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$2 million bond set for suspects in connection to homicide
A: Main, news
April 16, 2025
$2 million bond set for suspects in connection to homicide
By JOHN BLOCK STIGLER NEWS-SENTINEL,

Two men are currently being held in the Haskell County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection to the homicide of Tina Mitchell, 56, of Stigler.

According to Haskell County Assistant District Attorney James Green, formal charges are expected to be filed early next week against Billy Mitchell, 49, of Stigler, and Jack Swanda, 39, of Muskogee. The two men are currently being held on a $2 million bond each for the homicide, which occurred on April 5.

Green said the duo is expected to make an initial court appearance on April 15.

The Haskell County Sheriff ’s Department reported receiving a 911 call at about 6 p.m. on April 5. Deputies traveled to a property between Garland and Cass, just off Tamaha Road to the east, where they spotted a male subject, later identified as Swanda, covered in blood.

According to Haskell County Sheriff Terry Garland, Swanda suffered stab wounds to both his neck and shoulder and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Upon release from the hospital, he was arrested and booked into the Haskell County Jail.

Tina Mitchell’s body was discovered with stab wounds and multiple apparent gunshot wounds. She was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to a press release issued by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations (OSBI).

OSBI and local law enforcement began searching for Billy Mitchell after he was identified as a suspect. He reportedly fled on foot and was found hours later hiding at a nearby property. He was then arrested and booked into the Haskell County Jail.

The next morning, deputies and agents continued their search of the property and discovered a second deceased individual. The individual was transported to the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office to determine a cause of death.

Garland said that he expects the death to be a result of foul play and that the sheriff ’s office will have more information once the medical examiner’s reports are released.

As of press time, the deceased individual’s name has not been released.

“I hate it for the families, because that’s who it affects the most right now, because they have to deal with it. The families are in our thoughts and prayers, and we’re doing everything we can possibly do to make this as easy for them as possible,” Garland said.

Rae of Sunshine hosts Autism Awareness Festival in Eufaula
A: Main, news
Rae of Sunshine hosts Autism Awareness Festival in Eufaula
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
April 22, 2026
Rae of Sunshine brought families together for a day of connection, activity and awareness during its first Autism Awareness Festival in Eufaula. The event, organized by owner Desirae Parish, for whom ...
A: Main, news
Suspect accused of striking patrol car, fleeing deputies before arrest
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
April 22, 2026
A McIntosh County man was arrested April 16 on a complaint of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, according to a probable cause affidavit. Steven Wayne Smith, 54, of Checotah, was taken into ...
Monty Guthrie named District 10 Superintendent of the Year
A: Main, news
Monty Guthrie named District 10 Superintendent of the Year
April 22, 2026
The Oklahoma Association of School Administrators (OASA) is pleased to announce Monty Guthrie of Eufaula Public Schools as the 2026 OASA District 10 Superintendent of the Year. Guthrie will be recogni...
Checotah daycare case moves forward in district court
A: Main, news
Checotah daycare case moves forward in district court
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
April 22, 2026
A Checotah couple accused of abusing children in an in-home daycare appeared April 16 in McIntosh County District Court for a preliminary hearing before Associate District Judge Brendon Bridges. Jacob...
A: Main, news
Election Board hears contest in county commissioners race
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
April 22, 2026
The McIntosh County Election Board heard testimony at 10 a.m.Thursday, April 16, in a contest of candidacy filed against District 1 County Commissioner candidate Jeffery Coleman (McIntosh County sheri...
Chamber honors local businesses, leaders at annual banquet
A: Main, news
Chamber honors local businesses, leaders at annual banquet
April 22, 2026
The Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated a night of food, fellowship and recognition on Thursday, April 16, during its annual banquet at Dobber’s, bringing together community members, business ...
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Eufaula High School Drama Club forges new tradition with inaugural Hansard Awards
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Eufaula High School Drama Club forges new tradition with inaugural Hansard Awards
April 22, 2026
This spring, Eufaula High School is bridging the gap between the gridiron and the stage. The EHS Drama Club is proud to announce the debut of the Hansard Awards, a new tradition honoring the enduring ...
Autism Awareness Festival fun
news
Autism Awareness Festival fun
April 22, 2026
and sweets from High Class Goods. For Laura Park, who is new to the area, the event left a lasting impression. “It was such a great event,” Park said. “It really meant a lot to see something like this...
Marketing is a conversation, not a megaphone
news
Marketing is a conversation, not a megaphone
By ALICE CANADA 
April 22, 2026
Welcome back to Marketing on Main Street. If you are joining us for the first time, you can catch up on previous columns on the Cookson Hills Publishers blog at Cookson. News. In this series, we focus...
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Texanna Lady Crafters
April 22, 2026
Cookies, cakes and pies…oh my! Hot dogs and yard sale, a shopper’s delight. The TLC event is just around the corner. May 1 and 2 from 10 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.. Items for yard sale are too numerous to list a...
1968 and now: When space united a divided nation
commentary
1968 and now: When space united a divided nation
April 22, 2026
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. In the months after a very contentious election, our nation seems more divided than at any time since the decade before the Civil War. The new Republican president is...
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