Twyman Park is being transformed into a magical place where kids and their parents can visit some of their favorite storybook scenes.

Children can meet characters from storybook scenes at Goodtimes Community Theatre's second annual Storybook Forest, a "not-so-scary" event that is one of the top Halloween happenings in the Poteau area.

Designed for children 10 and younger, in costume if they choose, Storybook Forest takes place from from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Oct. 29-31 and features a tree-lined trail where kids collect candy, play games, take pictures with the characters and visit scenes from classic tales such as "Little Red Riding Hood,""Wizard of Oz" and "Rapunzel." 

Other festivities in Storybook Forest include a hayride, concessions from "Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory," a campfire setting for roasting marshmallows and warming up with mugs of hot chocolate.

Adults purchasing a children's ticket are admitted free. Children cost $6.  

The following people were booked into the LeFlore County Detention Center overnight. The information was gathered from the jail's daily roster and only shows booking information. Only those with a case number listed have been charged. Stay tuned each morning to see who was arrested overnight.

CF — criminal felony
CM— criminal misdemeanor
FD — family docket such as child support
For more information about an arrestee, you can search by name or case number on www.ODCR.com or www.OSCN.net.

October 25, 2016

Jerami Scott Casteel, CF-13-93, CF-13-416, CF-16-37, CM-15-701, PO-15-397, $6,735.59 bond

Matthew Franklin Gould, CF-16-223, $12,000 bond

Eddie Junior Crisp, Sebastian Co. Hold, no bond

Cindy Dee Watterson, CF-16-71A, $2,688 bond

Dennis Andrew Mock, CF-4-574, CM-7-1036, $619 bond

Joshua Leon Haley, CF-13-227, $1,576 bond

A trail camera spotted a eerie white-faced clown by the Poteau River recently, sending LeFlore County into a buzz about its authenticity.

Poteau Daily News outdoorsman Jody Ray Adams, aka "clown hunter," said the clown spotted in the photo has been identified, and isn't a threat to the local community.

It was spotted on a camera off old Oklahoma Highway 112 near the bridge on Poteau River.

"It's been seen all over the river bottoms," Adams said. "So, be on the lookout."

LeFlore County Undersheriff Kendall Morgan said he is unaware of any clown sighting reports taken on the county side of law enforcement.

But Poteau Police Chief Stephen Fruen said three weeks ago, a clown was spotted on Carter Street in Poteau. The clown was never found.

Fruen said citizens should " ... be diligent when you're in secluded areas. Pay attention to your surroundings and always pay attention to your instinct."

Despite the origins of clowns as comical performers to humor people, 2016 has had a barrage full of allegedly ill-will clown sightings throughout the nation. Nearby in bordering Arkansas, three teens were taken into custody by police for allegedly terrorizing citizens in Bentonville Square with a horn. News outlets reported the teens received a citation and were released.

Possibly, the creepiest part of the "clown epidemic" is how the clowns, despite movie depictions, are real people.

Want to know who the clown is? Adams said he plans to identify the person in Saturday's edition of the PDN.

The following people were booked into the LeFlore County Detention Center overnight. The information was gathered from the jail's daily roster and only shows booking information. Only those with a case number listed have been charged. Stay tuned each morning to see who was arrested overnight.
CF — criminal felony
CM— criminal misdemeanor
FD — family docket such as child support
For more information about an arrestee, you can search by name or case number on www.ODCR.com or www.OSCN.net.

October 27, 2016

Mason Lee Seymour, CF-212-265A, $585 bond

Phillip Lynn Holt Jr., PI, posession of stolen property, no bond

The following people were booked into the LeFlore County Detention Center overnight. The information was gathered from the jail's daily roster and only shows booking information. Only those with a case number listed have been charged. Stay tuned each morning to see who was arrested overnight.
CF — criminal felony
CM— criminal misdemeanor
FD — family docket such as child support
For more information about an arrestee, you can search by name or case number on www.ODCR.com or www.OSCN.net.

October 28, 2016

Randal Joe Legitt, weekend sanction, no bond

Michael Dollard, burglary first degree, no bond

Paticia Rose Burnett, burglary first degree, no bond

Davoine Wilkins, burglary first degree, no bond

October 29, 2016

Joshuah Brady Davis, DUI, no bond

Erica Wright, drug court sanction, no bond

Bobbie Kay Garner, CM-13-145, domestic assault and battery/FTA, FTP, possession of CDS, $325.63 bond

October 30, 2016

Billy Don Shelton, CF-06-14/CF-08-250/CF-10-88 FTA, $500 bond

Robyn Lin Hernandez, DUI, child endangerment, no bond

Ross M Warren, Hold for Latimer County, no bond

Michael Daniel Abbottt, CF-15-71, CM-14-441, $2,083.29 bond

Lloyd Clifton Brown, possession of stolen auto, no bond

Holly Gray, DUI, no bond

October 31, 2016

Bobby Belak, Domestic A&B, no bond

The following people were booked into the LeFlore County Detention Center overnight. The information was gathered from the jail's daily roster and only shows booking information. Only those with a case number listed have been charged. Stay tuned each morning to see who was arrested overnight.
CF — criminal felony
CM— criminal misdemeanor
FD — family docket such as child support
For more information about an arrestee, you can search by name or case number on www.ODCR.com or www.OSCN.net.

October 31, 2016

Tory Von Craig, CF-12-370, $1,790 bond

Meagan Nikole Hollings, CM-16-698, $500 bond

Jessica Faye Defluiter, CF-16-542, CF-16-592, $8,500 bond

Lacey Brook Britton, Poteau warrant for petit larceny, $300 bond

Gary Alan Naylor Jr., domestic abuse in the presence of a minor, violation of a protective order, no bond

Brett Crockett, conspiracy to commit burglary, second-degree burglary, no bond

Dallas Charles Willet, conspiracy to commit burglary, second-degree burglary, no bond

November 1, 2016

Mary Elizabeth Henry, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent within 1,000 feet of school, possession of prescription drugs without prescription, child endangerment

Erik Dorey, possession of prescription drugs without prescription, child endangerment, possession drug paraphernalia, possession/deliver controlled dangerous substance with intent within 1,000 feet of school

Area law enforcement officers will conduct a checkpoint targeting intoxicated drivers from 6-8 p.m. Friday in Poteau.

The ENDUI stop will be located on north Broadway just south of Vaughn Lane near Arvest Bank.

The checkpoint will coincide with regular patrols aimed at impaired drivers and several local and county law enforcement agencies will be taking part, according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Derek Griffey.

"These ENDUI checkpoints serve as much more than just a tool for targeting impaired drivers within different cities and towns. They are a very successful public education and awareness tool and are also a deterrent to drivers who choose to drive while impaired, Griffey said.

"The overall goal is that no one is killed or injured in an alcohol related crash and if by seeing that a DUI checkpoint is being conducted stops someone from getting behind the wheel impaired then that is far better than arresting someone who has already made that choice," he said.

"After the checkpoint the officers and deputies will be patrolling and saturating the Poteau and LeFlore County area looking for impaired drivers along with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol," Griffey said.

If you are planning to drink, designate a non-drinking driver, call a taxi or call a friend or family member. Remember to read medication warning labels and never drive after taking a medication or substance that can cause impairment.

Additionally, a law to aid prosecutors in keeping drunk drivers off the road took effect Tuesday.

House Bill 3146, authored by state Rep. Mike Sanders and Sen Greg Treat, created the Impaired Driving Elimination Act and will move all DUI cases from municipal non-courts of record to a court of record.

The law would allow any municipality with a population of 60,000 or more would have the option to create a court of record. Arresting municipalities still receive a portion of the fines.

“This law is ultimately about protecting the lives of Oklahoma motorists,” said Sanders, R-Kingfisher. “I’m excited to see where this takes us in being able to reduce drunk driving in our state in the coming years. 

“The number of drunk-driving offenses is a black eye on our state. This law is about public safety; it gives an important new tool to prosecutors to be able to better flag and appropriately prosecute repeat drunk drivers, and that will save lives.”

Sanders said the new law is four-fold in that it makes sure repeat drunk drivers are removed from Oklahoma roads and properly prosecuted. It does this by adding a database so that from this point forward every DUI on every city street, county road or state highway is recorded. And, it allows district attorneys the option of developing assessments and treatment plans for offenders. 

Protesters have been met with rubber bullets, dogs, mace, strip searched and imprisoned in dog kennels at Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota.
Numerous tribes have gotten together to take a stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline that will run less than a mile north of their reservation.
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is among those who have sent help. The tribes are arguing that the pipeline would contaminate their water supply if there was a leak.  

The original proposal had the pipeline going across the Missouri River, but it was changed when the risks were examined. The residents of the town had concerns that if there was a leak, it would contaminate the water for the capital city, Bismarck. The pipeline was then rerouted to cross to the reservation.
"There are two broad issues. First, the pipeline would pass under the Missouri River (at Lake Oahe) just a half a mile upstream of the Tribe’s reservation boundary, where a spill would be culturally and economically catastrophic. Second, the pipeline would pass through areas of great cultural significance, such as sacred sites and burials that federal law seeks to protect," according to the FAQ page of the tribe's website.

Protestors have been peacefully gathering for months to stop the pipeline from crossing their land but recently were met with tanks and a militarized police presence. "The militarization of local law enforcement and enlistment of multiple law enforcements agencies from neighboring states is needlessly escalating violence and unlawful arrests against peaceful protesters at Standing Rock," Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II said in a statement about recent arrests and actions on both sides. 

"We do not condone reports of illegal actions, but believe the majority of peaceful protesters are reacting to strong-arm tactics and abuses by law enforcement."
Water Protectors, as they call themselves, have been receiving donations from individuals and tribes across the country and world. They recently used crowd sourcing to ask for $5,000 for their cause but were met with an outpouring of support. The group raised over one million dollars from their requests for funding.

The Choctaw Nation joined many tribes in sending support. The most recent donation was taken by a group after Jeff Hansen, emergency management director for the Choctaw Nation, received a request from Chief Gary Batton asking him to contact the tribe to see how the Choctaw Nation could support their efforts.

The group that went stopped to buy items such as sleeping bags, generators, chainsaws and propane heaters when they reached North Dakota. The protestors will need winter supplies to continue the protest.
Lakota Nations Tribal Councilman-At-Large Charles Walker said, “It’s a good feeling knowing we have so much support because when we have our tribal nations come together although we come from different backgrounds, we come from different treaties, we come from different whatever had happened to our people in the past, we’re still here in the fact that we exist. We stand here today in unity with our people.”  
According to the Choctaw Nation, hundreds of tribes have contributed in some way to the Standing Rock people and the community at Sacred Stone. “This fight is everyone’s,” Hansen said. The fight is raising awareness about tribes, their governments and their treaties that they expect to be honored.  

In a joint statement from the Department of Justice, the Department of the Army and the Department of the Interior regarding Standing Rock Sioux Tribe v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the lack of tribal representation was addressed. “Furthermore, this case has highlighted the need for a serious discussion on whether there should be nationwide reform with respect to considering tribes’ views on these types of infrastructure projects. Therefore, this fall, we will invite tribes to formal, government-to-government consultations on two questions: (1) within the existing statutory framework, what should the federal government do to better ensure meaningful tribal input into infrastructure-related reviews and decisions and the protection of tribal lands, resources, and treaty rights; and (2) should new legislation be proposed to Congress to alter that statutory framework and promote those goals.”

By supporting each other, the tribes have opened up the national discussion to include topics of native input into government decisions which could affect tribes around the country, not just Standing Rock. The president said recently that they would let the situation play out for a few more weeks and the Army Corps of Engineers is assessing the situation to see if the route of the pipeline can be changed again.

The following people were booked into the LeFlore County Detention Center overnight. The information was gathered from the jail's daily roster and only shows booking information. Only those with a case number listed have been charged. Stay tuned each morning to see who was arrested overnight.
CF — criminal felony
CM— criminal misdemeanor
FD — family docket such as child support
For more information about an arrestee, you can search by name or case number on www.ODCR.com or www.OSCN.net.

November 3, 2016

Shawn Andrews, Carrying prohibited weapon into government building, Failed to register as a sex offender, no bond

Regina Sue Lowery, DUI, possession of CDS, possession of paraphernalia, no bond

Danny Kale Williams, possession of CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia, hold for Latimer county, $4,500 bond

Rodney Tackett, CF-08-205/CM-14-742/CM-16-369(1985.36), $1,775 bond

The following people were booked into the LeFlore County Detention Center overnight. The information was gathered from the jail's daily roster and only shows booking information. Only those with a case number listed have been charged. Stay tuned each morning to see who was arrested overnight.
CF — criminal felony
CM— criminal misdemeanor
FD — family docket such as child support
For more information about an arrestee, you can search by name or case number on www.ODCR.com or www.OSCN.net.

November 4-6, 2016

November 4, 2016

Patrick Culpepper, drug court sanction, no bond
Robert Puryear, failure to appear,assault and battery, possession of marijuana 2nd degree, $3,172 bond
Phillip Allen Potter, CM-2015-470, S2,500 bond
Jefferey Darneal, possession of firearm while intoxicated, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of firearm AFC, $5,500 bond

November 5

Johnny Wayne Gill, CF-15-209, CF-16-408, $21,000 bond
Larry Wayne Miller, possession of CDS, possession drug paraphernalia, $4,000 bond
Timothy Elijah Perry, DUI, DUS, no bond
Devon Perry, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, no bond

November 6

Marilyn Sue Hall, DUI, no bond
Dalton Blake Thompson, DUI, DUS,TOC, no bond
Taylor Lorne Schmidt, DUI-D, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, $5,500 bond

Every litter bit hurts, and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful is working to spread that message to Oklahoma students.

Its elementary program, UnCapped, reaches fourth- and fifth-graders with this message and encourages them to take an active role in preserving the environment.

Participating classrooms collect bottle caps and use them to create a mural. Photos of the artwork were posted to an online voting site, where the public voted for their favorites.

The finalists for this contest are Erin Trowbridge’s fifth-grade class at Talihina Elementary, Lorrie Buettner fifth-grade class at Cashion Elementary and Donna Peoples’ fourth-grade class at Vici Elementary.

The classes were also required to write a class-collaborative essay describing what they learned throughout the program. In this essay, students explain why it is important to recycle and the harmful effects of littering.

The Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation decides the winner of the event. All finalists will be recognized at KOB’s 26th annual Environmental Excellence Celebration on Nov. 17.

Keep Oklahoma Beautiful is a nonprofit working to empower Oklahoma citizens to preserve and enhance the state’s natural beauty and ensure a healthy, sustainable environment.

(AP) — An Arkansas man has been killed in a fiery head-on collision in southeastern Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that 22-year-old Juan Bolanos-Lopez of DeQueen, Ark., died in the crash Monday near Broken Bow.

An OHP report says Bolanos-Lopez was driving eastbound when his vehicle crossed the center line of U.S. Highway 70 and collided head-on with a westbound tractor-trailer rig and both vehicles caught fire and burned.

The report says the driver of the semi is hospitalized in stable condition.

The report says it was raining and the roadway was wet at the time of the crash.

There is no shortage of events honoring veterans this week in LeFlore County.

Starting today in Fort Smith, Ark., a hotel that is being turned into a home for veterans, will host a Veterans Day Celebration in honor of area veterans.

The celebration will be at River Valley Inn and Suites, the hotel being transformed by therapist Mary Byers-Diaz of Rock Island and Dr. Hassan Masri, for veterans to live while receiving on-site counseling.

The memorial event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locals are welcome to present their loved one's pictures, medals and memorabilia on a memorial table for others to see.

On Friday, Veteran's Day, the LeFlore County Retired Educators meeting will be held with a veterans program at 11 a.m. at the Poteau Pizza Hut and they invite all veterans to attend.

The Choctaw Nation will hold its annual veterans celebration at 10 a.m. at Tuskahoma. Guests are invited to pay their respects at the memorial that has the names of the fallen on display. The history of the code talkers also will be on display.

Saturday, there will be a pancake breakfast at the LeFlore County Museum in the old Lowery Hotel from 7-10 a.m. The ninth annual LeFlore County Veterans Day parade will take place downtown at 10 a.m., following the breakfast.

Weekend musical entertainment also will honor American's veterans. Cavanal Chorale will hold concerts entitled "Uniquely American" at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Poteau First United Methodist Church.

Flags have already been placed on numerous graves as local veterans groups honor their fallen brothers and sisters while reminding the rest of the community about the sacrifice they made for freedom.

A Sallisaw man drowned over the weekend in LeFlore County in the Short Mountain area.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol identified the man as 21-year-old Jacob Lewis of Sallisaw. He drowned around 4:28 p.m. Saturday at a rock quarry in the Short Mountain area, OHP said.

According to the incident report, Lewis and another swimmer were swimming across the rock quarry when Lewis began to struggle and went under.

Trooper Jeremy Tolman of the Marine Enforcement Division of detachment of Troop W investigated the drowning with assistance from Trooper Kevin Antwine, also of the Marine Enforcement Division.

OHP listed other assisting parties as LeFlore County Sheriff's Office, Cowlington Fire Department and the LeFlore County Dive Team.

The following people were booked into the LeFlore County Detention Center overnight. The information was gathered from the jail's daily roster and only shows booking information. Only those with a case number listed have been charged. Stay tuned each morning to see who was arrested overnight.
CF — criminal felony
CM— criminal misdemeanor
FD — family docket such as child support
For more information about an arrestee, you can search by name or case number on www.ODCR.com or www.OSCN.net.

November 11-13, 2016

November 11, 2016

Lenard Franklin Bond, Hold for Pittsburg County, no bond
Tiffany Danell Jamison, CM-2015-446, $300 bond
Seth Jamerson, Robbery with dangerous weapon, unlawfully carry concealed weapon, $60,000 bond

November 12, 2016

Megan Marie Mattingly, Hold for Scott County, no bond
Caleb Darr, Burglary first degree, malicious injury to property, aggravated assault and battery, resisting arrest, $39,000 bond

November 13, 2016

Erica Wright, drug court sanction, no bond
Christopher Whitledge, domestic assault and battery by strangulation, no bond
Laurel Rowley, hold for Crawford County, fugitive from justice, no bond
James Earl Henry, domestic assault and battery, $5,000 bond
Shelby Amber Couch, eluding police, DUS, concealed weapon(brass knuckles), possession of CDS, DUID, reckless driving, injury to property, speeding, imporoper passing on right, Heavener warrant ($948.36 cash), $948.36 bond
Austin Dale Getz, assault and battery on a police officer with bodily fluid, resisting arrest, no bond

The following people were booked into the LeFlore County Detention Center overnight. The information was gathered from the jail's daily roster and only shows booking information. Only those with a case number listed have been charged. Stay tuned each morning to see who was arrested overnight.
CF — criminal felony
CM— criminal misdemeanor
FD — family docket such as child support
For more information about an arrestee, you can search by name or case number on www.ODCR.com or www.OSCN.net.

November 14, 2016

David Adams, CM-04-502, CM-06-982, FMI-10-61, $7,084.50 bond

Natasha Samuels, CF-133-332, possession of controlled dangerous substance, shoplifting, $3,704.55 bond

November 15, 2016

Kenneth Sharp, TR-07-02157, $346.50 bond

Pictured above are CASC President Jay Falkner, CASC Regent Deanna Reed, and pageant co-chair Terri Hardin with the pageant contestants. Contestants, front row from left, include Natalie Cepeda of Wister, Jillian Branscum of Poteau, Ashley Moore of Poteau, and Sunni McConnell of Poteau. Back row: Taylor Keith of Poteau, Carla Medina of Heavener, Angelin Pierce of Fort Smith, MaKayla Jackson of Muldrow, and Bailey Oberste of Sallisaw.

Contestants for the Carl Albert State College Miss CASC Pageant were guests at the home of Deanna Reed this week. The luncheon is an annual event held each year one week prior to the pageant.

This year’s scholarship pageant will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Hamilton Auditorium on the Poteau campus.

Tickets are available at the CASC Bookstore. All seats are reserved and cost $10 each, with CASC students, faculty and staff tickets available for $5.

Here is a list of potentially dangerous toys this holiday season

The following people were booked into the LeFlore County Detention Center overnight. The information was gathered from the jail's daily roster and only shows booking information. Only those with a case number listed have been charged. Stay tuned each morning to see who was arrested overnight.
CF — criminal felony
CM— criminal misdemeanor
FD — family docket such as child support
For more information about an arrestee, you can search by name or case number on www.ODCR.com or www.OSCN.net.

November 16-20, 2016

November 16, 2016

James Daniel Moss, CM-2016-46, $1,000 bond
Richard Jose Hernandez, CF-2013-201, $5,000 bond
David Webb, CF-2015-179, no bond
Amber Ashing, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of CDS in presence of a minor, $6,000 bond

November 17, 2016

Jesse Lee Hooper, CF-2016-185, $20,000 bond
Kaela Holt, domestic assault, $5,000 bond
Stephen Lee Stewart, CF-2016-83A, $3,500 bond
Rex Ellis Allen, CF-2016-239, $5,000 bond
Joy Lynn Edwards, CF-2013-355, $885 bond
Warren Melvin Perry, CF-2014-379, CM-2013-551, FD-2009-00024, FR-2000-00609, $31,954.20 bond

November 18, 2016

Benjamin Dwight Austin, CM-2016-82, CM-2013-579, $812.85 bond
Peter Boswell Jr., CF-2016-57, $31,500 bond
Kayla Michelle Billy, fraud to obtain refunds, $1,500 bond
Joe David Branham Jr., CF-2004-84, $5,285.38 bond
Kevin Pogue, Neces County hold, no bond
Torie Boman, drug court sanction, no bond
Jason Gunne Forsberg, drug court sanction, no bond

November 19, 2016

Melinda Ann Holden, DUI, no bond

November 20, 2016

Sheryl Anne Rodriguez, DUI, no bond
Kenna Lee Morrison, possession of CDS, possession or drug paraphernalia, possession of prescription medication without a prescription, Muskogee County hold, no bond
Kendell D. Asher, Sequoyah County hold, no bond.

The following people were booked into the LeFlore County Detention Center overnight. The information was gathered from the jail's daily roster and only shows booking information. Only those with a case number listed have been charged. Stay tuned each morning to see who was arrested overnight.
CF — criminal felony
CM— criminal misdemeanor
FD — family docket such as child support
For more information about an arrestee, you can search by name or case number on www.ODCR.com or www.OSCN.net.

Nov. 21, 2016

Alvin Jamerson III, CF-14-483, $10,000 bond

Frederick Hogrefe, CF-16-260, CM-16-712, $5,500 bond

Anthony Mathis, CM-05-238, $4,483.90 bond

Cameron Lynn Hobbs, driving under suspension, possession stolen property, no bond

Hillary Kay Moore, CF-16-214, CM-12-303, CM-13-72, $6,042.32 bond

Nov. 22, 2016

Daniel Wayne Carry, hold for Haskell County, no bond

Stephen Isaac Jr., CF-12-164, CF-13-450, CM-13-236, $4,260.38 bond

Randall Burrough, driving under suspension, $499 bond