By KATIE MARTIRE
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A Guymon couple was arrested for allegedly participating in the conspiracy to obtain money under false pretenses. Lorena Torres Jordan Ochoa, 37, and Juan Manuel Torres, 41, allegedly obtained $31,434 from around January 15, 2007 to around June of 2009. According to an affidavit for probable cause filed at the Texas County Court Clerk's Office, a representative for Sure Finance called the Guymon Police Department for an embezzlement on June 22. The representative alleged that the manager of the company had been signing checks from Sure Finance in her name and in her husband's name under other customers accounts. The Sure Finance representative handed the Officer paperwork on loan numbers and names that the transactions took place under. The representative informed the Officer that approximately $51,212 had been stolen in all, he then advised that his company has gone back through their paperwork and discovered this has been going on since 2007. Lorena was escorted to the GPD to speak with Officers concerning the embezzlement. She advised the Officers of her duties at Sure Finance which is collecting money from clients with loans, calls and speaks with them over the phone, at times goes to residences to obtain payments and gave out loans. When asked about the questionable paperwork over the last two years and why checks were made out to her husband Juan, she said that at times customers will not be able to cash a check due to them not having proper identification, so they would help that person out by signing their names on the check and cash the check for the customers. The Officer then advised Lorena that the he was looking at the loans that were already pulled, meaning loans that had been paid off and that there was a check written to her husband Juan, the Officer told her this seemed weird, Lorena agreed. She then told the Officer she had been writing out checks to her husband, he'd cash the checks and give the cash back to her. She then said she would use the money to pay off other loans to different customers. Lorena allegedly explained that she would make contact with customers and those customers would be in to pay on their account. She explained this was done to make Sure Finance look good, make quotas and get bonuses. Lorena advised she did use some of the money to pay her own bills and was unaware the total was up to $50,000. Lorena was fired from Sure Finance as a result of all of this. Lorena is being tried on 12 felony counts: one count of felony value-false pretense/bogus checks/con game; one count conspiracy to commit felony value-false pretense/bogus check/con game; five felony counts of obtaining money under false pretenses, and five felony counts of conspiracy to commit obtaining money under false pretenses. Juan Manuel Torres is being tried on six felony counts: Felony value-false pretense/bogus checks/con game; one felony count of Conspiracy to commit a felony value-false pretenses/bogus check/con game; two felony counts of obtaining money under false pretenses; and two felony counts of conspiracy to commit obtaining money under false pretenses. Juan was released from the Texas County Detention Center on June 23 on a $25,000 bond and Lorena was released on June 22 on a $25,000 bond. Both are awaiting trial.
TRAVIS RUIZ/The GDH Walmart Associates applaud as Walmart gave over $4000 in grants to local organizations and events.
By TRAVIS RUIZ
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Businesses normally take your money, but this time, one local business is giving back to the community it calls home. As part of the Walmart Foundation, Guymon's SuperCenter generously donated over $4000 to local organizations and events. "We are happy to be able to give back the community," said Amy Green, Walmart Assistant Manager, "This is what it's all about." The Wal-Mart Foundation strives to provide opportunities that improve the lives of individuals in its local communities. Receiving grants on Thursday were the Guymon High School Track and Cross Country Teams ($1000), the City of Guymon Freedomfest Celebration ($1000), the American Cancer Society ($1500) and the Texas Co. Sheriff's Department ($1000). Coach Andy Brown of Guymon High School explained that the money being donated to his program would go directly toward new uniforms. "We haven't gotten new uniforms since 2000 or 2001," he said. "We really needed them. Thank you." The City of Guymon received the grant to help fund its Freedomfest Celebration which takes place tomorrow, July Fourth. The Sheriff's Department is using the grant to purchase new digital cameras for each officer. Sheriff Caddell explained that these were needed and will prove to be extremely beneficial out in the field at crime scenes. The American Cancer Society also received a grant. $1500 from Walmart will be going toward cancer research. Walmart has a committee that decides exactly who gets the grants.
GDH to Have Online Updates of 43rd President’s Visit Sat.
Last Updated ( Friday, 03 July 2009 )
on 07-03-2009 16:53
By TRAVIS RUIZ
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Seeing a living President in person is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for many. With President Bush visiting nearby Woodward, Okla., on the Fourth of July, many Guymon residents may be taking the two hour trip. The 43rd President of the United States is visiting neighboring city Woodward to celebrate Crystal Beach's capital improvements along with the park's 80th anniversary. It's all part of Woodward's "Let Freedom Ring" celebration. Bush is scheduled to speak Saturday at 6:20 p.m. in the park’s rodeo arena, which can seat approximately 10,000 people. Several other activities will take place as part of the two-day celebration including rock, country and contemporary bands. The stadium's gates will open at 4 p.m. as events begin at 5 p.m. Bush will then speak and will be followed by entertainment by Sawyer Brown until 10:30 p.m. Fireworks will conclude the evening with a show at 11 p.m. Dancing and more music will also be available after-hours at the fair barn. For ticket or schedule information on the entire event, visit www.letfreedomring2009.com or call (580) 256-7200. The Guymon Daily Herald will be on scene to cover the event as it happens and will have a full report in Monday's paper and online at www.guymondailyherald.com with video. Also, complete LIVE coverage with photos will be available on the GDH's twitter site, www.twitter.com/guymondaily.
By KATIE MARTIRE
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Wondering what to do for the 4th of July? Freedom Fest is being held this weekend. This event is fun for the whole family. "This event signifies why we celebrate the 4th of July, we started this to honor our veterans and show our appreciation for our armed services," said Vicki McCune, Community Development Director. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. at the Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. A tribute to the armed services will begin at 7:15 p.m. The bull riding will begin at 7:30 p.m. "We will buck our first bull out at 7:30, we have about 40 of the top bull riders coming from 10 different states," said McCune. "We will have some barrel racing in between the bull riding and we have some specialty acts to run in between the bull riding. We will bring the top 10 bull riders back for a short round and right after the short round we will shoot off the first of the fire works." This is the largest fire works display held in the Oklahoma Panhandle and will kick-off right after the bull riding. Tickets may be purchased in advanced today until 5 p.m. at the City of Guymon at the City Hall, Main Street Guymon's Office and panhandle Telephone for $5. Tickets are $7 at the gate for adults, children 12 and under can get in free with two cans of food, it will cost $2 without canned goods. The canned goods will be matched by local grocers and given to the Oaks of Mamre and the food bank. The concession proceeds will go to Main Street Guymon. This event is made possible by the City of Guymon and Convention and Tourism and sponsored by many businesses in Guymon.
KATIE MARTIRE/The GDH Pictured in back row, from left, Officer Steven King, Officer Monte Osborne, Andrew Barbosa, Scott Lathrop, O.J. Herrera, Dean McFadden and Jim Grocholski, CEO of TCMH. Pictured in front from left, Shirley Cannon and Joy Kimball. The Guymon Police Department, Fire Department and the Texas County Memorial Hospital show their support for the Coffee Memorial Blood Center Boots vs. Badges Blood Drive being held Tuesday, July 14 at the Victory Memorial United Methodist Church.
By KATIE MARTIRE
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Giving blood to those in need is a very liberating feeling. A t-shirt is usually one of the perks to helping the community but Coffee Memorial Blood Drive is throwing in an added incentive. In order to honor local heros, all eligible donors will be entered into a drawing for the Dallas Cowboys trip, a t-shirt and will be able to vote for their favorite local hero, whether it be a local fire fighter or police officer. The Dallas Cowboys Trip consists of two 48-yard line, row 7 Club seats, valued at $430, a $200 Valero gas card and a two-night hotel stay in Arlington, Texas. This promotion will replace the November football promotion, so do not miss this chance to win. Who will recruit the most blood donors this year? Competition is being held from July 1 through August 31. "We are the blood drive that supports our community," said Shirley Cannon with the Coffee Memorial for the Hospital of Texas County. "It is very important we serve our community through the Coffee Memorial Blood Drive, the blood donated stays within the community and is not shipped all over the world, it literally goes to our community and it's surrounding areas." In order to donate blood, one must bring a photo ID or Donor ID card. The drive is being held Tuesday, July 14 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please cal to schedule an appointment at 1-877-574-8800 or visit the Victory Methodist United Memorial.
