MIRANDA FLEMING/GDH Emergency personnel responded, during the noon hour wednesday, to an aircraft crash on the runway of Guymon's Municipal Airport. The pilot walked away with a minor head injury, treated and released on scene.
By MIRANDA FLEMING • Reporter
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An emergency landing was made during the noon hour at Guymon's Municipal Airport Wednesday. According to the report made by Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Texas County Sheriff's office advised an aircraft had crashed on the north end of the runway. The aircraft, a 1953 Beechcraft D35, single engine, lost control upon approaching the runway. The pilot, Robert E. Buckinham III, 52 of Keller,Texas, attempted to land the plane, but crashed approximately 251 feet south of the north end of the runway, sliding off the east side, landing in the field. The pilot recieved only a minor head injury and was checked and released on scene. The incident was investigated by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. David Welch of the Beaver Detachment and was assisted by Texas County Sheriffs Office, Guymon Police Department, Guymon Fire Department, and Guymon EMS. The FAA was notified of the incident.
By MIRANDA FLEMING • Reporter
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The Oklahoma House of Representatives, Media Division, released a study on Tuesday, August 31,2010, showing that requiring backup generators in assisted living facilities is needed in Oklahoma. "Today's study showed that about a third of the 139 assisted living facilities in the state do not have a backup generator,"said State Representative, Joe Dorman. He went on to say, "We also learned that moving residents to another facility or shelter in times of disaster is not the best way to look out for their safety." Dorman added that clear legislation is needed and intends to work with all parties as to not create financial hardship for assisted living facilities. According to the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Assisted Living Association, Penny Ridenour, for facilities with less than 16 beds, the cost of the generator purchase would be burdensome, most likely passing the cost onto the consumer and the price can quickly get high, with the low-end of costs being $20,000. Dorman said, "There is a cost to providing this level of safety, but thee is also the necessary cost for ensuring protection for the safety of the residents." Dorman is currently looking at the law in Maryland, where facilities with 50 beds or more requires generators, with exemptions for facilities with financial hardships. According to the Assisted Living State Regulatory Review 2010, the only state requiring generators in these facilities is Maryland. "I am trying to find ways to help improve our response to natural disasters. One way is to require assisted living facilities to have alternate power sources so vulnerable residents continue to have access to important medical equipment requiring electricity and warmth,"said Dorman. A request from an individual, whose mother was living in a assisted living facility that experienced a power due to an ice storm earlier in the year, prompted this study. The recent study also found that even though it is highly suggested by various state entities, there is no requirement for plans of disaster and evacuation in Oklahoma. "I will certainly demand this be included in the legislation to require all facilities to have some type of disaster and evacuation plan filed with the local fire department closest to a facility, " said Dorman and added, "I am confident that reasonable legislation can be created and I look forward to working with the various interested parties to find some solution which will be cost effective for the facilites and protect their vulnerable residents."
Reyes back in court, 2nd person arrested in connection
on 09-03-2010 01:00
COURTESY PHOTO
Reyes is the former Goodwell reserve officer and former Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Agent, who was arrested last month for allegedly purchasing guns under different aliases and reselling them to people not licensed to own them.
Gregorio Martinez Morales, 35, was arrested, on August 10, by federal authorities in connection with Reyes' black market ring for firearms.
By MIRANDA FLEMING • Reporter
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Francisco Javier Reyes was back in court Tuesday, August 31, before Magistrate Gary Purcell. Reyes is the former Goodwell reserve officer and former Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics agent, who was arrested last month for allegedly purchasing guns under different aliases and reselling them to people not licensed to own them. The guns are believed to have ended up in the hands of the Mexican Drug Cartels. Reyes, with his court-appointed attorney Robert Wyatt, waived his right to a preliminary hearing, by telling the judge he did not want it. Now, probable cause will have to be decided by a grand jury to return an indictment. According to Koco.com, "An information", which is the filing of information for the commencement of the criminal prosecution, similar to an indictment, can be filed by the government, which would leave Reyes headed for trial. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics has launched it's own investigation on Reyes, while cooperating with federal authorities. "The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics holds a high position of public trust, and when that trust is breached, we will move swiftly to ensure justice is served," said Director of the Narcotics Bureau, Darrell Weaver. Until the Federal Grand jury makes the formal indictment, trial date will not be set, however, Reyes was commanded by the judge to keep his attorney in close contact. According to News9.com, a second person, Gregorio Martinez Morales, 35, was arrested, on August 10, by federal authorities in connection with Reyes' black market ring for firearms. In a raid on Morales' home in Lewsville, Texas, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives agents seized weapons and cash. According to a spokesman for ICE in Dallas, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Haskell, Texas has custody of Morales, who is being processed for deportation because of charges for immigration violation. "For privacy reasons we can't release anything more than that, but we can tell you the deportation process could take some time," said ICE spokesman Carl Rusnok. The Guymon Daily Herald will be following this case and give updated information as it becomes available.
MIRANDA FLEMING/GDH Suzanne Bryan and her mother Joann Thompson, rode around town Wednesday morning, training "Latte" for her first Pioneer Parade. Latte needs to get use to all the noises in town so she'll be ready next to make her premiere.
By MIRANDA FLEMING • Reporter
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Spotted joy-riding down the street, this horse and buggy caught the eye of many passers' by Wednesday morning. Driven by owner Suzanne Bryan and her mother Joann Thompson this three year old half arib half shetlend horse, Chocolatte "Latte" for short, has been in training for her first Pioneer Day Parade since May of this year. Bryan takes Latte out around town several times a week during this training to get her comfortable with all the extra noise not found in the country, such as cars, sirens, people, etc. Bryan, who has been breeding horses since 2000, said "The more they are exposed to outside noises, the better." The trio has visited business in town, going about their day normally, by going through drive-thru's at restaurants and banks. Latte is taking over for her mother, Sugar Baby, who had been in the Pioneer Day Parade for the past five years, but sadly passed away last month. Sponsored by Suzanne's business, Zac's Cheese, Latte will make her debut at the at the Settlers Day celebration, in La Junta, Colo., on Septmember 11, 2010. She will also be making appearances at the Tri-State Fair, in Amarillo, September 18, as well as other various parades.
COURTESY PHOTO From left to right, Technician Misty Mckinney, and Owner/Managers Christie and Brandon Barber.
By KATIE MARTIRE•Managing Editor
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When a tragic event occurs, such as a suicide, the family is left with clean up expenses as well as heartache. Having personally experienced a tragedy such as this, one Amarillo business owner is spending his time and efforts to make a difference in the lives of those in need of such a service. Bio-Klenz LLC. is a new Amarillo business that specializes in the clean-up of hazardous events but they don't stop there. Their motto is "It is Our Hope You Never Have to Contact Us." "A very good friend of mine was personally affected by this type of tragedy," said Owner/Manager Brandon Barber. "My best friend's wife committed suicide one year ago on August 5. There was not a company here that dealt with these matters and the entire experience was an unpleasant one. And the expenses were outrageous, that is when I began researching and developing my own business." A company, contracted out of Dallas, Texas travels to areas, such as the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, to clean these types of scenes. They can take 6-8 hours to arrive at their destination and the cost can be unfathomable. Having 8 years experience in the criminal justice system, working as a paramedic for four years, gives Barber 12 years experience for this industry. "We became LLC on July 6," continued Barber. "I have been working on opening this business for about a year. I have four employees but would like to expand. We will cover a 380 mile area. We really started this business to help people get through this awful experience as easy as possible." "Also, we wanted to help lift the financial burden that accompanies a tragedy such as this. We are also in the process of opening a non-profit organization that will do fundraising for assisting people in paying our expenses as well as possibly funeral expenses. We are taking it beyond just cleaning the home." The business will also help families contact grief counselors and any other service they may be in need of. The employees have taken the necessary steps to become licensed in this field. They can be contacted 24 hours a day at 1-806-290-5555 or visit their website at www.bio-klenz.com.
