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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.

Battle of Honey Springs still making history
A: Main, news
Battle of Honey Springs still making history
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
November 12, 2025
The Battle of Honey Springs Reenactment drew sizable crowds as did Education Day as actors and staff made history come to life over the threeday weekend of events from Nov. 7-9. Visitors and students ...
A: Main, news
Street work continues
November 12, 2025
The Main Street project (SH 9) by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in Eufaula is expected to continue through the first week in December. An ODOT spokesman said the downtown section of the pr...
A: Main, news
Annual Local Flavor event on Nov 18
November 12, 2025
Under One Roof is pleased to announce the return of its highly anticipated annual fundraising event, Local Flavor, to be held on Tuesday, November 18, from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at The Sandbar Tavern, 24...
A: Main, news
Superintendent Guthrie announces retirement
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
November 12, 2025
Eufaula School Superintendent Monty Guthrie announced at Monday’s School Board meeting that he is retiring effective June 30, 2026, the final day of this school year. He stated he will finish his care...
A: Main, news
EIC hosting garage sale
November 12, 2025
The Eufaula Indian Community Elder Group is hosting an inside Community Garage Sale on Saturday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale will be held at the Eufaula Indian Community Center, 800 Birkes Road...
A: Main, news
Watts Mural to be dedicated
November 12, 2025
Vision Eufaula invites everyone to the dedication of the JC Watts Mural on Monday, Nov. 17, at noon at City Hall. The mural was created during Vision’s 2024 Wine & Art Festival as a Paint By Numbers c...
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Fleas October Meeting
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Fleas October Meeting
November 12, 2025
The theme of the meeting was Halloween. Some ladies dressed with great enthusiasm and others simply wore a t-shirt. Our hostesses, Vonnie Clark, Mary Nelson and Cindy Troup, dressed to the nines and p...
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Oklahoma tribes step in to feed citizens as federal shutdown threatens food aid
By CLIFTON ADCOCK Clifton@readfrontier.com 
November 12, 2025
President Trump wants to cut SNAP benefits all together during the government shutdown. However, a federal judge ordered him to restore full benefits. He appealed the decision and the U.S. Supreme Cou...
news
Ag Booster Club spaghetti dinner, pie auction Nov. 23
November 12, 2025
The Eufaula Ag Booster Club will host a free spaghetti dinner and pie auction Sunday, Nov. 23., at the Eufaula Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. Dinner will start at 1 p.m. with the pie auction to follow at 3...
news
McIntosh County GOP
By LYNELLE MEDLEY CHAIRMAN 
November 12, 2025
Our 2025 Patriot Retreat was a smashing success -- we had nearly 50 people there from all areas of the state. Beaver’s Bend State Park was gorgeous and our keynote speaker, The Honorable Jake Merrick,...
Special presentation at Friends meeting
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Special presentation at Friends meeting
By LENORE BECHTEL 
November 12, 2025
A drama depicting wartime dilemmas will be presented by Selina Jayne-Dornan at the Nov. 21 meeting of the Friends of Eufaula Memorial Library. The staged reading of “War Letters” by Dor-nan, acting te...
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