August 29, 2025

logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Praise for Local Crackdown on Drug Crimes
commentary
May 7, 2025
Praise for Local Crackdown on Drug Crimes
By REP. TIM TURNER

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma this week ann ounced the life sentence of Heath Lloyd Taylor, a drug trafficker who led an organization in eastern Oklahoma while incarcerated at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

Seven additional members of the organization were sentenced for drug conspiracy with sentences ranging from 24 to 240 months. Five members were sentenced for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances with sentences ranging from 57 to 151 months.

The operation involved non-incarcerated members who obtained, stored and distributed over 25 kilograms of methamphetamine and approximately 45 grams of fentanyl from a base of stash houses where drug proceeds, firearms and other assets also were stored.

Outstanding work by our local, state and federal agencies who investigated and participated in the arrests in these crimes. When all agencies work together, our state becomes safer and drug dealers get the punishment they deserve. It is also important to point out the great prosecution by the Eastern District of Oklahoma U.S. Attorney’s Office.

We all will continue to fight for a safer Oklahoma, which will in turn create a better Oklahoma.

In the House of Representatives this week, I passed several Senate bills.

Senate Bill 599 would add the death penalty or life without the possibility of parole as potential punishments for any person convicted of certain sexual crimes against children. These include anyone convicted of forcible anal or oral sodomy, rape or rape by instrumentation of a child under 14 years of age, and any person convicted of inappropriately touching a child under the age of 12. Offenders would not need to be convicted a second time of these crimes for this higher range of punishment. This is about protecting our kids and ensuring the harshest punishments for monsters that would abuse children in these ways.

This bill returns to the Senate for final consideration of House amendments.

Senate Bill 398 is a language cleanup request by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. It would require the director to issue a written order to show cause before annulling, conditioning, suspending or revoking any registration under the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. Alleged violations will be deemed admitted unless the registrant requests an administrative hearing within 30 days.

Senate Bill 497 is an attorney general’s request that would increase the period of time the Forensic Review Board has to provide notice to district attorneys and crime victims – to 45 days. This also applies when the board considers changing the custody of an individual found not guilty by reason of mental illness.

Senate Bill 861 cleans up Oklahoma statutes defining street gangs and gang-related offenses, adding human trafficking and possession of a firearm after former felony conviction.

These three bills passed unanimously and now move to the governor for his consideration of signing them into law.

Remember, if I can help you in my capacity as your representative, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Capitol. My office phone is (405) 557-7375, and my email is tim.turner@okhouse. gov.

Rep. Tim Turner, a Republican, represents House District 15 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Haskell County and portions of McIntosh, Muskogee, Le Flore and Pittsburg counties.

Federal single audit shows unprecedented mismanagement
August 28, 2025
“It is past time for Oklahoma to get its financial house in order.”   Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector (SAI) Cindy Byrd today released the Federal Single Audit of expenditures made during FY 2023. T...
Storm can’t shake Nichols: Local store stands tall after lightning strike
A: Main, news
Storm can’t shake Nichols: Local store stands tall after lightning strike
Community rallies in support
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
August 27, 2025
The most disastrous event to ever strike Nichols Market during its more than 50year history in Eufaula struck Tuesday evening, according to owner Jeremy Nichols. “We suffered a severe power loss which...
A: Main, news
Dusk ‘til Dawn Blues Festival loses its leader, not it’s spirit
By LENORE BECHTEL CORRESPONDENT 
August 27, 2025
What’s billed as the “world’s largest backyard party” will happen this coming weekend as blues lovers far and wide flock to the Down Home Blues Club and the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame. Starting at 5 ...
A: Main, news
Lakeside Large Cars show Aug. 29, 30
August 27, 2025
Some amazing semis will be at the annual Lakeside Large Cars truck show Friday and Saturday, Aug. 29-30 at the Xtreme parking area. Friday there is a meet and greet convoy in preparation for the big, ...
Bridges family honored at street-naming ceremony
A: Main, news
Bridges family honored at street-naming ceremony
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
August 27, 2025
The Bridges family has a long and distinguished history in Eufaula. Brendon Bridges is a Mc-Intosh County District Judge who has spent a lifetime of community service. His grandmother, the late Margue...
A: Main, news
Wine & Art Festival only a week away
August 27, 2025
Artist and former Indian Journal news editor Jack Fowler will be doing a mural during the fourth annual Vision Eufaula Wine & Art Festival, set for Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 150 N. F...
You’re So Beautiful
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Murder suspect bound over for trial
A: Main, news
Murder suspect bound over for trial
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
August 27, 2025
Glen Edward Calvin, 54, of Wilburton, has been bound over for trial for the Dec. 18, 2024, shooting death of Brenda Wilson, 63, at a residence they shared in the remote Paradise Hill area north of Eag...
City Council retreat takes a step forward
A: Main, news
City Council retreat takes a step forward
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
August 27, 2025
City Manager Jacob Foos described the City Council retreat held Friday, Aug. 22, at the Legacy in Eufaula as a success. “It was a productive meeting to discuss the Council’s vision for Eufaula, along ...
A: Main, news
Suspect shot
August 27, 2025
The McIntosh County Sheriff ’s Office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation are investigating an officer-involved shooting Sunday afternoon in Eufaula. According to the OSBI, deputies respond...
A: Main, news
More than 20 dead in traffic accidents before Labor Day weekend
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
August 27, 2025
A 74-year-old Ninnekah man was killed in an odd traffic accident that took place on Monday, Aug. 25 in Grady County on U.S. 81 south of county road 1440. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a ve...
Find your pack
commentary
Find your pack
August 27, 2025
Life has a way of breaking us all. Often we feel like we have been thrown to the wolves and have to fight for our place in this world and possibly for our very existence. Every day, whether animal or ...
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