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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.

Muscogee Nation celebration marks opening of Lake Eufaula Casino Hotel
A: Main, news
Muscogee Nation celebration marks opening of Lake Eufaula Casino Hotel
December 17, 2025
SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER Leaders from the Muscogee Nation and the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises (MNGE) held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting on Monday, Dec. 15, to open the doors on a $69.8 milli...
Sweet Success at the Eufaula Chamber Cookie Crawl
A: Main, news
Sweet Success at the Eufaula Chamber Cookie Crawl
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
December 17, 2025
Downtown Eufaula was filled with holiday cheer and the irresistible aroma of fresh-baked treats as the Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Cookie Crawl on Saturday, Nov. 13. The event, ...
A: Main, news
Main Street project update
December 17, 2025
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has shared a revised timeline for the Main Street Improvement Project. The new estimated completion date is now the first week of January 2026. We know...
Shop with a Cop brightens Christmas
A: Main, news
Shop with a Cop brightens Christmas
December 17, 2025
Dozens of McIntosh County kids were escorted on a Christmas shopping spree by law enforcement officers last week. In total, over 80 kids received a total of $30,000 worth of presents. Each purchased g...
A: Main, news
Is your name on the list?
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
December 17, 2025
The Oklahoma State Treasurer’s Office has released its latest report of unclaimed property, and the full list of names appears inside this week’s edition on page 3. Every year, millions of dollars in ...
news
Elves of Texanna Toy Giveaway brings Christmas joy to local children
December 17, 2025
The Elves of Texanna Toy Giveaway returned this past Sunday, Dec. 14, continuing a holiday tradition that has helped make Christmas brighter for local children and families. The event, organized by La...
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Haltom’s Huddle Food Drive brings holiday cheer to local families
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Haltom’s Huddle Food Drive brings holiday cheer to local families
December 17, 2025
Over the past month, residents and readers came together in a powerful show of community spirit for the annual Haltom’s Huddle Food Drive. Thanks to their generosity, hundreds of non-perishable food i...
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Past school records to be destroyed
December 17, 2025
Checotah High School will be destroying past graduate records. If you graduated in the school year 2020, you can pick up your high school records. You may call ahead at (918) 473-9100 to arrange picku...
Roger Thompson to keynote Friends’ event
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Roger Thompson to keynote Friends’ event
December 17, 2025
“How Christmas Started and Surged” will be the topic explored at the 1 p.m. Friday, December 19 meeting of Friends of Eufaula Memorial library. How can Odin, the Norse God of wisdom, poetry, agricultu...
SOAR gives back to God’s Helping Hands
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SOAR gives back to God’s Helping Hands
December 17, 2025
The Southeastern Oklahoma Board of REALTORS has always believed in the importance of giving back to the communities they serve. This commitment was once again demonstrated at the annual Christmas Part...
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Lake Eufaula family loses dream home in fire
December 17, 2025
Craig and Chelsea Lewis experienced their worst nightmare when their dream home on Lake Eufaula was reduced to charred rubble just weeks before Christmas. “Overnight, it ended up being a total loss,” ...
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