logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Public Notices
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Public Notices
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
$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.

Speed, spirit & shamrocks shine at the Eufaula Green Run
A: Main, news
Speed, spirit & shamrocks shine at the Eufaula Green Run
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
March 18, 2026
A little luck of the Irish and a lot of community spirit filled the air on Saturday, March 14, as the fifth annual Eufaula Green Run 5K brought runners, families and plenty of green to the Cove. Hoste...
Women’s History Month
A: Main, news
Women’s History Month
By ALMA HARPER GARDENIA ART FEDERATED CLUB 
March 18, 2026
National Theme: “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Substantial Future” March is Women’s History Month. Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. Before it w...
A: Main, news
McIntosh County Commissioners call Special Election on sales tax renewal
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
March 18, 2026
McIntosh County voters will head to the polls June 16 to decide whether to renew an existing county sales tax used to fund roads, bridges and county facilities. The McIntosh County Board of County Com...
A: Main, news
Chamber announces March General Meeting
March 18, 2026
The Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly general meeting on Friday, March 20, at noon at the Chamber office, 301 N. Main Street in Eufaula. The guest speaker for the meeting will be ...
City continues work on first comprehensive plan
A: Main, news
City continues work on first comprehensive plan
March 18, 2026
On Saturday, March 14, the City of Eufaula continued its work on developing the community’s first comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan serves as a long-range policy document that guides how a city...
news
Wild Game Dinner & Potluck at Lake Eufaula State Park
March 18, 2026
Come join locals for a great evening at Pickens Lake Group Camp, Hwy 150, Lake Eufaula State Park, on March 21 at 5 p.m. as Friends of Lake Eufaula State Park host their Annual Wild Game Dinner & Potl...
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Flat Stanley joined the Green Run
news
Flat Stanley joined the Green Run
March 18, 2026
Eufaula Elementary School students are bringing a beloved storybook character to life, one adventure at a time. As part of an integrated learning project in Ms. Gilley’s class, students recently read ...
When the Wild Onions Return
news
When the Wild Onions Return
By MICHAEL BARNES CONTRIBUTING WRITER 
March 18, 2026
The scent of wild onions filled the kitchen before anything else. Earlier that morning, volunteers gathered at the Eufaula Indian Community Nutrition Center on Birkes Road to prepare the annual wild o...
news
House approves increased penalties for domestic violence by strangulation
March 18, 2026
Rep. John George, R-Newalla, this week unanimously passed a bill in the House that would add domestic violence by strangulation to the list of crimes requiring a person to serve 85% of a prison senten...
Long nights and legislative progress
commentary
Long nights and legislative progress
By REPRESENTATIVE NEIL HAYS (405) 557-7302 
March 18, 2026
The past week at the Capitol has i n c luded some long nights as l awma k ers work to move legislation f o rwa rd. This stage of session can bring lively debates as members advocate for their ideas an...
Value what truly matters
commentary
Value what truly matters
March 18, 2026
In the past three months I have lost three valuable people in my life which makes you stop and value what truly matters. First I lost my editor, Jerry, who was a key contributor to our local newspaper...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy