies in 2027, according to reports from TexAgs’ Richard Zane. Collier pitched for the national-championship-winning Sooners this past season, posting a 3.80 ERA through 23.2 innings pitched and striking out 28 hitters. He was called upon for two appearances in Oklahoma’s postseason run to the national title, allowing no hits with two strikeouts against Georgia Tech and North Carolina.

Collier will come to Bryan-College Station to pitch for the Fightin’ Texas Aggies as a junior for head coach Michael Earley in 2027.

Rebuilding a depleted pitching staff was one of the top priorities for Earley this offseason, after posting a 5.24 team ERA in 2026. Collier is the sixth pitcher to commit to the Aggies out of the transfer portal and the ninth overall addition.

Advertisement

The lefty from Prosper, Texas, began his college career at Weatherford Junior College before landing with the Sooners. He made eight appearances, including nine starts, and earned second-team all-conference for recording a 2.65 ERA and 85 strikeouts across 68.0 innings.

After the program parted ways with Jason Kelly, following the regional final loss to USC in College Station, new pitching coach Barry Enright has reeled in some of the top-rated pitchers in the country this offseason, including Collier. The former Sooners star will have the opportunity to develop under Enright, who had stints in the MLB with the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending