Oklahoma

June 09, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class David R. Hurst, 31, of Fort Sill, Oklahoma, died June 7 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), located at Fort Polk, La.    » read more »

June 05, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died June 3 in Zormat, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

Killed were:

Maj. Scott A. Hagerty, 41, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, who was assigned to the 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, Pasadena, Texas.

Pfc. Derek D. Holland, 20, of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, who was assigned to the 228th Brigade Support Battalion, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Bethlehem, Pa.    » read more »

May 29, 2008 -- Oklahoma City -- Federal authorities have approved public assistance for Craig, Latimer and Ottawa counties to help those communities recover from the deadly May 10 tornadoes.

Public assistance will deliver federal funding to assist cities, towns and counties with infrastructure repairs and costs associated with responding to the May 10 storms. Assistance for individuals has already been approved.

“I am thankful that FEMA and President Bush have responded quickly to help these communities,” Gov. Henry said. “The damage resulting from these storms was some of the worst I have ever seen, and these communities need help repairing buildings and power lines and covering the cost of debris removal.”    » read more »

05/29/2008 -- The proposed acquisition of National Beef Packing Company and Smithfield Beef Group by Brazilian meat company JBS could have implications for Oklahoma cattle producers, OKlahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson said today.

Oklahoma cattle: Photo by Wade (CC)

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Edmondson said by taking over National Beef and Smithfield, JBS will become the largest beef processor in the nation and the new company could have a significant impact on the feedlot segment of the beef industry.    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- Oklahoma City — Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry announced this evening that federal authorities have approved his request for federal disaster assistance to individuals and businesses in Craig, Latimer and Pittsburg counties impacted by the May 10 tornadoes.

The approval for individual assistance in the three counties comes only hours after the Governor made the request. The designation ensures federal assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- Oklahoma City — The White House today approved Oklahoma’s request for federal disaster assistance in the Ottawa County tornado, according to Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry.

“We got the word from the White House late this afternoon,” said the governor. “We appreciate the quick response from Pres. Bush and his team. The people of Picher and the other affected communities need all the help they can get, and this is a critical first step.

“We will continue to work with our federal partners to obtain all possible assistance, including expedited aid in the Picher buyout process.”

An EF-4 tornado struck several Ottawa County communities Saturday evening, destroying more than 100 homes and causing several fatalities in the town of Picher alone.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- Oklahoma City -- In the wake of the deadly tornado that swept through the town of Picher on May 10, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry today asked Pres. Bush to provide a federal disaster declaration for Ottawa County. The designation would provide federal assistance to individuals and businesses in the tornado-ravaged area.

Picher, Oklahoma: Photo by peggydavis66 (CC)

“Picher is devastated, and its citizens are hurting,” Gov. Henry said.    » read more »